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NEWS
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ISSUE 16
July 2017
– 6 –
PSSA
Standards
An unfortunately topical standard is:
BS 9999:2017
Code of practice for fire safety in the design,
management and use of buildings
What is BS 9999?
BS 9999 gives recommendations and guidance on the design, management and use of
buildings to achieve reasonable standards of fire safety for all people in and around them.
It also provides guidance on the on-going management of fire safety within a building
throughout its entire life cycle, including guidance for designers to ensure that the overall
design of a building assists and enhances the management of fire safety.
This British Standard is applicable to the design of new buildings, and to alterations,
extensions and changes of use of an existing building. It can be used as a tool for assessing
existing buildings, although fundamental change in line with the guidelines might well
be limited or not practicable. The recommendations and guidance given in this British
Standard are intended to safeguard the lives of building occupants and fire-fighters. Whilst
some of the recommendations and guidance might also assist in the achievement of other
fire safety objectives – such as protection of property, the environment, communities and
business/service viability – additional measures might be necessary which are outside the
scope of this British Standard.
It is not applicable to individual dwelling-houses, and might have only limited
applicability to certain specialist buildings and areas of buildings (e.g. hospitals and areas of
lawful detention).
What’s new?
BS 9999 is being fully revised to align with current practices, new technology and other
parts of the fire safety standards series, namely BS 9990 and BS 9991. The new edition of BS
9999 will introduce the following changes:
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Inclusion of flowchart showing the sequential steps in the design process, to assist users
in the application of the standard.
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Revised clause on fire safety management with references to PAS 7
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Inclusion of watermist fire suppression systems
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Expansion of guidance on voice alarms
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Expansion of fire growth rates table to provide more information
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Removal of content now covered by BS 9991
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General update to take into account new and revised standards published since 2008
The standard also features revised recommendations for:
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Smoke and heat control
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Fire curtain barrier assemblies
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Mechanical ventilation and air-condition systems
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Shopping complexes
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Building exits
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Ducting
Who should buy it?
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Architects
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Fire safety engineers
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Fire risk assessors
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Building control
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Installers of fire and smoke alarms, sprinklers and smoke and heat control systems
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Inspectorate for certification and installation schemes
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Those involved in emergency lighting
The PSSA keeps an eye on new and updated standards via the help of our expert consultant. Here is a
selection that has reached our in tray.
BS 8548:2017
Guidance for arc welding
of reinforced steel
What is this standard about?
It gives recommendations on metal arc
welding of reinforcing steel bars produced
in accordance with BS 4449 and BS 4482
welded in accordance with the requirements
of BS17660-1 and BS EN ISO 17660-2
Who is this standard for?
It’s for:
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Large construction consultancies who
specify steel
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Steel manufacturers
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Test houses
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Contractors who provide welding services
on and off site
Why should you use this standard?
Rebar welding is becoming more
widespread and it’s a feature in several key
UK infrastructure projects. This has led to
increasing calls from the UK industry for
guidance that gives help with adopting the
requirements of the BS EN ISO17660 series,
which this standard now supplies. Ultimately
use of BS 8548 will help the UK industry
transition to a more robust structure of
qualifications and control.
PSSA Board
Change
At the last PSSA council meeting in
London on June 29th 2017, Nigel
Bullock formerly of Highway Care
resigned from his position of Vice
Chairman on the board. It was voted
by the board present, that John
Marshall of TSP Projects Ltd would
fill the post. We thank Nigel for his
years of commitment to PSSA and
welcome John onboard.