Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Introduction to Fire Safety Management
174
Title 
Regulation (functional requirement) 
Summary
B1 Means of warning
The building shall be designed and constructed
This section outlines the principles of horizontal
and escape 
so that there are appropriate provisions for the
and vertical escape within buildings and provides
 
early warning of fi re, and appropriate means of
detailed guidance of how the requirement of B1
 
escape in case of fi re from the building to a place
may be met.
 
of safety outside the building capable of being 
 
safely and effectively used at all material times
.
B2 Internal fi re spread
1) 
To inhibit the spread of fi re within the
This section provides defi nitions and classifi cations 
(linings)
building the internal linings shall
for the linings of ceilings and walls.
(a) Adequately resist the spread of fl ame 
over their surfaces; and 
It also identifi es those areas within buildings that
(b) Have, if ignited, a rate of heat release
should be fi nished to the standard classifi cations.
 
 
 
which is reasonable in the circumstances
.
2) In this paragraph ‘internal linings’ means the 
 
 
materials lining any partition, wall, ceiling or 
 
 
other internal structure
.
B3 Internal fi re spread
1) The building shall be designed and
This section defi nes the load bearing elements of 
(structure)
constructed so that, in the event of fi re, its
the structure and describes the nature and
 
 
stability will be maintained for a reasonable
importance of fi re resisting compartmentation.

period
.
2) A wall common to two or more buildings shall
It includes guidance on how openings within 
be designed and constructed so that it
compartment walls and fl oors should be designed 
adequately resists the spread of fi re between
and managed.
those buildings. For the purposes of the sub-
 
 
paragraph a house in a terrace and a semi-
 
 
detached house are each to be treated as a 

separate 
building
.
3) To inhibit the spread of fi re within the building, 
 
 
it shall be sub-divided with fi re-resisting 
 
 
construction to an extent appropriate to the 
 
 
size and intended use of the building
.
4) The building shall be designed and 
 
 
constructed so that the unseen spread of fi re 
 
 
and smoke within concealed spaces in its 
 
 
structure and fabric is inhibited.
B4 External fi re spread 
1) The external walls of the building shall
This section provides detailed guidance relating
adequately resist the spread of fi re over the
to the fi re resistance of external walls, space
 
 
walls and from one building to another, having
separation between buildings to minimise the risk
 
 
regard to the height, use and position of the
of fi re spread through radiation and discusses the

building
. 
requirements of roof coverings.
2) The roof of the building shall adequately 
 
 
resist the spread of fi re over the roof and from 
 
 
one building to another, having regard to the 
 
 
use and position of the building.
B5 Access and
1) The building shall be designed and
This section exclusively deals with access and
facilities for the
constructed so as to provide reasonable
facilities for the fi re service when attending fi res at
fi re service 
facilities to assist fi re fi ghters in the protection
the building. It details the requirements for 
of life
. 
the provision of fi re mains, vehicle access, access 
2) Reasonable provision shall be made within
to buildings for fi re fi ghting personnel and the 
the site of the building to enable fi re
venting of heat and smoke from basements. 
appliances to gain access to the building
. 
This guidance is provided to allow the fi re service 
to deal with serious incidents in a way that 
minimises the risk to the building and themselves.