The British Standards Institution (BSI) is due to publish soon a revision of BS 9991 – an essential fire safety standard for residential buildings which will now include care homes.
BS 9991:2024 incorporates important updates designed to improve safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings.
The standard is aimed at designers and architects, building owners and managers, fire safety engineers and risk assessors, and fire and rescue services.
Changes in the new edition include:
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- Expanded scope: the standard now includes residential care homes, addressing unique fire safety requirements for vulnerable occupants.
- Fire classification revisions: updates on reaction-to-fire classifications for load-bearing structures, emphasising safe construction.
- Sprinklers and single-stair buildings: revised height limits for sprinkler installation and new recommendations for single-stair buildings.
- European classifications: the introduction of European classifications for fire resistance in fire doors, replacing national classifications.
- Smoke control and evacuation lifts: enhanced guidelines on smoke control and detailed evacuation lift recommendations for tall buildings.
- General fire safety enhancements: updates to cover new standards, evacuation procedures and the design of ancillary areas and kitchens.
BS 9991:2024 also includes the latest recommendations for firefighting systems, occupant safety and environmental protection.
