The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has opened a public consultation on 23 options that could change how its services are delivered across the country.
UK consultation launched on firefighting foams containing PFAS
The Health and Safety Executive has launched a UK consultation on restricting PFAS in firefighting foams. Stakeholders can submit evidence before 18 February 2026.
Fire safety regulations in Northern Ireland buildings undergo significant consultation
Sweeping changes to fire safety regulations proposed
A public consultation has been proposed for enhancing fire safety measures within local building regulations in Northern Ireland.
This information comes via a release on the Northern Ireland government’s Department of Finance website, accessible through this link.
The local Building Regulations’ fire safety provisions play a vital role in maintaining life safety standards for both building occupants and firefighting personnel.
Moreover, these regulations contribute to property protection.
The proposed amendments primarily focus on the safety measures in residential buildings, specifically in multi-residential properties.
The goal is to provide additional assurance and safety measures for residents.
Some changes are also aimed at assisting the Fire and Rescue Service, ensuring they can provide an effective operational response.
The overarching intent of these proposals is to diminish the adverse effects of fire incidents, by saving lives and preventing injuries.
Greater emphasis on fire safety information and automatic suppression systems
The consultation entails a series of changes to Part E (Fire safety) of the Building Regulations, and the accompanying guidelines in Technical Booklet E (Fire safety) (TBE).
One proposal involves introducing a new regulation mandating the provision of adequate fire safety information by the person responsible for the work, to those having fire safety duties in any ‘relevant premises’ as defined under ‘The Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006’.
This requirement will also be applicable to buildings with flats located more than 11m above ground level.
Another significant proposal calls for a new regulation requiring suitable automatic fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers, in certain types of buildings.
These include buildings with flats and purpose-built student accommodations, both having a storey more than 11m above the ground level, and all residential care premises, regardless of storey height.
Subheading: “Improved guidance and changes to technical booklet E for enhanced fire safety”
The proposed changes extend to the Technical Booklet E (Fire safety), which aims to improve fire safety information, provide better guidance on sprinklers, and enhance smoke alarm coverage in all new dwellings.
The booklet will also clarify measures necessary for adequate smoke ventilation from common escape routes in flat-containing buildings.
Moreover, it will incorporate guidance for ‘Facilities and Access for the Fire and Rescue Service’ to help firefighters in search and rescue operations and firefighting.
The Department of Finance held an online information event on Tuesday 18 July to outline these proposals.
The department will review all responses to this consultation received before the closing date, Monday 25 September 2023.
Those interested can respond to the consultation here.
IFSJ Comment
The proposed amendments signify a promising step towards greater fire safety measures in Northern Ireland.
They have the potential to significantly improve life safety standards for residents, firefighting personnel, and properties.
By focusing on critical aspects such as fire safety information dissemination, use of automatic fire suppression systems, and improved guidance in dealing with fire incidents, these changes could set a precedent for fire safety regulation enhancements globally.
BAFE opens new Emergency Evacuation Scheme with four-week consultation period
BAFE has announced its new Emergency Evacuation Scheme, which is available to view and comment on for a four-week consultation period by industry.
BAFE SP207 covers the design installation, commissioning and maintenance of evacuation alert systems. These systems are used by fire and rescue services in buildings containing flats (including single-storey flats and maisonettes) across the UK. The Scheme has been developed with the support and cooperation of the National Security Inspectorate (NSI), Gerda and other industry parties.
The new BAFE Scheme observes best practice and the recent standard developed by BSI, BS 8629 (Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of evacuation alert systems for use by fire and rescue services in buildings containing flats), published in November 2019.
BAFE has made the BAFE SP207 Evacuation Alert Systems Scheme Document available to view and has launched a four-week consultation period requesting comment from the fire safety industry, Fire and Rescue Services and the wider safety industry for comment.
BSI has commented the BS 8629 Standard “exists to help ensure that systems are fit for purpose and to encourage uniformity. If systems look and function the same way in every building, firefighters won’t waste any time understanding how they work.”
In May 2020 the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published a document: Government Response: Sprinklers and Other Fire Safety Measures in New High-Rise Blocks of Flats. In this it revealed that 92% of respondents believe that Approved Document B “should include a requirement for an emergency evacuation [alert] system, which could support fire and rescue services operational response by alerting residents if they need to escape.”
Government responded that “there was also strong support in the consultation responses for the inclusion of guidance on an evacuation alert system for high-rise blocks of flats, although many respondents also raised concerns about the use of this new technology.”
BAFE highlights that it was always planning to develop a Scheme to support the industry with a robust method of providing evidence of competency to work with these systems. The organisation strongly believes these systems in more buildings, when implemented correctly, will aid Fire and Rescue Services across the UK in saving lives.
The BAFE SP207 Evacuation Alert Systems Scheme consultation runs from 03/08/2020 to 31/08/2020 (closing at 11:45pm). Upon official publication, Third Party Certification for this Scheme will be available via NSI.