Approved_Document B Volume 1 Flashcards
What is Requirement B1?
Requirement B1 ensures that buildings provide early warning of fire and a safe means of escape.
What are the key objectives of Requirement B1?
To provide sufficient fire detection, safe escape routes, protected stairways, and necessary signage.
What are the fire detection and alarm requirements for dwellings?
Smoke and heat alarms must comply with BS 5839-6 and be interlinked where necessary.
What type of fire detection is required in single-family houses?
Grade D2, Category LD3 alarm systems as a minimum.
What additional fire detection requirements apply to larger houses?
Grade A, Category LD2 or LD1 alarm systems may be required in larger houses or HMOs.
What are the escape requirements for a ground-floor dwelling?
Rooms should either open onto a hall leading to a final exit or have an emergency escape window or door.
What are the escape requirements for a two-storey dwelling?
Escape must be via a protected stairway or a window/door leading to a place of safety.
What are the escape requirements for a three-storey dwelling?
Protected stairways must be provided, and additional fire doors may be needed.
What is a protected stairway in fire safety?
A stairway enclosed by fire-resistant construction to prevent fire and smoke spread.
What are the minimum fire resistance requirements for protected stairways?
Minimum REI 30 in most cases, with higher ratings in larger or more complex buildings.
What are the requirements for emergency escape windows?
Windows must have an openable area of at least 0.33m², a minimum opening of 450mm in any direction, and be positioned no higher than 1100mm from the floor.
What fire precautions apply to open-plan dwellings?
Sprinklers and additional fire separation may be required to ensure adequate escape routes.
What is the stay-put strategy in fire evacuation?
Occupants in unaffected areas remain in place while those directly impacted by fire evacuate.
What fire escape provisions apply to loft conversions?
Escape must be via a protected stairway, and additional smoke detection may be required.
What fire safety rules apply to basements?
Basements must have a protected stairway leading to a final exit or an escape window.
What fire doors are required in means of escape routes?
Self-closing fire doors with a minimum rating of E 30 or EI 30 depending on location.
What are the travel distance limits for means of escape?
Typically 9m in a single direction or up to 18m when escape is possible in two directions.
What is the role of wayfinding signage in fire escape routes?
To assist both occupants and firefighters in navigating escape routes.
What fire safety provisions apply to flats?
Each flat must be a separate fire compartment, and protected corridors/stairways must be provided in larger buildings.
What are the escape requirements for maisonettes with upper floors?
Escape routes must lead to a protected stairway or an alternative means of escape.
What are the key fire escape considerations for sheltered housing?
Fire alarms should be linked to a central monitoring point, and escape routes must accommodate vulnerable residents.
What are phased evacuation procedures?
A controlled evacuation method where higher-risk occupants evacuate first, followed by others in stages.
What is a refuge area in fire safety?
A safe waiting area for disabled occupants in multi-storey buildings, typically located in stair lobbies.
What is Requirement B2?
Requirement B2 aims to inhibit the spread of fire over internal linings of buildings.
Why are internal linings important in fire safety?
They can significantly affect flame spread, smoke production, and heat release in a fire.
What are internal linings in fire safety?
Materials used to line walls, ceilings, and partitions inside a building.
What are the key fire safety concerns for internal linings?
Surface spread of flame, smoke production, and heat release.
What classification standard is used for internal linings?
BS EN 13501-1 for European classifications; BS 476-7 for national classifications.
What is the minimum fire performance classification for walls and ceilings?
Euroclass B-s3, d2 or National Class 1 under BS 476-7.
What classification is required for linings in circulation spaces like corridors?
Euroclass B-s3, d0 or National Class 0 to minimize smoke production and fire spread.
Why is smoke production an important consideration for internal linings?
Excessive smoke can obscure escape routes and increase the risk of inhalation injuries.
What fire resistance classification is required for escape routes?
Class B-s3, d0 (Euroclass) or Class 0 (National), to prevent rapid fire spread.
What are thermoplastic materials, and how are they regulated?
They have high flammability and are restricted in certain locations, especially escape routes.
What are the fire performance classifications used for internal linings?
Classifications include A1, A2, B, C, D, E, and F based on combustibility and smoke production.
What is the role of flame-retardant coatings on internal linings?
They can improve fire resistance but must be tested for long-term effectiveness.
What are the fire safety requirements for large open-plan areas?
Internal linings must have higher resistance to flame spread to prevent rapid fire development.
What additional fire precautions apply to educational buildings?
Linings in schools must comply with stricter regulations to ensure safe evacuation of children.
How are linings tested for fire performance?
By evaluating surface spread of flame, heat release, and smoke generation properties.
What materials should be avoided as internal linings?
Highly combustible materials such as untreated timber, plastic, or foam unless specifically tested.
What fire safety concerns apply to decorative finishes?
They must be tested to ensure they do not increase flame spread or smoke generation.
What additional requirements apply to linings in buildings with vulnerable occupants?
Stricter smoke and flame spread regulations apply to hospitals, care homes, and schools.
What is Requirement B3?
Requirement B3 ensures buildings prevent internal fire spread through structural integrity and compartmentation.
Why is structural fire resistance important?
To prevent premature collapse, protect escape routes, and limit fire spread between compartments.
What are the fire resistance requirements for loadbearing structures?
Minimum REI 30 for most residential buildings, with higher ratings required for taller or complex structures.
What is compartmentation in fire safety?
The subdivision of a building into fire-resistant compartments to limit fire and smoke spread.
What are the fire resistance requirements for compartment walls and floors?
Minimum REI 30 in standard dwellings, increasing to REI 60 or more in multi-storey buildings.
What is the purpose of cavity barriers?
To prevent fire and smoke from spreading through hidden spaces, such as wall cavities and floors.
Where must cavity barriers be installed?
At junctions between compartment walls and floors, around openings, and at intervals in large concealed spaces.
What fire resistance must cavity barriers provide?
Minimum E 30 or EI 15 depending on the location and building type.
What are the fire safety requirements for openings in compartment walls?
Openings must be protected with fire-resisting doorsets (minimum E 30) or other fire-stopping materials.
What is a protected shaft in fire safety?
A vertical enclosure for escape routes, lifts, or building services, designed to prevent fire spread.
What fire resistance is required for protected shafts?
Typically REI 60, increasing based on building height and function.
What are the fire resistance requirements for floors in multi-storey residential buildings?
Minimum REI 60 in buildings over three storeys, increasing based on occupancy and building use.
What are fire-stopping materials?
Materials used to seal gaps in fire-resistant structures to maintain their integrity, such as intumescent sealants and fire collars.
What is the purpose of structural fire protection?
To maintain building stability during a fire, preventing structural failure and allowing safe evacuation.
What are the requirements for fire doors in compartment walls?
Minimum E 30 or E 60, self-closing, and fitted with smoke seals.
What is the importance of preventing disproportionate collapse?
To ensure that fire does not lead to progressive structural failure in multi-storey buildings.
What additional fire resistance is required for high-rise residential buildings?
REI 90 or REI 120 may be required depending on height, use, and local fire authority guidance.
How should loft conversions be designed for fire safety?
They must be enclosed with fire-resisting construction and include safe escape routes.
What is the fire resistance requirement for separating walls between dwellings?
Minimum REI 60 to prevent fire spread between properties.
What fire resistance is required for stair enclosures in blocks of flats?
Minimum REI 60, with fire-resistant doors and smoke control measures.
What is a fire compartment floor?
A floor designed to prevent fire spread between storeys, typically with minimum REI 60 rating.
What materials are commonly used for fire-resistant construction?
Concrete, fire-rated plasterboard, intumescent coatings, and specially treated timber.
What is Requirement B4?
Requirement B4 aims to restrict fire spread over external walls and between buildings.
What are the two key objectives of Requirement B4?
- Limit fire spread over external walls and roofs. 2. Prevent fire from spreading between buildings.
What factors influence external fire spread?
Material combustibility, proximity to other buildings, and ventilation openings.
What fire resistance is required for external walls near property boundaries?
Minimum REI 30 for walls within 1m of a boundary, increasing based on risk assessment.
What are the separation distance requirements for buildings?
Unprotected areas must be limited based on distance from property lines.
What is Regulation 7(2) and how does it relate to Requirement B4?
Regulation 7(2) bans combustible materials in the external walls of certain high-rise residential buildings.
What is the minimum fire resistance required for walls in buildings over 18m?
External walls must be constructed with materials achieving Euroclass A2-s1, d0 or better.
What is the fire safety concern with metal composite panels (MCM)?
Some MCM panels have combustible cores that can contribute to rapid fire spread.
How do balconies impact fire spread?
Combustible materials in balconies can spread fire between floors and must be controlled.
What is the Broof(t4) classification for roof coverings?
A fire resistance standard ensuring roofs do not spread external fire.
What is the required fire resistance for roofs near boundaries?
Roofs within 6m of a boundary should meet Broof(t4) or equivalent under BS EN 13501-5.
What fire stopping measures are required for external walls?
Cavity barriers must be installed at floor levels and around openings to limit fire spread.
What materials are commonly used in fire-resistant external walls?
Brick, concrete, stone, and fire-rated cladding systems meeting non-combustibility standards.
What is the role of external fire barriers?
They prevent fire spread in multi-storey buildings by compartmentalising façade systems.
What are the regulations regarding window openings in external walls?
Windows should be designed to limit fire spread and, in some cases, include fire-rated glazing.
What fire resistance is required for buildings with extensive glazing?
Fire-rated glazing or automatic fire shutters may be required to prevent external fire spread.
How does wind influence external fire spread?
Strong winds can accelerate fire spread along façades and require additional fire safety measures.
What additional fire safety measures apply to timber-framed buildings?
Enhanced fire barriers, fire-resistant cladding, and stricter separation distances are required.
What are the fire safety considerations for overhanging eaves and projections?
They must be constructed with fire-resistant materials if they are within 1m of another structure.
What are the requirements for external insulation in high-rise buildings?
Insulation materials must be non-combustible in buildings over 18m.
What additional precautions apply to high-rise residential buildings?
Fire breaks must be installed between compartments, and non-combustible materials must be used.
What is Requirement B5?
Requirement B5 ensures that buildings provide adequate access and facilities for firefighting operations.
What are the two key objectives of Requirement B5?
- Provide sufficient access for fire service vehicles. 2. Ensure adequate facilities for firefighting personnel.
What are the vehicle access requirements for fire services?
Fire service vehicles must have clear access within specific distances from buildings, based on height and risk.
What is the minimum road width for fire service vehicle access?
Minimum 3.7m width for a fire engine route.
What are the access requirements for dwellinghouses?
Fire service vehicles should be able to get within 45m of any dwelling entrance.
What are the access requirements for blocks of flats?
Flats over 11m must have fire service vehicle access and provision for firefighting shafts.
What is a firefighting shaft?
A protected vertical enclosure containing firefighting stairs, fire mains, and sometimes firefighting lifts.
When is a firefighting shaft required?
In buildings taller than 18m, large single-storey buildings, and complex structures where firefighting access is limited.
What are the requirements for firefighting lifts?
Required in buildings over 18m and in deep basements; must comply with BS EN 81-72.
What are fire mains and hydrants?
Fire mains provide water for firefighting; hydrants must be within 90m of building entrances.
What is the difference between dry and wet risers?
Dry risers are empty pipes for fire service use; wet risers are permanently filled with pressurised water.
When are dry and wet risers required?
Dry risers are required in buildings over 18m; wet risers in buildings over 50m.
What are the fire safety requirements for basements?
Basements deeper than 10m require smoke ventilation and dedicated firefighting access.
What is wayfinding signage for firefighters?
Signs that help fire crews identify floors and key locations in buildings over 11m.
What are the turning radius and access road width requirements for fire service vehicles?
Turning radius: minimum 16.8m; road width: minimum 3.7m for fire engine access.
What are the gradient requirements for fire service access roads?
Maximum gradient 1 in 12 (8.3%) to ensure safe vehicle access.
What are the fire safety requirements for protected staircases?
They must be fire-resistant (REI 60 or more) and provide safe access for firefighting teams.
What is the minimum fire resistance for doors leading to firefighting shafts?
Minimum E 30 or E 60 depending on building height and purpose.
What are the smoke ventilation requirements for firefighting stairs?
Staircases in high-rise buildings must be provided with automatic smoke ventilation systems.
What is the role of pressurised stairwells in fire safety?
They prevent smoke ingress by maintaining positive air pressure inside stair enclosures.
What are the fire safety requirements for firefighting lobbies?
They must be at least 1.5m x 1.5m and be separated from stairwells by fire-resistant construction.
What are the additional fire safety requirements for buildings over 50m?
Wet risers, pressurised stairwells, firefighting lifts, and enhanced wayfinding signage are required.
What is Regulation 38?
Regulation 38 requires that fire safety information is handed over to the building owner upon project completion.
Why is Regulation 38 important?
It ensures that responsible persons have the necessary fire safety details to maintain compliance and safety.
Who must comply with Regulation 38?
Designers, developers, and contractors must ensure fire safety information is provided to the building owner or responsible person.
What fire safety information must be provided under Regulation 38?
Fire strategy, fire-resistant materials, escape routes, fire alarm systems, and maintenance requirements.
What buildings are covered under Regulation 38?
All buildings where fire safety information is necessary for compliance with the Fire Safety Order.
What is the purpose of Appendix A in Approved Document B?
Appendix A provides definitions and classifications for fire-resisting elements and materials.
What does REI stand for in fire resistance classifications?
REI refers to Resistance (load-bearing), Integrity (fire containment), and Insulation (heat resistance).
What are the common fire resistance periods specified in Approved Document B?
30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes, depending on the building type and risk assessment.
What is the role of Appendix B in Approved Document B?
Appendix B covers fire doorsets, including their installation, testing, and performance standards.
What are the fire resistance requirements for fire doors?
Fire doors must be rated as E 30, E 60, EI 30, or EI 60, depending on their location and function.
What is the purpose of Appendix C in Approved Document B?
Appendix C specifies methods for measuring and assessing the fire performance of materials and construction elements.
What is included in Appendix D of Approved Document B?
Appendix D provides guidance on fire test standards and classifications for construction materials.
What is Appendix E about?
Appendix E outlines fire alarm and detection system requirements based on BS 5839-1.
What are the requirements for sprinklers in non-domestic buildings under Appendix F?
Sprinklers are required in some large and high-risk buildings, such as care homes and high-rise commercial premises.
What is Appendix G concerned with?
Appendix G covers the requirements for smoke and heat alarms, including placement and testing.
What are the fire safety documentation requirements for complex buildings?
A full fire strategy report detailing compartmentation, escape routes, and fire safety systems must be provided.
How should fire safety information be transferred to building occupants?
Through a fire safety manual that includes maintenance schedules and emergency procedures.
What is the Golden Thread of fire safety?
A digital record-keeping system ensuring that fire safety information is maintained throughout the building’s lifecycle.
What fire safety considerations apply to refurbishment projects under Regulation 38?
Updated fire safety information must be provided when significant alterations affect fire strategy.
What are the enforcement actions for failing to comply with Regulation 38?
Building control bodies may refuse completion certificates or issue enforcement notices for non-compliance.
