The Fire Safety Act 2020 was adopted in April 2021. Revisions such as PAS79:2020 are intended to clarify guidance regarding fire hazards and responsibilities for fire safety professionals.
A new code of practice has been established since January 2022. It is PAS 9980. This code aims to assess the fire risk from external walls and cladding existing flat blocks.
Understanding the requirements and their reasons is the key to complying with fire safety procedures. This guide will explain exactly what PAS 9980 means, who it applies to, and why it is crucial.
What’s PAS 9980 All About?
The British Standards Institution (BSI), January 2022, published PAS 9980 as a guide for reducing fire spread via external walls and cladding. This guide applies to existing flat blocks – multi-story, multi-occupancy residential buildings. This includes students, sheltered accommodation, buildings, and unique housing converted into flats. For more guidance, contact FR Consulting.
PAS 9980 outlines a 5-step process to assess fire risk for occupants. This process identifies the building’s overall risk factors and offers mitigation steps that could improve the rating. These are the steps:
Step 1: Confirm that an extensive fire risk assessment of exterior walls (FRAEW) is necessary.
Step 2: Gather all information needed to complete the FRAEW.
Step 3: Identify the most critical factors in determining risk rating.
Step 4: Examine each risk factor to determine its potential contribution to overall risk.
Step 5: Compare the risk factor analysis with the benchmark success criteria to determine a result.
What Are The “Risk Factors”?
The Code of Practice was created to support the upcoming changes to Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This Order is brought about by the Fire Safety Act 20201. It will confirm that external cladding systems are considered at risk from fire if they contain combustible materials, as we saw in Grenfell Tower. A material consideration is the core of fire risk factors. These include the possibility of fire spreading quickly over exterior walls, the extent of secondary fires on floors below, the likely consequences for evacuation before extreme conditions occur, and the likelihood that fire and rescue services will intervene before any of these things happen. Higher blocks of flats pose a greater risk.
To Whom Does PAS9980 Apply?
Based on the advice of experts in the fire and building control industry, PAS9980 outlines fire risk reduction steps that competent professionals (not laypeople) can take to reduce their fire risk. It also guides making appraisal decisions. These are typically fire engineers or building professionals who work in various aspects of exterior wall construction, such as architects, contractors, facility managers, and facade engineers.
What Can You Expect From PAS 9980?
Although PAS 9980, 2022 says it is a code of practice that takes the form of recommendations and guidance, it doesn’t contain any ‘off-the-peg’ solutions for specific wall types or materials. This is due to the large number of them that exist. Professional guidance is recommended alongside the publication.
This new standard is essential and should be addressed. PAS 9980 is a step toward a clearer and more consistent approach to identifying fire risk. It gives homeowners and building owners a way to evaluate the level of safety and also identifies steps that can be taken to improve residents’ safety without incurring undue financial costs. Facade Consultants can help you implement the guidelines of PAS 9980
All those with responsibilities and roles in fire safety compliance (e.g., landlords, project managers and fire risk assessors) must be fully informed about all changes in fire risk assessment, including PAS 9980.