COMMENTARY ON CLAUSE 10

a) Designer's Responsibility: Designer and fire safety engineer responsibilities typically end post-completion but include management assumptions, both implicit and explicit.

b) Assumptions: Implicit assumptions include maintaining structural fire protection and controlling fire load; explicit assumptions involve maintenance and testing of active systems.

c) Support Fire Safety Management: Design should aid fire safety managers, providing facilities and equipment that prevent fires and support safety duties.

d) Avoid Design Conflicts: Ensure fire safety design does not conflict with normal building use, such as inappropriate placement of fire doors or failing to account for realistic behaviors during emergencies.

e) Test & Maintenance: Active fire safety systems should be designed for proper testing, maintenance, and readiness.

f) Reflect Building Use: The design should match anticipated use, fire loading, and management needs, with provisions for specific requirements, such as accommodations for disabled individuals.

g) Provide Suitable Equipment: Include appropriate facilities and equipment for fire containment and effective evacuation.

10.1 General

a) Early Identification of Key Management Issues:

● Identify key management issues at the earliest stage, ideally during the concept phase.

b) Early Liaison with Agencies:

● Engage with relevant agencies early, including building control bodies, fire prevention officers, health and safety inspectors, and insurance bodies

c) Consideration of Fire Safety Manager's Role:

● Designers should understand the responsibilities and tasks of the fire safety manager to incorporate them into the building design.

10.2 Management input

10.2.1 General

a) Human Behavior Consideration:

· Design fire safety systems based on actual human behavior, not assumptions.

b) Inherent Fire Safety Systems:

· Integrate fire safety systems as a core part of the design, not supplementary.

c) Client's Design Requirements:

· Obtain a clear statement of design requirements from the client for management of the complex and convey it to the design team.

d) Specialist Experience:

· Utilize the experience of specialists by ensuring good management at the design stage.

e) Cooperation Among Design Team:

· Ensure compatibility of fire safety systems and accommodate changes.

f) Comprehensive Brief from Owner/Developer:

· Provide a detailed brief on building management requirements, including for multi-occupancy complexes.

g) Involvement of Future Managers:

· Include future building managers in the design team to monitor and understand fire safety systems.

· Allow site access during construction for inspection and understanding of systems.

h) Regulatory Approval:

· Discuss and agree on all life safety systems with regulatory authorities and relevant design team disciplines.

i) Speculative Projects:

· Assume Level 2 fire safety management (minimum compliance) for projects without specific occupiers or use.

NOTE 1 Where there are conflicts of interest, compromises can be necessary. In any case, a flexible approach is essential if novel problems are to be solved. For example, there can be conflicts between the fire safety requirements and the normal use of the building, or with building services or with other safety systems, e.g. the need for maintaining means of escape whilst preventing unauthorized access. These conflicts can, however, normally be overcome as there is no purpose in putting in place fire safety measures which do not allow the normal use of the building or will be negated by such normal use.

NOTE 2 A design that does not fulfill the management brief can adversely affect the safety of the complex. It can also adversely affect running costs, staffing levels and general efficiency, and can sometimes lead to extensive modifications to cater for conditions that were not anticipated by the designers.

10.2.2 Designing for the management of means of escape for disabled people

a) Explicit Design Requirements:

· Clearly define provisions for means of escape for disabled individuals; do not rely on management procedures alone.

b) Description of Escape Routes:

· Ensure the design includes how escape routes will be managed from all accessible locations, regardless of disabled access frequency.

c) Consultation for Management Intervention:

· Consult managers to ensure they have competent personnel for evacuation, including assistance with mobility aids like evacuation chairs.

d) Evacuation Across Multiple Locations:

· Ensure personnel can move between multiple evacuation locations safely and without re-entering hazardous areas.

e) Avoid Reliance on Distant Personnel:

· Do not rely on personnel from other buildings unless they are close enough to respond without delay (e.g., adjacent premises).

NOTE 1 It is not acceptable to exclude accessible areas on the basis that access will be restricted by means of management procedures.

NOTE 2 It might be useful for the relevant managers to carry out a task analysis during the design process, to determine the minimum number of personnel required and to ensure that they are satisfied that this number will be available at all times when the building is occupied.

10.3 Designing for the management of fire prevention

COMMENTARY ON 10.3

a) Design for Fire Safety Management:

● Integrate facilities and equipment to aid the fire safety manager in fire prevention through careful design and location.

b) Recommendations for Management:

● Refer to sections 10.3.1 to 10.3.3 for provisions related to housekeeping, maintenance, and security.

c) General Recommendations:

● Follow the general recommendations in section 10.3.4 for additional guidance.

10.3.1 Housekeeping

COMMENTARY ON 10.3.1

a) Clear Escape Routes:

· Design buildings to ensure all escape routes remain unobstructed.

b) Storage Provision:

· Provide secure storage for flammable and hazardous materials, including proper containers for liquids and safe storage for items like LPG cylinders.

c) Functional Fire Doors:

· Ensure fire doors are capable of performing their intended functions.

d) Waste Management:

· Implement effective waste control and disposal arrangements.

e) Catering and Cooking Facilities:

· Design and protect facilities for catering and cooking to prevent fire risks.

f) Hot Work Protection:

· Protect areas where hot work or heat-dissipating processes occur.

g) Clear Protected Routes:

· Keep protected corridors and escape routes clear of obstructions.

h) Maintainable Floor Surfaces:

· Use even, slip-resistant, and maintainable floor surfaces in escape routes.

i) Waste Storage:

· Store refuse and waste paper separately and ensure combustible waste is removed daily, preferably baled.

j) Goods Stacking Restrictions:

· Restrict stacking of goods in storerooms to prevent blocking windows and ensure compliance with height recommendations if using sprinklers or detection systems.

k) Siting of Large Fixtures:

· Ensure that large fixtures, such as shop fittings or special displays, do not obstruct exits or exit signs.

10.3.2 Equipment and fittings maintenance

COMMENTARY ON 10.3.2

a) Inspection and Maintenance Access:

● Design to allow inspection and maintenance of potential fire hazards.

b) Sources of Ignition:

● Include means to inspect gas, oil, and electrical heating installations.

c) Electrical and Gas Installations:

● Ensure access for maintenance of other electrical and gas installations.

d) Heat-Dissipating Equipment:

● Provide access for maintenance of heat-dissipating equipment, such as factory machines or office equipment.

e) Materials and Furnishings:

● Facilitate inspection of floor coverings, furniture, furnishings, decor, and props.

f) Special Fire Risk Equipment:

● Include access for equipment with specific fire risks, such as oxygen-handling equipment.

10.3.3 Security

COMMENTARY ON 10.3.3

a) Security Against Intruders:

● Implement measures to protect against unauthorized access.

b) Intruder Detection:

● Include systems for detecting intruders.

c) Control Ignition Sources:

● Manage sources of ignition and easily ignitable materials.

d) Fire Detection:

● Install fire detection systems.

e) Fire Suppression:

● Provide means for fire suppression.

f) Compartmentation:

● Design compartmentation to contain fires.

g) Material and Process Segregation:

● Separate materials and processes that pose fire risks.

h) Control Proximity of Ancillary Buildings:

● Limit the closeness of ancillary buildings and external storage of combustibles and waste.

i) Access for Safety:

· Ensure security arrangements do not obstruct occupants' escape routes.

j) Emergency Egress:

· Integrate security with manageable emergency egress, especially in sensitive facilities.

k) Consideration for Fire Services and Insurers:

· Design security hardware considering the needs of fire and rescue services and insurers.

10.3.4 Other design issues

a) Clear Space Around Heaters:

Maintain clear space around all types of heaters (e.g., convector, tubular, thermal storage) and provide guards to prevent combustible material stacking.

b) Clear Space Around Vents:

Ensure clear space around vents of refrigerator compressor motors.

c) Emergency Equipment Shutdown:

Provide means to shut down equipment, stop machines and processes, and isolate power supplies as needed.

d) Consultation for High Fire Risk Areas:

Consult relevant authorities for special requirements in areas with highly flammable or explosive substances.

NOTE 1 Similar considerations might be needed for certain storage modes,e.g. high rack, etc.

NOTE 2 If a brief is agreed with the relevant enforcing authority at an early stage as to the intended use of the premises and the materials to be stored or used, this can overcome the need for additional fire safety measures to be put in place after the premises are occupied.

10.4 Designing for the management of fire protection

COMMENTARY ON 10.4

a) Assist Occupant Evacuation:

● Design fire protection systems to aid safe occupant evacuation.

b) Notification Systems:

● Include fire detection and alarm systems for early warning.

c) Active and Passive Fire Safety Systems:

● Implement both active and passive fire safety measures.

d) Facilitate Fire and Rescue Access:

● Ensure the design enables easy access for fire and rescue services.

e) Refer to Specific Recommendations:

● Follow recommendations in sections 10.4.1 to 10.4.5 for detailed guidance.

10.4.1 Safety systems

10.4.1.1 Control systems and control rooms

a) System Sophistication:

● Factor in the complexity of fire detection, alarm, and public address/voice alarm systems when planning evacuation procedures.

b) Control System Design:

● Sound Systems: Ensure non-safety sound systems are silenced during a fire.

● Lifts: Provide suitable signals to recall lifts to an exit floor and keep them out of service; use manual recall devices if needed.

● Urgent Information: Ensure urgent information is clear and requires minimal response.

c) Avoid Information Overload:

● Design systems to prevent information overload, considering rapid event progression during a fire.

d) Fire and Rescue Service Access:

● Place control apparatus for fire and rescue services outside or in protected rooms near building entrances.

Management of fire control centres should be in accordance with Annex J (see also 43.4).

NOTE 1 Clause 24 gives recommendations for the equipping of fire control centres.

NOTE 2 Subclause 15.3 gives recommendations on public address/voice alarm systems.

10.4.1.2 Availability

a) Defined Out-of-Commission Periods:

● Set clear limits on how long systems can be out of service and implement special procedures for such periods, including evacuation protocols.

b) Duplicate Systems:

● Provide duplicate systems if necessary to ensure continued functionality.

c) Availability of Spare Parts and Equipment:

● Ensure spare parts, replacement components, or complete replacement equipment are available for the building’s working life.

10.4.1.3 Reliability, durability and resilience

a) Reliability:

● Ensure equipment is dependable in emergencies and minimizes false alarms and failures.

b) Durability:

● Equip the building with durable systems that perform well under environmental and operational conditions, even if some parts

become temporarily inoperable.

NOTE Systems that are prone to false alarms or failures on a regular basis are more likely to be taken out of service by occupants than systems that function correctly.

Systems that are prone to false alarms on a regular basis, even if they are retained in service, can make building occupants complacent and therefore unlikely to react to an alarm signal speedily, thus putting occupants at risk in the event of an actual fire occurring.

10.4.1.1 Enabling inspection, maintenance and repair

a) Ease of Testing and Maintenance:

● Design equipment for easy testing, inspection, and maintenance with minimal business interruption.

b) Spare Parts Availability:

● Ensure a source of spare parts is available for the equipment.

c) System Integration Testing:

● Enable testing of the system as a whole, including interactions with other systems (e.g., smoke control and fire detection), as well as individually.

10.4.1.1 Other factors

a) Functionality and Ergonomics:

● Ensure fire safety equipment is compatible with normal building use.

b) Protection Measures:

● Common Mode Failures: Address potential failures, especially with building management systems.

● Vandal and Tamper-Proofing: Implement features to prevent tampering and vandalism.

● Weather Resilience: Ensure escape routes and air-intakes are protected from environmental conditions.

● Water Supply Reliability: Ensure reliable water supplies for fire safety systems.

● HVAC and Smoke Control: Manage interactions between HVAC systems and smoke control systems.

● Software Systems: Include means for testing, resilience, failure modes, and manual overrides.

● Protection of Software and Equipment: Safeguard safety-critical software and electronic equipment from water damage.

c) Standards Compliance:

● Ensure all equipment and systems comply with relevant British Standards

NOTE 1 Equipment provided solely for fire safety can present injury risks (e.g. self-closing fire doors can present problems to people who are unable to move rapidly, have limited strength or are in a wheelchair).

NOTE 2 Annex K gives examples of fire safety equipment, facilities and systems requiring inspection, maintenance, testing and repair.

10.4.2 Fire doors and escape routes

a) Ease of Use:

● Design to facilitate easy movement to safety without requiring complex systems or rapid learning.

b) Escape Routes:

● Align routes with normal building circulation.

● Ensure escape routes (stairs, corridors, balconies) are safe and lead to outdoor safety.

c) Door and Access Provisions:

● All doors on escape routes should be readily accessible.

● Emergency fastenings must be released easily in an emergency.

● Doors, gates, and shutters should be lockable in the open position if required.

● Keep escape routes and doors free from obstructions.

● Fire doors should ideally not be propped open; use automatic hold-open devices if necessary (BS 7273-4).

● Non-hold-open fire doors should have warning notices.

● Fire doors in corridors should have vision panels.

● Compartmentation doors and barriers should not obstruct escape routes.

● Escape routes and signage must be well-lit, with dual power supplies if needed.

d) Final Exits:

● Final exit doors should open to a safe area, avoiding roadways or providing safety barriers.

● Ensure exits allow for rapid dispersal.

e) Security and Functionality:

● Securing systems (e.g., swipe cards) must be fail-safe unlocked in emergencies (BS 7273-4).

● Evacuation lifts should remain operational.

f) Fire Curtain Barriers:

● Fire curtain barriers should meet BS 8524-2 standards and be triggered by smoke detectors (BS 7273-4:2015).

NOTE 1 Recommendations for fire doors are given in 32.1; recommendations for designing escape routes are given in Section 5.

NOTE 2 For example, people generally prefer to leave a building the same way that they came in, and tend to use routes with which they are familiar, rather than special dedicated escape routes.

10.4.3 Signs and signage

COMMENTARY ON 10.4.3

a) Importance:

● Essential for effective fire safety management and speedy evacuation, especially in unfamiliar buildings.

b) Regulations:

● Follow EC Directive 92/58/EEC, Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, and corresponding Northern Ireland regulations.

● Refer to BS 5499-10 for safety sign recommendations and Annex L for categories.

c) Visibility and Illumination:

● Signs must be clearly visible and unambiguous.

● All fire safety signs should be illuminated; non-lit signs must have primary or secondary lighting.

● Internally lit or back-lit signs must stay illuminated during power failures.

d) Sign Placement:

● Signs should be prominently displayed and not obstructed by other information or signs.

● Use consistent style and design throughout the building.

e) Specific Signage:

● Provide signs in stairways indicating the current floor and final exit.

● Consider language needs and provide tactile signage for sensory-impaired individuals if necessary.

The location of fire safety signs should be recorded in the fire safety documentation (see Clause 9 and Annex H).

10.4.4 Access to the building and its surroundings

a) Design Considerations:

● Ensure building design allows unobstructed access for fire and rescue services to the building and fire mains.

● Consider how occupant egress routes might affect emergency vehicle access.

b) Access Roads and Parking:

● Provide clear and unobstructed access roads and service roadways for emergency vehicles.

● Implement parking controls and signage to prevent obstruction of access roads.

● Cars may need to remain parked during emergencies, so design parking arrangements to minimize impact on fire service access.

c) Assembly Points:

● Locate assembly points away from the building to avoid interference with emergency operations and risk from falling debris.

● Ensure assembly points are accessible and within a reasonable distance to encourage compliance.

NOTE 1 Fire and rescue service access roads and gates leading to the building can become seriously obstructed by the indiscriminate parking of cars and other vehicles using the site. Control and enforcement of parking restrictions can prove difficult, but the provision and maintenance of notices giving clear instructions regarding parking arrangements can go some way to alleviating this problem.

NOTE 2 In the interest of security, it might also be necessary to agree with the fire authority to restrict entry along such roadways.

10.4.1 First aid fire-fighting

NOTE Nearly all large fires start out as small fires and if they can be dealt with quickly and safely then major incidents might be avoided.

a) Type and Placement:

● Choose fire-fighting equipment suited to the building's hazards and user needs.

● Position equipment for easy access and deployment.

b) Portable Fire Extinguishers:

● Select and place according to BS 5306-8.

● Commissioning should follow BS 5306-3.

c) Hose Reels:

● Install based on fire risk assessment.

● Comply with BS 5306-1 and BS EN 671.

10 Designing so that a building can be managed