FIRE SAFETY CONSULTANCY (FSC
GUIDANCE & INFORMATION NOTE
VILLAGE HALLS
Definition of Standard Terms used in Means of Escape Requirements |
1. FIRE RESISTING
FIRE RESISTING means;- construction capable of resisting the action of fire for not less than thirty minutes under the prescribed conditions of test appropriate to such construction in accordance with the provisions of the current British Standard 476 and that:
A) Whatsoever is so designated gives effective separation between those parts of the premises on each side of it;
B) Where the word ‘enclosed’ is used in connection with this term, the room, escape route or other space so described is completely enclosed with the walls of FIRE RESISTING construction except for that part of the enclosure consisting of a roof, external wall(s), or the lowest floor of the building;
C) Where the construction consists of or incorporates a door, the door together with its frame complies with Table A below and the door;
i) Is effectively self closing by means of an automatic self closing device other than rising butt hinges which should not be used for this purpose except in the case of an entrance door to the flat or maisonette and the doors within such premises? As an alternative, where a door is to a duct, shaft or cupboard, it may be locked shut and provided with a notice to this effect:
ii) Is free from any means of holding the door in the open position except, where permitted an electro-magnetic or electro-mechanical door holder device susceptible to smoke(As defined in the current edition of the Building Regulations). The approval of the Fire Authority must be obtained for any proposal to install a door holder and the device must be the type which complies with the provisions of the Current British Standard 5838: Pt 3.
iii) Is self fitting on both the frame and, where there are two leaves, between the leaves;
iv) Is hung on hinges no part of which is made either of combustible material or of non-combustible material having a melting point of less than 800 degrees C;
v) Is permanently marked ‘Fire Door Keep Shut’ in a conspicuous position except where the door is to a bedroom or to within a dwelling (Including a flat or maisonette;
vi) Is perforated except for the minimum perforations necessary for the fitting of locks and door furniture;
D) Where the construction incorporates glazing, in addition to comply with this definition, the glazing is in a frame fixed shut;
2. CEILINGS & SOFFITS
Where existing ceilings, soffits, walls partitions, floors and door sets are not already FIRE RESISTING and are required to be made FIRE RESISTING the following construction will be accepted as complying with the definition:
a) CEILINGS & SOFFITTS;
The ceilings and soffits covered with lath & plaster in good condition, or with plaster board or FIRE PROTECTIVE BOARDING with sheets closely butted together and securely nailed or screwed to joints/noggin pieces, as appropriate;
b) WALLS & PARTITIONS;
All perforations and gaps sealed with FIRE RESISTING construction. Partitions made flush with timber or FIRE PROTECTIVE BOARDING and covered with plaster board, of FIRE PROTECTIVE BOARDING butted together, securely nailed or screwed in position;
c) DOORSETS (See Table B below)
Notes:
i) Protection of partitions, ceilings and doors shall be on the risk side, e.g. on the side remote from the escape route, or, in the case of a screen separating an escape route from the lower part of the building, on the side exposed to the lower part of the building. Where a lobby or screen is not carried up to the main ceiling and a false ceiling is provided to complete the separation, it may be necessary to protect the upper surface of the ceiling construction.
ii) Where the risk is on both sides, the construction shall be protected on both sides.
3. FIRE PROTECTIVE BOARDING
FIRE PROTECTIVE BOARDING means: - a board approved for this purpose by the Fire Authority.
Attention is drawn to the desirability of effectively sealing the exposed surface of FIRE PROTECTIVE BOARDING by paint or other suitable methods and protecting exposed edges against damage.
4. NON COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL
NON COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL means: - material which satisfies the test for non combustibility prescribed in the current British Standard 476: part 4 and is deemed to include plaster board.
5. PROTECTED ROUTE
PROTECTED ROUTE means: - a route enclosed with FIRE RESISTING construction and which complies with the following conditions;
a) Service, ventilation and other similar ducts or shafts which pass into or out of the enclosure are FIRE RESISTING within the enclosure;
b) Cupboards are enclosed with FIRE RESISTING construction (Except where premises are provided with a single staircase only, in which case cupboards are not accepted and must be taken out of use and sealed with FIRE RESISTING construction on the inside);
c) No combustible storage is allowed other than in the cupboard referred to in (b) above;
d) Stairs and landings are provided with hand rails and are adequately guarded on any open side;
e) Sufficient and suitable artificial lighting is provided for the purpose of means of escape; and
f) The linings have a surface spread of flame classification not inferior to ‘Class O’ when tested in accordance with the provisions of the current British Standard 476: Part 7.
Notes:
i) Lavatories and sanitary accommodation which are neither cloak rooms not contain
gas or portable heating appliances other than small fixed water heaters and small
fixed sanitary incinerators may be contained within the PROTECTED ROUTE.
ii) Careful consideration must be given to the type and size of sanitary incinerators
sited in toilets as there have been occasions in the past where incinerators have
been the cause of serious fires in toilets.
6. INHERENTLY NON-FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
INHERENTLY NON-FLAMMABLE MATERIAL means: - material which, although non non-combustible and not submitted to a flame-proofing process nor provided with flame resistant finish is, in fact, non flammable throughout its thickness. The standard for fabrics is ‘flame proof’ when tested in accordance with the provisions of British Standard 5438. The standard for materials other than fabrics is ‘Class 1’ surface spread of flame when tested in accordance with the provisions of the current British Standard: Part 7.
7. DURABLY FLAME PROOFED FABRIC – STAGE AREAS, WINDOWS & THE HALL
DRABLY FLAME PROOFED FABRIC means: - flame-proof fabric which after being submitted to a washing treatment remains flame-proof as determined by the method of test prescribed in the current British Standard 3120. Acceptable of such fabrics is subject to the availability of the acceptable method of spot testing to detect and identify the flame-proofing compound.
TABLE A:-
Minimum requirements for the Construction and Materials of door sets capable of resisting the action of fire for a period of not less than thirty minutes
1. Doors, including frames, are to be tested and installed in accordance with the current British Standard 476: Part 22 and (BS 476: Section 31.1 where the ‘S’ specification requires smoke stopping) and are to be certified as being capable or resisting the action of fire for a period of not less than thirty minutes as regards the passage of flame (Integrity). There are no requirements as to the stability or insulation for the door sets.
Doors which meet the requirements for resisting the action of fire in the British Standard in force at the time the door was manufactured will be accepted.
2. Doors which open into a corridor or lobby with enclosures capable of resisting the action of fire for a period of not less than thirty minutes may open in two directions providing maximum clearance of 3mm is achieved at the meeting edges.
3. Any door capable of being opened in both directions shall be fitted with a vision panel of clear fire resisting glazing in frames fixed shut. Glazing fixed shut may be incorporated in a door if it is capable of resisting the action of fire in accordance with the current British Standard 476: Part 22 Glazing should be fixed either;
a) In timber frames with wood or metal beads or with glazing compound in conjunction with springs or clips in panels not exceeding 0.4m squ in area; or
b) In metal frames with metal beads in panels not exceeding 1.2m squ in area, all metal having a melting point no lower than 900degrees C.
The area of glazing shall also satisfy the provisions of any
requirements in the accompanying schedule
TABLE B:-
Upgrading existing door sets to achieve a fire resisting standard of
Thirty minutes.
1. In general, the up grading of existing door sets to achieve a standard of thirty minutes fire resistance is not recommended except in the case of historic buildings. It is preferred that new door sets are installed;
2. If a door set is to be up graded, a test report will be required confirming that the door and frame are capable of resisting the action of fire for not less than thirty minutes when tested in accordance with the current British Standard 476: Part 22 (and BS 476: Section 31.1 when the ‘S’ specification requires smoke stopping).
8. CUPBOARD DOORS REQUIRING TO BE FIRE RESISTING
3. Cupboard doors of standard size shall be replaced with new doors capable of resisting the action of fire for not less than thirty minutes when tested in accordance with the current British Standard 476: Part 22 (and BS 476: Section 31.1 when the ‘S’ specification requires smoke stopping).
4. For cupboard doors of not less than standard size, a suitable fire resisting door shall be cut to size and fitted with intumescent strip channelled into the top, hinge and closing edges to resist fire when tested in accordance with current British Standard 476: Part 22.
With acknowledgements to the London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority
Rev 1, November 2009 Page 5 of 5 |
FIRE SAFETY CONSULTANCY (FSC
GUIDANCE & INFORMATION NOTE
VILLAGE HALLS
Definition of Standard Terms used in Means of Escape Requirements |
1. FIRE RESISTING
FIRE RESISTING means;- construction capable of resisting the action of fire for not less than thirty minutes under the prescribed conditions of test appropriate to such construction in accordance with the provisions of the current British Standard 476 and that:
A) Whatsoever is so designated gives effective separation between those parts of the premises on each side of it;
B) Where the word ‘enclosed’ is used in connection with this term, the room, escape route or other space so described is completely enclosed with the walls of FIRE RESISTING construction except for that part of the enclosure consisting of a roof, external wall(s), or the lowest floor of the building;
C) Where the construction consists of or incorporates a door, the door together with its frame complies with Table A below and the door;
i) Is effectively self closing by means of an automatic self closing device other than rising butt hinges which should not be used for this purpose except in the case of an entrance door to the flat or maisonette and the doors within such premises? As an alternative, where a door is to a duct, shaft or cupboard, it may be locked shut and provided with a notice to this effect:
ii) Is free from any means of holding the door in the open position except, where permitted an electro-magnetic or electro-mechanical door holder device susceptible to smoke(As defined in the current edition of the Building Regulations). The approval of the Fire Authority must be obtained for any proposal to install a door holder and the device must be the type which complies with the provisions of the Current British Standard 5838: Pt 3.
iii) Is self fitting on both the frame and, where there are two leaves, between the leaves;
iv) Is hung on hinges no part of which is made either of combustible material or of non-combustible material having a melting point of less than 800 degrees C;
v) Is permanently marked ‘Fire Door Keep Shut’ in a conspicuous position except where the door is to a bedroom or to within a dwelling (Including a flat or maisonette;
vi) Is perforated except for the minimum perforations necessary for the fitting of locks and door furniture;
D) Where the construction incorporates glazing, in addition to comply with this definition, the glazing is in a frame fixed shut;
2. CEILINGS & SOFFITS
Where existing ceilings, soffits, walls partitions, floors and door sets are not already FIRE RESISTING and are required to be made FIRE RESISTING the following construction will be accepted as complying with the definition:
a) CEILINGS & SOFFITTS;
The ceilings and soffits covered with lath & plaster in good condition, or with plaster board or FIRE PROTECTIVE BOARDING with sheets closely butted together and securely nailed or screwed to joints/noggin pieces, as appropriate;
b) WALLS & PARTITIONS;
All perforations and gaps sealed with FIRE RESISTING construction. Partitions made flush with timber or FIRE PROTECTIVE BOARDING and covered with plaster board, of FIRE PROTECTIVE BOARDING butted together, securely nailed or screwed in position;
c) DOORSETS (See Table B below)
Notes:
i) Protection of partitions, ceilings and doors shall be on the risk side, e.g. on the side remote from the escape route, or, in the case of a screen separating an escape route from the lower part of the building, on the side exposed to the lower part of the building. Where a lobby or screen is not carried up to the main ceiling and a false ceiling is provided to complete the separation, it may be necessary to protect the upper surface of the ceiling construction.
ii) Where the risk is on both sides, the construction shall be protected on both sides.
3. FIRE PROTECTIVE BOARDING
FIRE PROTECTIVE BOARDING means: - a board approved for this purpose by the Fire Authority.
Attention is drawn to the desirability of effectively sealing the exposed surface of FIRE PROTECTIVE BOARDING by paint or other suitable methods and protecting exposed edges against damage.
4. NON COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL
NON COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL means: - material which satisfies the test for non combustibility prescribed in the current British Standard 476: part 4 and is deemed to include plaster board.
5. PROTECTED ROUTE
PROTECTED ROUTE means: - a route enclosed with FIRE RESISTING construction and which complies with the following conditions;
a) Service, ventilation and other similar ducts or shafts which pass into or out of the enclosure are FIRE RESISTING within the enclosure;
b) Cupboards are enclosed with FIRE RESISTING construction (Except where premises are provided with a single staircase only, in which case cupboards are not accepted and must be taken out of use and sealed with FIRE RESISTING construction on the inside);
c) No combustible storage is allowed other than in the cupboard referred to in (b) above;
d) Stairs and landings are provided with hand rails and are adequately guarded on any open side;
e) Sufficient and suitable artificial lighting is provided for the purpose of means of escape; and
f) The linings have a surface spread of flame classification not inferior to ‘Class O’ when tested in accordance with the provisions of the current British Standard 476: Part 7.
Notes:
i) Lavatories and sanitary accommodation which are neither cloak rooms not contain
gas or portable heating appliances other than small fixed water heaters and small
fixed sanitary incinerators may be contained within the PROTECTED ROUTE.
ii) Careful consideration must be given to the type and size of sanitary incinerators
sited in toilets as there have been occasions in the past where incinerators have
been the cause of serious fires in toilets.
6. INHERENTLY NON-FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
INHERENTLY NON-FLAMMABLE MATERIAL means: - material which, although non non-combustible and not submitted to a flame-proofing process nor provided with flame resistant finish is, in fact, non flammable throughout its thickness. The standard for fabrics is ‘flame proof’ when tested in accordance with the provisions of British Standard 5438. The standard for materials other than fabrics is ‘Class 1’ surface spread of flame when tested in accordance with the provisions of the current British Standard: Part 7.
7. DURABLY FLAME PROOFED FABRIC – STAGE AREAS, WINDOWS & THE HALL
DRABLY FLAME PROOFED FABRIC means: - flame-proof fabric which after being submitted to a washing treatment remains flame-proof as determined by the method of test prescribed in the current British Standard 3120. Acceptable of such fabrics is subject to the availability of the acceptable method of spot testing to detect and identify the flame-proofing compound.
TABLE A:-
Minimum requirements for the Construction and Materials of door sets capable of resisting the action of fire for a period of not less than thirty minutes
1. Doors, including frames, are to be tested and installed in accordance with the current British Standard 476: Part 22 and (BS 476: Section 31.1 where the ‘S’ specification requires smoke stopping) and are to be certified as being capable or resisting the action of fire for a period of not less than thirty minutes as regards the passage of flame (Integrity). There are no requirements as to the stability or insulation for the door sets.
Doors which meet the requirements for resisting the action of fire in the British Standard in force at the time the door was manufactured will be accepted.
2. Doors which open into a corridor or lobby with enclosures capable of resisting the action of fire for a period of not less than thirty minutes may open in two directions providing maximum clearance of 3mm is achieved at the meeting edges.
3. Any door capable of being opened in both directions shall be fitted with a vision panel of clear fire resisting glazing in frames fixed shut. Glazing fixed shut may be incorporated in a door if it is capable of resisting the action of fire in accordance with the current British Standard 476: Part 22 Glazing should be fixed either;
a) In timber frames with wood or metal beads or with glazing compound in conjunction with springs or clips in panels not exceeding 0.4m squ in area; or
b) In metal frames with metal beads in panels not exceeding 1.2m squ in area, all metal having a melting point no lower than 900degrees C.
The area of glazing shall also satisfy the provisions of any
requirements in the accompanying schedule
TABLE B:-
Upgrading existing door sets to achieve a fire resisting standard of
Thirty minutes.
1. In general, the up grading of existing door sets to achieve a standard of thirty minutes fire resistance is not recommended except in the case of historic buildings. It is preferred that new door sets are installed;
2. If a door set is to be up graded, a test report will be required confirming that the door and frame are capable of resisting the action of fire for not less than thirty minutes when tested in accordance with the current British Standard 476: Part 22 (and BS 476: Section 31.1 when the ‘S’ specification requires smoke stopping).
8. CUPBOARD DOORS REQUIRING TO BE FIRE RESISTING
3. Cupboard doors of standard size shall be replaced with new doors capable of resisting the action of fire for not less than thirty minutes when tested in accordance with the current British Standard 476: Part 22 (and BS 476: Section 31.1 when the ‘S’ specification requires smoke stopping).
4. For cupboard doors of not less than standard size, a suitable fire resisting door shall be cut to size and fitted with intumescent strip channelled into the top, hinge and closing edges to resist fire when tested in accordance with current British Standard 476: Part 22.
With acknowledgements to the London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority
Rev 1, November 2009 Page 5 of 5 |