BS 9991:2024 - the key changes to fire safety standards

The latest revision of BS 9991 – the UK's key fire safety standard for residential buildings – is due to be published next week (27 November).

As fire safety concerns have evolved in the past few years since Grenfell, the new edition incorporates essential updates designed to enhance safety in the design, management, and use of residential buildings.

It will also provide detailed guidance on fire safety risk assessments and offer updated methodologies to tackle emerging fire safety challenges.

BS 9991: Fire Safety in the Design, Management, and Use of Residential Buildings is a British Standard that provides detailed guidance on achieving fire safety in residential properties. First introduced in 2011, it is designed to complement and support existing building regulations in the UK. The standard outlines best practices for fire protection and safety, focusing on occupant safety, emergency response, and property protection.

Key changes

Expanded scope: BS 9991 now covers residential care homes, recognising the unique evacuation needs and fire safety challenges unique to those properties. 

Explicit exclusions on timber have been removed: the scope of the standard has been limited in terms of reaction-to-fire classifications of load-bearing elements of structure to better reflect the available evidence regarding the use of mass timber in medium and high residential buildings.

Revised guidance for sprinklers and single-stair buildings: updates include a new height limit for single-stair buildings and adjustments to sprinkler installation guidelines.

European classifications for fire doors: national fire door classifications have been replaced with European classifications to ensure consistency and reliability in fire resistance.

Enhanced recommendations for smoke control and evacuation lifts: improved provisions for smoke control systems and detailed recommendations for evacuation lifts, making tall buildings safer in fire emergencies.

Updates on ancillary areas, kitchens, and external wall systems: the recommendations for these areas have been revised to account for the latest safety practices.

The revised standard addresses the complexities of modern building design, including mixed-use and high-rise structures, offering solutions for even the most challenging fire safety scenarios. 

The 2024 edition integrates the latest advancements in fire safety knowledge, providing a future-proof approach to the design and management of residential buildings.

More information is available from the BSI website.