A Guide to Fire Safety Standards

Fire safety in the UK has evolved dramatically in recent years. High-profile tragedies, such as the Grenfell Tower disaster, have placed a renewed focus on fire safety. This includes not only active fire protection systems, but also the essential role of passive fire protection (PFP). This hidden layer of safety is designed to contain fire and smoke within a compartment, buying precious time for evacuation and emergency response. 

In commercial properties, social housing, healthcare environments and educational institutions, PFP is not just good practice, it’s the law. Building owners are responsible persons who have a legal duty to meet fire safety standards. This is set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Building Regulations Part B. 

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, often called the FSO, is one of the main laws that covers fire safety in England and Wales. It applies to nearly all buildings except individual private homes. If you manage or own flats, commercial spaces, schools, hospitals and workplaces, this law applies to you. 

The FSO makes it your job to reduce fire risk and protect everyone who uses the building. That includes checking for hazards, carrying out fire risk assessments and making sure safety systems are up to date. 

The Fire Safety Act 2021

The Fire Safety Act 2021 was brought in after Grenfell to fix a big gap in the law. Before this act, many fire risk assessments didn’t include things such as cladding or flat entrance doors. These are two areas that turned out to be major risks in high-rise buildings. 

Now, landlords and building owners have to include these elements when assessing fire safety. That means checking materials on external walls, looking at how balconies are built and making sure every flat door can hold back smoke and fire for long enough to keep people safe. 

Choosing the right fire doors is essential for protecting escape routes. Explore our advice on choosing fire doors that meet current UK standards. 

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022

From January 2023, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 added more rules for people managing multi-occupied residential buildings, especially for those over 11 metres tall. These regulations came directly from recommendations made during the Grenfell Inquiry and aim to make buildings safer for everyone living in them. 

If you manage these types of buildings, you now need to: 

• Check fire safety equipment and lifts every month 
• Inspect communal fire doors every three months
• Check the front doors of individual flats once a year 
• Provide safety information to residents 
• Install clear signs so emergency services can find flats and floors easily

These changes place even more importance on passive fire protection. Fire doors, for example, must work properly to stop fire and smoke from getting into stairwells and corridors.

How do Building Regulations Fit In?

While the Fire Safety Order and related laws deal with managing existing risks, building regulations are all about how buildings are designed and constructed. If you’re putting up a new building or changing how an old one is used, you’ll need to follow Approved Document B, which is the fire safety part of the regulations. 

This document covers a lot of ground, including:

• How many escape routes a building needs 
• How to stop fire from spreading between flats 
• How close buildings can be to each other without increasing fire risk

Passive fire protection is built into nearly every part of it. 

The Building Safety Act 2022

One of the biggest changes to UK fire safety law came with the Building Safety Act 2022. This law was created to make sure high-rise residential buildings are designed, built and maintained with safety in mind. 

The act introduced the concept of the “Golden Thread”. This is a digital record of all fire safety information from design drawings to installation photos. Learn more about the Golden Thread  and why it matters in our latest article. 

Passive fire protection is a big part of that. If you install a fire door, seal a cable opening or build a fire-rated wall, it has to be recorded, certified and kept for future inspections. 

Adaston provides all of this. Every job comes with detailed records: 

• What was installed 
• Which products were used 
• Where was it installed 
• Photos showing it’s done right 

This helps building owners meet their duties under the act and prove they’re keeping residents safe. 

Understanding the Key Fire Safety Standards 

UK legislation is supported by a set of British and European Standards that provide technical guidance on how to install and maintain fire safety systems properly. Here are some of the most important ones. 

BS 9991:2024

This is the main fire safety standard for residential buildings such as flats, care homes and shared housing. The newest version includes clearer rules for fire doors, evacuation lifts and compartmentation. Adaston’s work in these buildings follows the standards closely, making sure walls, doors and barriers all provide the fire resistance required. 

BS 7671:2018

Known as the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, this standard includes rules for how electrical systems must be installed to avoid fire risk. It says any cables or pipes that pass through fire-rated walls need to be sealed correctly. 

BS EN 1634 and BS 8214 

These standards deal with fire doors. They specify how doors must be tested, installed and maintained.  Adaston supplies certified fire doors, installs them to the manufacturer’s guidelines and carries out regular inspections to keep them working properly. 

How can Adaston Help You Stay Compliant? 

Staying on top of passive fire protection isn’t just about ticking a compliance box. It’s about keeping people safe. Fire can spread quickly, especially in modern buildings with lots of shared spaces, ductwork and concealed cavities. 

Adaston provides a full passive fire protection service, from initial assessments to installation, documentation and maintenance. Everything is delivered by trained professionals using tested materials, with every step recorded to support legal compliance. 

Take the Next Step with Adaston 

If you’re managing a building and want to make sure it meets current fire safety standards, Adaston can help. Our team will assess what you have, explain what needs improving and carry out certified work that aligns with the law and standards.