Following public comment, the most widely-adopted code of practice for fire risk assessment has finally had its biggest update since 2012. Now split into two separate documents, PAS 79-1 covers ‘Premises Other Than Housing’ and PAS 79-2 deals with ‘Housing Premises’.
The new documents give further guidance on the consideration to be given to external wall construction and cladding, which takes into account knowledge, current at the time of publication, arising from the fire disaster at Grenfell Tower, a high-rise block of flats in London, in 2017.
Other notable changes:
– technical content subject to amendment in light of experience from the use of the 2012 document
– recognition of pre-occupation fire safety assessments
– greater emphasis on competence of fire risk assessors, and reference to future competence related standards
– new British Standards have now been incorporated into the document
PAS 9980 is in the course of preparation at the moment, and this will give further recommendations for fire risk appraisal and assessment of external wall construction and cladding of blocks of flats.
You can buy the new documents here:
PAS 79 Part 1: https://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail?pid=000000000030401958
PAS 79 Part 2: https://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail?pid=000000000030401959
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