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• removing the risk;
• separating the risk from the panels by an appropriate distance;
• providing a fire suppression system for the risk;
• providing a fire suppression system for the enclosure;
• providing fire-resisting panels; and
• specifying appropriate materials/fixing and jointing systems.
In summary the performance of the building structure, including the insulating envelope, the superstructure, the substructure etc, must be considered in relation to their performance in the event of a fire.
Specifying panel core materials
5. Where at all possible the specification of panels with core materials appropriate to the application will help ensure an acceptable level of performance for panel systems, when involved in fire conditions.
The following are examples in the provision of core materials which may be appropriate to the application concerned.
Mineral fibre cores:
• cooking areas, • hot areas, • bakeries,
• fire breaks in combustible panels, • fire stop panels,
• general fire protection.
All cores: • chill stores, • cold stores, • blast freezers, • food factories, • clean rooms.
Note: Core materials may be used in other circumstances where a risk assessment has been made and other appropriate fire precautions have been put in place.
Specifying materials/fixing and jointing systems 6. The following are methods by which the stability of panel systems may be improved in the event of a fire, although they may not all be appropriate in every case.
In addition the details of construction of the insulating envelope should, particularly in relation to combustible insulant cores, prevent the core materials from becoming exposed to the fire and contributing to the fire load.
a. Insulating envelopes, support systems and supporting structure should be designed to allow the envelope to remain structurally stable by alternative means such as catenary action following failure of the bond line between insulant core and facing materials. This particularly relates to ceilings and will typically require positive attachment of the lower faces of the insulant panels to supports. b. The building superstructure, together with any
elements providing support to the insulating envelope, should be protected to prevent early collapse of the structure or the envelope.
Note: Irrespective of the type of panel provided, it will remain necessary to ensure that the supplementary support method supporting the panels remains stable for an appropriate time period under fire conditions. It is not practical to fire protect light gauge steel members such as purlins and sheeting rails which provide stability to building superstructures and these may be compromised at an early stage of a fire. Supplementary fire-protected heavier gauge steelwork members could be provided at wider intervals than purlins to provide restraint in the event of a fire.
c. In designated high risk areas, consideration should be given to incorporating non- combustible insulant cored panels into wall and ceiling construction at intervals, or incorporating strips of non-combustible material into specified wall and ceiling panels, in order to provide a barrier to fire propagation through the insulant. d. Correct detailing of the insulating envelope
should ensure that the combustible insulant is fully encapsulated by non-combustible facing materials which remain in place during a fire. e. The panels should incorporate pre-finished
and sealed areas for penetration of services.
General
7. Generally, panels or panel systems should not be used to support machinery or other permanent loads.
Any cavity created by the arrangement of panels, their supporting structure or other building elements should be provided with suitable cavity barriers.
8. Examples of possible solutions and general guidance on insulating core panels construction can be found in Design, construction, specification and fire management of insulated envelopes for
temperature controlled environments published
by the International Association of Cold Storage Contractors (European Division).
Of particular relevance is Chapter 8 of the document which gives guidance on the design, construction and management of insulated structures. Whilst the document is primarily intended for use in relation to cold storage environments, the guidance, particularly in Chapter 8, is considered to be appropriate for most insulating core panel applications.
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1. Regulation 6B requires that, where building work involves the erection or extension of a relevant building, or a relevant change of use of a building, fire safety information shall be given to the responsible person at the completion of the project or when the building or extension is first occupied.
• “fire safety information” means information relating to the design and construction of the building or extension, and the services, fittings and equipment provided in or in connection with the building or extension which will assist the responsible person to operate and maintain the building or extension with reasonable safety;
• a “relevant building” is a building to which the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies, or will apply after the completion
of building work;
• a “relevant change of use” is a material change of use where, after the change of use takes place, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 will apply, or continue to apply, to the building; and
• “responsible person” has the meaning given in article 3 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
This Appendix is only intended as a guide as to the kind of information that should be provided. For clarity the guidance is given in terms of simple and complex buildings, however the level of detail required will vary from building to building and should be considered on a case by case basis.
Simple buildings
2. For most buildings basic information on the location of fire protection measures may be all that is necessary. An as-built plan of the building should be provided showing: a. escape routes;
b. compartmentation and separation (i.e. location of fire separating elements, including cavity barriers in walk-in spaces);
c. fire doors, self-closing fire doors and other doors equipped with relevant hardware (e.g. panic locks);
d. locations of fire and/or smoke detector heads, alarm call-points, detection/alarm control boxes, alarm sounders, fire safety signage, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, dry or wet risers and other fire fighting equipment and location of hydrants outside the building; e. any sprinkler system(s), including isolating
valves and control equipment;
f. any smoke-control system(s) (or ventilation system with a smoke-control function), including mode of operation and control systems; g. any high-risk areas (e.g. heating machinery); h. specifications of any fire safety equipment
provided, in particular any routine maintenance schedules; and
i. any assumptions in the design of the fire safety arrangements regarding the management of the building.
j. Any provision incorporated into the building to facilitate the evacuation of Disabled people. This information can then be used when designing suitable Personal Emergency Escape Plans.
Complex buildings
3. For more complex buildings a more detailed record of the fire safety strategy and procedures for operating and maintaining any fire protection measures of the building will be necessary. Further guidance is available in BS5588-2:2004 Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings: Managing fire
safety (Annex A Fire Safety Manual.)
These records should include:
a. The fire safety strategy, including all assumptions in the design of the fire safety systems (such as fire load). Any risk assessments or risk analysis.
b. All assumptions in the design of the fire safety arrangements regarding the management of the building.
c. Escape routes, escape strategy (e.g. simultaneous or phased) and muster points. d. Details of all passive fire safety measures,
including compartmentation (i.e. location of fire separating elements), cavity barriers, fire doors, self-closing fire doors and other doors equipped with relevant hardware (e.g. electronic security locks), duct dampers and fire shutters. e. Fire detector heads, smoke detector heads,
alarm call-points, detection/alarm control boxes, alarm sounders, emergency
communications systems, CCTV, fire safety signage, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, dry or wet risers and other fire fighting
equipment, other interior facilities for the fire and rescue service, emergency control rooms, location of hydrants outside the building, other exterior facilities for the fire and rescue service.