The Legislation
• Part B, Fire Safety, of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010
• External Fire Spread B4-1
ENGLAND AND WALES
• Regulation 9 of Schedule 5 Section 2 Fire to the Building Standards 2015
• Spread to Neighboring Buildings 2.6
• Spread to External Walls 2.7
• Spread from Neighboring BuildingsSCOTLAND
The Guidance
•Approved Document B Volume 1 Dwelling house and Volume 2 Buildings other than dwelling house
•BCA Technical Guidance Note 18 –Issue 1 June 2015
ENGLAND
•Approved Document B Volume 1 Dwelling house and Volume 2 Buildings other than dwelling house
•BCA Technical Guidance Note 18 –Issue 1 June 2015
WALES
•Technical Handbooks Section 2 – Domestic 2015
•Technical Handbooks Section 2 – Non-domestic 2015
SCOTLAND
3 routes 4 options
Routes to Complianc
e
Linear
Performance
Exacting System
Test Data
Desktop Study Report
Fire Safety Engineering
ADB2, THB2, BCA
ADB2, THB2, BCA
ADB2, THB2, BCA
BCA
• Tick-box solution
• Accuracy and scalability of small tests questionable
• ‘Silo’ approach to design
Linear Route
• Large scale testing of entire system
• Only applicable to the precise system tested.
Performance based route: Option 1Exacting System Test Data
Performance based route: Option 2desktop study report
• Allows scalability
• Should be based on clear empirical data
• Currently no standard data requirement or format
The Fire Safety Engineering Route
• Comprehensive, holistic & thorough
• Allows innovative design
• Best for protecting life & property
• Added complexity and cost
Recommended Improvements
1. Extend Large Scale Testing2. Reform Desktop Studies3. Accredited Training Providers4. Additional Controls to Ensure ‘As Built’ Matches
Design
1. Extend Large Scale Testing
• No linear route to compliance
• BR135 - BS8414 applied to all cladding systems
• Retained but reformed
• Public register of desktop studies
• Mandatory requirements for assessors
• Clarity on what data can and cannot be used
• Identify scalable testing ofcomplete system
2. Reform Desktop Studies
Medium Scale test to discriminate between different claddings
• Could medium scale test (ISO 21367) provide accurate estimate of performance to LEPIR 2?
• 12 different cladding systems were selected
• Wooden frame, Kingspan K15 Insulation and 20mm Cavity
• Fire-safety mandatory in façade contractor training
• Create accreditation system
3. Contractor Training
• Specification must be robustly protected
• Architects
• Building Control
4. Better Control of Specification
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