This British Standard 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 buildings. It is not
applicable to individual dwelling-houses, and might have only limited
applicability to certain specialist buildings and areas of buildings
(e.g. areas of lawful detention).
This British Standard is applicable to the design of new buildings, and
to alterations, extensions and changes of use of an existing building. It
also provides guidance on the ongoing management of fire safety in a
building throughout the entire life cycle of the building, including
guidance for designers to ensure that the overall design of a building
assists and enhances the management of fire safety. 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.
This British Standard does not cover fire safety design strategies for
extreme events such as terrorist actions.