THE HIGHLAND COUNCILTHE HIGHLAND COUNCIL

BUILDING STANDARDSBUILDING STANDARDSSERVICESERVICE

Dissemination Event Dissemination Event

09 February 201109 February 2011

The Highland Council The Highland Council Building Standards ServiceBuilding Standards Service

Scottish Building StandardsScottish Building Standards__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Section 2:Section 2:

FIREFIREDomestic HandbookDomestic Handbook

Erratum’sErratum’s

Note:Note:

importance of amending the importance of amending the standards generally – two erratum’s – standards generally – two erratum’s – Feb 2011 and October 2010 Feb 2011 and October 2010

General changes:General changes:

Section 2 does not apply to any dwelling with an Section 2 does not apply to any dwelling with an individual storey with an area in excess of 200mindividual storey with an area in excess of 200m² ² (requires alternative approach i.e. (requires alternative approach i.e. “A simplified “A simplified approach to alternative fire safety approach to alternative fire safety strategies” strategies” oror fire safety engineering as fire safety engineering as outlined in 2.0.7)outlined in 2.0.7)

How to achieve? – early consultation How to achieve? – early consultation essentialessential

2.2 Separation2.2 Separation

2.2.9 Openings and service penetrations:2.2.9 Openings and service penetrations:

Any ventilation system with ductwork passing through a Any ventilation system with ductwork passing through a separating wall or floor should separating wall or floor should shut downshut down automaticallyautomatically if fire is detected if fire is detected

Standard states : “Standard states : “Any damper used in the design should be Any damper used in the design should be activated by smoke detection. For more detailed guidance, activated by smoke detection. For more detailed guidance, see BS 5588: Part 9: 1999.” see BS 5588: Part 9: 1999.” However erratum However erratum clarifies…..clarifies…..

2.9 Escape2.9 Escape

2.9.2 Escape within dwellings – options:2.9.2 Escape within dwellings – options:

First StageFirst Stage means of escape means of escape

Table introduced which summarises options Table introduced which summarises options based on topmost storey heights (or depths for based on topmost storey heights (or depths for basements) for escape basements) for escape withinwithin dwellings (includes dwellings (includes houses, flats and maisonettes)houses, flats and maisonettes)

Protected

Enclosure option or→

2.9.2 – Open plan (Domestic)

Sprinkler Protection (BS 9251 2005) plus enhanced fire detection and alarm system ( BS 5839 pt6 2004 GradeLD1)

Sprinkler Smoke detector

2.9.7 Escape within dwellings - open plan 2.9.7 Escape within dwellings - open plan option with suppression and enhanced early option with suppression and enhanced early warning systemwarning system

Kitchen should be Kitchen should be remoteremote from the exit doorfrom the exit door

Fire suppression system and fire detection and Fire suppression system and fire detection and alarm system should be installed alarm system should be installed throughout throughout the dwellingthe dwelling and not just to the upper or and not just to the upper or topmost storeys topmost storeys

Category Category LD1LD1 system (BS 5839:Pt6: 2004) of AFD system (BS 5839:Pt6: 2004) of AFD

required for early warningrequired for early warning

2.9.5 Escape within dwellings – protected 2.9.5 Escape within dwellings – protected enclosuresenclosures

Clarifies protected enclosures Clarifies protected enclosures mustmust lead directly to an lead directly to an exit door – shouldn’t require to leave enclosure to exit exit door – shouldn’t require to leave enclosure to exit the dwellingthe dwelling

Junction of walls with floors should be firestopped Junction of walls with floors should be firestopped within the within the depth of the floordepth of the floor to protect the route of to protect the route of escapeescape

Clarifies that cupboard doors need to be fire resisting Clarifies that cupboard doors need to be fire resisting but but don’t don’t require self closing devices unless there is require self closing devices unless there is an ignition sourcean ignition sourcee.g. boiler, hot water tank or distribution boarde.g. boiler, hot water tank or distribution board

2.9.8 Escape within dwellings - ducted 2.9.8 Escape within dwellings - ducted heating and ventilation systemsheating and ventilation systems

For dwellings with basements or storeys in excess of 4.5m For dwellings with basements or storeys in excess of 4.5m requirement for dampers or fire resistant ductwork to be requirement for dampers or fire resistant ductwork to be fitted to ductwork passing through fire resistant fitted to ductwork passing through fire resistant constructions – e.g. protected enclosuresconstructions – e.g. protected enclosures

Guidance identifies limitations on the passage of ductwork Guidance identifies limitations on the passage of ductwork e.g. no transfer grilles between any room and protected e.g. no transfer grilles between any room and protected enclosuresenclosures, , if system is re-circulatory smoke detectors if system is re-circulatory smoke detectors to be installed within the ductworkto be installed within the ductwork to provide early to provide early warning and shut down extract air.warning and shut down extract air.

Heat recovery systems – Heat recovery systems – dampers or fire resistantdampers or fire resistant ductwork where leaving the kitchenductwork where leaving the kitchen

2.9.9 Escape routes – general principles2.9.9 Escape routes – general principles

Second stageSecond stage which introduces means of escape which introduces means of escape fromfrom the entrance doors of flats and maisonettes the entrance doors of flats and maisonettes

2.9.10 Escape routes - options2.9.10 Escape routes - options

Options are in large part similar to those in Options are in large part similar to those in previous standards but the table to this standard previous standards but the table to this standard has introduced a further option of providing has introduced a further option of providing fire fire suppressionsuppression which allows removal of protected which allows removal of protected lobbies in flats maisonettes having a topmost lobbies in flats maisonettes having a topmost storey not exceeding 7.5m in heightstorey not exceeding 7.5m in height

Travel distance (dash distance) from door of Travel distance (dash distance) from door of flat/maisonette to door of exit stair increased flat/maisonette to door of exit stair increased from 7.5m to from 7.5m to 10m10m within the protected lobby within the protected lobby

Protected lobbies:Protected lobbies: IfIf protected lobbies are chosen as an option for protected lobbies are chosen as an option for

flats they need either:flats they need either:

o NaturalNatural ventilation by: ventilation by:• automatic ventilator in external wall (1.5mautomatic ventilator in external wall (1.5m²) or²) or• smoke shaftsmoke shaft

oror

o MechanicalMechanical ventilation by: ventilation by:• Depressurisation or Depressurisation or • Pressurisation orPressurisation or• Heating and ventilation systemsHeating and ventilation systems

2.9.15 Escape routes – natural smoke 2.9.15 Escape routes – natural smoke ventilationventilation

Smoke shafts now introduced as an alternative to Smoke shafts now introduced as an alternative to automatic opening ventilators. In effect a chimney within automatic opening ventilators. In effect a chimney within the protected lobby which naturally draws smoke from an the protected lobby which naturally draws smoke from an opened fire door to a flat opened fire door to a flat

Guidance clarifies how they should be constructed and Guidance clarifies how they should be constructed and designed to operate on activation of the smoke detection designed to operate on activation of the smoke detection system within the protected lobby system within the protected lobby

What to specify? - full details of the smoke detection What to specify? - full details of the smoke detection systems linked to the smoke shaft or automatic systems linked to the smoke shaft or automatic ventilators and a specification for the smoke shaft or ventilators and a specification for the smoke shaft or ventilator construction and operationventilator construction and operation

2.9.20 Escape routes - openings2.9.20 Escape routes - openings

Refers to shutters or dampers installed on a Refers to shutters or dampers installed on a ducted system (heating or ventilation) being ducted system (heating or ventilation) being activated by localised smoke detection rather activated by localised smoke detection rather than heat activation to limit the spread of fire than heat activation to limit the spread of fire and smokeand smoke in escape routes from the flat or in escape routes from the flat or maisonettemaisonette

2.9.22 Escape routes – external escape 2.9.22 Escape routes – external escape routes and escape stairsroutes and escape stairs

Guidance on external escape stairs as before but Guidance on external escape stairs as before but additional guidance identifies need to provide a additional guidance identifies need to provide a 1.1m high fire protected (short duration) route 1.1m high fire protected (short duration) route past openings in an external wall where it’s not past openings in an external wall where it’s not possible to freely disperse from the final exit to a possible to freely disperse from the final exit to a place of safetyplace of safety

How to show compliance? How to show compliance? – elevation – elevation highlighting the minimum 1100mm height of the highlighting the minimum 1100mm height of the protected area and a specification for the short protected area and a specification for the short duration wall (oddly no requirement for insulation duration wall (oddly no requirement for insulation element of fire resistance)element of fire resistance)

2.11 Communication2.11 Communication

2.11.0 Introduction2.11.0 Introduction

Enhanced statistical information on the causes Enhanced statistical information on the causes and locations of most domestic fires e.g. and locations of most domestic fires e.g. 62%62% of of fire related deaths occur within the living room or fire related deaths occur within the living room or kitchenkitchen

2.11.1 Fire detection and fire alarm 2.11.1 Fire detection and fire alarm systemssystems

Now a requirement for a Now a requirement for a minimumminimum Grade D fire detection Grade D fire detection and alarm system in accordance with BS 5839:Pt6: 2004 for and alarm system in accordance with BS 5839:Pt6: 2004 for all dwellings all dwellings (previously only where a storey in excess (previously only where a storey in excess of 200mof 200m²)²)

Smoke alarmsSmoke alarms now required in every: now required in every:

principal habitable room (normally living room, lounge etc)principal habitable room (normally living room, lounge etc) circulation space such as hallways and landingscirculation space such as hallways and landings inner room and their access roominner room and their access room

Heat alarmsHeat alarms needed for every kitchen needed for every kitchen

2.11.2 Choice of fire detector:2.11.2 Choice of fire detector:

Major change is the requirement for the Major change is the requirement for the designerdesigner to to consider the most appropriate type of detector for each consider the most appropriate type of detector for each space to reduce the possibility of false alarmsspace to reduce the possibility of false alarms

Guidance lists the different types of detectors:Guidance lists the different types of detectors:

• • optical optical smokesmoke alarms;alarms;

• • ionisationionisation smoke smoke alarms;alarms;

• • multi sensormulti sensor alarms; and alarms; and

• • heatheat alarms alarms

2.11.2 Choice of detector2.11.2 Choice of detector

2.11.3 – 2.11.6:2.11.3 – 2.11.6:

Descriptions of each type of detector/alarm and Descriptions of each type of detector/alarm and their recommended locations e.g. :their recommended locations e.g. :

optical optical smoke alarms are generally smoke alarms are generally recommended within principal habitable rooms recommended within principal habitable rooms and circulation spaces adjacent to kitchens and circulation spaces adjacent to kitchens

ionisationionisation alarms generally in circulations alarms generally in circulations spaces adjacent to bathroom/shower-roomsspaces adjacent to bathroom/shower-rooms

heat heat alarms within kitchensalarms within kitchens

What information should be provided at What information should be provided at assessment stage?assessment stage?

location of heads on floor plans location of heads on floor plans specification for the type of heads dependant on location - specification for the type of heads dependant on location -

keykey specification for the type of system installed i.e. BS and specification for the type of system installed i.e. BS and

gradegrade

What information needed at What information needed at inspection/completion stage? :inspection/completion stage? :

certification from the installer of the grade and type of certification from the installer of the grade and type of system installed – design/installation/testing pro forma as system installed – design/installation/testing pro forma as previously for houses in excess of 200mpreviously for houses in excess of 200m²²

Inner rooms an conversions:Inner rooms an conversions:

Need for detection in inner room and its access Need for detection in inner room and its access room – also applies to extensions or alterations room – also applies to extensions or alterations which create inner roomswhich create inner rooms

Conversions to comply - including conversions of Conversions to comply - including conversions of attic or garage to accommodationattic or garage to accommodation

2.13 Fire and rescue service water supply2.13 Fire and rescue service water supply

Major changeMajor change to re-introduce this standard back to re-introduce this standard back into the domestic handbookinto the domestic handbook

EveryEvery domestic building requires a water supply to domestic building requires a water supply to assist fire-fighting either from a public water assist fire-fighting either from a public water supply or an alternative water supply (or by supply or an alternative water supply (or by alternative solution)alternative solution)

StandardsStandards for public and alternative supplies as for public and alternative supplies as per Non-Domestic Handbookper Non-Domestic Handbook

2.13.2 & 2.13.3 Public and alternative 2.13.2 & 2.13.3 Public and alternative water supplieswater supplies

33 options: options:

o Compliant hydrantCompliant hydranto Alternative supplyAlternative supplyo Alternative solution (suppression system)Alternative solution (suppression system)

Options:Options: Hydrant should be within 100m of proposed Hydrant should be within 100m of proposed

dwelling – may be existing or if >100m - HIFRS to dwelling – may be existing or if >100m - HIFRS to agreeagree

Alternative supply as before for Non-Domestic Alternative supply as before for Non-Domestic e.g.e.g.

• 45000 litre storage tank or 45000 litre storage tank or • pond, river, stream or loch with at least 45000 pond, river, stream or loch with at least 45000

litres available all year round with suitable access litres available all year round with suitable access and stance – HIFRS to agreeand stance – HIFRS to agree

Alternative solution – suppression (residential Alternative solution – suppression (residential sprinkler) system – BS and HIFRS to agreesprinkler) system – BS and HIFRS to agree

Consultation:Consultation:

Protocol developed with HIFRS to highlight need Protocol developed with HIFRS to highlight need for designer to give early for designer to give early considerationconsideration of of compliance at planning stagecompliance at planning stage

HIFRS HIFRS notnot to be consulted directly. All proposals to be consulted directly. All proposals at time of building warrant application to be at time of building warrant application to be directed to Building Standards and a pro forma directed to Building Standards and a pro forma used to put forward case for consideration. BS to used to put forward case for consideration. BS to consult direct with HIFRS.consult direct with HIFRS.

2.14 Fire service facilities2.14 Fire service facilities

2.14.2 Number and type of facilities:2.14.2 Number and type of facilities:

No requirement for facilities within a No requirement for facilities within a househouse

Facilities that may be necessary for flats and maisonettes Facilities that may be necessary for flats and maisonettes include:include:

• • fire-fighting stairs (see clause 2.14.3);fire-fighting stairs (see clause 2.14.3);• • fire-fighting lifts (see clause 2.14.4);fire-fighting lifts (see clause 2.14.4);• • fire-fighting lobbies (see clause 2.14.5);fire-fighting lobbies (see clause 2.14.5);• • heat and smoke control e.g. natural or mechanical heat and smoke control e.g. natural or mechanical

ventilation (see clause2.14.6); andventilation (see clause2.14.6); and• • fire mains i.e. wet or dry risers (see clause 2.14.7).fire mains i.e. wet or dry risers (see clause 2.14.7).

2.14.3 Fire-fighting stairs2.14.3 Fire-fighting stairs

at least one at least one fire-fighting stairfire-fighting stair should be should be provided to all multi-storey buildings containing provided to all multi-storey buildings containing flats and maisonettesflats and maisonettes

has to be at least has to be at least 1m clear1m clear width to assist fire- width to assist fire-fighters carrying equipment fighters carrying equipment

can also double as an can also double as an escape stairescape stair

2.14.5 Fire-fighting lobbies2.14.5 Fire-fighting lobbies

Only required where height of storey in excess of Only required where height of storey in excess of 7.5m.7.5m.

Important to remember storey height is Important to remember storey height is measured from fire and rescue service measured from fire and rescue service access level not from ground floor level for access level not from ground floor level for the purposes of the table to 2.14.1the purposes of the table to 2.14.1

2.14.6 Heat and smoke control2.14.6 Heat and smoke control

Methods of smoke clearance to escape stairs has Methods of smoke clearance to escape stairs has been extended to been extended to include smoke shaftsinclude smoke shafts as well as well as the existing vent at head or opening as the existing vent at head or opening ventilators at each levelventilators at each level

A local control (simple handle or lock) to open the A local control (simple handle or lock) to open the ventilator/s ventilator/s should be provided at the access should be provided at the access level and topmost storeylevel and topmost storey to assist fire service to assist fire service personnel in escape stairs and fire-fighting stairspersonnel in escape stairs and fire-fighting stairs

2.14.7 Fire mains2.14.7 Fire mains

Dry fire main (dry riser) Dry fire main (dry riser) only required where only required where storey in excess of 7.5mstorey in excess of 7.5m from fire service from fire service access levelaccess level

Where an automatic fire suppression system is Where an automatic fire suppression system is installed in the building installed in the building no part of any flat or no part of any flat or maisonettemaisonette should be more than 60m from the should be more than 60m from the dry fire main outlet within the stair or lobby. 45m dry fire main outlet within the stair or lobby. 45m if no suppression systemif no suppression system

2.15 Automatic fire suppression systems2.15 Automatic fire suppression systems

Automatic life safety fire suppression systems are required Automatic life safety fire suppression systems are required in 2* categories of in 2* categories of domestic buildingdomestic building::

dwellings dwellings which form part of a which form part of a sheltered housing complexsheltered housing complex; ; andand

high rise domestic buildingshigh rise domestic buildings..

**But could be used as an alternative solution to But could be used as an alternative solution to providing features such as protected enclosures providing features such as protected enclosures within flats and maisonettes or for water supplies for within flats and maisonettes or for water supplies for firefighting purposes for new housesfirefighting purposes for new houses

2.15 Automatic fire suppression systems2.15 Automatic fire suppression systems

Reference to “alternative or innovative Reference to “alternative or innovative suppression systems” but makes it clear that suppression systems” but makes it clear that alternatives such as water-mist systems alternatives such as water-mist systems must be must be designed and testeddesigned and tested for use in domestic for use in domestic buildings buildings and proven fitand proven fit for their intended for their intended purposepurpose

Assessment and Completion acceptance?:Assessment and Completion acceptance?: FIRAS FIRAS or or LPCLPC accreditation for designers and accreditation for designers and

installers of Residential Sprinkler systems– installers of Residential Sprinkler systems– required to ensure competency and experience required to ensure competency and experience levelslevels

2.A.1 Fire resistance duration2.A.1 Fire resistance duration

Clarifies the need for test evidence and certification to be Clarifies the need for test evidence and certification to be provided and checked to ensure the performance criteria is provided and checked to ensure the performance criteria is being met by the proposed design e.g. small differences in being met by the proposed design e.g. small differences in detail of a fire door assembly or installation may impact on detail of a fire door assembly or installation may impact on the fire tests and rating - the fire tests and rating - need for this evidence to be need for this evidence to be submitted as part of the application for fire resistant submitted as part of the application for fire resistant elements and constructions e.g.:elements and constructions e.g.:

Walls and floorsWalls and floors Doors and glazed openingsDoors and glazed openings Dampers and collarsDampers and collars Intumescent firestoppingIntumescent firestopping Cavity barriersCavity barriers

Including fixing and installation methodsIncluding fixing and installation methods