BS 9999:2008 "Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings"
Irish Fire Regulations, in the form of Technical Guidance Document - B 2006 (TGD-B), currently refer to a series of British Standards for design guidance, i.e. the BS 5588 series.
British Standards (BSI) have spent 10 years developing a replacement code, BS 9999, which was published in October 2008. The BS 5588 series is to be withdrawn on 6th April 2009 leaving BS 9999 as the primary British Standard Code of Practice for fire safety design.
BS 9999 contains a number of important changes from the guidance in the BS 5588 series, particularly in the approach for design of means of escape, and in the guidance on fire resisting construction. It also introduces the concept of a 'risk profile' for buildings.
BS 9999 is an innovative Code incorporating fire engineering principles into fire safety guidance for the first time. The document states that it is based on engineering principles but the user does not have to have engineering knowledge to use it. The analysis and calculations are all expressed in tables for ease of reference, and the research underpinning the tables has all been properly verified and validated. The document describes itself as an 'advanced approach' which lies between a 'general approach' and 'fire safety engineering'.
The standard promotes a more flexible approach to fire safety through the use of structured risk-based design where designers can take account of varying human factors.
G. Sexton & Partners have developed a Lunchtime Seminar aimed at Architectural Professionals on BS 9999.
Please contact info@gspfire.ie for further information.
"BS 9999 is being heralded as a breakthrough offering an advanced risk-based approach underpinned, for the first time, by fire engineering principles." Fire Risk Management, May 2008
"Those who are fully aware of BS 9999 will remain at the forefront in the service they offer their Clients". CIAT Architectural Technology Magazine, July/August 2008