The new version of BS 9999:2017 Fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings – Code of practice is intended to update good practice to safeguard the lives of building occupants and fire-fighters. It provides recommendations and guidance on the provision of measures to control or mitigate the effects of fire.
The revised standard is applicable to the design of new buildings, and to material alterations, extensions and material change of use of an existing building.
BS 9999 has been revised to align the standard with current good practice, new technology, and consistency with other fire recently revised safety standards, namely BS 9990 and BS 9991. The main changes in BS 9999 over the standard it replaces are:
• An inclusion of a flowchart showing the sequential steps in the design process, to assist users in the application of the standard
• Revised clause on fire safety management with references to PAS 7
• Inclusion of watermist fire suppression systems
• Expansion of the guidance on voice alarms
• Expansion of fire growth rates table to provide more information.
The revised standard also features updated recommendations for smoke and heat control; fire curtain barrier assemblies; mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning systems; shopping complexes; and ducting.
BSI says that BS 9999 will be of use to: architects; building managers; fire safety engineers; fire risk assessors; building control personnel; fire and rescue personnel; installers of fire and smoke alarms, sprinklers and smoke and heat control systems; and inspectorate for certification and installation schemes.
BS 9999 is not applicable to residential buildings, which are covered in BS 9991.
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