Introducing BS 9991:2024 – The New Standard for Fire Safety in Residential Buildings
Bijan Fard
November 28, 2024
Following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower in June 2017 there was a reform of the Building Safety Regulatory System, which recommended the implementation of a New Planning Gateway, so improved safety measures could be assured before planning permission is granted. This planning gateway would result in applicants submitting a fire statement to local planning authorities to consult the fire and rescue authority and other relevant bodies before granting planning permission. This will ensure architects and developers’ early consideration of fire safety in upcoming high-rise projects.
The Government’s consultation response was published in April 2020. Amendments to The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) were made, and several new requirements have been introduced into the planning system.
As part of the building safety reform, the Government have outlined three gateway points for developments/buildings to go through:
Applicants demonstrate that the planning application incorporates thinking on fire safety (where it relates to land use planning).
The technical design and construction phase, bolsters the current building control deposit of plans stage with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as the only option of building control body for in-scope buildings. An ‘in scope’ building refers to any building which is at least 18 metres in height or have at least seven storeys and at least two residential units. A building control application will be required, and this gateway provides a ‘hard stop’ where construction cannot begin until the BSR has approved the building control application.
The current building control completion/ final certificate stage, will provide a ‘hard stop’ at which the BSR undertakes final inspections and issues a completion certificate. Prescribed documents and information on the as-built building will be required, and information must be handed over to the person(s) responsible for the building in use (accountable person in occupation).
FDS Consult UK offers consultation on for your next project, to ensure the smooth application process for each of the newly introduced planning gateways.
As part of the building safety reform, the Government have outlined three gateway points for developments/buildings to go through. This essential guide explains the three gateways and examines what is required to pass.
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