AD-B 2006 (Buildings Other Than Dwelling Houses) - UNLOCKED

8/6/2019 AD-B 2006 (Buildings Other Than Dwelling Houses) - UNLOCKED

1/170

Fire safety

The Building Regulations 2000

B1 Means of warning and escapeB2 Internal fire spread (linings)

B3 Internal fire spread (structure)

B4 External fire spread

B5 Access and facilities for the fire

VOLUME 2 BUILDINGS OTHERTHAN DWELLINGHOUSES

APPROVED DOCUMENT

Coming into effect April 2007


2/170

VOLUME 2

MAIN CHANGES IN THE

2006 EDITIONThis edition of Approved Document B, Fire safety,replaces the 2000 edition. The main changes are:

General

a. Approved Document B: The ApprovedDocument has been split into two volumes.Volume 1 deals with dwellinghouses, Volume 2deals with buildings other than dwellinghouses.

b. Fire Safety Information:A new Regulation(16B) has been introduced to ensure thatsufficient information is recorded to assist theeventual owner/occupier/employer to meet theirstatutory duties under the Regulatory Reform(Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Introduction

c. Management of Premises: New guidance isgiven on the need to ensure that managementregimes are realistic.

d. Certification Schemes: Suitable schemes maybe accepted by Building Control Bodies asevidence of compliance.

e. Residential Sprinklers: The use of sprinklersystems in accordance with BS 9251:2005is recognised.

f. Alternative Approaches

i. HTM 05 Firecode should be used forused for the design of hospitals and similarhealth care premises.

ii. BB100 should be used for the designof schools.

B1

g. Fire Alarms in Flats: The guidance on smokealarms in flats has been amended such thatalarms should be installed in accordance withBS 5839- 6:2004.

Simple guidance has been retained, in the formof a commentary on this standard, so that most

iv. Guidance on the use systems in flats with phalls or stairways is g

v. The provisions for smcommon areas of flat

vi. Guidance on means owith open spatial plann

vii. A method has been pacceptable final exit wescape routes at grou

viii. Guidance on the provassociated with subdbeen moved to Sectio

ix. Guidance applicable previously in BS 5588incorporated into the

x. New guidance on thecare homes has beenuse of sprinklers and/closing devices. Grea

given where sprinklerxi. Guidance on means o

people has been incoguidance on means o

xii. In tall building with phconsideration needs tinteraction of firefightattempting to evacua

xiii. More detailed guidanon the protection of v

B3

j. Compartment Walls: Thdeflection of a floor, in thshould be accommodatecompartment walls.

k. Sprinkler protection in fsystems should be providexceeding 30m in height.

l. Warehouses:A maximumhas been introduced for ustorey warehouse buildin

m. Concealed Spaces: This


3/170

Use o guidance 5

The Approved Documents 5

Limitation on requirements 5

Materials and workmanship 5

Interaction with other legislation 6

General introduction 9

Scope 9

Arrangement o sections 9

Management o premises 0

Property protection 0

Independent schemes o certication andaccreditation 0

Sprinkler systems

Inclusive design 2

Material alteration 2

Alternative approaches 2

B1 Means o warning and escape The Requirement 5

B1 Guidance 6

Perormance 6

Introduction 6

B1 Section 1: Fire alarm and redetection systems 8

Introduction 8

Flats 8

Buildings other than fats 9

B1 Section 2: Means o escape rom fats 22

Introduction 22

General provisions 22

P i i f t h th f

B1 Section 4: Desig

Introduction

Number o escape s

Provision o reuges

Width o escape sta

Calculation o minim

Protection o escapeBasement stairs

External escape stai

B1 Section 5: Gene

Introduction

Protection o escape

Doors on escape rouStairs

General

Lits

Mechanical ventilatioair-conditioning syst

Reuse chutes and s

Shop storerooms

B2 Internal re spre The Requirement

B2 Guidance

Perormance

Introduction

B2 Section6: Wall a

Classication o linin

Variations and speci

Thermoplastic mater

Contents

PAGE


4/170

B3 Section 8: Compartmentation 7

Introduction 7

Provision o compartmentation 7

Construction o compartment walls andcompartment foors 74

Openings in compartmentation 76

Protected shats 76

B3 Section 9: Concealed spaces (cavities) 80

Introduction 80

Provision o cavity barriers 80

Pathways around re separating elements 8

Extensive cavities 8

Construction and xings or cavity barriers 84

B3 Section 10: Protection o openings

and re-stopping 85Introduction 85

Openings or pipes 85

Ventilation ducts, fues, etc. 86

Fire-stopping 87

B3 Section 11: Special provisions or carparks and shopping complexes 89

lntroduction 89

Car parks 89

Shopping complexes 90

B4 External re spread The Requirement 9

B4 Guidance 92

Perormance 92

Introduction 92

B4 Section 12: Construction oexternal walls 93

I t d ti 93

B4 Section 14: Roo cover

Introduction

Classication o perormanc

Separation distances

B5 Access and acilities othe Fire and Rescue Servi The Requirement

B5 Guidance

Perormance

Introduction

B5 Section 15: Fire Mains

Introduction

Provision o re mains

Number and location o re

Design and construction o

Provision o private hydrant

B5 Section 16: Vehicle acc

Introduction

Buildings not tted with re

Buildings tted with re ma

Design o access routes an

B5 Section 17: Access to reghting personnel

Introduction

Provision o reghting sha

Number and location o re

Design and construction o Rolling shutters in compartm

B5 Section 18: Venting o smoke rom basements

Introduction

PAGE

B CONTENTS


5/170

Materials o limited combustibility 9

Internal linings 9

Thermoplastic materials 20

Fire test methods 2

Appendix B: Fire doors 32

Appendix C: Methods o measurement 35

Appendix D: Purpose groups 39

Appendix E: Denitions 4

Appendix F: Fire behaviour o insulatingcore panels used or internal structures 45

Appendix G: Fire saety inormation 47

Appendix H: Standards and otherpublications reerred to 49

Diagrams

B1

. Gallery foors with no alternative exit 23

2. Flat where all habitable rooms havedirect access to an entrance hall 24

3. Flat with restricted travel distancerom urthest point to entrance 24

4. Flat with an alternative exit, butwhere all habitable rooms have nodirect access to an entrance hall 25

5. Multi-storey fat with alternative exitsrom each habitable room, except atentrance level 25

6. Multi-storey fat with protectedentrance hall and landing 26

7. Flats served by one common stair 27

8. Flats served by more than onecommon stair 28

9. Common escape route in small singlet i b ildi 29

9. Progressive hin care homes

20. Reuge orme

2. Reuge orme

22. Maximum travtwo-storey propen stair

23. Maximum travsmall three-sta single stair t

24. External protestairways

25. Fire resistancexternal stairs

B2

26. Lighting dius

27. Layout restricroofights, TP(lighting diuse

B3

28. Compartmentguidance in p

29. Compartmentfoors with reparagraphs in

30. Junction o cowith roo

3. Protected sha

32. Uninsulated gprotected sha

33. Provisions or

34. Cavity walls eor cavity barr

35. Fire-resisting concealed sp

36. Provisions ordouble-skinne

PAGE

CONTENTS


6/170

44. Unprotected areas which may bedisregarded in assessing the separation

distance rom the boundary 9945. The eect o a canopy on

separation distance 99

46. Permitted unprotected areas in smallresidential buildings 0

47. Limitations on spacing and size o plasticroofights having a Class 3 (Nationalclass) or Class D-s3, d2 (European

class) or TP(b) lower surace 02

B5

48. Example o building ootprint andperimeter 09

49. Relationship between building andhard-standing/access roads or highreach re appliances 0

50. Turning acilities 5. Provision o reghting shats 3

52. Components o a reghting shat 4

53. Fire-resisting construction or smokeoutlet shats 5

Appendices

C. Measurement o door width 36

C2. Cubic capacity 36

C3. Area 37

C4. Height o building 37

C5. Number o storeys 38

C6. Height o top storey in building 38

C7. Free area o smoke ventilators 38

E. Recessed car parking areas 44

Tables

B1

. Limitations on distance o traveli bl k f t 29

B2

0. Classication o linin

. Limitations applied toroofights and lightingsuspended ceilings aplastic roofights

B3

2. Maximum dimensionor compartment (non

buildings) 3. Maximum dimension

non-domestic buildinGroups 2-7)

4. Maximum nominal inpipes passing througwall/foor

B4

5. Permitted unprotectebuildings or compart

6. Limitations on roo co

7. Class 3 (National clasD-s3,d2 plastic roofion use and boundary

8. TP(a) and TP(b) plast

limitations on useanddistance

B5

9. Fire and rescue servito buildings (excludinnot tted with re ma

20. Typical re and rescuaccess route specic

Appendices

A. Specic provisions oresistance o element

A2. Minimum periods o

A3 Li it ti

PAGE

B CONTENTS


7/170

THE APPROVED DOCUMENTS

This document is one o a series that has beenapproved and issued by the Secretary o Stateor the purpose o providing practical guidancewith respect to the requirements o Schedule to and Regulation 7 o the Building Regulations2000 (SI 2000/253) or England and Wales.

At the back o this document is a list o all thedocuments that have been approved and issuedby the Secretary o State or this purpose.

The Approved Documents are intended toprovide guidance or some o the more commonbuilding situations. However, there may well bealternative ways o achieving compliance withthe requirements.

Thus there is no obligation to adopt anyparticular solution contained in an ApprovedDocument i you preer to meet the relevant

requirement in some other way.Other requirements

The guidance contained in an Approved Documentrelates only to the particular requirements o theRegulations which that document addresses. Thebuilding work will also have to comply with theRequirements o any other relevant paragraphsin Schedule to the Regulations.

There are Approved Documents which giveguidance on each o the other requirements inSchedule and on Regulation 7.

LIMITATION ON REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with Regulation 8, the requirementsin Parts A to D, F to K, N and P (except orparagraphs H2 and J6) o Schedule to theBuilding Regulations do not require anythingto be done except or the purpose o securingreasonable standards o health and saety orpersons in or about buildings (and any otherswho may be aected by buildings or mattersconnected with buildings). This is one o thecategories o purpose or which Building Regulationsmay be made

MATERIALS A

Any building work wrequirements imposeBuilding Regulationswith Regulation 7, bematerials and in a wo

You may show that yRegulation 7 in a numthe appropriate use marking in accordan

Products Directive (8Voltage Directive (7393/68/EEC)2 and theEEC)3, as amended b(93/68/EEC)4, or a prappropriate technicain those Directives), alternative national tMember State o the

or o another State son the European Ecoprovides an equivaleprotection, or a prodor European certicaTechnical Approval Iconditions o use areterms o the certica

You will nd urther g

Document supportinand workmanship.

Use o guidance


8/170

Independent certiication schemes

There are many UK product certication schemes.Such schemes certiy compliance with therequirements o a recognised document which is

appropriate to the purpose or which the productis to be used. Products which are not so certiedmay still conorm to a relevant standard.

Many certication bodies which approve suchschemes are accredited by the United KingdomAccreditation Service (UKAS).

Since the re perormance o a product,component or structure is dependent upon

satisactory site installation and maintenance,independent schemes o certication andaccreditation o installers and maintenance rmso such will provide condence in the appropriatestandard o workmanship being provided.

Building Control Bodies may accept the certicationo products, components, materials or structuresunder such schemes as evidence o compliancewith the relevant standard. Similarly, Building

Control Bodies may accept the certicationo the installation or maintenance o products,components, materials or structures under suchschemes as evidence o compliance with therelevant standard. Nonetheless, a Building ControlBody will wish to establish, in advance o thework, that any such scheme is adequate or thepurposes o the Building Regulations.

Technical speciications

Building Regulations are made or specicpurposes including: health and saety, energyconservation and the welare and convenienceo people. Standards and technical approvals arerelevant guidance to the extent that they relateto these considerations. However, they may alsoaddress other aspects o perormance such asserviceability, or aspects which, although theyrelate to health and saety, are not covered by

the Regulations.When an Approved Document makes reerenceto a named standard, the relevant version othe standard is the one listed at the end othe publication. However, i this version o thestandard has been revised or updated by theissuing standards body the new version may

INTERACTION WITH

LEGISLATION

The Regulatory Reorm (Fi

The Fire Saety Order reormre saety in non-domestic pit replaces the Fire PrecautioRegulations 997 and the F97. It imposes a general dprecautions as may be reasensure that premises are saand those in the immediate

By virtue o the Order, the rerequired to carry out a re rispremises. This must be a suassessment o the risks to ware exposed or the purposegeneral re precautions theycomply with the requiremen

Although these requirementpremises whilst in operation

or the designers o a buildinpreliminary re risk assessmdesign process. I a preliminis produced, it can be used aRegulations submission andsaety enorcing authority inat an early stage as to whatprovisions may be necessaris rst occupied.

Article 6 o the Order does esuch as certain mines, vehicpart o an agricultural or oreThe Order applies to all nonwhich includes the commonfats and HMOs.

Guidance on the consultatioshould be adopted to ensureo all enorcing authorities a

Building Regulation ApprovaBuildingRegulationandFireGuidance, published jointly Welsh Assembly Governme

There may be other Statuteslocal authority or the re andthat may be applied to prem

B USE OF GUIDANCE


9/170

The Workplace (Health, Saety and Welare)Regulations 1992

TheWorkplace(Health,SaetyandWelare)Regulations1992contain some requirements which

aect building design. The main requirements arenow covered by the Building Regulations, but orurther inormation see: Workplacehealth,saetyandwelare,TheWorkplace(Health,SaetyandWelare)Regulations1992,ApprovedCodeoPracticeandGuidance;The Health and SaetyCommission, L24; published by HMSO 992(ISBN: 0 886 333 9).

TheWorkplace(Health,SaetyandWelare)

Regulations1992apply to the common partso fats and similar buildings i people such ascleaners, wardens and caretakers are employedto work in these common parts. Where therequirements o the Building Regulations that arecovered by this Part do not apply to dwellings,the provisions may still be required in thesituations described above in order to satisythe Workplace Regulations.

The Construction (Design and Management)Regulations 2006

The purpose o this Approved Document is toprovide guidance on the re saety requirementsor the completed building. It does not addressthe risk o re during the construction work whichis covered by the Construction (Design andManagement) Regulations 2006 and the RegulatoryReorm (Fire Saety) Order. HSE has issued theollowing guidance on re saety in construction:Construction Inormation Sheet No 5 Constructionre saety; and HSG 68 Fire saety in constructionwork (ISBN: 0 776 332 ).

When the construction work is being carried outon a building which, apart rom the constructionsite part o the building, is occupied, the Fire andRescue Authority is responsible or the enorcemento the 2006 Regulations in respect o re. Wherethe building is unoccupied, the Health and SaetyExecutive is responsible or enorcement on theconstruction site.

The Construction Products Directive

The Construction Products Directive (CPD) is th N A h Di ti hi h

grounds. In the UK, tby the Construction came into orce on 2amended on Janua

Products (AmendmeThis document reerguidance, a large nuin relation to Codes methods (typically theIn order to acilitate ho the new technicalsupporting Europeanis also given on the c

in accordance with tGuidance is given ospecication o a proo the ollowing appl

. a product bearinwith the Constru(89/06/EEC) as Directive (93/68/

2. a product testedwith the Europeato in the Commisand/or Commiss

3. a product compltechnical specicDirectives 89/0693/68/EEC).

The implementation

a time period duringStandards and Eurowill co-exist. This is co-existence. The obco-existence is to proto the requirements producers, importersconstruction producmanuactured in line

previously in orce aout. The duration o in relation to the Eurbeen clearly dened

As new inormation burther harmonised Eto this document are

USE OF GUIDANCE


10/170

Designation o standards

The designation o xxxx is used or the yearreerred to or standards that are not yet published.The latest version o any standard may be used

provided that it continues to address the relevantrequirements o the Regulations.

Commission guidance papers and decisions

The ollowing guidance papers and CommissionDecisions are directly relevant to re mattersunder the Construction Products Directive:

Guidance paper G

The European classication system or the reactionto re perormance o construction products.

Guidance paper J

Transitional arrangements under the ConstructionProducts Directive.

Commission Decision o 8 February 2000(2000/47/EC) implementing Council Directive89/06/EEC as regards the classicationo the reaction to re perormance oconstruction products.

Commission Decision o 3 May 2000 (2000/367/EC) implementing Council Directive 89/06/EECas regards the classication o the resistanceto re perormance o construction products,construction works and parts thereo.

Commission Decision o 26 September 2000

(2000/605/EC) amending Decision 96/603/ECestablishing the list o products belonging toClasses A No contribution to re providedor in Decision 94/6/EC implementingArticle 20 o Council Directive 89/06/EECon construction products.

Corrigenda Corrigendum to CommissionDecision 2000/47/EC o 8 February 2000implementing Council Directive 89/06/EEC

as regards the classication o the reactionto re perormance o construction products.

The publication and revision o Commissionguidance papers and decisions are ongoingand the latest inormation in this respect can beound by accessing the European Commissionswebsite via the link on the CLG website at:

Environmental Protection

Requirements under Part B Regulations and the guidanApproved Document are ma

purpose o ensuring the heao people in and around bui

The Environment Agency puon the design and constructthe purpose o protecting thincludes Pollution Preventioon ManagingFireWaterandwhich seeks to minimise therun-o rom re-ghting. It i

to large (and small, high-riskindustrial sites and sets out construction o containment water and such other measu

It should be noted that comBuilding Regulations does ncompliance with other such

B USE OF GUIDANCE


11/170

FIRE SAFETY VOLUME 2

BUILDINGS OTHER THANDWELLINGHOUSES

Scope

0.1 Approved Document B (Fire saety) hasbeen published in two volumes. Volume dealssolely with dwellinghouses (see Appendix E andBuilding Regulation 2()), while Volume 2 dealswith all other types o building covered by theBuilding Regulations.

Where very large (over 8m in height) or unusualdwellinghouses are proposed, some o theguidance in Volume 2 may be needed tosupplement that given by Volume .

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

0.2 The unctional requirements B to B5 oSchedule o the Building Regulations are dealtwith separately in one or more Sections. Therequirement is reproduced at the start o therelevant Sections, ollowed by an introductionto the subject.

0.3 The provisions set out in this documentdeal with dierent aspects o re saety, with theollowing aims.

B1: To ensure satisactory provision omeans o giving an alarm o re and asatisactory standard o means o escapeor persons in the event o re in a building.

B2: To ensure re spread over the internallinings o buildings is inhibited.

B3: To ensure the stability o buildings inthe event o re; to ensure that there is asucient degree o re separation withinbuildings and between adjoining buildings;to provide automatic re suppressionwhere necessary; and to inhibit the unseenspread o re and smoke in concealedspaces in buildings.

B4: To ensure external walls and roos have

provisions or controand between B3 and

these dierent requirwhere variations in thbeing considered. A o the requirements mo one or more o theguidance in the docuconsidered as a pacacceptable standard

0.5 In the guidanc

fats are separated rbuilding because thein the approach that

Appendices: provisone o Part Bs requ

0.6 Guidance on mone o the Sections icovering the ollowin

Appendix A: Perprod

Appendix B: Fire

Appendix C: Met

Appendix D: Pur

Appendix E: De

Appendix F: Fire panels used or i

Appendix G: Fire

Appendix H: Stanpub

Fire perormance oand structures

0.7 Much o the g

document is given inrelation to standard drawn together in Apis made where approprotection systems, reor systems design areerred to are listed

General introduction


12/170

Deinitions

0.11 The denitions are given in Appendix E.

Fire saety Inormation

0.12 Regulation 6B requires that where buildingwork is carried out which aects re saety, andwhere the building aected will be covered bythe Regulatory Reorm (Fire Saety) Order 2005,the person carrying out the work must providesucient inormation or persons to operateand maintain the building in reasonable saety.This inormation will assist the eventual owner/occupier/employer to meet their statutory duties

under the Regulatory Reorm (Fire Saety) Order.The exact amount o inormation and level odetail necessary will vary depending on thenature and complexity o the buildings design.

For small buildings, basic inormation on thelocation and nature o re protection measuresmay be all that is necessary.

For larger buildings, a more detailed record o the

re saety strategy and procedures or operatingand maintaining any re protection measureso the building will be necessary. Appendix Gprovides advice on the sort o inormation thatshould be provided.

MANAGEMENT OF PREMISES

0.13 This Approved Document has been writtenon the assumption that the building concernedwill be properly managed.

Building Regulations do not impose anyrequirements on the management o a building.However, in developing an appropriate re saetydesign or a building it may be necessary to considerthe way in which it will be managed. A designwhich relies on an unrealistic or unsustainablemanagement regime cannot be considered tohave met the requirements o the Regulations.

Once the building is in use the managementregime should be maintained and any variationin that regime should be the subject o asuitable risk assessment. Failure to take propermanagement responsibility may result in theprosecution o an employer, building owner

Building Regulations are inta reasonable standard o liecase o re. The protection obuilding itsel, oten requires

and insurers will, in general, standards, beore accepting

Many insurers use the Fire Pr(FPA) Design Guide or the buildings as a basis or provto the building designer on wInsurers key objectives or astandards o property prote

a. to limit damage to the a

caused by heat, smoke b. to limit damage to the co

caused by heat, smoke

c. to allow the business toshort a time as possiblethus limiting business in

The FPA Design Guide is a which incorporate:

a. An Essential Principlesdescribes unctional req

b. A range o Design Princwhich provide guidancebuilding situations.

c. Separate Core Documeupon guidance and explwhich will deliver unctio

Further inormation can be oFPA website: www.thepa.c

Guidance on property proteschools is given in Buildingpublished by DES. This givethe nancial and social risk advocates the use o re supcompartmentation where th

Guidance or asset protectiDeence Estates is given in Standards published by theto the Civil Estate (PACE).

INDEPENDENT SCH

B GENERAL INTRODUCTION


13/170

Third party accredited product conormitycertication schemes not only provide a meanso identiying materials and designs o systems,products or structures which have demonstrated

that they have the requisite perormance in re,but additionally provide condence that thesystems, materials, products or structuresactually supplied are provided to the samespecication or design as that tested/assessed.

Third party accreditation o installers o systems,materials, products or structures provides ameans o ensuring that installations have beenconducted by knowledgeable contractors to

appropriate standards, thereby increasing thereliability o the anticipated perormance in re.

Building Control Bodies may accept thecertication o products, components, materialsor structures under such schemes as evidence ocompliance with the relevant standard. Similarly,Building Control Bodies may accept the certicationo the installation or maintenance o products,components, materials or structures under such

schemes as evidence o compliance with therelevant standard. Nonetheless, a BuildingControl Body will wish to establish, in advanceo the work, that any such scheme is adequateor the purposes o the Building Regulations.

Many certication bodies which approve suchschemes are accredited by UKAS.

SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

0.16 Sprinkler systems installed in buildingscan reduce the risk to lie and signicantly reducethe degree o damage caused by re. Sprinklerprotection can also sometimes be used as acompensatory eature where the provisions othis Approved Document are varied in someway. Where sprinklers are provided, it is normalpractice to provide sprinkler protection throughouta building. However, where the sprinklers are

being installed as a compensatory eature toaddress a specic risk or hazard, it may beacceptable to protect only part o a building.Further guidance can also be ound in SprinklersorSaety:UseandBenetsoIncorporatingSprinklersinBuildingsandStructures, BAFSA2006 (ISBN: 0 95526 280 ).

b. or non-residentiresidential buildinBS 925, either:

i. the requireme

including the together withor lie saety

ii. the requiremeincluding the together withlie saety sys

Note:Any sprinkler s

requirements o Part should be regarded However, there may ba particular lie saetBS 5306-2 or BS ENunnecessary.

0.18 Water suppliesystems should con

a. or systems desi

BS 5306-2:i. two single wa

BS 5306-2, cindependent

ii. two stored w

. gravity orbe either equivalen

7.4..62. any pump

with BS 5

3. the capacequivalenminimum ull capachazard; o

4. one tank the speciull capacnot be lesvolume o(see BS 5to the haz

GENERAL INTRODUCTION


14/170

ii. two stored water supplies, where:

. gravity or suction tanks should satisyall the requirements o BS EN 2845clause 9.6.2 b) other than capacity; and

2. any pump arrangements should complywith BS EN 2845 clause 0.2 and

3. the capacity o each tank is equivalentto hal the specied minimum watervolume o a single ull capacity tank,appropriate to the hazard; or

4. one tank should be at least equivalentto hal the specied water volume o a

single ull capacity tank and the othershall not be less than the minimumvolume o a reduced capacity tankBS EN2845 clause 9.3.4, appropriateto the hazard; and

Note: The requirement or infow should be met.

5. whichever water storage arrangementis used at (3) or (4) above, the total

capacity o the water supply, includingany infow or a reduced capacitytank should be at least equivalentto a single ull holding capacity tankcomplying with BS EN2845, Table 9,0 or clause 9.3.2.3 as appropriate tothe hazard and pipework design.

Where pumps are used to draw water rom twotanks, then each pump should be arranged to

draw water rom either tank and arranged so thatany one pump or either tank could be isolated.

The sprinkler water supplies should generally notbe used as connections or other services orother xed reghting systems.

INCLUSIVE DESIGN

0.19 The re saety aspects o the Building

Regulations are made or securing reasonablestandards o health and saety o persons in andabout buildings. This is intended to include allpeople, including people with disabilities.

Part M o the Regulations, Accesstoanduseobuildings,requires reasonable provision oraccess by people to buildings. Regardless o

The provisions set out in thisare considered to be a reasomost buildings. However, thpeople whose specic need

In some situations additionaneeded to accommodate thshould be done on a case b

MATERIAL ALTERAT

0.20 Under Regulation 3, talteration is dened by reerelevant requirements o SBuilding Regulations. That li

requirements o Parts B, Bmeans that an alteration whiwork, results in a building bthan it was beore in relationthe requirements o Parts Bmaterial alteration, and is thRegulation 4 as it is classedRegulation 4() requires thatcarried out in relation to a m

complies with the applicableSchedule to the Regulatio4(2) requires that once that been completed, the buildincomply with the relevant reqSchedule or, where it did must be no more unsatisacbeore the work was carried

ALTERNATIVE APPR0.21 The re saety requireRegulations should be satisrelevant guidance given in thiHowever, Approved Documprovide guidance or some obuilding situations and there ways o achieving compliance

I other codes or guides are

recommendations concerniparticular publication shouldthan a mixture o the publicathe relevant sections o this However, there may be circuit is necessary to use one pusupplement another



15/170

British Standards

0.22 Compliance with a British Standard doesnot o itsel coner immunity rom legal obligations.British Standards can, however, provide a useul

source o inormation which could be used tosupplement or provide an alternative to theguidance given in this Approved Document.

When an Approved Document makes reerenceto a named standard, the relevant version othe standard is the one listed at the end o thepublication. However, i this version o the standardhas been revised or updated by the issuingstandards body, the new version may be used

as a source o guidance provided it continues toaddress the relevant requirements o the Regulations.

Drats or Development (DDs) are not BritishStandards. They are issued in the DD serieso publications and are o a provisional nature.They are intended to be applied on a provisionalbasis so that inormation and experience o theirpractical application may be obtained and thedocument developed. Where the recommendations

o a DD are adopted then care should be takento ensure that the requirements o the BuildingRegulations are adequately met. Any observationsthat a user may have in relation to any aspect oa DD should be passed on to BSI.

Health care premises

0.23 Health care premises are quite diverseand can be used by a variety o patients, oten

requiring dierent types o care to suit theirspecic needs. The choice o re saety strategyis dependent upon the way a building is designed,urnished, staed and managed and the level odependency o the patients.

In parts o health care premises designed to beused by patients where there are people who arebedridden or who have very restricted mobility,the principle o total evacuation o a building in

the event o re may be inappropriate. It is alsounrealistic to suppose that all patients will leavewithout assistance. In this and other ways thespecialised nature o some health care premisesdemands a dierent approach to the provision omeans o escape, rom much o that embodiedby the guidance in this Approved Document.

Unsupervised grou

0.24 Where an exisstoreys is to be put tgroup home or not m

service users, it shouGroup (c) building iprovided in accordanreprecautionsinNHormentallyhandicapWhere the building isappropriate to regardGroup 2(b).

Note: Firecodecont

re saety provisionso Building Regulatio

Shopping complexe

0.25 Although the gDocument may be reshops, shopping comset o escape problewithin a shopping co

with the re strategyA suitable approach

Note: BS 5588-0:provisions to units wshopping complexes

Assembly buildings

0.26 There are partwhen people are lim

by xed seating. Thistheatres, lecture hallsGuidance on this andescape in assembly 3 and 5 o BS 5588-recommendations coin case o re o thatin appropriate caseswhich the Saety o S

applies, the GuidetoTSO (ISBN: 0 34 0

Schools

0.27 The design ocovered by Building by the DES.Part B o

GENERAL INTRODUCTION


16/170

additional re protection measures. The extentwill depend on the orm o the development. Forexample, a group o specially adapted bungalowsor two-storey fats, with ew communal acilities,

need not be treated dierently rom other one ortwo-storey dwellinghouses or fats.

Fire saety engineering

0.30 Fire saety engineering can provide analternative approach to re saety. It may bethe only practical way to achieve a satisactorystandard o re saety in some large and complexbuildings and in buildings containing dierent uses,e.g. airport terminals. Fire saety engineering mayalso be suitable or solving a problem with anaspect o the building design which otherwiseollows the provisions in this document.

0.31 British Standard BS 7974 Firesaetyengineeringinbuildingsand supporting publisheddocuments (PDs) provide a ramework andguidance on the design and assessment ore saety measures in buildings. Following thediscipline o BS 7974 should enable designersand Building Control Bodies to be aware o therelevant issues, the need to consider the completere-saety system and to ollow a disciplinedanalytical ramework.

0.32 Factors that should be taken intoaccount include:

a. the anticipated probability o a re occurring;

b. the anticipated re severity;

c. the ability o a structure to resist the spreado re and smoke; and

d. the consequential danger to people in andaround the building.

0.33 A wide variety o measures could beconsidered and incorporated to a greater or lesserextent, as appropriate in the circumstances.These include:

a. the adequacy o means to prevent re;

b. early re warning by an automatic detectionand warning system;

c. the standard o means o escape;

d provision o smoke control;

l. consideration o the avacontinuing control undethat could ensure contino such systems; and

m. management.0.34 It is possible to use qto evaluate risk and hazard.measures listed above can values in some circumstancmade when quantitative mecareul assessment.

Buildings o special archit

historic interest0.35 Some variation o theout in this document may alwhere Part B applies to exisparticularly in buildings o sphistoric interest, where adhein this document might provIn such cases it would be apaccount a range o re saet

which are dealt with in this do which are not addressed set these against an assessand risk peculiar to the part



17/170

This Approved Document deals with the ollowingrequirement rom Part B o Schedule to the

Building Regulations 2000 (as amended).

Requirement Limitsonapplic

Means of warning and escape

B1. The building shall be designed and constructed so that

there are appropriate provisions for the early warning of

fire, and appropriate means of escape in case of fire from

the building to a place of safety outside the building capable

of being safely and effectively used at all material times.

Requirement B1

provided under

1952 (power to p

The RequirementMEANS OF WARNING AND ESCAPE


18/170

Perormance

In the Secretary o States view the Requiremento B will be met i:

a. there are routes o sucient number andcapacity, which are suitably located to enablepersons to escape to a place o saety in theevent o re;

b. the routes are suciently protected rom theeects o re where necessary;

c. the routes are adequately lit;d. the exits are suitably signed; and

e. there are appropriate acilities to either limitthe ingress o smoke to the escape route(s)or to restrict the re and remove smoke;

. all to an extent necessary that is dependent onthe use o the building, its size and height; and

g. there is sucient means or giving earlywarning o re or persons in the building.

Introduction

B1.i These provisions relate to building workand material changes o use which are subjectto the unctional requirement B and they maythereore aect new or existing buildings. Theyare concerned with the measures necessary to

ensure reasonable acilities or means o escapein case o re. They are only concerned withstructural re precautions where these arenecessary to saeguard escape routes.

They assume that, in the design o the building,reliance should not be placed on external rescueby the Fire and Rescue Service nor should it bebased on a presumption that the Fire and RescueService will attend an incident within a given time.

This Approved Document has been prepared onthe basis that, in an emergency, the occupants oany part o a building should be able to escapesaely without any external assistance.

Special considerations, however, apply to someinstitutional buildings in which the principle oevacuation with assistance rom sta is necessary

B1.iii Fires do not normallyplaces in a building at the sa

re will create a hazard onlyit starts and it is unlikely, at a large area. The re may suto other parts o the buildingcirculation routes. The itemsbe ignited are oten urnishinnot controlled by the regulathat the re will originate in tbuilding itsel and the risk o

accidentally in circulation arelobbies or stairways, is limitcombustible content o suc

B1.iv The primary danger aits early stages is not fame noxious gases produced bymost o the casualties and mthe way to escape routes andesigned to provide sae me

thereore provide appropriatlimit the rapid spread o smo

Criteria or means o esca

B1.v The basic principles means o escape are:

a. that there should be alteescape rom most situat

b. where direct escape to not possible, it should bplace o relative saety, sstairway, which is on a rwithin a reasonable travcases the means o esctwo parts, the rst beingaccommodation and cirthe second in protectedsome circumstances pro

Note: Some people, or exawheelchairs, may not be abwithout assistance. For themthe use o reuges on escapassistance down (or up) stasuitable lits will be necessa

GuidanceB1


19/170

Escalators should not be counted as providingpredictable exit capacity, although it is recognisedthat they are likely to be used by people whoare escaping. Mechanised walkways could beaccepted and their capacity assessed on thebasis o their use as a walking route, while inthe static mode.

Alternative means o escape

B1.vii There is always the possibility o the patho a single escape route being rendered impassableby re, smoke or umes. Ideally, thereore peopleshould be able to turn their backs on a rewherever it occurs and travel away rom it to

a nal exit or protected escape route leading toa place o saety. However, in certain conditionsa single direction o escape (a dead end) can beaccepted as providing reasonable saety. Theseconditions depend on the use o the buildingand its associated re risk, the size and heighto the building, the extent o the dead end andthe numbers o persons accommodated withinthe dead end.

Unprotected and protected escape routes

B1.viii The unprotected part o an escape routeis that part which a person has to traverse beorereaching either the saety o a nal exit or thecomparative saety o a protected escape route,i.e. a protected corridor or protected stairway.

Unprotected escape routes should be limitedin extent so that people do not have to travel

excessive distances while exposed to theimmediate danger o re and smoke.

Even with protected horizontal escape routes,the distance to a nal exit or protected stairwayneeds to be limited because the structure doesnot give protection indenitely.

B1.ix Protected stairways are designed toprovide virtually re sterile areas which lead toplaces o saety outside the building. Once insidea protected stairway, a person can be consideredto be sae rom immediate danger rom fameand smoke. They can then proceed to a placeo saety at their own pace. To enable this tobe done, fames, smoke and gases must beexcluded rom these escape routes, as ar as is

bl ibl b i ti t t

Potential conficts shresolved at the desigexpedients ater comliaison ocers attacha valuable source o guidance on door separagraphs 5. and

Use o the docume

B1.xi Section deadetection systems indeals with means o and Sections 3 and 4fats. Section 3 conc

o escape on one levmulti-storey buildingstairways and the veroute. Section 5 givecommon to all parts

GUIDANCE

B1


20/170

Introduction1.1 Provisions are made in this section orsuitable arrangements to be made in all buildingsto give early warning in the event o re.

Paragraphs .2 to .23 deal with fats andparagraphs .24 to .37 with buildings other thanfats. Paragraph .38 is applicable to all uses.

Flats1.2 Provisions are made in this section orsuitable arrangements to be made in fats togive early warning in the event o re.

General

1.3 In most fats, the installation o smokealarms or automatic re detection and alarm

systems, can signicantly increase the level osaety by automatically giving an early warningo re. The ollowing guidance is appropriate ormost fats. However, where it is known that theoccupants o a proposed fat are at a specialrisk rom re, it may be more appropriate toprovide a higher standard o protection(i.e. additional alarms).

1.4 All new fats should be provided with a re

detection and re alarm system in accordancewith the relevant recommendations o BS 5839-6:2004 Codeopracticeorthedesign,installationandmaintenanceoredetectionandrealarmsystemsindwellings to at least a Grade DCategory LD3 standard.

1.5 The smoke and heat alarms should bemains-operated and conorm to BS 5446-:2000or BS 5446-2:2003 respectively: Firedetection

andrealarmdevicesordwellings, Part Specicationorsmokealarms;or Part 2Specicationorheatalarms. They should have astandby power supply such as a battery (eitherrechargeable or non-rechargeable) or capacitor.More inormation on power supplies is given inclause 5 o BS 5839-6.

Material alterations

1.6 Where new habitableabove the ground foor leveprovided at ground foor levexit rom the new room, a ralarm system should be instshould be provided in the cithe dwelling in accordance to .8 to ensure that any o

rooms are warned o any retheir escape.

Sheltered housing

1.7 The detection equipmhousing scheme with a wardshould have a connection topoint (or alarm receiving cenperson in charge is aware th

detected in one o the fats afat concerned. These provisto be applied to the commohousing development, suchlounges, or to sheltered accInstitutional or Other residenMeans o warning in such aconsidered on a case by cageneral guidance or buildingiven in paragraphs .24 to

Student accommodation

1.8 Some student resideis constructed in the same wfats. Where groups o up toa sel-contained fat with its constructed on the compartor fats in Section 7 (B3), it provide a separate automat

within each fat. Where a gerequired (e.g. halls o residesystem should ollow the guother than fats given in para

Positioning o smoke and

1 9 D t il d id

Section 1: Fire alarm and iredetection systems

B1

FIRE ALARM AND FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS


21/170

detector or heat alarm in the kitchen, in additionto whatever smoke alarms are needed in thecirculation space(s);

1.13 Where more than one alarm is installed

they should be linked so that the detection osmoke by one unit operates the alarm signal in allo them. The manuacturers instructions aboutthe maximum number o units that can be linkedshould be observed.

1.14 Smoke alarms/detectors should be sitedso that:

a. there is a smoke alarm in the circulationspace within 7.5m o the door to everyhabitable room;

b. they are ceiling-mounted and at least 300mmrom walls and light ttings (unless in thecase o light ttings there is test evidenceto prove that the proximity o the light ttingwill not adversely aect the eciency o thedetector). Units designed or wall-mountingmay also be used provided that the units areabove the level o doorways opening into thespace and they are xed in accordance withmanuacturers instructions; and

c. the sensor in ceiling-mounted devices isbetween 25mm and 600mm below the ceiling(25-50mm in the case o heat detectors orheat alarms).

Note: This guidance applies to ceilings that arepredominantly fat and horizontal.

1.15 It should be possible to reach the smokealarms to carry out routine maintenance, such astesting and cleaning, easily and saely. For thisreason smoke alarms should not be xed overa stair or any other opening between foors.

1.16 Smoke alarms should not be xed nextto or directly above heaters or air-conditioningoutlets. They should not be xed in bathrooms,showers, cooking areas or garages, or any otherplace where steam, condensation or umescould give alse alarms.

1.17 Smoke alarms should not be tted inplaces that get very hot (such as a boiler room),or very cold (such as an unheated porch).They should not be xed to suraces which are

Power supplies

1.19 The power susystem should be deelectricity supply. Th

alarm(s) should comcircuit at the fats m(consumer unit) or a lighting circuit. This hcircuit is unlikely to bprolonged period. ThIsolating power to thisolating the lighting.

1.20 The electrical

with Approved Docu1.21 Any cable suitbe used or the poweto smoke alarm systparticular re survivaused or interconnecshould be readily dissupplying mains pow

Note: Mains powereinterconnected usingthis does not reduceany standby power sthis case, the smoketo separate power ci

1.22 Other eectivdescribed in BS 5839the mains supply mavoltage in a control utrickle-charged batteat that voltage to the

Design and installa

1.23 It is essential talarm systems are pand maintained. Wheinstalled, an installatcerticate should be

certication schemeand related services providing the ullest a level o quality, reli

Buildings othe


B1 FIRE ALARM AND FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS


22/170

is based on phased evacuation, then a stagedalarm system is appropriate. Such a systemenables two or more stages o alarm to begiven within a particular area, e.g. alert orevacuate signals.

Note: the term re detection system is used hereto describe any type o automatic sensor networkand associated control and indicating equipment.Sensors may be sensitive to smoke, heat, gaseouscombustion products or radiation. Normally thecontrol and indicating equipment operates a realarm system and it may perorm other signallingor control unctions as well. Automatic sprinklersystems can also be used to operate a realarm system.

1.26 The actors which have to be consideredwhen assessing what standard o re alarm orautomatic re detection system is to be providedwill vary widely rom one set o premises toanother. Thereore the appropriate standard willneed to be considered on a case by case basis.

Note: General guidance on the standard o

automatic re detection that may need to beprovided within a building can be ound in TableA o BS 5839-:2002.

Fire alarm systems

1.27 All buildings should have arrangements ordetecting re. In most buildings res are detectedby people, either through observation or smelland thereore oten nothing more will be needed.

1.28 In small buildings/premises the means oraising the alarm may be simple. For instance,where all occupants are near to each other ashouted warning FIRE by the person discoveringthe re may be all that is needed. In assessing thesituation, it must be determined that the warningcan be heard and understood throughout thepremises, including or example the toilet areas.In other circumstances, manually operated

sounders (such as rotary gongs or handbells)may be used. Alternatively a simple manual callpoint combined with a bell, battery and chargermay be suitable.

1.29 In all other cases, the building should beprovided with a suitable electrically operated rewarning system with manual call points sited

L2 systems installed oo the protected buildingsystem should normallyrequired o a category L

L3 systems designed re at an early enough soccupants, other than proom o re origin, to esthe escape routes are imthe presence o re, sm

L4 systems installed wthe escape routes compareas and circulation sp

corridors and stairways;L5 systems in which thand/or the location o deto satisy a specic re sthan that o a category L

Type P systems are sub-dividinstalled throughout the proP2 systems installed only the protected building.

1.31 Call points or electrishould comply with BS 583o BS EN 54-:200and thinstalled in accordance withcall points should only be uo the Building Control Body

BS EN 54- covers two tyType A (direct operation) in

to the alarm condition is authe need or urther manual rangible element is broken Type B (indirect operation) ito the alarm condition requmanual operation o the opethe user ater the rangible eor displaced.

1.32 I it is considered tha

respond quickly to a re warare unamiliar with the re wconsideration may be givenalarm system. Such a systeo a public address system audible signal and verbal inevent o re.

B1 FIRE ALARM AND FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS



23/170

paging systems etc. Provision will normally be madeor ull evacuation o the premises by soundersor a message broadcast over the public addresssystem. In all other respects, any sta alarmsystem should comply with BS 5839-.

Warnings or people with impaired hearing

1.34 A suitable method o warning (e.g. a visualand audible re alarm signal) should be providedin buildings where it is anticipated that one ormore persons with impaired hearing may bein relative isolation (e.g. hotel bedrooms andsanitary accomodation) and where there is noother suitable method o alerting them.

In buildings such as schools, colleges and oceswhere the population is controlled, a vibratingpaging system may be more appropriate. Thiscould also be used or alerting people with otherdisablilities.

Clause 8 o BS 5839-:2002 provides detailedguidance on the design and selection o realarm warnings or people with impaired hearing.

Automatic ire detection and ire alarm systems

1.35 Automatic re detection and alarms inaccordance with BS 5839- should be providedin Institutional and Other residential occupancies.

1.36 Automatic re detection systems are notnormally needed in non-residential occupancies.However, there are oten circumstances wherea re detection system in accordance with

BS 5839- may be needed. For example:a. to compensate or some departure rom the

guidance elsewhere in this document;

b. as part o the operating system or somere protection systems, such as pressuredierential systems or automatic door releases;

c. where a re could break out in an unoccupiedpart o the premises (e.g. a storage area

or basement that is not visited on a regularbasis, or a part o the building that has beentemporarily vacated) and prejudice themeans o escape rom any occupied part(s)o the premises.

Note 1: Guidance on the provision o automatic d t ti ithi b ildi hi h i d i d

and related services providing the ullest a level o quality, reliparagraph 0.5).

Interace between systems and other

1.38 Fire detectionare sometimes usedor change o state, osmoke control systesystems, release arraheld-open re doorsexit doors. It is essen

between the re deteand any other systemwith the Building Regachieve a high degrecare should be takenvia another system, ssystem. Where any pactuation o other syo that standard sho


B1


24/170

Introduction

2.1 The means o escape rom a fat with a foornot more than 4.5m above ground level is relativelysimple to provide. Few provisions are specied inthis document beyond ensuring that means areprovided or giving early warning in the event ore (see Section ) and that suitable means areprovided or emergency egress rom these storeys.

With increasing height more complex provisionsare needed because emergency egress through

upper windows becomes increasingly hazardous.2.2 The guidance in this section deals withsome common arrangements o fat design.Other, less common, arrangements (or examplefats entered above or below accommodationlevel, or fats containing galleries) are acceptable.Guidance on these is given in clauses 9 and 0o BS 5588-:990.

2.3 The provisions or means o escape or

fats are based on the assumption that:a. the re is generally in a fat;

b. there is no reliance on external rescue(e.g. by a portable ladder);

c. measures in Section 8 (B3) provide a highdegree o compartmentation and thereore alow probability o re spread beyond the fato origin, so that simultaneous evacuation o

the building is unlikely to be necessary; andd. although res may occur in the common parts

o the building, the materials and constructionused there should prevent the abric rombeing involved beyond the immediate vicinity(although in some cases communal acilitiesexist which require additional measures tobe taken).

2.4 There are two distinct componentsto planning means o escape rom buildingscontaining fats; escape rom within each fatand escape rom each fat to the nal exit romthe building.

Paragraphs 2.5 to 2.8 deal with the means oescape within each unit i e within the private

a. a kitchen;

b. a laundry or utility room

c. a dressing room;

d. a bathroom, WC, or sho

e. any other room on a foo4.5m above ground levewith paragraph 2.6, 2.0appropriate; or

. a gallery which complies

Note:A room accessed onl(an inner-inner room) may bcomplies with the above, nodoor separates the room rosmoke alarm and none o thare a kitchen.

Basements

2.6 Because o the risk th

may be blocked by smoke basement or ground storey, contains any habitable room

a. an external door or windrom the basement (see

b. a protected stairway leabasement to a nal exit.

Balconies and lat roos

2.7 Any balcony outside a fat more than 4.5m abovebe a common balcony and in paragraph 2.7.

A fat roo orming part o a should comply with the ollo

a. the roo should be part rom which escape is be

b. the route across the roostorey exit or external es

c. the part o the roo ormand its supporting strucany opening within 3m oh ld id 30 i

Means o escape rom latsB1

MEANS OF ESCAPE FROM FLATS


25/170

a. the gallery should overlook at least 50% othe room below (see Diagram);

b. the distance between the oot o the accessstair to the gallery and the door to the room

containing the gallery should not exceed 3m;c. the distance rom the head o the access

stair to any point on the gallery should notexceed 7.5m; and

d. any cooking acilities within a roomcontaining a gallery should either:

i. be enclosed with re-resistingconstruction; or

ii. be remote rom the stair to the galleryand positioned such that they do notprejudice the escape rom the gallery.

Note 1:Approved Dalling,collisionandguarding height o 8o a window in a rooopening may be 600

Note 2: Locks (with and stays may be tsubject to the stay bcatch, which may be

Note 3: Windows shthey will remain in theto be held by a pers

Provisions or where the loo

4.5m above gr

2.10 The internal aor multi-storey) wher4.5m in height may ein paragraphs 2. t

Note: Where a fat isparts o a block o faprovide a protected provisions o Paragr

Provisions or esca

2.11 Except or kitcin the ground storey

a. open directly ont

entrance or othe

b. be provided withcomplies with pa

Provisions or escamore than 4.5m abo

2.12 Except or kitcin the upper storey(s

a. a window (or extwith paragraph 2

b. in the case o a maccess to its ownleading to a nal

Note: A single windo


Visible area to

be at least 50%

of floor area inlower room

7.5m

max

3m

max

Notes:

1 This diagram does not apply where the gallery is:

i. provided with an alternative escape route; or

ii. provided with an emergency egress window

(where the gallery floor is not more than 4.5m

above ground level).

2 Any cooking facilities within a room containing a

gallery should either:i. be enclosed with fire-resisting construction; or

ii. be remote from the stair to the gallery and

positioned such that they do not prejudice the

escape from the gallery.

Diagram Gallery foors with noalternative exit

See para 2.8

B1 MEANS OF ESCAPE FROM FLATS


26/170

a. to provide a protected entrance hall whichserves all habitable rooms, planned so thatthe travel distance rom the entrance door tothe door to any habitable room is 9m or less(see Diagram 2); or

b. to plan the fat so that the travel distancerom the entrance door to any point in anyo the habitable rooms does not exceed 9mand the cooking acilities are remote romthe entrance door and do not prejudicethe escape route rom any point in the fat(see Diagram 3); or

c. to provide an alternative exit rom the fat,

complying with paragraph 2.4.

2.14 Where any fat has anthe habitable rooms do not the entrance hall (see Diagr

a. the bedrooms should bethe living accommodatioconstruction and re do

b. the alternative exit shoupart o the fat containin

Internal planning o lats wone storey

2.15 A multi-storey fat witexternal entrance at grounddwellinghouse and means oplanned on the basis o paradepending on the height o

Diagram 2 Flat where all habitablerooms have direct accessto an entrance hall

See para 2.3(a)

Diagram 3 Flat with redistance roto entrance

See para 2.3(b)




27/170

c. where the vertical distance between the fooro the entrance storey and the foors aboveand below it does not exceed 7.5m, toprovide a protected stairway plus additionalsmoke alarms in all habitable rooms and a

heat alarm in any kitchen; or

d. to provide a protected stairway plus asprinkler system in accordance paragraph0.6(smoke alarms should also be providedin accordance with paragraph .9).

Fire door

Diagram 4 Flat with an alternative

exit, but where all habitablerooms have no direct

access to an entrance hall

See para 2.4

Diagram 5 Multialternhabita

entraSee para 2.6(a)




28/170

Ai i l i i l i h

b. Any duct passing througenclosure to a protectedhall should o rigid steeljoints between the ductwshould be re-stopped,

c. Ventilation ducts supplydirectly to or rom a proentrance hall, should not

d. Any system o mechanicrecirculates air and whicstairway or entrance halshould be designed to sdetection o smoke with

e. A room thermostat or aheating system should bliving room at a height b830mm and its maximuexceed 27C.

Means o escape in

parts o lats

2.19 The ollowing paragrao escape rom the entrancenal exit. They should be rethe general provisions in Se

Note: Paragraphs 2.20 to 2where the top foor is not mground level and the fats araccordance with paragraphsHowever, attention is drawnin paragraph 0.29 regardingSection 5 regarding general(B3) regarding the provisionwalls and protected shats aregarding the provision o acand Rescue Service.

Number o escape routes

2.20 Every fat should have

escape routes so that a pereects o an outbreak o return away rom it and make

However, a single escape roentrance door is acceptable

a the fat is situated in a s

9mmax.

Diagram 6 Multi-storey fat withprotected entrance hall

and landing

See para 2.6(b)



29/170

D

a. CORRIDOR ACCESS DWELLINGS

b. LOBBY ACCESS DWELL

D

D

D D

D D D

7.57.5m max.

7.5m

Note:

1. The arrangements shown also apply to the

top storey.2. See Diagram 9 for small single stair

buildings.

3. All doors shown are fire doors.4. Where travel distance is measured to a stair

lobby, the lobby must not provide direct

access to any storage room, flat or other

space containing a potential fire hazard.

Key

D Dwelling

Shaded area indicates zone whereventilation should be provided in

accordance with paragraph 2.26

(An external wall vent or smoke shaft

located anywhere in the shaded area)

Diagram 7 Flats served by one common stair

See para 2.20(a) and 2.25



30/170

Small single-stair buildings

2.21 The provisions in paragraph 2.20 may be

d. the stair does not serve accommodation unless accommodation is sepa

D

DD D D D D

DD D D D D

30m max.

a. CORRIDOR ACCESS WITHOUT DEAD ENDS

c. T JUNCTION WITH MAIN CORRIDOR

b. CORRIDOR ACCESS WITH DEAD ENDSThe central door may be omitted if maximum travel distance is not

more than 15m

D D

fd

fd

fd

fd

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D D D D

D D D D D D D

30m max.7.5m max.

7.

Note:

The arrangements shown also apply to the top storey.

Key

D Dwellingfd Fire door

Shaded area indicates zone where ventilation-should be provided in accordance with

paragraph 2.26(An external wall vent or smoke shaft located

anywhere in the shaded area)

Diagram 8 Flats served by more than one common stair

See para 2.20(b) and 2.28



31/170

Flats with balcony or deck access

2.22 The provisions o paragraph 2.20 may alsobe modied in the case o fats with balcony or deckapproach. Guidance on these orms o developmentis set out in clause 3 o BS 5588-:990.

Table Limitations on distance o travelin common areas o blockso lats (see paragraph 2.23)

Maximum distance o travel (m) rom lat entrance door to

Planning o commo

2.23 Escape routescomply with the limitTable . However, thwhere some increasewill be reasonable.

Escape routes shouldo not have to pass enclosure to reach aacceptable to pass to one stairway in ord

Protection o comm

a. SMALL SINGLE STAIR BUILDING

*If smoke control is provided in the lobby, the

travel distance can be increased to 7.5m

maximum (see Diagram 7, example b).

b. SMALL SI

WITH NO MO

PER STOREY

The door bet

be free from

If the dwellin

halls, the lob

and dwellingNotes:

1. The arrangements shown also apply to the top storey.

2. If the travel distance across the lobby in Diagram 9a exceeds 4.5m, Diagram 7 applies.3. Where, in Diagram 9b, the lobby between the common stair and the dwelling is omitted in

an automatic opening vent with a geometric free area of at least 1.0m2 is required at the to

on detection of smoke at any storey in the stair.

Key

Fire-resisting construction

OV Openable vent at high level for fire service use (1.0m2 minimum free area) see paragraph 2

D Dwelling

fd Fire door

Diagram 9 Common escape route in small single stair buildin

See para 2.2



32/170

There should thereore be some means oventilating the common corridors/lobbies tocontrol smoke and so protect the common stairs.This oers additional protection to that providedby the re doors to the stair. (The ventilation also

aords some protection to the corridors/lobbies.)This can be achieved by either natural meansin accordance with paragraph 2.26 or by meanso mechanical ventilation as described inparagraph 2.27.

Smoke control o common escape routes bynatural smoke ventilation

2.26 In buildings, other than small onescomplying with Diagram 9, the corridor or lobbyadjoining the stair should be provided with avent. The vent rom the corridor/lobby should belocated as high as practicable and such that thetop edge is at least as high as the top o the doorto the stair.

There should also be a vent, with a ree area o atleast .0m2, rom the top storey o the stairway tothe outside.

In single stair buildings the smoke vents on there foor and at the head o the stair should beactuated by means o smoke detectors in thecommon access space providing access to thefats. In buildings with more than one stair thesmoke vents may be actuated manually (andaccordingly smoke detection is not required orventilation purposes). However, where manualactuation is used, the control system should bedesigned to ensure that the vent at the head othe stair will be opened either beore, or at thesame time, as the vent on the re foor.

Vents should either:

a. be located on an external wall with minimumree area o .5m2 (see Appendix C); or

b. discharge into a vertical smoke shat (closedat the base) meeting the ollowing criteria:

i. Minimum cross-sectional area .5m2(minimum dimension 0.85m in anydirection), opening at roo level at least0.5m above any surrounding structureswithin a horizontal distance o 2.0m. Theshat should extend at least 2 5m above

iv. On detection o smocorridor/lobby, the vthe vent at the top oand to the stairway ssimultaneously. The

corridors/lobbies on should remain close

Smoke control o commonmechanical ventilation

2.27 As an alternative to thprovisions in paragraph 2.26ventilation to the stair and/obe provided to protect the s

Guidance on the design o ssystems using pressure diin BS EN 20-6:2005.

Sub-division o common e

2.28 A common corridor tor more storey exits should a sel-closing re door with,associated re-resisting scr

The door(s) should be positwill not aect access to mor

2.29 A dead-end portion oshould be separated rom thby a sel-closing re door wassociated re-resisting screand Diagram 8b and 8c).

Ancillary accommodation,

2.30 Stores and other ancshould not be located withinany protected lobby or protorming part o the only comrom a fat on the same storaccommodation.

Reerence should be made 5.57 or special provisions storage areas.

Escape routes over lat ro

2.31 I more than one escarom a storey, or part o a buroutes may be by way o a fit complies with the provisio



33/170

Width o common stairs

2.33 A stair o acceptable width or everydayuse will be sucient or escape purposes, but iit is also a reghting stair, it should be at least

00mm wide (see Appendix C or measuremento width).

Protection o common stairs

2.34 Common stairs need to have a satisactorystandard o re protection i they are to ulltheir role as areas o relative saety during are evacuation. The provisions in paragraphs2.35 to 2.46 should be ollowed.

2.35 Stairs provide a potential route or respread rom foor to foor. In Section 7 under therequirement o B3 to inhibit internal re spread,there is guidance on the enclosure o stairs toavoid this. A stair may also serve as a reghtingstair in accordance with the requirement B5,in which case account will have to be takeno the guidance in Section 7.

Enclosure o common stairs

2.36 Every common stair should be situatedwithin a re-resisting enclosure (i.e. it should be aprotected stairway), to reduce the risk o smokeand heat making use o the stair hazardous.

2.37 The appropriate level o re resistance isgiven in Appendix A, Tables A and A2.

Exits rom protected stairways

2.38 Every protected stairway should discharge:a. directly to a nal exit; or

b. by way o a protected exit passageway to anal exit.

Note:Any such protected exit passagewayshould have the same standard o re resistanceand lobby protection as the stairway it serves.

Separation o adjoining protected stairways2.39 Where two protected stairways (or exitpassageways leading to dierent nal exits)are adjacent, they should be separated by animperorate enclosure.

Use o space within protected stairways

Gas service and insprotected stairways

2.42 Gas service aassociated meters s

within a protected stinstallation is in accoor installation and cPipelines Saety RegNo 825 and the Gas Regulations 998 SI paragraph 8.40).

Basement stairs

2.43 Because o thstairways are more liand heat than stairs

Special measures arto prevent a basemestoreys. These are separagraphs.

2.44 I an escape sescape route rom an

(or part o a building)(see paragraph 2.20)down to serve any bashould be served by

2.45 I there is moran upper storey o a only one o the stairso the building (or paground level. Other s

basement storey(s) ior a protected corridaccommodation at e

Stairs serving accom

2.46 Except in smaparagraph 2.2, whepart o the only escanot also serve any co

uel storage space or o similar re risk.

2.47 Any common part o the only escaserve ancillary accomrom the ancillary acl bb t t d



34/170

2.49 Where more than one escape route isavailable rom a storey (or part o a building),some o the escape routes rom that storeyor part o the building may be by way o anexternal escape stair, provided that there is at

least one internal escape stair rom every parto each storey (excluding plant areas) and theexternal stair(s):

a. serves a foor not more than 6m above eitherthe ground level or a roo or podium whichis itsel served by an independent protectedstairway; and

b. meets the provisions in paragraph 5.25.

Flats in mixed use buildings

2.50 In buildings with not more than threestoreys above the ground storey, stairs may serveboth fats and other occupancies, provided thatthe stairs are separated rom each occupancyby protected lobbies at all levels.

2.51 In buildings with more than three storeysabove the ground storey, stairs may serve both

fats and other occupancies provided that:a. the fat is ancillary to the main use o the

building and is provided with an independentalternative escape route;

b. the stair is separated rom any otheroccupancies on the lower storeys byprotected lobbies (at those storey levels);

Note: The stair enclosure should have at least

the same standard o re resistance as stipulatedin Table A2 or the elements o structure o thebuilding (and take account o any additionalprovisions in Section 7 i it is a reghting stair).

c. any automatic re detection and alarmsystem with which the main part o thebuilding is tted also covers the fat;

d. any security measures should not preventescape at all material times.

Note:Additional measures, including increasedperiods o re resistance may be requiredbetween the fat and any storage area whereuels such as petrol and LPG are present.

Live/work units

Note: Where the unit is so ldistance in a. cannot be met set out in paragraph 2.3 maIn such circumstances the dshould be considered on a

S ti 3 D i h i t l


35/170

Introduction3.1 The general principle to be ollowed whendesigning acilities or means o escape is thatany person conronted by an outbreak o rewithin a building can turn away rom it andmake a sae escape. This Section deals with theprovision o means o escape rom any point tothe storey exit o the foor in question, or all typeso building. It should be read in conjunction with

the guidance on the vertical part o the escaperoute in Section 4 and the general provisions inSection 5.

It should be noted that guidance in this Sectionis directed mainly at smaller, simpler types obuildings. Detailed guidance on the needs olarger, more complex or specialised buildings, canbe ound elsewhere (see paragraphs 0.2 to 0.35).

It should also be noted that although most o theinormation contained in this Section is related togeneral issues o design, special provisions applyto the layouts o certain institutional buildings(see paragraphs 3.38 onwards).

In the case o small shop, oce, industrial,storage and other similar premises (ones withno storey larger than 280m2 and having no morethan 2 storeys plus a basement storey), theguidance in paragraph 3.32 to 3.37 may beollowed instead o the other provisions inthis Section.

Escape route design

Number o escape routes and exits

3.2 The number o escape routes and exits tobe provided depends on the number o occupants

in the room, tier or storey in question and thelimits on travel distance to the nearest exit givenin Table 2.

Note: It is only the distance to the nearest exitthat should be so limited. Any other exits maybe urther away than the distances in Table 2.

Single escape route3.5 In order to avoby re or smoke, theescape routes rom a

However a single rou

a. parts o a foor rbe reached withitravel in one dire

paragraph 3.7). Tcase o places oroom in this situato more than 60 building is in Inst2a). The calculatdescribed in App

b. a storey with an othan 60 people, w

one direction onl3.6 In many casesalternative at the begexample, there may to a corridor, rom win two directions. Ththat the overall distaexit is within the limitan alternative and th

o the route does nowhere there is no alteDiagram 0 shows acondition in an open

Access control mea

3.7 Measures incoo a building to restror parts o it should nsaety provisions.

Whilst it may be reasescape routes outsidthe measures let in to allow sae evacuainside the building (s

Section 3: Design or horizontal buildings other than lats

B1 DESIGN FOR HORIZONTAL ESCAPE


36/170

Table 2 Limitations on travel distance

Mw

Purpose group Use o the premises One direction or part o the premises only (m)

2(a) Institutional 9

2(b) Other residential:a. in bedrooms (2) 9 b. in bedroom corridors 9 c. elsewhere 8

3 Oice 8

4 Shop and commercial (3) 8 (4)

5 Assembly and recreation:a. buildings primarily or disabled people 9 b. areas with seating in rows 5 c. elsewhere 8

6 Industrial (5)Normal Hazard 25 Higher Hazard 2

7 Storage and other non-residential (5)Normal Hazard 25 Higher Hazard 2

27 Place o special ire hazard (6) 9 (7)

27 Plant room or rootop plant:a. distance within the room 9 b. escape route not in open air (overall travel distance) 8 c. escape route in open air (overall travel distance) 60

Notes:

. The dimensions in the Table are travel distances. I the internal layout o partitions, ittings, etc is not

deposited, direct distances may be used or assessment. The direct distance is taken as 2/3rds o th

2. Maximum part o travel distance within the room. (This limit applies within the bedroom (and any assbathroom or sitting room, etc) and is measured to the door to the protected corridor serving the roomapplies rom that point along the bedroom corridor to a storey exit.)

3. Maximum travel distances within shopping malls are given in BS 5588:Part 0. Guidance on associameasures is given in a BRE report Designmethodologiesorsmokeandheatexhaustventilation (BR

4. BS 5588:Part 0 applies more restrictive provisions to units with only one exit in covered shopping c

5. In industrial and storage buildings the appropriate travel distance depends on the level o ire hazarprocesses and materials being used. Higher hazard includes manuacturing, processing or storage o

o hazardous goods or materials, including: any compressed, liqueied or dissolved gas, any substandangerous by interaction with either air or water, any liquid substance with a lash point below 65C other spirituous liquor, any corrosive substance, any oxidising agent, any substance liable to spontasubstance that changes or decomposes readily giving out heat when doing so, any combustible solpoint less than 20 Celsius, any substance likely to spread ire by lowing rom one part o a buildin

6. Places o special ire hazard are listed in the deinitions in Appendix E.

7 Maximum part o travel distance within the room/area Travel distance outside the room/area to com

DESIGN FOR HORIZONTAL ESCAPE


37/170

Number o occupants and exits

3.8 The gure used or the number o occupantswill normally be that specied as the basis orthe design. When the number o occupants likelyto use a room, tier or storey is not known, thecapacity should be calculated on the basis o theappropriate foor space actors. Guidance or thisis set out in Appendix C.

Table 3 gives the minimum number o escaperoutes and exits rom a room or storey accordingto the number o occupants. (This number is likelyto be increased by the need to observe traveldistances and by other practical considerations.)

The width o escape routes and exits is the

subject o paragraph 3.8.

Table 3 Minimum number o escaperoutes and exits rom a room,tier or storey

Alternative escape

3.9 A choice o esi they are all likely toAlternative escape rothe ollowing criteria

a. they are in direct(see Diagram )

b. they are in directbut are separatedre-resisting con

Inner rooms

3.10 A room rom wis through another roIt is at risk i a re stathe access room (se

Such an arrangemenollowing conditions

a. the occupant capshould not exceebuilding in purpo

b th i

Angle ABD should be at least 45. CBA or CBD (whichever is

less) should be no more than the maximum distance of travel

given for alternative routes and CB should be no more than

the maximum distance for travel where there are no

alternative routes.

Diagram 0 Travel distance indead-end condition

See para 3.7

Alternative routes are ava

is 45 or more and theref

should be no more than t

given for alternative route

Alternative routes are not

ADB is less than 45 (the

no alternative route from

Diagram AlteSee para 3.9



38/170

g. one o the ollowing arrangements shouldbe made:

i. the enclosures (walls or partitions) o theinner room should be stopped at least500mm below the ceiling; or

ii. a suitably sited vision panel not lessthan 0.m2 should be located in thedoor or walls o the inner room, to enableoccupants o the inner room to see i are has started in the outer room; or

iii. the access room should be tted witha suitable automatic re detection andalarm system to warn the occupants o

the inner room o the outbreak o a rein the access room.

Planning o exits in a central core

3.11 Buildings with more than one exit in a

central core should be planned so that storeyexits are remote rom one another and so that notwo exits are approached rom the same lit hall,common lobby or undivided corridor, or linkedby any o these (see Diagram 3).

Open spatial planning

Diagram 3 Exits in a c

Diagram 2 Inner room andaccess room

See para 3.0

See para 3.

C

4.5m

Diagram 4 Open con

A t t it 3 19 Wh th

DESIGN FOR HORIZONTAL ESCAPE


39/170

Access to storey exits

3.13 Any storey which has more than oneescape stair should be planned so that it is notnecessary to pass through one stairway to reachanother. However it would be acceptable to passthrough one stairways protected lobby to reachanother stair.

Separation o circulation routes rom stairways

3.14 Unless the doors to a protected stairwayand any associated exit passageway are ttedwith an automatic release mechanism (seeAppendix B, paragraph 3b), the stairway and anyassociated exit passageway should not orm part

o the primary circulation route between dierentparts o the building at the same level. This isbecause the sel-closing re doors are more likelyto be rendered ineective as a result o theirconstant use, or because some occupants mayregard them as an impediment. For example, thedoors are likely to be wedged open or have theirclosers removed.

Storeys divided into dierent uses

3.15 Where a storey contains an area (which isancillary to the main use o the building) or theconsumption o ood and/or drink, then:

a. not less than two escape routes shouldbe provided rom each such area (exceptinner rooms which meet the provisions inparagraph 3.0); and

b. the escape routes rom each such areashould lead directly to a storey exit withoutentering any kitchen or similar area o highre hazard.

Storeys divided into dierent occupancies

3.16 Where any storey is divided into separateoccupancies (i.e. where there are separateownerships or tenancies o dierent organisations):

a. the means o escape rom each occupancyshould not pass through any otheroccupancy; and

b. i the means o escape include a commoncorridor or circulation space, either it shouldbe a protected corridor, or a suitable

3.19 Where the malikely to use the escaknown, the appropricalculated on the baGuidance is set out i

3.20 Guidance on tor auditoria is given

Table 4 Widths oand exit

Maximum numbo perso

2

More than 2

Notes:

. Reer to Appendix C on

2. In order to ollow the guM the widths given in the

3. Widths less than 050m

4. May be reduced to 530mracking, other than in puand commercial).

5. 5mm/person does not a220 persons.

Calculating exit cap

3.21 I a storey or rstorey exits it has to prevent the occupanThe remaining exit(s)allow all the occupanwhen deciding on thaccording to Table 4discounted. This mawidth o stairs, becaas wide as any store

Although some stairsdiscounting (see parthe storey exits onto

3.22 The total numor more available exaccommodate is ou

Enclosure o corridors tha



40/170

This can be calculated rom the ollowing ormula:

W = ((N/2.5) + (60S))/80

Where:

W = width o nal exit, in metres

N = number o people served by ground foor

storey exitS = stair width in metres

Note: Where the number o persons (N) enteringthe lobby rom the ground foor is more than 60then the distance rom the oot o the stair, or thestorey exit, to the nal exit should be a minimumo two metres (see Diagram 5). Where thiscannot be achived then the width o the nal exit(W) should be no less than the width o the stair

plus the width o the storey exit.

Worked example

A ground oor storey exit serving 250persons shares a common fnal exit witha 1.2 m wide stair

Enclosure o corridors thaprotected corridors

3.25 Where a corr

AD-B 2006 (Buildings Other Than Dwelling Houses) - UNLOCKED

Documents

Transcript of AD-B 2006 (Buildings Other Than Dwelling Houses) - UNLOCKED