The British Standards Institution (BSI) will release new fire safety guidance on 27th November 2024, marking a significant update in building safety regulations.
- BS 9991:2024 supersedes the 2015 guidelines, incorporating new insights from extensive industry consultations.
- Key changes address escape routes and fire safety measures, aiming to improve occupant safety and property protection.
- The updated guidelines were partly influenced by the Grenfell Tower inquiry, highlighting the need for modernised safety standards.
- These revisions include broader applicability to residential care homes and enhanced guidance on evacuation lifts.
The British Standards Institution (BSI) is poised to unveil updated fire safety guidelines on the 27th of November, 2024. This new standard, BS 9991:2024, will replace the previous 2015 version, ushering in a series of important changes informed by a comprehensive industry consultation. This update is seen as a crucial step in aligning fire safety measures with current needs and technologies.
Among the key updates, the new guidance provides enhanced recommendations for effective escape routes and improved fire safety measures. This aims to ensure that buildings are better equipped to protect both their occupants and the surrounding property from fire hazards. The adjustments highlight a commitment to maintaining a high standard of life safety in residential structures.
BS 9991:2024 aims to harmonise various regional regulations and guidance across the UK, including Approved Document B in England and Wales, Technical Handbook 2 in Scotland, and Technical Booklet E in Northern Ireland. By providing a ‘mid-point’ consensus-based approach, the standard seeks to unify disparate regulatory frameworks.
Significant effort has been made to extend the scope of these fire safety guidelines. The revisions include expanded provisions for residential care homes, new guidelines for using evacuation lifts, and updates to the height limits for sprinkler installations and single-staircase buildings. These updates were initiated well before the Grenfell Tower report’s final publication, underscoring the ongoing process of improvement and adaptation.
The Grenfell Tower tragedy highlighted the pressing need for robust fire safety protocols, and BSI’s revised guidelines are a direct response to this need. Scott Steedman, BSI’s standards director-general, remarked on the importance of having fire safety systems that effectively safeguard building occupants, emphasising the need for the latest evidence to inform these standards.
The revised BS 9991 standard is a timely advancement in fire safety, reflecting the latest evidence and regulatory consensus.
