Introduction to provisions in Section 3 – Internal Linings

The materials used for the linings of walls and ceilings in a building can significantly affect the spread of fire and its rate of growth. The guidance in Section 3 restricts the spread of fire over internal linings by ensuring they have low rates of surface spread of flame. In some locations the internal linings must also have a low rate of heat production so as to limit the contribution that the fabric of the building makes to fire growth. There are no provisions in relation to the upper surfaces of floors and stairs because such surfaces are not involved significantly in a fire until it is well developed. They do not therefore play an important part in fire spread during the early stages of a fire, which are the most relevant to the life safety of occupants. Although furniture and fittings can have a major effect on fire spread it is not possible to control them through Building Regulations, and no provisions relating to them are included in this Technical Booklet. The fire characteristics of furniture and fittings may be controlled in some buildings under other legislation which applies to those buildings when in use.