A comprehensive update to BS 9991, the UK’s essential fire safety standard for residential buildings is due to be published by the end of November.

BS 9991:2024 Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings – Code of practice covers a wide range of building types, from apartment blocks and flats to residential care homes.

The objective of the standard is twofold:

• To ensure an adequate standard of life safety in the event of a fire, focusing on occupant safety, firefighter safety, and the protection of emergency services.
• To offer property protection, safeguarding not only the building in question but also adjacent properties, businesses, and the environment.

The key changes include:

• Expanded scope: BS 9991 now covers residential care homes, recognizing 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 2024 edition offers a robust framework for fire safety in residential buildings, accommodating advancements in building technology while maintaining practicality.