BSI opens public consultation on BS 9990 non-automatic firefighting systems in buildings

by ActiveFeatured NewsPassiveSafety

Non-automatic firefighting systems draft open for comment

A draft update to BS 9990 covering non-automatic firefighting systems in buildings is open for public comment until 5 April 2026.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) is progressing the draft through its FSH/18 Fixed firefighting systems committee.

The draft supersedes BS 9990:2015.

It gives recommendations for non-automatic firefighting systems such as wet and dry fire mains.

It covers good practice affecting their design, installation, testing and maintenance.

It treats the provision of fire mains as an essential element of fire protection in large and complex buildings.

It states that these systems should be maintained so they are ready for use when required.

What non-automatic firefighting systems are

Non-automatic firefighting systems in this standard are fixed systems that require manual use by firefighters rather than automatic activation.

In practice, the draft centres on wet and dry fire mains installed within buildings.

These are permanent pipe systems intended to provide water at upper levels where it may be difficult to supply from outside.

The draft does not include hose reels, foam inlets, automatic foam systems or portable firefighting equipment.

Those areas are covered separately in other British and European standards listed in the scope note.

Timetable and implementation

The Draft for Public Comment will close on 5 April 2026.

Comment resolution is expected to begin in September 2026.

Publication of the final BS 9990 standard is anticipated on 28 October 2026.

The schedule provides a defined consultation period before the standard is finalised for use.

A 14 year low in compliance emerges from home office fire audit results

by Featured NewsResearchSafety

Home office fire statistics show compliance at 57% and first visit failures at 43%

Fire safety compliance in England has fallen to 57%, with 43% of buildings failing checks on the first visit over the past year.

Direct365 said it analysed the latest Home Office Fire Statistics in England.

The analysis described national compliance as a 14 year low, down from a 69% satisfactory rate in 2016/17.

Direct365 also stated that, at the current rate of inspection, it would take the Fire Service 48 years to audit every business in the UK.

Regions with the highest audit failure and pass rates

The highest audit failure rates listed were Humberside at 92%, Lancashire at 88%, then Northumberland, Buckinghamshire, and Devon and Somerset at 72%.

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service recorded 942 audits in 2024/25, with 92% resulting in a failure.

Cheshire had the highest pass rate listed at 92%, followed by Staffordshire at 90%, Hertfordshire at 89%, Cambridgeshire at 88% and Leicestershire at 85%.

Direct365 said 70% of regions with the top 10 pass rates were located in the South of England.

Most common breaches recorded in audits

The top reasons for audit failures listed were emergency routes and exits with 10,323 recorded breaches, maintenance with 8,666, and risk assessment with 8,471.

The analysis said Fire and Rescue Services are conducting 4,000 fewer audits than in 2016 and uncovered 4,000 more breaches in 2024/25.

Direct365 said breaches relating to emergency routes and exits included blocked exits, locked fire exit doors, broken emergency lighting and wedged open fire doors.

Karl Bantleman commented: “The data reveals a worrying decline in the safety standards of buildings across the country.

“It is apparent that Fire and Rescue Services are stretched to their limit and at the current rate of inspection, it would take 48 years to audit all current premises.

“Despite this, standards are continuing to slide, with national compliance hitting a 14 year low in the past 12 months.”

“Of course, the safety standard of buildings varies depending on where in the country you are located.

“However, with an average pass rate of just 57%, improvements are needed urgently across the board.

“To help protect premises and ensure fire safety audits are satisfactory, business owners must keep all emergency exits clear, ensure fire doors are never wedged open, and, most importantly, ensure Fire Risk Assessments are reviewed annually.”

The figures set out a national compliance rate of 57% alongside wide regional variation in audit outcomes.

Fire Aware backs BSR drive to raise competence across fire safety

by Featured NewsHealth and SafetySafety

BSR and Fire Aware’s position

Fire Aware has announced support for the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as part of its campaign for cultural change across the fire safety industry.

The position was set out in a Fire Aware statement on its work with the regulator.

The organisation noted that the BSR became a formal standalone arm’s length body in January, operating under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government after transferring from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Fire Aware added that it is advising member organisations across multiple sectors on engagement with the regulator.

Gavin Skelly said: “We fully endorse the move towards cultural change.

“We must remember – those who hold a duty of care at all levels are working in a vocation, and not just a job.

“We are working with our members to improve the standards of our buildings old and new and to improve the competence of those working within them who hold a duty of care.

“The essence of the BSR’s aims are aligned with our own.

“Fire Aware would support this requirement and direct any of its members involved in the Gateway system to help the regulator achieve its goal, similar to that of Fire Aware’s mission, to primarily uphold public safety.”

Skelly also commented that all parts of the supply chain across multiple sectors should adopt the same vocational approach to duty of care.

Charters and duty of care

Fire Aware described its campaign as focusing on the moral responsibility of those working in the fire safety supply chain, including designers, developers, asset owners, managers and other stakeholders.

The body said it intends to introduce a moral code of conduct through a series of charters aimed at shaping how member companies behave when upholding their duty of care.

Fire Aware characterised itself as a recognised membership body serving the built environment and related sectors with a shared aim to work and trade responsibly to best practice standards in the interests of public safety.

The organisation’s stance links its internal charter programme with the regulator’s expectations for those submitting safety cases to the BSR.

Four million adults never test their smoke alarm, Electrical Safety First says

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Smoke alarm testing rates reported in UK survey

A UK survey commissioned by Electrical Safety First found 7% of adults said they never test their smoke alarm, which it described as the equivalent of four million adults.

The charity said the nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults found 22% test once a month and 39% test less often than monthly.

It said almost one in 10 test their smoke alarm once a year or less.

Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: “Every second counts when it comes to escaping a fire in your home and smoke alarms can be the life-saving gadget that proves to be the difference between life and death.

“But they need to be maintained to ensure they operate properly.”

Capanna said: “Fires don’t discriminate.

“Many people affected by fire often tell us they simply didn’t think something like this could happen to them, which is why it’s so important households take just a few seconds to test their smoke alarm.

“It’s also vital you consider if you have enough of them in your home.

“Make sure alarms are positioned in areas across your home where a fire could start and that you have at least one on every floor of your property.

“The more alarms you have, the earlier your warning will be depending on where in your home a fire starts.”

Smoke alarm absence in accidental electrical dwelling fires

Electrical Safety First said its analysis of government dwelling fire data found 4,498 of 24,140 accidental electrical dwelling fires recorded between 2023 and 2025 had an absent smoke alarm, which it reported as 19%.

It said government analysis shows people living without a working smoke alarm are 11 times more likely to die in a dwelling fire.

The charity said a per-capita analysis placed Norfolk top, with smoke alarms absent in 188 homes where accidental electrical fires were recorded in the past two years.

It reported Avon ranked second with 199 incidents, followed by Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with 87, Hertfordshire with 161 and Nottinghamshire with 98.

It also reported survey results on the cities where people were most likely to say they never test smoke alarms, with Sheffield at over 14%, Liverpool at 11%, London at 9% and Bristol and Cardiff tied at 8%.

Electrical Fire Safety Week guidance highlighted by the charity

Electrical Safety First said the findings were released as part of Electrical Fire Safety Week.

It said households should test alarms at least once a month, replace batteries when needed and avoid disabling alarms.

It said homes should have at least one working smoke alarm on every floor and people should respond to beeping alarms, which it said may indicate a low battery or a sensor fault.

Centurion Fire & Security joins Ranger Fire & Security in Yorkshire acquisition

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Ranger expands into Yorkshire with Centurion acquisition

Ranger Fire & Security has acquired Huddersfield-based Centurion Fire & Security, its first business acquisition in Yorkshire.

Ranger announced the deal on 9 February 2026 and said it was its 15th acquisition since launching in early 2024 and its second acquisition of 2026, following the purchase of Dorset-based Partnership Fire and Security in January.

Centurion Fire & Security is a fire and security maintenance led business established in 1974 and has provided services to commercial properties across the UK, including customers in education, nuclear power plants, hospitals, robotic manufacturing and major retail.

Services, accreditations and leadership plans

Centurion’s services include commercial CCTV installations, with 24/7 monitoring and AI operated systems.

The company also provides BAFE-registered fire alarms with early warning systems, intruder alarms and access control.

Ranger said Centurion has achieved Gold Standard by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) in four disciplines for fire, CCTV, intruder and access systems installation and maintenance.

Mark Bridges, CEO of Ranger Fire and Security, said: “Centurion Fire & Security is an excellent addition to the Ranger team.

“This will be Ranger’s first acquisition in Yorkshire and build on previous acquisitions in the North West, enabling us to continue growing our group of industry experts to become the UK’s one-stop shop for all fire and security needs.”

Founder David Armstrong will continue to consult for the business as he transitions towards retirement, while General Manager Nathan Douglas-Smith has been promoted to Managing Director and will remain in post alongside the existing leadership team.

David Armstrong, retiring Director of Centurion Fire & Security said: “As I approach retirement, I wanted to find the right home for the business that I founded over half a century ago.

“We had lots of potential suitors, but Ranger was the standout option as a home that would look after the staff and customers, through their local hero centric strategy”.

“I am delighted that the team, ably led by Nathan Douglas-Smith, are now well positioned to take the next step forward for Centurion and continue to grow our customer base through the significant cross-sale opportunities that Ranger offers.

“I will continue to watch their progress.”

Nathan Douglas-Smith, Managing Director of Centurion Fire & Security said: “At Centurion we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of services across both fire and security to customers from all industries by joining Ranger, we will be able to keep expanding our customer base while still delivering the high- quality service we have become known for.

“With over 50 years of experience we are looking forward to sharing our own expertise and service offering with the other specialists across the Ranger business, ensuring that we all benefit from the collaboration and cross-selling opportunities that come from being part of Ranger.”

Centurion will also be able to access business support from Ranger’s leadership team and collaborate with Ranger’s network in the North of England, including IPH Fire Solutions, Syncro Group and McGoff & Vickers Fire and Security Systems.

The company said it is backed by Hyperion Equity Partners and is seeking to become a one-stop provider for fire and security services across the UK and Ireland.

New Class L created specifically for lithium-ion battery fires

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Why lithium-ion batteries now sit in a new fire class

BS ISO 3941:2026 has been published with a revision that adds a new fire classification for lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery fires.

BSI confirmed the update reflects the growing use of Li-ion batteries across the built environment, from large energy storage systems to electric vehicles and personal mobility devices.

The standard classifies fires according to the nature of the material undergoing combustion.

The latest revision introduces Class L as a dedicated category for Li-ion cells and batteries where no metallic lithium is present.

Specific behaviours recognised in the revision

The revised standard identifies a set of behaviours associated with Li-ion battery fires that differ from existing Class A, B and electrical fire categories.

These include higher energy density, leading to faster heat release and rapid fire growth.

It also highlights thermal runaway, where failure can propagate from cell to cell.

The document notes the release of toxic and flammable gases during venting.

It refers to a potential explosion risk from constrained build-up of vented gases.

The revision points to limited access caused by battery construction.

It lists projectile risk from expelled cells and burning electrolyte.

It also identifies stranded electrical energy that can create a risk of delayed re-ignition.

The standard states: “such a classification is particularly useful in the context of equipment for fire protection and firefighting”.

Implications for risk assessment and fire protection planning

The new Class L category is intended to support those responsible for assessing, insuring and controlling fire risk in settings such as battery energy storage systems (BESSs) and EV charging stations.

The revision sets out that detection and suppression strategies will need to take account of the specific hazards associated with Li-ion batteries.

It also flags the need to manage re-ignition risk and review emergency response plans accordingly.

Fire risk assessments are expected to identify whether Li-ion batteries are present, their type and quantity, and how they are stored and charged.

The standard notes that Class L risks will be relevant across a wide range of premises, including residential buildings, offices, commercial warehouses, industrial sites and transport facilities.

BS ISO 3941:2026 is the UK implementation of ISO 3941:2026, prepared with input from Technical Committee FSH/2, Fire extinguishers.

It replaces the 2007 edition, with the main changes being the addition of the lithium-ion classification and a new Clause 4 setting out hazard information for the fire classes.

These changes formalise how lithium-ion battery fires are categorised and described within the fire classification framework.

Nevada lawmakers review Vegas Loop fire safety complaints and withdrawn fines

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Fire safety under review in Nevada’s Vegas Loop hearing

Nevada lawmakers held a hearing examining alleged workplace and environmental violations linked to the Vegas Loop tunnel system in Las Vegas, including claims related to fire safety.

AP News reported that much of the session focused on how Nevada’s enforcement agencies handled complaints against the Boring Company, the Elon Musk-owned firm behind the project.

The Vegas Loop opened in 2021 and provides free rides around the Las Vegas Convention Center, with paid trips to some hotels, casinos and the airport.

The Boring Company is approved to build 68 miles (109.44 kilometres) of tunnels and 104 stations across Las Vegas over the coming years.

Democratic Assemblymember Howard Watts told The Associated Press: “I think they are a company that acts like they are kind of above the law and want to play by their own set of rules.”

Fire safety fines withdrawn after agency review

AP News reported that Nevada withdrew more than $425,000 in fines linked to a May 2025 training incident in which two firefighters received chemical burns at a Vegas Loop site.

Salli Ortiz, legal counsel for the state agency, told lawmakers that the original Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports contained mistakes and anomalies that would have made the penalties difficult to defend.

Inspection documents showed that the two firefighters chose not to wear a second layer of protective clothing during the drill.

The same reports stated that the Boring Company held six safety meetings with the fire department before the exercise.

Kris Sanchez, director of Nevada’s Department of Business and Industry, rejected claims that political pressure influenced the decision to drop the fines, telling lawmakers Tuesday: “The idea that there is external pressure that is swaying my decision making, or our division’s decision making, or that there’s any pressure that comes from me as a result of pressure from on high is incorrect.”

Other complaints, incidents and next steps

AP News said that between 2020 and 2026, 17 complaints were filed with Nevada OSHA about the Vegas Loop project.

One complaint led to an inspection that proposed eight citations, including claims that 15 to 20 workers were burned by accelerants and that no showers were available for decontamination.

Several complaints remain open.

The Boring Company has paid nearly $600,000 in fines, mostly to a local water reclamation district for discharging untreated wastewater, and is contesting around $355,000 in additional penalties with Nevada OSHA and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.

Watts highlighted a September 2025 incident in which a worker suffered a crushing injury after being pinned between two 4,000-foot pipes inside a tunnel, requiring firefighters to use a crane to extract him.

In a September statement, the company said it was investigating the incident and that employee safety was a priority.

Watts indicated that lawmakers may propose legislation next year to speed up how violations are assessed and contested.

The hearing left unresolved tensions between how Nevada enforces safety rules and how the Vegas Loop continues to operate and expand.

PFAS plan outlines UK monitoring and regulatory steps through 2028

by Featured NewsFire SuppressionHealth and SafetyResearchSafety

PFAS plan sets three pillars for action

A UK government policy paper has been published setting out a framework for managing PFAS risks across society and the environment.

The UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) published the policy paper, titled PFAS Plan: building a safer future together, updated 3 February 2026.

The plan is structured around three pillars: understanding PFAS sources, tackling PFAS pathways, and reducing ongoing exposure to PFAS.

PFAS are described as a group of thousands of chemicals, with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) definition used to guide the actions in the plan.

The paper identifies widespread use across sectors including firefighting foams, medical devices, textiles, packaging, construction and electronics manufacture.

Emma Hardy MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Water and Flooding), said: “Together, we can take a coordinated approach to make sure that ‘forever chemicals’ are not a forever problem.”

Monitoring, mapping and research actions

PFAS have been found in remote parts of the globe such as Antarctica.

They are characterised as highly mobile, persistent, and able to accumulate in soils, plants and animals, particularly in aquatic environments.

Monitoring data shows PFAS present in approximately 80% of surface water samples, approximately 50% of groundwater samples, and all fish samples.

English water companies carried out more than 770,000 analyses for individual PFAS in 2024 to inform drinking water assessments.

The plan commits to continuing annual monitoring of 2,400 PFAS samples from the freshwater environment in England.

In Scotland, annual monitoring will continue with an expanded network from around 300 samples in 2025 to 500 samples in 2026.

By the end of 2026, the Environment Agency’s PFAS multicriteria Geographic Information System (GIS) prioritisation map is to be made available to all public sector bodies across England, with the option of a dedicated interactive website by the end of 2027.

Soil monitoring will be strengthened through a British Geological Survey feasibility study and pilot sampling at a minimum of five representative locations across England.

A multi-year assessment of PFAS contamination in estuarine and coastal environments in England is due by February 2028, based on targeted sampling and analysis of sediment, fish and benthic invertebrates.

The government will also consider adding further PFAS to the UK Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR), following an industrial emissions consultation published in August 2025.

Regulation, foams and exposure measures

The UK’s obligations under the UN Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) include prohibitions on PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS, including their salts and related compounds.

Following a May 2025 convention-level agreement to list additional PFAS for global elimination, particularly long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), the government is determining how to implement this domestically.

A proposed UK REACH restriction on PFAS in firefighting foams is currently under consultation.

Once the Health and Safety Executive has published its final opinion, a ministerial decision will be taken on whether to implement the restriction, with devolved government consent.

On exposure, the plan identifies multiple pathways including diet, drinking water, indoor dust and skin contact.

The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment is undertaking an independent review of PFAS, including whether different PFAS can be assessed together and whether health-based guidance values can be set.

The Food Standards Agency is working with the National Reference Laboratory to develop and validate PFAS tests for food, alongside ongoing monitoring of PFAS in food contact materials.

In Scotland, a statutory drinking water standard of 0.1 µg per litre for the sum of 20 named PFAS compounds has been in place since 1 January 2023.

In England and Wales, updated Drinking Water Inspectorate guidance requires monitoring of 48 named PFAS, with concentrations at or above 0.1 µg per litre reported as a water quality event requiring action.

The government will consult on introducing a statutory PFAS limit for England’s public water supply.

Further actions cover industrial emissions, including new cross-sector guidance for regulators and operators on PFAS handling, monitoring and disposal, and the development of environmental thresholds for emissions to air, land and water.

On waste and legacy contamination, the plan commits to further work on PFAS in landfill and waste routes, and a national framework to prioritise sites affected by historic PFAS pollution.

The plan is described as a first step, with implementation to be reviewed through the statutory Environment Improvement Plan reporting cycle.

BSI report sets out UK fire safety standards work for 2024–2027

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Fire safety standards programme report details revisions, plans and committee role

The British Standards Institution has published its first annual overview of how the UK’s fire safety standards programme is being run, what changed in 2024–2025 and what is coming next in 2026–2027.

The document was launched at BSI’s Annual Fire Safety Conference on 29 January 2026. It comes from the Fire and Built Environment Sector Policy and Strategy Committee, known as FSH/0, which sits at the top of BSI’s fire safety standards structure for the built environment.

Rather than being a technical standard itself, the report functions as a map of the standards system. It explains who is involved, how priorities are set, which standards have recently been updated and which major projects are in the pipeline.

BSI frames this annual publication as part of a push for greater transparency, making standards work easier to understand and follow beyond the relatively small circle of people directly involved in committees.

Who FSH/0 is and why it matters

FSH/0 operates at the highest tier of the national standards framework for fire safety. Its remit covers the full life of a building, from design and construction through occupation, management, maintenance and eventual end of life.

In practical terms, this means it looks across everything that touches fire safety in buildings, including fire precautions, fire protection systems and the infrastructure that supports safe evacuation and firefighting.

The committee performs four main roles.

First, it sets strategic priorities for developing new standards and revising existing ones, deciding where effort should be focused.

Second, it carries out horizon scanning, looking ahead at emerging risks that could shape future standards. The report gives examples such as lithium-ion battery fires, new energy systems, increased automation, digital building systems, new construction materials and modern methods of construction.

Third, it coordinates specialist technical committees to reduce duplication and keep different strands of standards work aligned.

Fourth, it provides a national forum where regulators, fire and rescue services, manufacturers, installers, consultants, building owners, academics and professional bodies can contribute to standards development.

In effect, FSH/0 sits between government policy, industry practice and the detailed technical work of standards committees.

Leadership, structure and how the system is organised

FSH/0 is chaired by Aman Sharma MBE. Under his leadership, the report highlights a focus on strengthening the overall standards infrastructure and widening participation, including bringing in early-career professionals and people with expertise in digital and emerging technologies.

The committee oversees around two dozen specialist technical committees. The report names several key examples, including committees covering fire detection and alarms, fire precautions in buildings, hazards to life from fire and fixed firefighting systems.

It also maintains formal links with committees working on related areas such as construction design, digital modelling, accessibility, lifts, furniture flammability, personal protective equipment and explosion safety. FSH/0 works closely with CB/0, BSI’s broader built environment committee.

Day-to-day coordination is supported by a dedicated BSI Standards Committee Manager, and FSH/0 typically meets several times a year to review progress, approve new projects and respond to emerging issues.

Who was around the table in 2024–2025

The report sets out who was represented on FSH/0 during 2024–2025, giving a sense of how broad the committee’s membership is.

Members included the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), Euralarm, the Fire Industry Association (FIA), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Northern Ireland Building Regulations, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Government.

BSI notes that this mix covers fire engineering, manufacturing, installation, maintenance, building design, risk assessment, construction, enforcement and regulatory policy, rather than being dominated by any single perspective.

How the work connects to Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2

A significant strand of recent standards activity is explicitly framed as aligning with recommendations from Phase 2 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

One of the clearest examples is BS 8674:2025, which sets out a framework for the competence of individual fire risk assessors. The report links this to recommendations around clearer competence standards and potential future mandatory accreditation.

The report also highlights work on an amendment to BS 750, the standard for underground fire hydrants. This is described as a direct response to Inquiry Recommendation 40, and aims to clarify when and how flow coefficients should be measured.

More broadly, BSI describes ongoing engagement with government and industry to keep standards aligned with evolving policy in the post-Grenfell landscape.

Relationship with the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Act

BSI states that its standards work in 2024–2025 has been closely aligned with both the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety Act 2021.

The report groups several key documents within this framework: BS 8674:2025 on fire risk assessor competence, BS 9792:2025 on fire risk assessment for housing, PAS 79-1 on non-housing fire risk assessment and PAS 9980 on fire risk appraisal of external walls.

These are presented as tools that support accountable persons, responsible persons and dutyholders in meeting their legal responsibilities.

How BSI has supported understanding and implementation

Beyond writing standards, the report describes a range of activity aimed at helping the sector understand and use them.

BSI Knowledge has published explanatory articles on standards such as BS 9991, BS 8674, BS 5839-1 and BS 5266-1.

The organisation has also run sector briefings and events on topics including construction product regulation, competence and legislative change.

There has been collaboration with bodies such as the Institution of Fire Engineers and the Fire Sector Confederation, particularly around BS 8674.

On PAS 9980, BSI continues to support its use within government remediation frameworks and Building Safety Fund guidance. A structured revision programme began in 2024, with main consultation taking place in 2025.

BSI also runs an Education Hub aimed at educators, researchers and practitioners who want to engage more closely with standardisation.

What actually changed in 2024–2025

Several major standards were revised or published during this period.

BS 9991:2024, the main residential fire safety standard, underwent a substantial update. Its scope was expanded to cover residential care homes. Provisions on sprinklers were updated, including for single-stair buildings and height thresholds. The standard adopted European fire-resistance classifications for doors and strengthened guidance on smoke control and evacuation lifts in taller buildings.

BS 9792:2025 set out a clearer framework for fire risk assessment in housing, including a nine-step methodology and guidance for assisted living and supported housing. It is designed to sit alongside PAS 79-1 and PAS 9980 as part of a national approach to risk assessment across different building types.

BS 8674:2025 introduced three competence levels for fire risk assessors: Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced. It covers not only technical knowledge but also skills, behaviours, ethics, supervision and continuing professional development, and is linked to future plans for mandatory accreditation under the Building Safety Act.

BS 5839-1:2025, covering fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic buildings, added a new section on system modifications, tightened controls on acceptable variations, updated guidance on manual call points and clarified expectations for automatic detection in sleeping-risk areas.

BS 5266-1:2025, the emergency lighting standard, expanded its scope to cover emergency escape lighting, standby lighting and local-area emergency lighting, placed greater emphasis on lighting uniformity and aligned more closely with European standards EN 1838 and EN 50172.

PAS 9980 was under revision during this period, with consultation completed in 2025 and publication expected in Q2 2026. Together with PAS 79-1 and BS 9792, it forms a cross-building-type framework for fire risk assessment and appraisal.

What is coming in 2026–2027

The report sets out a substantial forward programme of work.

BS 9994 is planned as a new specification for creating, documenting and managing fire strategies throughout a building’s lifecycle. It is intended to standardise structure, terminology and review processes, replacing and expanding on PAS 911. Public consultation is expected in Q1–Q2 2026, with publication likely in late 2026 or early 2027.

BS 9996 will cover the commissioning and maintenance of integrated fire safety systems, including alarms, suppression, smoke control, evacuation lifts and cause-and-effect logic. The aim is to ensure that changes to systems do not undermine the original fire strategy. A Draft for Public Comment is expected in Q2–Q3 2026, with publication in 2027.

The revised PAS 9980 is due for publication in Q2 2026, with clearer decision pathways, terminology and alignment with the wider BS 999X family of standards.

PAS 9970-1 and PAS 9970-2 will address fire safety during construction. The first covers organisational and site fire safety, while the second deals with temporary fire detection and alarm systems on construction sites. Consultation is expected in Q1 2026 and publication in Q4 2026.

A revision of BS 9990, covering non-automatic firefighting systems such as wet and dry risers and firefighting mains, is expected to go to consultation in Q3–Q4 2026, with publication in 2027.

An amendment to BS 750 on underground fire hydrants is planned for consultation in 2026, again responding to Grenfell Inquiry Recommendation 40.

Finally, BS 9999, the main non-domestic fire safety standard, is scheduled for a major update with consultation in Q2–Q3 2027 and publication in 2028. The revision is intended to align with post-Grenfell reforms and with BS 9991, BS 9994 and BS 9996, covering issues such as fire strategies, evacuation planning, dutyholder responsibilities and digital records.

How people can get involved

The report emphasises that standards development depends on broad participation rather than being driven solely by BSI.

Individuals and organisations can apply or be nominated to join technical committees, serve on drafting panels for specific standards and respond to Drafts for Public Comment via the Standards Development Portal.

Contributions can also be made through professional bodies such as the Institution of Fire Engineers, the Fire Industry Association, the Association for Specialist Fire Protection and BAFSA.

BSI also invites evidence or case studies to support FSH/0’s horizon-scanning work, alongside engagement through consultations, calls for evidence, conferences and roundtables.

What the report presents FSH/0 as doing

Overall, the report positions FSH/0 as the central coordinating body for UK fire safety standards, increasingly transparent through the publication of this annual overview, closely aligned with post-Grenfell reforms and actively managing a wide programme of revisions, new standards and PAS projects across 2026–2027.

It presents this work as part of maintaining a coherent, nationally consistent fire safety standards framework for the built environment.

Kentec announces wireless lockdown notification system for UK public venues

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProductsSafety

Wireless lockdown notification system announcement

Kentec has announced a Wireless Lockdown Notification System, described as a solution for UK public venues preparing for Martyn’s Law requirements.

Martyn’s Law is also known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.

The legislation received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025.

Compliance is mandated by April 2027.

The requirements described include venues assessing capacity and implementing risk assessments, security plans and procedures for responding to terrorist incidents, including evacuation.

The rules are expected to be enforced by a new regulatory function within the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

Kentec stated that fines could reach up to £18 million, with the potential for criminal conviction also referenced.

Wireless lockdown system features and integration claims

Kentec said the system applies its K-Mesh life-safety reliability to a dedicated lockdown solution.

Activation is described as being controlled via a simple switch to send notifications throughout a building or site.

Kentec stated the system includes pre-recorded spoken messages, with options listed as lockdown, covert alert, all clear, or evacuation, and that only one message is broadcast at a time.

Sound output is described as up to 91dB(A) at 1m.

Kentec described a lockdown indicator panel with integrated LEDs, providing visual status, incident confirmation and fault logging.

The system is described as using a self-healing mesh network, with devices connecting to the strongest available signal path.

Device battery life is described as up to 10 years.

Kentec said the system can be configured and commissioned using K-Mesh software with off-site pre-programming, and that minimal cabling is required during installation.

Derrick Hall, Director of Sales & Marketing, said: “At Kentec, public safety is at the heart of everything we do.

“With Martyn’s Law set to reshape how venues approach security, our Wireless Lockdown Notification System allows organisations to implement effective, immediate protective measures without compromising operational efficiency or visitor experience.

“It integrates seamlessly with existing fire alarm, access control, and security systems, providing a comprehensive safety solution that prioritises speed, simplicity and intelligibility.

“By enabling venues to enact instant, fully audible and easy-to-follow lockdown procedures, Kentec is helping organisations mitigate risks while providing reassurance to employees and visitors alike.”

Kentec listed potential use cases including schools, theatres, libraries and corporate offices.