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Introduction to Amendments Booklet AMD 9
NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
This Amendments Booklet has been prepared by the Department of Finance and contains corrections, clarifications and revisions to – Technical Booklet E - Fire safety: October 2012; and Technical Bookle
fire-safetyaccessapplicabilityAmendment 1: Technical Booklets reference update
Amendment (1)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Page 4 Under the heading "Technical Booklets", in the 1st paragraph, delete "and Personnel"; and after "2012", insert – "(as amended)".
fire-safetyAmendment 2: Update regulation references
Amendment (2)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Page 4 Under the heading "This Technical Booklet", delete "33, 34, 35, 36, and 37" and substitute – "23(2), 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 37A and 37B".
fire-safetyAmendment 3: CDM Regulations version update (heading)
Amendment (3)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Page 6 In the heading "The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland)", delete "(2007)" and substitute – "(2016)".
fire-safetyAmendment 4: CDM Regulations version update (text)
Amendment (4)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Page 6 Under the heading "The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland)", delete "2007" in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd paragraphs and substitute – "2016".
fire-safetyAmendment 5: Remove Commission guidance section
Amendment (5)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Page 6 Delete heading "Commission guidance papers and decisions" and all associated paragraphs.
fire-safetyAmendment 6: Replace pages 8 and 9
Amendment (6)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Page 8 Delete existing pages 8 and 9 and substitute new pages (i), (ii) amd (iii) given in the replacement pages section.
fire-safetyAmendment 7: Update fire safety standard reference
Amendment (7)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Page 11 In paragraph 0.3, delete "BS 5588-10" and substitute – "BS 9999".
fire-safetyAmendment 8: Remove obsolete standard note
Amendment (8)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Page 11 In paragraph 0.3, delete "Note – BS 5588-10 applies more restrictive provisions to shop units with only one exit in covered shopping complexes.".
fire-safetycommercialFire precautions in health care buildings - Northern Ireland Firecode
0.4NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
The Department of Health has produced a set of guidance documents on fire precautions in health care buildings under the general title of the Northern Ireland Firecode. A suitable approach for the des
non-domesticfire-safetymeans-of-escapepublic-buildingMeans of escape in Assembly buildings - BS 9999
0.5NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Guidance on this and other aspects of means of escape in an Assembly building is given in the relevant recommendations of BS 9999.
non-domesticfire-safetymeans-of-escapepublic-buildingMeans of escape in houses in multiple occupation
0.6NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
0.6 A suitable approach for the design of means of escape in a house in multiple occupation is given in Houses in multiple occupation, Fire safety guide, published by the Northern Ireland Fire and Res
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapeHigh-rise building safety measures - evacuation alert systems, signage, and information storage
0.15(e)(f)(g)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
(e) if where necessary an evacuation alert system is installed for use by the fire and rescue service; (f) if where necessary there is sufficient storey identification signs and dwelling indicator sig
hrbhigh-risefire-safetydwellingFire safety information - Performance (Regulation 37A)
0.16ANI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
It is the view of the Department that the requirements of Regulation 37A in Part E will be met if the person responsible for the building has all the necessary fire safety information to enable them t
fire-safetyhrbIntroduction to provisions in Section 7 - Fire safety information guidance
0.16BNI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
The guidance in section 7 is concerned with ensuring the person responsible for a building has the necessary as-built information relating to fire safety matters to enable them to manage the building
fire-safetyhrbnon-domesticAutomatic fire suppression systems - Performance (Regulation 37B)
0.16CNI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
It is the view of the Department that the requirements of Regulation 37B in Part E will be met when a suitable automatic fire suppression system is provided where it is necessary. The key characterist
fire-safetyhrbnon-domesticAutomatic fire suppression systems - design principles
0.16DNI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
(b) it should be designed primarily to protect lives rather than property, which means it should be fitted with faster responding sprinkler heads; and (c) it should be a fire suppression system, one d
fire-safetyhrbIntroduction to automatic fire suppression systems
0.16ENI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Automatic fire suppression systems help control the intensity and size of a fire, suppress it and in some cases may even extinguish it. They are designed primarily for life safety purposes and can pro
fire-safetyhrbInterrelation of fire safety provisions
0.17NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
The guidance set out in this Technical Booklet under Sections 2 to 8 deals with different aspects of fire safety. Whilst the guidance appropriate to each of these aspects is set out separately, many o
fire-safetymeans-of-escapeDefinition - Atrium
NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
In the definition of "Atrium (plural atria)", delete "structural" and substitute – "compartment".
fire-safetyAddition of Fire safety duties and Fire safety information definitions
(17) Page 20NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
After the definition of "Fire-resisting (fire resistance)", insert – "Fire safety duties – has the meaning assigned to it by regulation 32 in Part E of the Building Regulations. Fire safety informatio
fire-safetyAddition of Purpose built student accommodation definition
(20) Page 22NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
After the definition of "Protected Stairway", insert – "Purpose built student accommodation (Pbsa) – has the meaning assigned to it by regulation 32 in Part E of the Building Regulations.".
fire-safetyAddition of Relevant premises and Residential care premises definitions
(21) Page 22NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
After the definition of "Relevant boundary", insert – "Relevant premises – has the meaning assigned to it by regulation 32 in Part E of the Building Regulations. Residential care premises – has the me
fire-safetyAmendment to paragraph 1.2 regarding atriums and compartmentation
(22) Page 24NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
In paragraph 1.2, delete "the use of BS 5588-7 is relevant only where the atrium breaches compartmentation." and substitute – "a building with an atrium that passes through compartment floors may need
fire-safetySubstitution of paragraph 1.4 on fire safety management assumptions
(23) Page 24NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Delete paragraph 1.4 and substitute – "1.4 The provisions of this Technical Booklet have been written on the assumption that fire safety in the building concerned will be adequately managed. Building
fire-safetyFire Safety Design and Management Regime
NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
However, in developing an appropriate fire safety design for a building it may be necessary to consider the way in which it will be managed. A design which relies on an unrealistic or unsustainable ma
fire-safetynon-domesticdwellingFire Classification of Construction Products
1.10(b)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
a material or product classified as Class A2-s3,d2 or higher in accordance with BS EN 13501-1 Fire classification of construction products and building elements – Part 1: Classification using test dat
fire-safetyRoof Space Conversion to Habitable Room or Kitchen
2.17NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Where a roof space is to be converted to a habitable room or kitchen, an automatic fire detection and fire alarm in accordance with paragraphs 2.23 or 2.24 should be provided within the new habitable
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapeSmoke and heat alarms for dwellinghouses
2.23NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
A dwellinghouse should be provided with either – (a) smoke alarms complying with BS EN 14604 and a heat alarm or alarms complying with BS 5446-2 installed in accordance with paragraphs 2.25 to 2.33; o
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapeFire detection and alarm system for large dwellinghouses
2.24NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Where any storey in a dwellinghouse is more than 200 m2 in area the dwellinghouse should be provided with an automatic fire detection and fire alarm system complying with BS 5839-6 of at least Grade A
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapeFire detection in extensions and alterations to dwellinghouses
2.24ANI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Where any new habitable room or kitchen is provided, an automatic fire detection and fire alarm system in accordance with paragraph 2.23 or 2.24 should be installed within the new habitable room or ki
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapeAmendment (31): Principal vs Every in Paragraph 2.25(b)
Amendment (31)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
In paragraph 2.25(b), delete "the principal" and substitute – "every".
fire-safetydwellingAmendment (32): Radio Linked Interconnection Guidance
Amendment (32)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
At the end of the 2nd paragraph in 2.25, insert – "Radio linked interconnection between hard wired smoke alarms and/or heat alarms may be used. More detailed guidance for the use of radio linked techn
fire-safetydwellingAmendment (33): Principal vs Every in Paragraph 2.28
Amendment (33)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
In paragraph 2.28, delete "a principal" and substitute – "every".
fire-safetydwellingAmendment (34): Multi Sensor Alarm Note
Amendment (34)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
After paragraph 2.32, insert – "Note - A multi sensor alarm provides early warning of fire and can significantly reduce the amount of unwanted false alarms in certain circumstances. See BS 5839-6 for
fire-safetydwellingAmendment (35): Update Standard Reference from BS 5588-1 to BS 9991
Amendment (35)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
In paragraph 2.34, delete "BS 5588-1" and substitute – "BS 9991".
fire-safetyflatsAmendment (36): Smoke Control in Common Escape Routes
Amendment (36)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
After paragraph 2.34, insert – "Smoke control in common escape routes 2.34A The smoke control in common escape routes should be in accordance with the relevant recommendations of BS 9991 and the provi
fire-safetyflatsmeans-of-escapehrbFire alarm provision for individual flats – standard systems or automatic detection
2.35NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Each individual flat should be provided with either – (a) smoke alarms complying with BS EN 14604 and a heat alarm or alarms complying with BS 5446-2 installed in accordance with paragraphs 2.25 to 2.
flatsfire-safetymeans-of-escapeFire alarm provision for large flats – automatic detection required
2.36NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Where any storey in a flat is more than 200 m2 in area, the flat should be provided with an automatic fire detection and fire alarm system complying with BS 5839-6 of at least Grade A Category LD2 sta
flatsfire-safetymeans-of-escapeFire alarm provision for extensions and alterations to flats
2.36ANI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Where any new habitable room or kitchen is provided, an automatic fire detection and fire alarm system in accordance with paragraph 2.23 or 2.24 should be installed within the new habitable room or ki
flatsfire-safetymeans-of-escapeShopping mall travel distances and smoke control – reference to BS 9999
Table 2.3 note (4)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Maximum travel distances and smoke control provisions within shopping malls are given in the relevant recommendations of BS 9999.
commercialmeans-of-escapefire-safetyAutomatic sprinkler system for buildings with storey above 30 m
2.66(d)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
(d) an automatic sprinkler system should be installed in accordance with Section 8 throughout the building where the building has a storey more than 30 m above ground level;
hrbhigh-risefire-safetysprinklersDefinition and purpose of refuges
2.77NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Refuges are relatively safe areas for people, with a disability or other impairment which may slow or restrict their ability to exit, to wait for short periods before completing their evacuation. They
fire-safetymeans-of-escapeaccessibilityUse of lifts for evacuation in fire
2.82NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
2.82 In general, it is not appropriate to use a lift when there is a fire in the building. However, in some circumstances a suitably sited and protected lift containing certain safety features may be
fire-safetymeans-of-escapeReference to BS 9999 for escape route guidance
2.86NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
relevant recommendations of BS 9999.
fire-safetymeans-of-escapeReference to BS 9999 for atrium guidance
2.101NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
relevant recommendations of BS 9999
fire-safetyAutomatic sprinkler system for certain buildings
2.103(b)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
(b) it is fitted with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 8.
fire-safetysprinklersReaction to fire test standard for products
3.7(b)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
(b) BS EN ISO 1716 Reaction to fire tests for products – Determination of the gross heat of combustion (calorific value);
fire-safetyAmendment (51): Replacement of Pages 88-89
(51)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Page 88 Delete existing pages 88, 89 and substitute new pages (iv), (v) given in the replacement pages section.
fire-safetyAmendment (52): Fire Suppression System Recommendations - Page 92
(52)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Page 92 In paragraph 4.14(c), delete "complying with the relevant recommendations of BS 5306-2 or BS EN 12845 in respect of occupancy rating and additional requirements for life safety" and substitute
fire-safety