COMMENTARY ON CLAUSE 7

a) Fire Safety Over Lifetime: Ensures building fire safety through proper installation and maintenance of fire safety provisions.

b) Innovative Solutions: Allows for creative fire safety solutions, relying on passive and active systems.

c) Human Factors: Success depends on correct performance, operation, and interaction of systems.

d) Common Issues:

● Incorrect/poor installation

● Use of substituted or missing materials/products

● Lack of integration of active systems

● Inadequate inspection and commissioning

● Abuse during normal use

● Inadequate maintenance/testing

● Inadequate management documentation and training.

7.1General

All the passive and active elements of fire safety that comprise the building design should be carefully designed, properly constructed or implemented, and should be regularly and appropriately maintained and tested.

7.2 The design stage

a) Early Fire Safety Strategy: Determine and coordinate the strategy at the design outset; document key assumptions in a fire safety strategy report.

b) Design Considerations: Ensure designs are practical for construction and installation.

c) Review Process: Assess procurement, construction, installation, integration, and commissioning methods to allow for proper inspection, testing, maintenance, and protection from abuse.

d) Appropriate Products: Select products suitable for actual building use, avoiding potential issues like fragility in high-impact areas.

e) Fire Protection Systems: Consider life cycle costs, maintenance needs, inspection access, and durability against environmental factors.

f) Product and System Requirements:

● Ensure materials/products are suitable for end use.

● Use a field of application reports, not just test reports, to verify fitness for purpose.

● Clearly describe proper construction/installation to prevent misinterpretation.

● Ensure all systems can be commissioned and tested adequately.

g) Product Certification: Consider third-party approval schemes for products and installations.

h) Regulatory Compliance: Adhere to relevant regulations (e.g., Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, Building Regulations).

i) Coordination and Communication:

● Ensure contractors and subcontractors understand system requirements and proper installation.

● Provide adequate management coordination where multiple parties are involved.

● Managers should understand system functions and testing/evaluation procedures.

7.3 The construction stage

COMMENTARY ON 7.3

a) Quality Monitoring: Construction management oversees quality during construction, especially when multiple trades are involved.

b) Trade Interference: Later trades may compromise earlier fire protection work (e.g., ventilation ducting affecting passive fire protection).

c) Integration and Accountability: Procedures or independent supervisors may be needed to integrate trades and allocate responsibility.

d) Accredited Contractors: Use third-party accredited contractors who understand fire safety issues.

e) Construction Stage Recommendations:

● Use specified passive fire protection products, not substitutes.

● Install passive fire protection according to manufacturer's instructions.

● Ensure specified fire resistance periods can be achieved.

● Install specified active systems, not substitutes.

● Proper installation of active systems as per manufacturer’s instructions.

● Correct installation and testing of actuation equipment; verify cause-and-effect tables.

● Commission and test all systems adequately.

f) Guidance: Refer to the ASFP publication for best practices in passive fire protection.

7.4 The maintenance stage

COMMENTARY ON 7.4

a) Regular Inspection and Maintenance: Essential for the reliability and continuity of fire protection systems.

b) Impact of Changes: Any construction or usage changes must consider effects on fire safety systems and compartment boundaries.

c) Accredited Contractors: Recommended for installation and changes to maintain fire safety integrity.

d) Regulatory Compliance: Follow regulations (e.g., Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) requiring fire risk assessments and monitoring of fire safety provisions.

e) Protection from Trade Damage: Subsequent work, like installing cables or pipes, can damage fire protection systems; ensure systems are functional before sign-off.

f) Importance of Maintenance:

● Internal and External: Maintenance should prevent fire safety compromise due to combustible products or damage.

● Materials: Use appropriate materials for repair/modification without impairing fire safety strategy.

g) Key Actions:

● Consider building lifecycle issues.

● Ensure building services support, not hinder, the fire safety strategy.

● Determine the need for hot and cold work permits.

● Maintain, monitor, and document fire safety facilities.

● Empower responsible individuals appropriately.

h) Documentation: Maintenance requirements should be included in the building's fire safety manual.

7 Ensuring effective fire protection