Every rule your project must meet, found for you.
Search Northern Ireland’s planning and building-control guidance, ask a question in plain English, or generate a project compliance checklist — every answer cited to the source.
Working to a specific project? Generate a compliance checklist →
Answers, with citations
Ask in plain English and get an answer that links to the exact source clause — never an unsourced guess.
Scoped to your council
Overlay a council's local development plan on the Northern Ireland-wide regulations and policy.
Project compliance checklist
Characterise a project and get the requirements that apply, grouped by work area. Try it →
The library
Search the source guidance
41 results · filtered
Fire 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-escapeInterrelation 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-escapeRoof 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 (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 complex escape design – reference to BS 9999 for mall population and escape
Table 2.2 note (3)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Refer to the relevant recommendations of BS 9999 for detailed guidance on the calculation of mall population and means of escape in common areas in shopping complexes.
commercialmeans-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-safetyDefinition 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-escapeAmendment (54): Means of Escape Standards - Page 98
(54)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Page 98 In paragraph 4.23(d), delete "BS 5588-7" and substitute – "the relevant recommendations of BS 9999".
means-of-escapefire-safetyDiagram 6.0 - Components of a firefighting shaft
Diagram 6.0NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Diagram 6.0 Components of a firefighting shaft See paras 6.3A and 6.6 a. Any building b. Firefighting shafts serving flats Fire main outlet Fire main outlet Firefighting Firefighting Common Firefight
fire-safetymeans-of-escapehrbFirefighting shaft - Fire main outlets location
Diagram 6.0, Note 1NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Outlets from a fire main should be located in the firefighting lobby or, in the case of a shaft serving flats, in the firefighting stairway (see Diagram b).
fire-safetymeans-of-escapeflatsFirefighting shaft design principles
Diagram 6.0, Note 4NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
This diagram is only to illustrate the basic components and is not meant to represent the only acceptable layout. The firefighting shaft should be constructed generally in accordance with the relevant
fire-safetymeans-of-escapeShopping complexes firefighting shafts - Diagram 6.1 amendment
(67) Page 148NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
For shopping complexes firefighting shafts should be provided in accordance with BS 9999.
fire-safetycommercialmeans-of-escapeLocation of firefighting shafts with sprinkler systems
6.3C(a)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
If the building is fitted throughout with a sprinkler system in accordance with Section 8, then sufficient fire-fighting shafts should be provided so that every part of every storey is no more than 60
hrbfire-safetymeans-of-escapenon-domesticLocation of firefighting shafts without sprinkler systems
6.3C(b)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
If the building is not fitted with sprinklers, then every part of every storey should be no more than 60 m from a fire main in a fire-fighting shaft and in addition 45 m from a fire main outlet in a p
hrbfire-safetymeans-of-escapenon-domesticHose laying distance measurement notes
6.3C Note 1-3NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Note 1: Distance should be measured from the fire main outlet on a route suitable for laying a hose. Note 2: If the internal layout is not known, direct distances may be used for assessment. The direc
hrbfire-safetymeans-of-escapenon-domesticLocation of firefighting shafts: hose laying distances
Diagram 6.1BNI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Diagram 6.1B Location of firefighting shafts: hose laying distances See para 6.3C With sprinklers: 60m hose laying distance Without sprinklers: 45m hose laying distance Floor plan within 60m hose la
fire-safetyhrbhigh-risemeans-of-escapeDesign and construction of firefighting shafts
6.6NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Firefighting shafts should be designed and constructed in accordance with the relevant recommendations BS 9999. Where a building falls within paragraph 6.3(a) or (c) all firefighting shafts should hav
hrbhigh-risefire-safetyflatsmeans-of-escapeTravel distance to firefighting shaft
6.8(a)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
50 m
hrbhigh-risefire-safetymeans-of-escapeDistance measurement for basement access
6.19(a)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
all points within
hrbhigh-risefire-safetymeans-of-escapeDistance measurement for dwelling basement access
6.19(b)(i)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
all points within each individual dwelling
hrbhigh-risefire-safetydwellingmeans-of-escapeRequired fire safety information details - as-built plans and documentation
7.4NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
For most buildings, basic information on the location of fire protection measures may be sufficient. An as-built plan of the building should be provided showing — a) escape routes – this should includ
fire-safetymeans-of-escapeFire Safety Documentation for Standard Buildings
7.5NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Details should be provided of all of the following – a) specifications of any fire safety equipment provided, including routine maintenance schedules; b) any assumptions regarding the management of th
fire-safetymeans-of-escapeFire Safety Records Content - Escape Routes and Evacuation
7.6(c)NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
all of the following - i. escape routes (including occupant load and capacity of escape routes); ii. any provision to enable the evacuation of disabled people; iii. escape strategy (e.g. simultaneous
fire-safetymeans-of-escapePassive Fire Safety Infrastructure and Emergency Facilities
NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
vii. cctv; viii. fire safety signage; ix. emergency lighting; x. fire extinguishers; xi. dry or wet fire mains and other firefighting equipment; xii. other interior facilities for the fire and rescue
fire-safetymeans-of-escapehrbMandatory Sprinkler Provision Requirements
8.3NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
This Technical Booklet requires automatic sprinkler provision – (a) where phased evacuation is employed in a building with a storey more than 30 m above ground level (see paragraph 2.66); (b) in certa
fire-safetyhrbhigh-risemeans-of-escapeDefinition of Means of escape
NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
"Means of escape" means structural means whereby, in the event of a fire, a safe route or routes is or are provided for people to travel from any point in a building to a place of safety;
fire-safetymeans-of-escapeDefinition of Place of safety
NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
"Place of safety" means a place, outside the building, in which people are in no danger from fire within the building;
fire-safetymeans-of-escapeMeans of escape
33NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
A building shall be so designed and constructed that in the event of a fire there is— (a) where appropriate, adequate means of automatic detection; (b) adequate means of giving warning; and (c) adequa
fire-safetymeans-of-escapedwellingnon-domesticFacilities and access for the Fire and Rescue Service
37NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
A building shall be designed and constructed with such reasonable facilities as are necessary to assist the Fire and Rescue Service in ensuring the safety of people in and about the building in the ev
fire-safetymeans-of-escapeAppendix C: Publications Referred To
Appendix CNI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
BS EN ISO 306: 2004 Plastics. Thermoplastic materials. Determination of Vicat softening temperature (VST). BS EN ISO 1182: 2020 Reaction to fire tests for products. Non-combustibility test. BS EN IS
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestructuralVoice Alarm and Emergency Voice Communication Systems Standards
NI-wide·Amendments Booklet AMD 9 2025 (Booklets E R)
Part 8: 2023 Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of voice alarm systems. Code of practice Part 9: 2021 Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of
fire-safetymeans-of-escapehrbflats