BS 9999

Question 1

A system of smoke and heat ventilation should be provided from every basement storey that has:

Answer 1

a) a floor area of more than 200 m2; or b) a floor more than 3 m below the adjacent ground level

Question 2

All manually openable vents provided for smoke control, whether in the stairs, in the lobby or into a shaft should

Answer 2

a) be outward opening;
b) not be top hung;
c) open a minimum of 30°;
d) be clearly identifiable and accessible;
e) be fitted with: 1) simple lever handles; or 2) rotary drives to simple rack or gear operated devices;
or 3) locks that can be readily and easily operated by the fire service.

Openings should be guarded to a height of not less than 1.1 m from floor level

Question 3

Remotely openable vents

Answer 3

Openable vents situated above a stair should be provided with a remote control located adjacent to the fire service access doorway and clearly marked as to its function and means of operation

Question 4

Automatic opening vents

Answer 4

Only the automatic vent from the lobby into the shaft on the floor where the smoke has been detected should open; all other lobby vents should remain closed.

Automatic opening vents opening to outside air should conform to BS EN 12101-2.

All connections between the smoke detection, vent control panels and actuator mechanisms should be within the fire-fighting shaft or control centre/room. Where any part of the control mechanism is powered by electricity, a secondary supply should be provided

Question 5

A system of smoke and heat ventilation should be provided from every basement storey that has:

Answer 5

a) a floor area of more than 200 m2; or b) a floor more than 3 m below the adjacent ground level

Question 6

If a basement is compartmented, each compartment should have direct access to venting without having to open doors, etc. into another compartment.

Answer 6

Smoke outlets should: a) be not less than 2.5% of the floor area of each storey;

b) be sited at high level, either in the ceiling or in the wall of the space they serve;
c) be as evenly distributed as possible around the perimeter of the building with no less than half the total vent area provided on two opposing walls, with the remaining half provided equally wherever possible, to discharge into the open air outside the building;
d) not be placed where they would prevent the use of escape routes from the building.

Question 7

A system of powered smoke and heat ventilation may be provided as an alternative to natural venting, to remove smoke and heat from basements, ?

Answer 7

provided that the basement storey(s) are fitted with a sprinkler system. The sprinkler system should be in accordance with BS EN 12845 (new systems) or BS 5306-2 (existing systems

Question 8

If a powered extract system is used, in a basement it should

Answer 8

provide ten air changes per hour;

b) be capable of handling gas temperatures of 300 °C for not less than 60 min;
c) come into operation automatically either on activation of the sprinkler system or by an automatic fire detection system conforming to BS 5839-1:2013 (at least L3 standard).

Question 9

three methods of smoke clearance

Answer 9

horizontal cross-flow through the car park storey: natural cross-ventilation specified as permanent openings (Clause 7),

mechanical cross-ventilation achieved using conventional mechanical ventilation (Clause 8)

and mechanical cross-ventilation using jet fans (Clause 9).

Question 10

Venting of smoke and heat from covered car parks

Answer 10

A system of smoke and heat ventilation, designed in accordance with BS 7346-7, with the objective of clearance of smoke during the fire and after the fire has been suppressed,

should be provided from every car park storey.

Question 11

Smoke and heat ventilation from loading docks and covered service roadways

Answer 11

All enclosed loading docks exceeding 200 m2 and covered service roadways should be provided with a system of smoke

Question 12

Smoke and heat ventilation from protected lobbies and protected corridors ( not firefighting )

Answer 12

the ventilation system should comprise either permanent ventilation of 0.4 m2 (minimum) geometric free area or be protected from the ingress of smoke by a mechanical smoke control system.

The mechanical smoke control system should be provided as follows. a) It should provide ten air changes per hour or a minimum of 2 m3/s, ensuring that a door opening force of 100 N is not exceeded.

b) It should be provided with a source of replacement air from outside.
c) It should, where appropriate, meet the recommendations in 27.1.3.

Question 13

non FF lifts in the fire-fighting shaft may be fed from the same primary electricity supply, provided that:

Answer 13

he supply is adequate for this purpose; and b) arrangements are such that a fault occurring in any other lift in the fire-fighting shaft or power supplies will not affect in any way the operation of the firefighters lift.

Question 14

The secondary supply should be of sufficient capacity to

Answer 14

maintain in operation:
• the firefighters lift and its ancillary equipment;
• normal lighting and other services within the fire-fighting shaft;
• the fire and rescue service communications system (see Clause 23);
• any powered ventilation or pressurization system which operates in conjunction with the operational use of the fire-fighting shaft;
• any pump(s) required to feed the fire main;

2) permit the automatic recall to fire and rescue service access level of all other lifts in the fire-fighting shaft, if necessary in sequence and at reduced speed.

Question 15

An indication of the status of any of the following should be provided adjacent to the firefighters lift switch and duplicated in any fire control room:

Answer 15

i) the primary and secondary power supplies;

ii) any powered ventilation or pressurization systems; iii) any pumps feeding fire mains.

Question 16

BS 9999 is designed as a coordinated package covering the four main areas that influence fire safety measures, namely:

Answer 16

• fire safety management; • the provisions of means of escape; • the structural protection of escape facilities and the structural stability of the building in the event of a fire; • the provision of access and facilities for fire-fighting

Question 17

bodies for further fire safety advice?

Answer 17

local authorities; • fire and rescue authorities; • the Health and Safety Executive; • building control bodies; • environmental health departments; • social services; • education authorities; • health authorities; • the Environment Agency; • consumer protection departments; • petroleum licensing authorities; • insurers; • trade associations

Question 18

Attention is drawn to the following specific regulations

Answer 18

• Building Regulations 2010 [1]; • Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 [2]; • Building (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2014 [3]; • Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 [4]; • Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 [5]; • Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 [6]; • Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 [7

Question 19

it is essential to have a full understanding of the existing structure and any fire safety provisions incorporated, and to take into account all of the following:

Answer 19

a) any change in use of the premises which could affect the fire risk profile (e.g. increased fire load and process risks, introducing the public, changes to sleeping risk, seasonal changes);
b) how the necessary fire safety levels can be practicably achieved in the existing premises and whether they are appropriate;
c) historic and environmental aspects of the premises and to what extent they need to be disturbed;
d) legislation and guidance introduced since the premises were originally constructed, or last altered, or since their fire safety was last assessed;
e) the interrelationship between life safety and measures to protect property/contents;
f) business continuity.

Question 20

historic buildings can be divided into four areas?

Answer 20

the preservation of the ambience and important features of the building

the existing construction of the building, including hidden features such as the extent of cavities through which fire could spread and the quality of walls, partitions and floors

the fire performance of the building structure.

the sensitivity of historic structures and interiors (finishes and contents) to fire and smoke damage.

Question 21

Amongst the factors that need to be taken into account in establishing a minimum package of fire protection measures are:

Answer 21

i) the potential users of the building;
ii) the hazard posed by one occupancy to another;
iii) provision for giving warning in the event of fire, including any automatic fire detection;
iv) the provision of automatic fire suppression systems and smoke control arrangements;
v) the overall management and control of the building or development, from a fire safety point of view;
vi) structural fire protection and compartmentation;
vii) the security of and access to the building.

Question 22

Effective management of fire safety can contribute to the protection of the building occupants in many ways:

Answer 22

a) by working to prevent fires occurring in the first place;
b) by carrying out effective risk assessments and reviewing the adequacy of fire safety precautions and built-in measures, including compartmentation and essential elements such as fire doors and fire-resisting walls and screens;
c) by monitoring the fire risks on an ongoing basis and taking appropriate action to eliminate or reduce the risk;

d) by being aware of the types of people in the building (such as disabled people, elderly people, children, pregnant women, etc.) and any special risks or needs;
e) by ensuring that all of the fire safety measures in the building are kept in working order, and in particular that the means of escape are always available;

f) by training staff and organizing the evacuation plan, to ensure that occupants leave quickly if a fire occurs;
g) by taking command in the event of a fire until the fire and rescue service arrives.

Question 23

This British Standard is not applicable to the following types of building , BS 9999?

Answer 23

a) dwellings (single-family dwelling houses, self-contained flats or maisonettes);
b) residential accommodation blocks (e.g. for students or hospital staff), with individual bedrooms and the provision of kitchen/sanitary facilities constructed within a fire compartment;
c) specialized housing.

It is not applicable to houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) or buildings in which occupants receive medical care. It might have only limited applicability to certain specialist buildings and areas of buildings (e.g. areas of lawful detention).

Question 24

Disabled people can be at particular risk in the event of a fire and need appropriate protection facilities. These might include ?

Answer 24

appropriate fire instructions in alternative formats;

• appropriate way-finding systems;
• evacuation lifts or protected refuge areas and devices for taking people down or up stairs.

appropriate means for giving warning in the event of fire;

• management planning;

Question 25

Factors that should be taken into account in assessing the fire risk for both new construction and existing premises include

Answer 25

the anticipated likelihood of a fire occurring;

b) the anticipated severity and potential spread of any fire;
c) the ability of the structure to resist the spread of fire and smoke;
d) the consequential danger to people in and around the building; and
e) the need to address property and contents protection, business interests and the environment.

Question 26

The following recommendations should be met at construction stage

Answer 26

The passive fire protection products constructed or installed should be those specified (and not substitutes).

b) The passive fire protection should be located and fixed properly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions (e.g. cavity barriers).
c) It should be possible for the specified fire resistance periods to be achieved (e.g. by providing an appropriate number of layers of plasterboard).
d) The active systems installed should be those specified (and not substitutes

The active systems should be installed properly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions

. f) Actuation equipment should be properly installed and tested and cause-and-effect tables are fully tested.

g) All systems should be adequately commissioned and tested.

Question 27

Key factors of any fire risk management strategy?

Answer 27

1 Fire risk assessment 
2 Resources and authority 
 3 Fire safety training 
 4 Control of work onsite 
 5 Maintenance and testing 
 6 Communications 
 7 Emergency planning

Question 28

Good housekeeping is essential to reduce the chances of fire starting or developing, and escape routes being blocked.

Answer 28

Buildings need to be designed and laid out in such a way that all escape routes can be maintained free from obstruction.

b) Adequate provision needs to be made for enclosed and/or secure storage areas within the building, such as safe storage of flammable liquids, paints and polishes in appropriate containers or safe storage of other hazardous items (e.g. LPG cylinders, aerosol cans).
c) Fire doors have to be able to perform their intended function.
d) Arrangements have to be made for waste control and waste disposal.
e) Appropriately designed and protected facilities are required for catering and cooking.
f) Essential hot work or heat-dissipating processes have to be protected.
g) Protected corridors and escape routes need to be kept clear.
h) Floor surfaces within escape routes need to be maintainable, even and slip-resistant.
i) Provision needs to be made for refuse, waste paper, etc. to be stored separately pending its removal from the premises, so that it does not accumulate on the premises. Wherever possible, it needs to be possible for all combustible waste to be baled and removed from the premises daily.
j) Means of restricting goods in store rooms are needed to ensure that they are not stacked close to windows, and if there is a sprinkler and/or detection system, t

Question 29

Good security arrangements can reduce the risk of serious fires by arson.

Answer 29

a) security against intruders;
b) intruder detection;
c) means of controlling of ignition sources and easily ignitable materials;
d) fire detection;
e) fire suppression;
f) compartmentation;
g) segregation of materials and/or processes that could present a risk;
h) limiting the proximity of ancillary buildings and of external storage, particularly of combustibles and waste.

Question 30

stages of occupant response

Answer 30

a) time to detect a fire and sound an alarm;
b) pre-movement time which consists of the recognition time and the response time;
c) travel time, including queuing, to a place of relative safety;
d) movement within a place of relative safety (e.g. protected stair or adjacent compartment).

Question 31

There are two basic categories of evacuation procedure:

Answer 31

a) total evacuation of the occupants to a place of ultimate safety, by either simultaneous or phased procedures (see 12.2);
b) progressive evacuation of the occupants, initially to a place of relative safety within the building where they can remain or, if necessary, complete the evacuation to ultimate safety as part of a managed system (see 12.3).

Question 32

2 tyype of Total evacuation

Answer 32

Simultaneous evacuation should be the default approach where it is unreasonable to expect the occupants to remain in the building for a prolonged time when there is a fire

Phased evacuation is a common approach adopted in high-rise premises where the floors are separated by fire-resisting construction, or in certain atrium buildings

Question 33

The following conditions should be met in any building or part of a building that is designed on the basis of phased evacuation.

Answer 33

a) The stairways should have a protected lobby or protected corridor (except a top storey consisting exclusively of plant rooms), or a pressure differential system, under the circumstances described in 17.2.4.
b) Every floor should be a compartment floor.
c) If the building has a storey with a floor over 30 m above ground level, the building should be protected throughout by an automatic sprinkler system conforming to BS EN 12845.
d) The building should be fitted with a fire detection and fire alarm system, conforming to at least the L3 standard given in BS 5839-1:2013, incorporating a voice alarm in accordance with BS 5839-8:2013 (see 15.3)
e) An emergency voice communication system should be provided in accordance with BS 5839-9:2011, with outstations at each floor level which communicate with a master station located in the building control room (where one exists) or some other suitable control point at fire and rescue service access level. NOTE 1 This may be linked to the communication system required for refuges (see Annex G). NOTE 2 Recommendations for communication systems for fire and rescue service use are given in Clause 23.
f) Lifts should be approached through a protected lobby.

Question 34

There are two categories of progressive evacuation

Answer 34

Progressive horizontal evacuation. Progressive horizontal evacuation is the process of evacuating people into an adjoining fire compartment on the same level, from which they can later evacuate to a place of ultimate safety

Zoned evacuation. Zoned evacuation is a common approach adopted in large retail developments, where an operational loss could be created by evacuating a large building for a relatively small fire. The zoned evacuation is achieved by moving the occupants away from the affected zone to an adjacent zone

Question 35

Where a crèche is provided for children separately from their parents or guardians, it should be sited adjacent to escape routes , and should be?

Answer 35

1) on a floor above the level at which their parents or guardians are accommodated, unless the escape route is through the upper level;

or 2) at basement level, unless the final exit is at basement level.

Question 36

Additional measures might be necessary to assist management to aid the evacuation of disabled people from the building

Answer 36

1) Extend video camera coverage to refuges so that management can know exactly where people are situated waiting for assisted escape.
2) Install communication facilities in refuges where there is no video camera coverage so that disabled people can contact the control to give information on where they are within the building. These facilities should comprise two-way communication and a visual indication that the call is answered.
3) Make provisions to enable disabled people to rest [see also item 4)].
4) Install handrails to assist disabled people where the extended distance is along a corridor. They give an opportunity to rest and can also be used as way-finding devices by people who cannot see the exit signs. Handrails, where provided, should be situated each side of the corridor.
5) Provide additional signing and way-finding devices, e.g. tactile directional markings, to assist blind and partially sighted people who might not be able to see exit signs.
6) Give disabled people working within the building additional warning of an impending escape, e.g. advise them to escape during the first stage of a two-stage evacuation

Question 37

One or more of the following means of escape should be adopted for diabled people?

Answer 37

a) door leading directly to outside air (final exit);
b) door leading to a protected stairway (storey exit);
c) doors leading to another fire compartment (progressive horizontal evacuation);
d) open staircase (accommodation stairs) where the distance along the length of the stair is part of the travel distance;
e) protected stairway;
f) ramps conforming to BS 8300, at a gradient of no more than 1:12
g) moving walks where the distance is part of the travel distance and the moving walk is designed to come to a slow stop;
h) suitably designed and installed evacuation lift (see 45.9); i) wicket doors and gates (except from high risk areas

Question 38

Generally unacceptable means of escape

Answer 38

ifts, except for a suitably designed and installed evacuation lift that may be used for the evacuation of people who find other evacuation routes difficult in a fire;

b) fixed ladders, except those in plant rooms which are rarely used and accommodate less than ten people. Where such ladders are used they should conform to BS EN ISO 14122-4;

c) portable ladders and throw-out ladders;
4
d) manipulative apparatus and appliances, e.g. fold-down ladders;

e) power-operated or manually operated sliding doors, except those designed to fail open on loss of power or that can break open from any position throughout their operating parameters (see BS 7273-4); f) security grilles and shutters (roller, folding or sliding), loading doors, goods doors, sliding doors and up-and-over doors, unless they are capable of being easily and quickly opened. If power-operated they should:
1) be provided with a fail-safe system for opening if either the mains supply and/or any alternative power supply fails;
2) be capable of being easily and quickly opened manually; g) wicket doors and gates at exits from high risk areas;

h) escalators. These do not normally form part of the means of escape

Question 39

If a powered extract system is used, it should:

Answer 39

a) provide ten air changes per hour;
b) be capable of handling gas temperatures of 300 °C for not less than 60 min;
c) come into operation automatically either on activation of the sprinkler system or by an automatic fire detection system conforming to BS 5839-1:2013 (at least L3 standard).

Question 40

Other lifts in the fire-fighting shaft may be fed from the same primary supply, provided that:

Answer 40

a) the supply is adequate for this purpose; and
b) arrangements are such that a fault occurring in any other lift in the fire-fighting shaft or power supplies will not affect in any way the operation of the firefighters lift.

Question 41

The secondary emergency power supply should be of sufficient capacity to?

Answer 41

1) maintain in operation: • the firefighters lift and its ancillary equipment; • normal lighting and other services within the fire-fighting shaft; • the fire and rescue service communications system (see Clause 23); • any powered ventilation or pressurization system which operates in conjunction with the operational use of the fire-fighting shaft; • any pump(s) required to feed the fire main;
2) permit the automatic recall to fire and rescue service access level of all other lifts in the fire-fighting shaft, if necessary in sequence and at reduced speed

Question 42

An indication of the status of any of the following should be provided adjacent to the firefighters lift switch and duplicated in any fire control room

Answer 42

i) the primary and secondary power supplies;
ii) any powered ventilation or pressurization systems;
iii) any pumps feeding fire mains. The indicators for power supplies should identify which system is supplying the fire-fighting shaft. The indicators for powered ventilation systems, pressurization systems and fire main pumps should indicate whether the equipment is in operation, and not merely whether it is energized.