Passive Fire Protection | Current Legislation

The following page gives a list of the key legislation, guidance and test documentation for the UK market.

Approved Document B, of the UK Building Regulations 2000
The Building regulations are concerned with the means of escape from the building, fire spread within and between the buildings and access for the fire services to fight the fire. Since the regulations are made in the interest of public health and safety, they do not attempt to achieve non-combustible buildings. The aim is to ensure the safety of the occupants and others who may be affected by the building, and to provide assistance for the fire fighters. The protection of property, including the building itself, is the province of insurers who may require additional measures to provide higher standards before accepting the insurance risk.

The buildings must therefore be constructed so that, in the event of a fire:

• The occupants are given sufficient warning and are able to reach a place of safety.
• They will resist collapse for a sufficient period of time allowing evacuation of the occupants and preventing further rapid fire spread.
• The spread of fire within and between buildings is kept to a minimum.
• There is satisfactory access for fire appliances and facilities are provided to assist fire fighters in the saving of lives.

BS 476: Part 6: 1989
Fire tests on building materials and structures. Method of test for fire propagation for products.

BS 476: Part 7: 1997
Fire tests on building materials and structures. Method of test to determine the classification of the surface spread of flame of products.

BS 476: Part 20: 1987
Fire tests on building materials and structures. Method for determination of the fire resistance of elements of construction (general principles)

BS 476: Part 21: 1987
Fire tests on building materials and structures. Methods for determination of the fire resistance of loadbearing elements of construction
BS 5950: Part 8

BS 476: Part 22: 1987
Fire tests on building materials and structures. Methods for determination of the fire resistance of non-loadbearing elements of construction.

ASFP YELLOW Book
The ASFP Yellow book provides detailed guidance for the testing of, and the correct methodology for the analysis of the test data. The Yellow book aims to standardise the testing and assessment protocols for all fire protections product used to protect structural steelwork.

BS 5950: Part 8: 2003
Structural use of steelwork in building. Code of practice for fire resistant design.

SCI RT 983 and 1006
Guidance on fire protection of beams with web openings
The report RT983 Interim Guidance on the use of intumescent coatings for the fire protection of beams with web openings.

This publication provides background information to AD 269, which appeared in the November/December issue of NSC (Vol 11 No 6). The document also contains more comprehensive guidance on determining an appropriate thickness of fire protection for beams with web openings. The document gives the background to the structural and thermal models used to generate the design tables and information on the test evidence that supports this advice. A design example demonstrating the application of the design tables is also included.

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