BS 5306-0-2020 - (2021-02-02 - 08-57-28 PM)

BS 5306-0:2020
BSI Standards Publication
Fire protection installations and

equipment on premises
Part 0: Guide for selection, use and application of fixed

firefighting systems and other types of fire equipment
BS 5306-0:2020 BRITISH STANDARD
Publishing and copyright information
The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the document was last issued.
© The British Standards Institution 2020
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2020
ISBN 978 0 539 03277 2
ICS 13.220.10
The following BSI references relate to the work on this document:

Committee reference FSH/18
Draft for comment 20/30388485 DC
Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication
Date Text affected
© THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION 2020 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

BRITISH STANDARD BS 5306-0:2020
Contents Page
Foreword iii
Introduction 1
Section 1: Preliminaries 2
1 Scope 2
2 Normative references 2
3 Terms and definitions 3
Section 2: Key concepts and initial considerations 9
4 Initial considerations and assessment of factors influencing protection design 9
4.1 General 9
4.2 Determining the protection objectives 9
4.3 Determining the firefighting ambition 10
4.4 Additional motivation for installing protection 11
4.5 Nature of the hazard(s) to be mitigated 12
4.6 Extent of protection 12
4.7 Fixed firefighting system reliability and performance 12
5 Interested parties and key stakeholders 13
Section 3: Method of selection 15
6 Identifying a suitable fixed firefighting system option 15
7 Method A: Simplified selection method 15
Figure 1 — Selection method flow chart 16
Table 1 — Method A: Typical examples of fixed firefighting system by building occupancy (or part
thereof) — by common purpose groups (1 of 2) 17
Table 1 — Method A: Typical examples of fixed firefighting system by building occupancy (or part
thereof) — by common purpose groups (2 of 2) 18
Table 2 — Method A: Fixed firefighting system by special application — by application
types (1 of 4) 19
types (2 of 4) 20
types (3 of 4) 21
types (4 of 4) 22
8 Method B: Innovative, engineered or otherwise non‑standard solutions 23
Section 4: Compendium of supporting information 26
9 Types of fixed systems and other firefighting equipment 26
9.1 Fixed automatic systems 26
Figure 2 — Typical automatic sprinkler system 27
Table 3 — Classes of sprinkler system for different hazard classifications 28
Figure 3 — Typical water spray system for limited area of risk 29
Figure 4 — Gaseous system — Example of single‑zone system 32
Figure 5 — Gaseous system — Example of multi‑zone system 33
Figure 6 — Carbon dioxide total flooding system protecting a turbo‑generator with initial and
extended discharge over the whole volume 35
Figure 7 — Carbon dioxide local application system protecting quench tank 36
Figure 8 — Typical pre‑mixed foam system protecting a specific hazard 37
Figure 9 — Typical low‑expansion foam deluge system using open foam nozzles 38
Figure 10 — Typical low‑expansion foam deluge system using aspirating foam sprinklers 38
Figure 11 — Typical high‑expansion foam system for total flooding of a warehouse or storage 40
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9.2 Manual systems 42

Figure 12 — Typical hydrant system hose reel and foam inlet installed in building 43
10 Effect of changing occupancies or building redundancy 44
11 Repeal of local acts 45
12 Expected performance and reliability; whole life considerations 45
12.1 General 45
12.2 Sprinkler system reliability data 45
12.3 System and component interoperability 46
13 Relationship to other fire safety measures 46
13.1 General 46
13.2 Interactions between suppression and smoke ventilation 47
14 Firefighting media 47
14.1 General 47
14.2 Water 48
14.3 Gaseous media 50
Table 4 — Limits for inert gas and halocarbon agent concentrations 51
Table 5 — Environmental rating of commonly used gaseous media 53
14.4 Foams 53
14.5 Powders 56
14.6 Condensed aerosols 57
14.7 Wet chemicals (used in kitchen systems) 58
14.8 Oxygen reduction systems 59
15 Electricity and firefighting 61
16 Control of fixed firefighting systems 61
16.1 General 61
16.2 Water systems 62
16.3 Gaseous systems 63
16.4 Foam systems 63
16.5 Powder systems 64
16.6 Condensed aerosols 64
16.7 Wet chemical (used in kitchen systems) 64
16.8 Oxygen reduction systems 64
17 Installation, inspection and testing of systems and equipment 65
18 Servicing and maintenance of systems 66
18.1 General 66
18.2 Fire mains (including hydrants), hose reels and foam inlets 66
Annex A (informative) Glossary of terms 67
Annex B (informative) Environmental considerations for certain halocarbon agents 69
Bibliography 71
Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, and inside front cover, pages i to vi, pages 1 to 75, an inside back cover and
a back cover.
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Foreword
Publishing information
This part of BS 5306‑0 is published by BSI Standards Limited, under licence from The British
Standards Institution, and came into effect on 31 August 2020. It was prepared by Technical
Committee FSH/18, Fixed fire fighting systems. A list of organizations represented on this committees
can be obtained on request to the committee manager.
Supersession
This part of BS 5306 supersedes BS 5306‑0:2011, which is withdrawn.
Relationship with other publications

This part of BS 5306 serves to introduce the subsequent parts of BS 5306 and references other
standards as listed below and detailed in the Bibliography, each of which gives requirements or
recommendations for the application of a particular type of firefighting system, discharging a
particular firefighting medium. Taken together, the various parts of BS 5306 and other British
Standards are intended to cover all the main types of firefighting media and systems for buildings in
current use, and therefore form a comprehensive guide to all aspects of the subject.
The subsequent parts of BS 5306 are as follows:
• Part 1: Hose reels and foam inlets;
• Part 3: Commissioning and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers – Code of practice;
• Part 4: Specification for carbon dioxide systems;
• Part 5: Halon systems1):
• Section 5.1: Specification for Halon 1301 total flooding systems;
• Section 5.2: Halon 1211 total flooding systems;
• Part 8: Selection and installation of portable fire extinguishers – Code of practice;
• Part 9: Recharging of portable fire extinguishers – Code of practice;
• Part 10: Colour coding to indicate the extinguishing medium contained in portable fire
extinguishers – Code of practice.
The following parts of BS 5306 have been superseded:
• Part 2: Specification for sprinkler systems (superseded by BS EN 12845, Fixed firefighting systems
– Automatic sprinkler systems – Design, installation and maintenance);
• Part 6: Foam systems (superseded by BS EN 13565‑2, Fixed firefighting systems – Foam systems –
Part 2: Design, construction and maintenance):
• Section 6.1: Specification for low expansion foam systems;
• Section 6.2: Specification for medium and high expansion foam systems;
• Part 7: Specification for powder systems (superseded by BS EN 12416‑2, Fixed firefighting systems
– Powder systems – Part 2: Design, construction and maintenance).
Other related standards are detailed in Clause 14.
1)
Systems that can be used as an alternative to halon are covered by the BS EN 15004 series.
© THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION 2020 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED iii

Information about this document

The aim of this part of BS 5306 is to aid selection of the appropriate firefighting medium and type of
system or equipment by describing the characteristics and most suitable applications of each.
Consideration has been given to the impact of firefighting media, including toxicity to people, effect
of discharge on visibility, and danger of use on electrical equipment, in addition to factors such as
monitoring, testing, maintenance and user responsibility.
More detailed consideration of systems and equipment, including safety precautions, is given in the
subsequent parts of BS 5306 and other British Standards.
During the preparation of this part of BS 5306 it was suggested by some commentators that the
advice in Table 1 appears to be focused on the use of sprinklers as a first priority. The Technical
Committee responsible for the preparation of this part of BS 5306 understands this possible
perception. However, its intent is not to promote the use of sprinklers to the exclusion of other types
of system. It is an undeniable fact that the lengthy international experience of sprinkler systems
(since the 1880s) has generated a substantial body of practical experience, effective loss prevention
experience, reliability data and knowhow which underpin and offer significant assurance upon
the level of performance of the most widely used means of automatic fire suppression. This part
of BS 5306 does not advocate that sprinkler systems be specified to the exclusion of other types
of systems, rather it recognizes that sprinklers are proven to be suitable and dependable in more
applications and occupancies than other types of system. This is reflected in Table 1 and Table 2.
None of the recommendations or guidance in this standard are to be taken as precluding the
provision of manual means of fighting fire or as obviating the necessity to notify the fire and rescue
service in the event of a fire.
The International System of Units (SI) (see BS EN ISO 80000‑1) is followed in this part of BS 5306,
except for units of pressure, which are expressed in bar2). Water discharge densities are expressed as
rainfall at floor level, in mm/min.
This publication can be withdrawn, revised, partially superseded or superseded. Information
regarding the status of this publication can be found in the Standards Catalogue on the BSI website at
bsigroup.com/standards, or by contacting the Customer Services team.
Where websites and webpages have been cited, they are provided for ease of reference and are
correct at the time of publication. The location of a webpage or website, or its contents, cannot
be guaranteed.
Use of this document

As a guide, this part of BS 5306 takes the form of guidance and recommendations. It should not be
quoted as if it were a specification or a code of practice.
Presentational conventions
The guidance in this standard is presented in roman (i.e. upright) type. Any recommendations are
expressed in sentences in which the principal auxiliary verb is “should”.
Commentary, explanation and general informative material is presented in smaller italic type, and
does not constitute a normative element.
Where words have alternative spellings, the preferred spelling of the Shorter Oxford English
Dictionary is used (e.g. “organization” rather than “organisation”).

2)
1 bar = 105 N/m2 = 100 kPa.
iv © THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION 2020 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are
responsible for its correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.
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Introduction
There is a wide range of different types of firefighting systems and equipment available that suppress,
control and, in some cases, extinguish fire. These systems utilize different firefighting media and, in
some cases, apply such media in varying ways to suit different applications. The whole range of media
and systems means that virtually all types of fire in a wide range of combustible materials can be
tackled reliably and effectively.
The fire suppression industry has developed substantial experience and expertise over many years.
With the results obtained from real fires, as well as exhaustive testing of systems and their individual
components, a high degree of reliability and effectiveness can be claimed.
This part of BS 5306 is intended to assist those charged with selecting and specifying fixed
firefighting systems to determine the most appropriate medium and method of application. This is
not the simple process that is sometimes thought. Care is needed to ensure that characteristics of the
fire hazard in relation to the building and its contents are properly assessed. This needs to include
the nature of the fuel and its configuration, whether the objective is to suppress or extinguish the
fire, and the consequences in use in relation to safety of persons, extent of fire damage and scope for
secondary damage from the medium itself or by‑products of its use.
Design and installation standards are available for all the individual systems and equipment
referenced in this part of BS 5306. These standards are primarily aimed at giving recommendations
or specifying requirements for the design, installation, operation and maintenance of such systems
and equipment. These standards are not concerned with the relative merits of particular systems
or equipment, nor do they compare these to other systems which might be available or focus on
the limitations of such systems and equipment for any given application. That is the purpose of this
part of BS 5306.
This part of BS 5306 is aimed at aiding the selection of the most effective firefighting medium and
type of system or equipment by describing the characteristics and most suitable applications of
each, as well as identifying limitations or safety aspects which need to be taken into account by
stakeholders.
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Section 1: Preliminaries
1 Scope
This part of BS 5306 gives guidance on the selection, use and application of automatic water
sprinkler, water spray, water mist, gaseous, foam, condensed aerosol, wet chemical and powder
firefighting systems and oxygen reduction systems. It also gives guidance on installed equipment for
fire and rescue service use, and on portable fire extinguishers.
This part of BS 5306 does not cover firefighting systems for the following applications:
• use on ships, in aircraft, on vehicles and mobile fire appliances;
• use below ground in the mining industry;
• explosion suppression systems.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
content constitutes provisions of this document3). For dated references, only the edition cited
applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
BS 4422, Fire – Vocabulary4)
BS 5306‑1, Code of practice for fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises –
Part 1: Hose reels and foam inlets5)
BS 5306‑3, Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises – Part 3: Commissioning and
maintenance of portable fire extinguishers – Code of practice
BS 5306‑4, Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises – Part 4: Specification for carbon
dioxide systems6)
BS 5306‑5, Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises – Part 5: Halon systems
BS 7273‑1, Code of practice for the operation of fire protection measures – Part 1: Electrical actuation
of gaseous total flooding extinguishing systems7)
BS 7273‑2, Code of practice for the operation of fire protection measures – Part 2: Mechanical actuation
of gaseous total flooding and local application extinguishing systems
of pre‑action watermist and sprinkler systems
of watermist systems (except pre‑action systems)
BS 8458, Fixed fire protection systems – Residential and domestic watermist systems – Code of practice
for design and installation
3)
Documents that are referred to solely in an informative manner are listed in the Bibliography.
4)
This standard also gives informative reference to BS 4422:2005.
5)
This standard also gives informative reference to BS 5306-1:2006.
6)
This standard also gives informative reference to BS 5306-4:2001+A1:2012.
7)
This standard also gives an informative reference to the BS 7273 series.
2 © THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION 2020 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

BS 8489‑1, Fixed fire protection systems – Industrial and commercial watermist systems – Code of
practice for design and installation8)
BS 8663‑1, Fixed fire protection systems – Components for watermist systems – Part 1: Specification and
test methods for watermist nozzles
BS EN 54‑4, Fire detection and fire alarm systems – Part 4: Power supply equipment
BS EN ISO 13943, Fire safety – Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this part of BS 5306, the terms and definitions given in BS 5306‑1, BS 5306‑3,
BS 5306‑4, BS 5306‑5, BS 4422, BS EN ISO 13943 and the following apply.
NOTE Additional terms, abbreviations and definitions are given in Annex A.
3.1 authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)

organization, office or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of legislation or
standards, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure
3.2 class A fire

fire involving solid materials, usually of an organic nature, in which combustion normally takes place
with the formation of glowing embers
[SOURCE: BS 4422:2005, 3.303]
3.3 class B fire

fire involving liquids or liquefiable solids
[SOURCE: BS 4422:2005, 3.304]
3.4 class C fire

fire involving gases
[SOURCE: BS 4422:2005, 3.305]
3.5 class D fire

fire involving metals
[SOURCE: BS 4422:2005, 3.306]
3.6 class F fire

fire involving cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats) in cooking appliances
[SOURCE: BS EN 2:1992, Clause 2, modified]
3.7 competent person

individual or organization that has the requisite training and experience, access to the requisite tools,
equipment and information, and is capable of carrying out a defined task
3.8 condensed aerosol

extinguishing medium consisting of finely divided solid particles and gaseous matter, these being
generated by a combustion process of a solid aerosol‑forming compound
[SOURCE: BS EN 15276‑1:2019, 3.2]
8)
This standard also gives an informative reference to BS 8489-1:2016 and to the BS 8489 series.

3.9 condensed aerosol generator

non‑pressurized device (including mounting brackets) which, when activated, generates an aerosol
[SOURCE: BS EN 15276‑1:2019, 3.3, modified]
3.10 control valve set

assembly comprising an alarm valve, a stop valve and all the associated valves and accessories for the
control of one sprinkler installation
[SOURCE: BS EN 12845:2015+A1, 3.17]
3.11 deluge system

water spray system, usually with separate detection system, incorporating open nozzles which
discharge over a prescribed area
3.12 design concentration

concentration of extinguishant, including a safety factor, required for system design purposes
[SOURCE: BS EN 15004‑1:2019, 3.8.1]
3.13 design density

minimum density of discharge, in millimetres per minute of water, for which a sprinkler installation
is designed, determined from the discharge of a specified group of sprinklers, in litres per minute,
divided by the area covered, in square metres
3.14 extinguishing concentration

minimum concentration of extinguishant required to extinguish a fire involving a particular fuel
under defined experimental conditions, excluding any safety factor
3.15 fire extinguishment

complete elimination of any flaming or smouldering fire
3.16 fire mains

3.16.1 dry fire main
water supply pipe installed in a building for firefighting purposes, fitted with inlet connections at fire
and rescue service access level and landing valves at specified points, which is normally dry but is
capable of being charged with water, usually by pumping from fire and rescue service appliances
[SOURCE: BS 9990:2015, 3.10.2]
3.16.2 wet fire main

water supply pipe installed in a building for firefighting purposes and permanently charged with
water from a pressurized supply, and fitted with landing valves at specified points
[SOURCE: BS 9990:2015, 3.10.4]
3.17 fire suppression

reduction or limitation in the heat release rate and prevention of regrowth of a fire over the
discharge duration
NOTE The terns “fire suppression” and “fire control” are sometimes used interchangeably. Depending upon the
context they might sometimes have slightly different meanings.

3.18 firefighting medium

substance contained in a firefighting system that, when discharged on to the fire, is intended to
produce extinction, suppression or control depending upon the objective of the system
3.19 foam branch

hand‑held foam‑generating and discharge device in which foam is created upstream at an in‑line
generator, and reaches the branch as expanded foam
3.20 foam inlet

fixed equipment consisting of an inlet connection, fixed piping and a discharge assembly, enabling the
fire and rescue service to introduce foam into an enclosed compartment
[SOURCE: BS 5306‑1:2006, 3.1, modified]
3.21 foam monitor

hand‑held foam‑generating and discharge device, mounted on a swivelling base so that its greater
output can be discharged without reaction on the operator
NOTE The base unit can be fixed at one place, or can be trolley‑mounted or vehicle‑mounted.
3.22 foam‑making branch pipe

hand‑held foam‑generating and discharge device in which foam solution is aerated, expanded and
discharged as a jet or spray
3.23 fluorinated surfactant

particular type of surfactant that gives greater reduction of surface tension
3.24 halon
halogenated hydrocarbon used as an extinguishing medium
NOTE Halon is no longer used or widely available, except for a limited number of critical applications as defined
in EC Regulation No. 744/2010 [1].
3.25 fire hazard

potential for injury and/or damage from fire
3.26 high‑racked storage

storage in which goods are held on high racking so that they are accessible for loading and
withdrawal, usually by mechanical means
3.27 hose reel (water)

firefighting equipment, consisting of a length of tubing fitted with a shut‑off nozzle and attached to a
reel, with a permanent connection to a pressurized water supply
[SOURCE: BS 5306‑1:2006, 3.2]
3.28 hypoxic air

air containing a constant reduced oxygen concentration relative to that at atmospheric pressure
at sea level
3.29 in‑cabinet system

system where a suitable fire extinguishing agent is injected directly into one or more
un‑occupiable cabinet(s)

3.30 landing valve

assembly comprising a valve and outlet to enable connection of firefighting hose to a fire main
[SOURCE: BS 9990:2015, 3.16]
3.31 liquefied natural gas (LNG)

gas comprising naturally occurring light hydrocarbons at normal atmospheric temperature
and pressure
NOTE These hydrocarbons are often associated with crude oil deposits. They are stored and handled as deeply
refrigerated liquids at substantially atmospheric pressure.
3.32 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

gas comprising light hydrocarbons, which at normal atmospheric temperature and pressure exist as
gases but which are readily liquefied by the application of moderate pressure
NOTE These hydrocarbons can be stored and handled as liquids under pressure at ambient temperature or
as refrigerated liquids at substantially atmospheric pressure. The term is used to include commercial butane,
commercial propane and mixtures thereof.
3.33 local application system

automatic or manual firefighting system in which a fixed supply of a firefighting medium is
permanently connected to fixed piping with nozzles arranged to discharge the firefighting medium
directly to a fire occurring in a defined area that has no enclosure surrounding it, or is only partially
enclosed, and that does not produce an extinguishing concentration throughout the entire volume
containing the protected hazard
[SOURCE: BS 5306‑4:2001+A1, 3.9, modified]
3.34 lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL)

lowest concentration at which an adverse toxicological or physiological effect has been observed
[SOURCE: BS 4422:2005, 3.537]
3.35 manual hose‑reel (gaseous) system

firefighting system consisting of a hose, stowed on a reel or rack, with a manually operated discharge
assembly, all connected by a fixed pipe to a supply of carbon dioxide
3.36 no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL)

highest concentration at which no adverse toxicological or physiological effect has been observed
[SOURCE: BS 4422:2005, 3.580]
3.37 personal protection system

self‑contained fire suppression system with its own detection and actuation equipment, which
generates water mist to protect a small discrete area such as a sleeping place
NOTE Personal protection systems are used to protect individuals who are likely to be unable to easily escape
without assistance in case of fire.
3.38 portable fire extinguisher

fire extinguisher which is designed to be carried and operated by hand and which in working order
has a mass of not more than 20 kg
[SOURCE: BS EN 3‑7:2004+A1:2007, 3.2]

3.39 sprinkler (automatic)

nozzle with a thermally sensitive sealing device which opens to discharge water for firefighting
[SOURCE: BS EN 12845:2015+A1, 3.54]
3.40 sprinkler installation

part of sprinkler system comprising a control valve set, the associated downstream pipes
and sprinklers
[SOURCE: BS EN 12845:2015+A1, 3.34]
3.41 sprinkler system

entire means of providing sprinkler protection in the premises comprising one or more sprinkler
installations, the pipework to the installations and the water supply/supplies
[SOURCE: BS EN 12845:2015+A1, 3.71]
3.42 surfactant
compound that lowers the surface tension (or interfacial tension) between two liquids, between a gas
and a liquid, or between a liquid and a solid
NOTE Surfactants can act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents and dispersants.
3.43 total flooding system

automatic or manual fire‑extinguishing system in which a fixed supply of extinguishing medium is
permanently connected to fixed piping with nozzles arranged to discharge the extinguishing medium
into an enclosed space in order to produce a concentration sufficient to extinguish fire throughout the
entire volume of the enclosed space
[SOURCE: BS 5306‑4:2001+A1, 3.17, modified]
3.44 water mist system

distribution system connected to a water supply, with atomizing media where required, that is
fitted with one or more nozzles capable of delivering water mist intended to control, suppress or
extinguish fire
NOTE Water mist systems can discharge water or a mixture of water and some other agent or agents, i.e. inert
gases or additives.
[SOURCE: BS 8489‑1:2016, 3.37]
3.45 water spray system

entire means of providing water spray protection in the premises comprising one or more deluge
installations or multiple control installations, the pipe work to the installations and the water
supply/supplies
[SOURCE: DD CEN/TS 14816:2008, 3.21]
3.46 voltages
3.46.1 extra low voltage (ELV)
voltage of <50 V AC or <120 V DC
3.46.2 low voltage (LV)

voltage in the range 50 V AC to 1 000 V AC or 120 V DC to 1 500 V DC

3.46.3 high voltage (HV)

voltage of >1 000 V AC or >1 500 V DC
3.47 vulnerable person

person who is at greater risk from fire because they are unable to easily evacuate without assistance,
or who has a higher than average likelihood of experiencing a fire, or a combination of the two

Section 2: Key concepts and initial considerations
4 Initial considerations and assessment of factors influencing protection design

4.1 General
The selection of appropriate firefighting equipment and media should largely be determined by:
a) the protection objectives (see 4.2) and required firefighting system performance
characteristics; and
b) the characteristic of the fire hazard(s) that are to be mitigated.
In order to decide the most suitable type of fixed firefighting system for a given hazard, an assessment
should be made of factors influencing firefighting system selection. This process can be referred to
as a form of risk assessment, or can otherwise be known as forms of business impact assessment
(BIA) or qualitative design review (QDR). The depth of the analysis should be proportionate to the
circumstances. The process should take into account all significant aspects of cause and effect, with
the intention of determining the optimal solution based upon the objectives. BS 7974 provides
further detailed guidance on the QDR process in a fire engineering context.
Interested parties and key stakeholders (see Clause 5) should be consulted and included in
this process.
This assessment should take into account at least the issues discussed in 4.2 to 4.7 and Clause 5.
NOTE This process is not to be confused with the statutory (life safety) fire risk assessment, which is required for
work places and other premises.
All fixed firefighting systems require a degree of ongoing inspection, testing and maintenance to
help ensure their continued satisfactory operation. Any “change of use” or “change of circumstances”
(i.e. change of any significant underpinning design assumptions) is a critical aspect of continued
satisfactory performance (see Clause 10).
4.2 Determining the protection objectives

4.2.1 General
The first step is to determine what is to be protected, why, and to what extent.
This could include factors such as:
a) regulatory requirements;
b) safety of life;
c) analysis of cost and benefit;
d) probability and impact of incidence, fire and smoke damage;
e) firefighting media discharge consequences;
f) operation consequences; and
g) upkeep implications.
Statutory requirements and associated design codes are generally intended to protect life and to
prevent conflagration. Compliance with statutory requirements and associated design codes might
not provide adequate protection of property in the event of a fire.

Protection objectives are sometimes discussed in terms of, for example, the factors described in 4.2.2
to 4.2.4. In assessing the protection objectives, it is possible that this might reveal that there are
multiple objectives. The overall objective should always be based on the highest required.
4.2.2 Life safety

The occupants of a building, firefighters and members of the public who are in the vicinity of a
building can be put at risk by fire. The main life safety functional objective can be refined into design
objectives such as:
a) the occupants are ultimately able to leave the building in reasonable safety or the risk to
occupants is acceptably low;
b) firefighters can operate without undue risk to:
1) assist evacuation when necessary;
2) effect rescue when necessary;
3) prevent conflagration; and
c) collapse does not endanger people (including firefighters) who are likely to be in or near
the building.
4.2.3 Property protection, business continuity, loss control and organizational resilience
The effects of a fire on the continuing viability of a business can be substantial, and, depending on the
clients’ or insurers’ objectives, methods to minimize the damage to the following should be assessed:
a) the structure and fabric of the building;
b) the building contents;
c) the critical asset(s);
d) the ongoing business viability; and
e) the corporate reputation.
4.2.4 Environmental impact

A conflagration involving one or more buildings or the release of quantities of hazardous materials
can have a significant impact on the environment. Means should be devised to limit:
a) the effects of fire on adjacent buildings or facilities;
b) the release of hazardous materials into the environment; and
c) the unintended effects of methods of firefighting (e.g. avoidance of river and water
table pollution).
4.3 Determining the firefighting ambition

In order to achieve the protection objectives, the mode of fixed firefighting system performance
should be assessed. This often affects the choice of media, application method and many other fixed
firefighting system design parameters. For example, it might need to:
a) extinguish the fire;
b) suppress the fire (e.g. fire and rescue service intervention is still required to perform final
extinguishment); or
c) control the fire (e.g. fire and rescue service intervention is still required to perform final
extinguishment). This is sometimes intended to support structural fire protection measures to
contain the fire to the compartment of origin.

Users of buildings should determine whether the expectations they place on others (the anticipated
fire and rescue services response, equipment users, etc.) are reasonable.
4.4 Additional motivation for installing protection

In addition to the primary design objectives in 4.2, there might be additional reasons for installing
fixed firefighting systems.
The motivation for the protection can have implications upon the specification, design and
application of the protection measures. The motivation is generally a need to reduce the risk(s) posed
by identified hazard(s). The risk(s) and hazard(s) should be well understood in order to properly
inform the selection process.
Examples of other motivations can include:
a) design flexibilities as permitted by BS 9991, BS 9992 or BS 9999;
NOTE BS 9991 differentiates between firefighting system types. For example, water mist systems conforming
to BS 8458 are not recommended for many of the variations permitted by BS 9991. In the case of many
buildings outside the scope of BS 9991, water mist systems are not recommended for the variations permitted.
b) an alternative form of compliance when guidance such as Approved Document B [2] cannot be

complied with (e.g. to provide adequate means of escape);
c) insurance (e.g. the insurer requires technical risk modification measures in order to offer or
renew insurance cover; the solution needs to be acceptable to the insurer);
d) voluntary additional fire protection (e.g. an organization or individual determines that it is
prudent to utilize a fixed firefighting system to reduce a risk which could otherwise result in a
more consequential fire);
e) cost–benefit analysis risk reduction measure (e.g. an organization determines that it is prudent
to utilize fixed firefighting system to reduce risk);
f) heritage protection (e.g. an organization determines that it is prudent to utilize a fixed
firefighting system to protect heritage artefacts or buildings);
g) a higher than acceptable fire hazard identified by a risk assessment (e.g. by a bespoke
assessment or to achieve compliance with machinery safety standards such as BS EN ISO 12100
or BS EN ISO 19353);
h) a higher than acceptable fire hazard identified by other means, (e.g. by a standard such as the
BS 5908 series); and
i) compliance with the Companies Acts [3] (whereby directors have a “duty to act in good faith in
the best interests of the company”).
In the UK (particularly England and Wales), the Building Regulations ([4], [5], [6]) are primarily
concerned with the protection of life. This can result in comparatively high thresholds being reached
before fixed firefighting systems are mandated. These thresholds are often not appropriate for
property protection, business continuity, mission preservations, heritage protection or community
resilience purposes. In such cases it is often prudent to employ suitable fixed firefighting system
protection. Further information is given in the publication Business resilience through property
protection [7].

4.5 Nature of the hazard(s) to be mitigated

It is suggested that at least the following are taken into account in the evaluation:
a) sources of ignition;
b) combustible material quantities;
c) scale of operation and extent of potential fire spread;
d) combustible material hazard class (e.g. as defined in BS EN 2);
e) combustible material geometric presentation and other factors likely to affect combustion and
firefighting;
f) fire and rescue service response time, resources, risk appetite, operational protocols (e.g. will
take risk to save life but less so to save property);
g) extent of smoke and fire damage that can be tolerated; and
h) extent of consequential impact (see Note).
NOTE There is a need to determine the consequential impact (e.g. from wanted or unwanted media
discharge) that can be tolerated. Often, water is suitable for most applications in the built environment.
In the event of a fire, limited water damage is very often preferable to extensive fire damage. However, there
are exceptions where the fire load or items to be protected are strongly incompatible with water. Desirable
discharges will offer no benefit if the extent of damage caused by the media is greater than or equal to
that which would have been caused by fire. Unwanted media discharges are extremely rare with properly
designed systems, but nevertheless it might be appropriate to take into account the consequences in some
circumstances.
4.6 Extent of protection

The required extent of fixed firefighting system protection should be identified. This might be,
for example:
a) a complete building; and/or
b) specific room(s) or area(s) within a building (e.g. protection of valuable contents in an archive,
museum or gallery); and/or
c) individual item(s) of equipment or process which have been identified as posing a fire
hazard of concern.
Sometimes it is appropriate to protect both equipment and processes, and the complete building.
The different hazard characteristics posed by mixed‑use buildings should also form part of these
considerations.
4.7 Fixed firefighting system reliability and performance

The level of fixed firefighting system reliability and performance sought should be as high as
reasonably practicable. There are various published performance and reliability studies available for
sprinkler systems (see Clause 12). Performance and reliability data for other system types is not as
readily available.
In assessing reliability and performance, all foreseeable lifecycle conditions should be taken into
account (normal operation, maintenance, malfunction, shutdown, etc).
The desired levels of interoperability need to be determined, together with the implications that this
will have for system maintainability and costs (see 12.3).

Firefighting systems and their components should be suitable for their intended application
in terms of:
a) suitability for the application and objectives;
b) the degree and suitability of quality assurance measures provided;
c) fire testing as required by the design and installation standard, or bespoke application where
there is no relevant standard;
d) design in accordance with the relevant design and system standard;
e) incorporating components conforming to the relevant component standard as set out in the
applicable design and installation standard;
f) compatibility of components used in the same system;
g) compatibility of firefighting media;
h) compliance with the manufacturer’s design, installation, operation and maintenance
requirements;
i) installation in accordance with the relevant installation standard; and
j) maintenance in accordance with the relevant maintenance standard.
Product certification/inspection/testing. Users of fixed firefighting systems are advised to consider
the desirability of third‑party testing, inspection and certification of conformity to the relevant
standards (see Clause 9) by bodies certified to:
• BS EN ISO/IEC 17025 for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories; the scope of
accreditation needs to include the applicable test protocols;
• BS EN ISO/IEC 17065 for the competence of certification bodies (products and services); the scope
of accreditation needs to include the applicable product or system standards;
• BS EN ISO/IEC 17024 for the competence of certification bodies (persons); the scope of
accreditation needs to include the applicable competency area; and/or
• BS EN ISO/IEC 17021 for the audit and certification of management systems; the scope of
accreditation needs to include the applicable standards.
5 Interested parties and key stakeholders

A list should be prepared of all individuals and organizations whose views, recommendations or
published requirements might need to be taken into account. This list is likely to include some or all
of the following, as appropriate:
a) the client and/or their architect;
b) the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) for the area;
c) the responsible person or duty holder;
d) the insurer(s);
e) the fire protection consultant or fire engineer;
f) the Health and Safety Executive (HSE);
g) the fire and rescue service;
h) the Crown Premises Fire Safety Inspectorate;
i) the building authority, including the local authority listing officer;

j) the Environment Agency;

k) heritage organizations, where the building is listed;
l) the water undertaker, where the system requires a connection to the water service main;
m) the firefighting system manufacturer or installer; and
n) any authority concerned with the particular type of hazard.
Interested parties should be consulted on matters relating to the selection of fixed
firefighting systems.

Section 3: Method of selection
6 Identifying a suitable fixed firefighting system option

Once all of the relevant factors have been assessed, as described in the Clause 4, Clause 5, and
Clause 9 onwards, one of the following selection routes should be followed:
• Method A (Clause 7); or
• Method B (Clause 8).
Method A (Clause 7) gives examples, drawing on decades of real‑world experience, of risks and
occupancies for which particular systems are often found to be suitable.
Method B (Clause 8) should be used where there are novel factors, applications where standards
cannot be complied with or specific unavoidable constraints, and only where the Method A (Clause 7)
route is not possible.
7 Method A: Simplified selection method

Hazard profiles can often be adequately approximated by building or equipment occupancy, purpose
or type. This clause gives guidance on, and examples of, typically suitable combinations of fixed
firefighting system by hazard profile and protection objective.
NOTE There are exceptions, so it is important that each hazard profile (building or equipment purpose or
type) and protection objective is evaluated and verified through detailed enquiry by a suitably competent person
[e.g. see Clause 5, item e)].
Method A, which should be used in its entirety, comprises the steps set out in:
a) Clause 4 and Clause 5;
b) Figure 1;
c) Table 1 and/or Table 2 (as applicable); and
d) supplementary clauses as applicable.
Table 1 gives typical examples of scenarios where fixed firefighting systems are used in buildings.
Table 2 gives typical examples of applications for which fixed firefighting systems are used.
Users are cautioned not to “cherry‑pick” or modify solutions offered by design standards or the
material in this part of BS 5306.
Where a fixed firefighting system is specified using Method A, it should be in full compliance with the
applicable standard.
Some situations might require more than one firefighting system type to be installed to meet the
protection objectives. In such cases it might be necessary to apply Method A multiple times to suit
each circumstance. Alternatively, Method B might be more appropriate.

Figure 1 — Selection method flow chart
NOTE 1 This could be a case where regulatory compliance and/or cases where additional protection is
identified as being necessary (see Clause 4).
NOTE 2 Equipment identified by the risk assessment (see Clause 4), e.g. mission‑critical equipment and high
fire risk equipment.
NOTE 3 Are there any items of high risk equipment, areas or processes in the building, e.g. equipment
identified by the risk assessment (see Clause 4), such as mission‑critical equipment and high fire
risk equipment?

Table 1 — Method A: Typical examples of fixed firefighting system by building occupancy (or part thereof) — by common purpose groups (1 of 2)
System type Suitability according to purpose group

BRITISH STANDARD
Domestic
Residential
Residential (mixed
use e.g. residential
+ commercial)
Hotel
Ofice
School and
educational
Warehouse
Data centre
Laboratory or
cleanroom
Places of assembly
or recreation
Licenced premises
(bars and
restaurants)
Retail
Hospital
Factory or process
facility
Sprinkler to BS 9251 ◐A) ◐B) C)

A) B)
Sprinkler to BS EN 16925 ◐ ◐
D) D), E) F)
Water mist to BS 8458 ◐A), D), E) ◐B), D), E)
Sprinkler to BS EN 12845 A) A) ◐G) ◐H)
D), I) D), I), J) D), K) D), L) D), M) D), N) D), J) D), J)
Water mist to BS 8489-1 ◐ ◐ ◐ ◐ ◐ ◐ ◐ ◐ O)
Foam to BS EN 13565-2 ◐P) ◐P) ◐P)
Powder to BS EN 12416-2 ◐Q)
Water spray to DD CEN/TS 14816 ◐R) ◐R)
Aerosol to BS EN 15276-2 S) S) S) S) S) S) S) S) S) S) ◐S)
Gaseous extinguishing to BS EN 15004-1 ◐I) ◐I) ◐I) ◐I) ◐I) ◐I) ◐G) ◐H) ◐I) ◐I) ◐I) ◐I)
Gaseous extinguishing to BS 5306-4 ◐Q)
Oxygen reduction systems to BS EN 16750 ◐T), U), V) ◐U), V), W) ◐U), V), W) ◐Q), U), V)
Personal protection systems to LPS 1655 [8] ◐X) ◐X) ◐X)
Key
Suitable if in full compliance with cited standard.
◐ Suitable for speciic applications or areas within this purpose group, if in full compliance with cited standard and paying particular attention to accompanying footnotes.
Unsuitable (out of scope of the system design, installation and maintenance standard).

BS 5306-0:2020
Table 1 — Method A: Typical examples of fixed firefighting system by building occupancy (or part thereof) — by common purpose groups (2 of 2)
A) BS EN 12845 could be used and might be more suitable for certain more challenging areas and in certain scenarios e.g. very tall buildings, common parts, plant rooms,
car parks, higher than usual risk proile, bin stores, mixed use buildings, or where property protection is sought.
B) Bed and breakfast accommodation only.
C) Might be suitable for small unlicensed B&Bs. Not suitable for bars, clubs, restaurants, etc.
BS 5306-0:2020
D) Fire test evidence alone is insuficient to demonstrate itness for purpose. Third-party approval (see 4.7) of critical system components, design and installation is
considered normal industry good practice. Users are cautioned that many systems of this type might not meet this expectation and therefore thorough checks should be
made. See also 9.1.1.3.
E) Usually BS 8458 should be used for residential parts. BS 8489-1 might be more suitable for certain scenarios beyond the scope of BS 8458.
F) Might be suitable for small licenced B&Bs. Not suitable for bars, clubs, restaurants, etc.
G) Data centres require complex protection strategies. Gaseous extinguishing systems can be employed to offer the highest level of protection to the equipment, and
sprinkler systems can be employed to protect the buildings. Sprinkler systems can be pre-action in areas particularly sensitive to water damage. See also
BS EN 50600-2-5.
H) Laboratories and cleanrooms might require complex protection strategies. Gaseous extinguishing systems can be employed to offer the highest level of protection to the
equipment in certain parts, and sprinkler systems can be employed to protect the buildings. Sprinkler systems can be pre-action in areas particularly sensitive to water
damage.
I) Suitable for special hazards within this occupancy type, e.g. server room or other critical infrastructure. See Table 2.
J) Might be suitable for protecting some parts of the building. e.g. apartments beyond the scope of BS 8458, low ire load common parts, ofice areas or other parts within
the scope and Table 1 of BS 8489-1:2016.
K) Bedrooms and corridors only. The rest of the building should be protected by a sprinkler system conforming to BS EN 12845, or a Method B solution (see Clause 8).
L) Might only be suitable for protecting some parts of the building. e.g. low ire load areas and other parts within the scope and Table 1 of BS 8489-1:2016. Might not be
suitable for storage or plant areas, where a sprinkler system conforming to BS EN 12845, or a Method B solution (see Clause 8) might be more suitable.
M) Classrooms only. Other parts should be protected with other solutions such as a sprinkler system conforming to BS EN 12845, or a Method B solution (see Clause 8).
N) In full compliance with FM 5560:2016 [9], Annex M and Annex N, and FM datasheet 5-32 [10].

O) See Table 2. Factories can employ water mist systems in special applications where suitable test protocols exist.
P) In some circumstances (e.g. where there are signiicant quantities of plastics or there are lammable liquid stores), foam-enhanced ireighting systems might be
required.
Q) Might be suitable for special hazards within this occupancy type. See Table 2.
R) Water spray ireighting systems might be suitable in some exceptional circumstances where isolation (i.e. ire exposure protection) is required or ire spread is expected
to be unusually rapid. See also NFPA 15 [11].
S) Might be suitable for protecting special hazards. Aerosol systems can generate hazards for personnel and should be used only in normally unoccupied or unoccupiable
spaces. Use of such systems requires particularly careful consideration of potential health and safety effects upon occupants. See Table 2.
T) Might be used in warehousing where there is no other feasible solution (e.g. building height in excess of capability of other technologies, or where absolute ire
prevention is sought). See Table 2.
U) Generally, not suitable for buildings with frequent air changes (e.g. caused by large openings, frequent ingress/egress, high rates of air change due to ventilation and
cooling, buildings with low integrity or poor access control).
V) Low oxygen atmospheres require particularly careful consideration of health and safety effects upon occupants (see 14.8.2).
W) Could only be used here when ventilation and/or cooling arrangements are compatible, noting the need to retain the low oxygen atmosphere.
X) Personal Protection Systems (PPSs) are only intended to protect vulnerable persons. They do not provide building protection and should not be used in lieu of other
building protection systems. See LPS 1655 [8].
BRITISH STANDARD
Table 2 — Method A: Fixed firefighting system by special application — by application types (1 of 4)
Application type Suitability according to system type

BRITISH STANDARD
BS 5306-4 CO2 local application

(BS 5306-4:2012, 3.9 and
BS 5306-4 CO2 total lood
Clause 11)
protection: deep seated (BS
5306-4:2012, 10.1b and Table 3)
protection: surface (BS 5306-
4:2012, Clause 10 and 3.17)
BS 8489-1 Water mist
BS EN 12416- 1+2 Powder
BS EN 12845 Sprinkler
BS EN 13565-1+2 Foam
BS EN 15004-1 Halocarbon total
lood surface protection
BS EN 15004-1 Inert gas total
systems [8]
LPS 1666 in-cabinet systems [14]
lood
BS EN 15276-1+2 Aerosol
BS EN 16750 Oxygen reduction
DD CEN/TS 14816 Water spray
LPS 1223 [12]/UL300 [13]/
prEN 17446/BS EN 16282-7
Kitchen systems
LPS 1655 Personal protection
Air handling / Compressor room

A) C), D)
Archive ◐ B)
Art galleries (storage areas) ◐A)
Automated milling machines ◐E)
Automatic storage and retrieval systems F) E) C), D)
◐ ◐ ◐
Car parks G)
◐
Car stackers ◐H) ◐G) ◐E)
Chemical store ◐A) ◐G) ◐I) ◐E)
Coal pulverizer and hopper J)
◐
Coffee roaster E)
◐
Computer rooms, data processing, server
room
◐A), K) ◐ K) K) C),D), K) ◐M)
Control rooms ◐M)
Conveyor ◐A) ◐N)
Cooking appliances and hoods in kitchens
“Dense” storageO) F) C),
Dip tank (oil quench) ◐G) ◐G)
Drying oven ◐P) ◐P)

BS 5306-0:2020

BS 5306-0:2020

(BS 5306-4:2012, 3.9 and
Clause 11)
5306-4:2012, 10.1b and Table 3)
4:2012, Clause 10 and 3.17)
lood
LPS 1223 [12]/UL300 [13]/
prEN 17446/BS EN 16282-7
Kitchen systems
systems [8]
Dust collector
Electrical cabinet
(extra low voltage and low voltage)
◐E) ◐M)
Electrical rooms
(extra low voltage and low voltage)
A) A) ◐ Q) ◐E)
Electrical rooms
(high voltage)
A) A) ◐E) ◐R)
Engine test cells A) A) ◐E)
Exhaust/extract duct ◐P) ◐P) ◐P) ◐P) ◐P) ◐P)

Flammable liquid store A) ◐S) ◐E)
E)
Fume cupboards ◐
A) E)
Gas turbine enclosure ◐
A) A) T) E)
Generator (diesel/LPG/methane) ◐ ◐
Generator (turbine driven) ◐E)
Hydraulic machinery A) ◐U) ◐U) ◐U) ◐E) ◐N)
Industrial fryers A)
Laser cutting machines ◐G) ◐E)
Library, museums, archives (back of
house) ◐G)
Library, museums, galleries (reserve
collection storage only)
A) A) C), D)
BRITISH STANDARD

BRITISH STANDARD

(BS 5306-4:2012, 3.9 and
Clause 11)
5306-4:2012, 10.1b and Table 3)
4:2012, Clause 10 and 3.17)
Kitchen systems
systems [8]

lood
LPS 1223 [12]/UL300 [13]/
prEN 17446/BS EN 16282-7
Loading bays ◐G) V)

Oil quench A)
Petrol stations
Plant room: e.g. lift motor, air handling A) ◐W) ◐E)
Printing press A)
Rolling mill A)
Saunas
Spark erosion machines
Spray booth A) A)
Variable storage (e.g. self-storage
warehouse, courier delivery companies)
◐X)
“Very high (tall)” storageO) F) C), D)
Y)
Vulnerable people ◐
Waste management ◐G) ◐G) ◐G) ◐G)
Z) Z)
Window wetting systems ◐ ◐
Key
Suitable if in full compliance with cited standard.
◐ Suitable for speciic applications or areas within this purpose group, if in full compliance with cited standard and paying particular attention to accompanying footnotes.
Unsuitable (out of scope of the system design, installation and maintenance standard).

BS 5306-0:2020
A) Normally unoccupied areas only; CO2 systems require particularly careful consideration of health and safety effects upon occupants (see 14.3.5.4).
B) For mobile racking refer to BS EN 16893:2018 (e.g. BS EN 16893:2018, 6.5.8).
C) Generally, not suitable for buildings with frequent air changes (e.g. caused by large openings, frequent ingress/egress, high rates of air change due to ventilation and
cooling, buildings with low integrity or poor access control).
BS 5306-0:2020
D) Low oxygen atmospheres require particularly careful consideration of health and safety effects upon occupants (see 14.8.2).
E) Aerosol systems can generate hazards for personnel and should be used only in normally unoccupied or unoccupiable spaces. Use of such systems requires particularly
careful consideration of health and safety effects upon occupants (see 14.6.2).
F) An emerging challenge is very large/complex storage facilities. If the ire and rescue service cannot effectively perform inal extinguishment, the system can deplete its
power or water supply and a large loss can still be incurred.
G) The fuels and geometry of the hazard and enclosure should be assessed. A Method B solution (see Clause 8) might be more suitableǤ
H) Car stackers vary greatly in design. A Method B solution (see Clause 8) based upon BS EN 12845 might be suitable.
I) Certain chemicals (e.g. hydroscopic compounds) can only be tackled with powder.
J) A Method B solution (see Clause 8) based upon BS 5306-4 might be suitable.
K) Gas or oxygen reduction systems in a computer room, data processing area or server room will afford protection to the equipment. Such areas might also require
sprinkler protection. Water mist in computer rooms, data processing areas or server rooms, depending upon how it is implemented, might be suitable to afford a
degree of protection to the equipment and/or the building. See also Table 1, Note G.
L) A Method B solution (see Clause 8) based on the BS 8489 series and FM 5560:2016 [9], Annex M and Annex N, might be suitable.
M) To be used according to the limitations of LPS 1666 [14] and conditions of approval.
N) Conveyor belts may be protected by a sprinkler system, but a Method B solution (see Clause 8) based upon BS EN 12845 might be suitable. Further measures such as
interlocks and detection might be required.
O) Some modern storage buildings are larger, taller and/or more complex than was ever envisaged by ixed ireighting sy stem standards. It might be unrealistic to expect
ire and rescue services to enter such buildings to ight a ire if no lives are at risk. Whilst such thresholds are not speciied or deined, users should determine whether
the ixed ireighting system combined with reasonable ire and rescue service action would give rise to the desired protection outcome.

P) A Method B solution (see Clause 8) based upon the cited standard might be suitable.
Q) Although this is a permitted exception within BS EN 12845, BS 5306-0 recommends th at such areas usually should be sprinkler protected.
R) Where oil-illed equipment is present, a Method B solution (see Clause 8) based upon the cited standard might be suitable.
S) As limited by testing and scope of standard.
T) A Method B solution (see Clause 8) based upon BS EN 12845 might be suitable.
U) Requires adequate enclosure.
V) Account should be taken of vehicle parking positions, storage of idle pallets, trays, boxes, etc. (even if only transient).
W) A Method B solution (see Clause 8) based upon BS 8489-5 might be suitable.
X) Speciic analysis of controls and likely limits needs to be undertaken to derive and continue to provide a suitable solution.
Y) In a single domestic occupancy, BS 8458 might be more suitable than BS 8489-1.
Z) A Method B solution (see Clause 8) is required. Designers should be clear on the design objective, e.g. to achieve equivalence to a speciied ire resistance period, or for
space separation of buildings (e.g. Approved Document B [2], B.4). UL listed products are available with speciic design and application rules.
BRITISH STANDARD
8 Method B: Innovative, engineered or otherwise non‑standard solutions

In the context of BS 5306‑0, any deviation from full compliance with an applicable standard is
considered to constitute a situation which can be regarded as an innovative, engineered or otherwise
non‑standard solution. This clause seeks to help users understand the significant challenges and
issues involved when developing or adopting innovative, engineered or otherwise non‑standard
solutions. Where fully compliant standardized fixed firefighting systems and other types of fire
equipment are not suitable, or where new applications arise for which there is no precedent or track
record of protection, innovative, engineered or otherwise non‑standard solutions might be suitable.
Standards are often complex documents dealing with many aspects of, and affecting, performance
of equipment and systems. They often capture lessons learned over long periods of time. They are
often supported by certification schemes and other surveillance measures to ensure their correct
application. Benefits of properly applied and good quality standardized solutions typically include:
a) optimized and known levels of system or component performance;
b) improved levels of health, safety and resilience;
c) improved levels of interoperability (see 12.3);
d) improved levels of environmental protection;
e) improved levels of market acceptance;
f) improved levels of technical development through the accumulation of knowledge and
expertise; and
g) a robust basis for third party approvals (components, systems, design and installation; initial
approval and ongoing surveillance), based upon the standard frameworks.
Where innovative, engineered or otherwise non‑standard solutions are to be considered for use,
users should be aware that they might be losing some or all of the aforementioned benefits of
standardization. Innovative, engineered or otherwise non‑standard solutions can be significantly
higher risk in many respects. However, they can offer overall benefit where there is a genuine need for
such a solution. At least equivalent performance (to the closest applicable standardized technology)
should be sought.
Development of innovative, engineered or otherwise non‑standard solutions is very challenging,
and they should only be developed and assessed by competent persons. The competent person
is expected to be able to provide a written statement of qualifications establishing their ability to
perform a task or duty for a particular application. This should include one or more of the following
categories of evidence validating their qualifications:
1) education: formal qualifications relevant to scope of engineering and fire protection;
2) professional standing: including legally recognized designations such as Chartered Engineer or
other applicable professional certification issued by an accredited third‑party body;
3) pertinent skills or knowledge: relates to capabilities that support the development of the
proposed engineered solution. This could include evidence such as references, customer
testimonials, project lists, and references documenting or substantiating work history, past
projects, or special training experiences.

In order to develop an innovative, engineered or otherwise non‑standard solution, the following steps
should be followed:
i) It should be ascertained that a fully standardized solution really is not suitable.
ii) The circumstances of the fire safety or protection challenge should be properly understood,
documented and analysed (see Clause 4), as follows.
• The motivation for the protection should be clearly defined.
• The protection objective(s) should be stated.
• The firefighting ambition should be stated.
• The nature of the hazard(s) to be mitigated should be stated.
• The extent of protection should be defined.
• The target level of system reliability (see Clause 12) and measures to achieve it
should be stated.
• The interested stakeholders should be identified and engaged in a meaningful process of
consultation (see Clause 5).
iii) Relevant fire and loss experience should be analysed to direct the development of the innovative,
engineered or otherwise non‑standard solution. The relevance and relationship of the fire and
loss experience to the engineering of the solution should be fully justified.
iv) The benefits of standardization and the supporting frameworks should be employed as far as is
possible (e.g. as far as is applicable, use existing standards, proven components and concepts) in
order to de‑risk the innovative, engineered or otherwise non‑standard solution.
v) Realistic scale fire testing should be undertaken by competent test laboratories, in all reasonably
foreseeable permutations (e.g. variations in fire loading, scale, obstructions, ignition scenarios,
geometric presentation, ventilation and operating conditions) to verify that the system
performance concept is effective. The applicability of the fire testing to the application should
be justified.
NOTE 1 Due to the complex nature of fire and firefighting phenomena (e.g. multiple interactions of chaotic
regimes), CFD modelling and/or scaling are generally not considered reliable means to provide evidence of
satisfactory performance.
vi) Critical components should be designed and subject to rigorous evaluation of their whole‑life
suitability for the application.
NOTE 2 Users of this part of BS 5306 are advised to consider the desirability of third‑party evaluation
of components.
vii) The components and the system selected should be subject to robust change and revision
control measures.
viii) The competent person should identify where engineering judgment is applied as part of
the substantiation of a proposed engineered solution. It is often important to understand
how judgement has been applied, especially in cases where test data, guidance from
published standards, or other information is being extrapolated in support of the proposed
engineering solution.
ix) All significant aspects of the development and use of the derived solution should be documented.
Documentation should be available to any party with a legitimate interest. Documentation
should cover in detail all the preceding points in this list.

A number of design, installation and maintenance standards also include guidance on developing fire
test protocols.
NOTE 3 As can be seen above, developing fire test protocols is only a small part of the challenge of designing an
innovative, engineered or otherwise non‑standard fixed firefighting system.

Section 4: Compendium of supporting information
9 Types of fixed systems and other firefighting equipment

COMMENTARY ON CLAUSE 9
This clause describes installed firefighting systems and equipment dealt with in the subsequent parts
of BS 5306 and other British Standards. In addition, it addresses some types of systems and equipment
which are not dealt with in a British Standard at the time of publication of this part of BS 5306. In the
latter case, accepted good practice is described.
9.1 Fixed automatic systems

9.1.1 Automatic water systems
9.1.1.1 Sprinkler systems

BS EN 12845 deals with the design, installation and maintenance of industrial and commercial
sprinkler systems, which are the most widely used of all fire protection systems. BS EN 16925 deals
with the design, installation and maintenance of residential sprinkler systems. BS 9251 deals with the
design and installation of domestic and residential sprinkler protection.
Components for sprinkler systems are covered by the BS EN 12259 series.
Sprinkler systems have been particularly successful in safeguarding the lives of both occupants and
the fire and rescue service in fire situations. They are the means by which insurers seek to minimize
fire losses in many types of occupancies. Similarly, Building Regulations authorities and fire
and rescue services have called for sprinkler systems to meet their requirements. Under certain
circumstances the installation of a sprinkler system can result in the relaxation of other Building
Regulations ([4], [5], [6]) requirements.
Sprinkler systems have been used successfully for many years in a wide range of applications.
A wealth of knowledge has been obtained on the performance of sprinklers in relation to a wide
range of fire hazards. As a consequence, mature, well‑established design criteria exist, and these are
incorporated in British Standards.
Traditionally, sprinklers have been installed to protect property. In recent years there has been
recognition of the value of sprinklers for use in life safety applications.
Sprinkler systems consist of an array of heat‑sensitive closed nozzles (sprinkler heads), mounted
on pipework beneath the ceilings of the protected buildings, designed, installed and maintained in
accordance with BS EN 12845 or an equivalent standard.
NOTE 1 UK insurers often require protection in accordance with Loss Prevention Council (LPC) rules for sprinkler
systems [15] incorporating BS EN 12845. Other insurers might look for compliance with other standards such as FM
Global Datasheets9) and NFPA 13 [16].
Each sprinkler is capable of opening individually in response to the heat from a fire and of
discharging a spray of water onto the fire below, whilst also initiating an alarm. In response to the
development of high‑bay warehouses, sprinkler systems have been developed to suppress fires in
these high‑hazard environments, either by roof or ceiling sprinklers alone or by a combination of roof
and ceiling sprinklers with in‑rack sprinkler protection. Only small numbers of sprinklers operate in
the event of a fire, limiting fire and water damage to the immediate fire site and its surroundings.
9)
Available at https://www.fmglobal.com/research-and-resources/fm-global-data-sheets.

For some warehouse storage systems involving plastic storage tote boxes or plastic pallets,
foam‑enhanced sprinkler protection can be the most effective form of fire protection. For these
hazards, relatively low concentrations of foam additive are used, and although the run‑off should be
contained and disposed of safely, no depth of foam is created within the area of discharge.
Sprinklers were intended primarily to suppress and contain class A fires. In many instances they
not only extinguish this class of fire but can also be adapted to deal with class B fires, either within
general sprinkler systems or by the addition of the special water spray systems described in 9.1.1.2.
In a typical sprinkler system, each sprinkler head has a temperature rating and water discharge
capacity which is appropriate to the fire load within the protected compartment. The spacing
between each sprinkler head is also determined by the compartment’s fire load.
NOTE 2 Figure 2 shows the layout of a typical automatic sprinkler system.
Figure 2 — Typical automatic sprinkler system
Key
1 Sprinkler head 6 Main distribution pipe
2 Riser 7 Control valve set
3 Design point 8 Riser
4 Distribution pipe spur 9 Range pipes
5 Arm pipe 10 Drop
In BS EN 12845, sprinkler protection is designed and installed in accordance with a hazard

classification system which identifies an appropriate level of protection for the occupancy, the
quantity of combustible material constituting the fire load, the configuration of the fire load, the fire
load burning characteristics and the necessary water flux rates (referred to as density in mm/min) to
control and suppress burning.
In BS EN 12845:2015, risks are divided into three main classes and seven subclasses, as follows:
a) LH – light hazard;
b) OH – ordinary hazard (divided into group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4); and
c) HH – high hazard (divided into process risks and storage risks).
NOTE 3 The word “hazard” in sprinkler standards is used to define the expected rate of growth of a fire in the early
stages, based on experience. “Hazard” is a critical dimension in fixed firefighting system design as it is essential that
fires are detected and suppressed in the early stages.
Each class and subclass is linked to a design density, and an area over which the design density is
achieved, as given in Table 3.

Table 3 — Classes of sprinkler system for different hazard classifications
Class As defined in Design density Assumed maximum area

BS EN 12845:2015 of coverage
mm/min m2
LH 2.25 84
OH
Group 1 5.0 72
Group 2 5.0 144
Group 3 5.0 216
Group 4 5.0 360
HH
Process (HHP 1, 2, 3, 4) 7.5 to 12.5 260
Storage (ST 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) 7.5 to 30.0 260 to 300
NOTE Typical examples of risks falling within each class and subclass are given in
BS EN 12845:2015, Annex A.
BS EN 12845:2015 specifies four main types of system as follows:

1) wet – suitable for locations where freezing temperatures do not occur. The pipes are
permanently charged with water;
2) dry – suitable for locations where freezing temperatures occur. The pipes are normally
charged with air;
3) alternate – arranged to be either 1) or 2) to suit ambient temperature conditions; and
4) pre‑action – suitable for locations where water should only be admitted into the distribution
piping once a fire has been detected. The pipes are normally charged with air and fill with water
when a fire operates a separate detection system. For water to be discharged it is also necessary
for the sprinkler heads to operate in the normal manner.
BS EN 12845:2015 also deals with:
i) water supplies and their required pressure, quality and flow rate;
ii) basic principles of system design;
iii) pumps, tanks and other components;
iv) materials and workmanship;
v) inspection, testing and approval; and
vi) maintenance and repair procedures.
9.1.1.2 Water spray systems and deluge systems

Water spray systems and deluge systems are not covered by BS EN 12845:2015, and, because
they are generally tailored in their design to a specific process hazard, such systems are generally
considered project‑specific.
Such systems are specified in various guidance documents and national standards and in
DD CEN/TS 14816. They can be zoned, so that only selected areas are activated according to
the location of the fire. They are usually detector‑operated, and are designed to discharge water
and/or foam.
Water spray systems are intended primarily for use against flammable liquid (class B) fires. They
might form an extension to a sprinkler system, e.g. for small flammable liquid fires in factories or
storages, or they might be complete systems in their own right.

Like a sprinkler system, water spray systems can consist of either:

a) a number of spray heads, each operated individually on actuation by hot gases from a fire; or
b) a series of open heads fed with water simultaneously on operation of a control valve.
The latter is more common since flammable liquid fires generally reach their full intensity
rapidly, and it is more effective to simultaneously release all the heads covering a particular area
(see Figure 3).
Figure 3 — Typical water spray system for limited area of risk
Key
1 Compressed air supply
2 Spray nozzles
3 Detectors
4 Automatic deluge valve
5 Water supply
Actuation of such systems is normally enabled by the use of heat‑sensitive devices, often sprinkler
heads fitted to a separate set of air‑pressurized pipes (the “detection line”), installed in parallel
with the water discharge pipes around the object or area to be protected. While conventional heat
detection can be used to operate water spray or deluge systems, the detection line approach is
popular because of its inherent simplicity, reliability and ruggedness for use outdoors.
NOTE 1 For applications where there is no risk of freezing, a water‑charged detection line could be used.
Typical water spray systems are of five main types, as follows:

1) high‑velocity water spray systems for the extinction of fire in flammable liquids having fire
points greater than around 65 °C. These have proved to be very effective and have been used
extensively in electricity‑generating stations and substations;
NOTE 2 An example would be a system of open nozzles protecting an oil‑cooled transformer in which the
coolant has burst from a broken tube or tubes, and is burning on the outside of the tubes or oil escaping from
the lubrication system of a turbo‑alternator and discharging onto hot surfaces. Rapid response and speedy fire
extinguishment are required.

2) medium‑velocity water spray systems for use against fires in water‑immiscible liquids of low fire
points, or in fires in water‑miscible liquids, e.g. alcohols;
3) deluge systems sometimes using an early limited discharge of foam, for large flammable liquid
spillages, e.g. in aircraft hangars and tanker refuelling bays. Medium‑velocity nozzles are used to
cover all parts of the fire hazard or a specific zone of the hazard in which the fire is occurring;
4) deluge systems to protect fuel storage tanks against heat radiation from an adjacent fire. These
can employ medium‑velocity spray nozzles, or nozzles specially selected to give a uniform
distribution over the protected surface; and
5) deluge systems, or water spray systems, used to protect apertures in fire‑resisting compartment
walls. Such apertures might be small, e.g. a hole for electrical conduits, or very large,
e.g. connecting doorways between different areas of a factory or storage, capable of being closed
by sliding or folding shutter doors but kept open for transit of goods during working hours.
9.1.1.3 Water mist systems

BS 8458 covers domestic and residential water mist systems. BS 8489 covers water mist systems for
certain commercial and industrial applications.
NOTE 1 The National Fire Protection Association standard, NFPA 750 [17], also covers the use of water
mist systems.
NOTE 2 CEN is in the process of preparing a water mist standard series, currently identified as prEN 14972. This
series is not included in this part of BS 5306 at this time because it is still a work in progress and subject to change,
and the UK has serious concerns about the series, which are on record.
NOTE 3 BRE have published a document [18] which provides further guidance on the selection and deployment of
these systems.
There are normally two main types of operating system used in water mist: automatic systems and
open nozzle systems. Automatic systems are generally used for applications for hazards involving
materials associated with class A fires. Open nozzle systems are generally used for applications for
hazards associated with class B or class F fires.
Fire test evidence alone is insufficient to demonstrate fitness for purpose.
The use of components that have been tested and approved in accordance with appropriate
component specifications for fire protection applications is also important for system performance
and reliability.
Water mist nozzles should be in accordance with BS 8663‑1.
All other critical system components should be tested and listed specifically for the intended fire
protection application.
Users are cautioned that many systems of this type might not utilize tested and approved
components, and therefore thorough checks should be made of both component and water
supply robustness.
Automatic nozzle systems include thermal actuation devices, and the general arrangement of the
full system is similar to that of an automatic sprinkler system shown in Figure 2. Where the water
in these systems can be maintained at ambient temperatures above freezing, the pipework is
permanently charged with water. Where water temperatures might be below freezing, the pipework
is empty of water until the control valve is actuated. In automatic nozzle systems, only the nozzles in
the immediate vicinity of the fire are expected to operate to control and suppress a fire.
Open nozzle systems are designed such that water mist discharges from all nozzles when the system
control valve is actuated. The general arrangement of the full system is the same as that of a water

spray system shown in Figure 3. These systems can be deployed to protect complete enclosures and/
or to provide local application protection for designated equipment within an enclosure.
For both types of water mist system, designs are based upon the results from representative fire
tests which establish the type and quantities of nozzles needed to control, suppress and extinguish
fire. Factors of safety (which are given in the appropriate British Standard) are then applied to these
results to establish the design basis. All results are unique and specific to each supplier of nozzles.
Automatic nozzle systems have been tested and validated for residential and domestic occupancies,
offices, hotels and similar accommodation hazards. Open nozzle systems have been tested for a
variety of hazards involving flammable liquids, such as turbines, engines and fuel/lube oil hazards.
As water mist systems discharge small quantities of water through small orifice nozzles, system
cleanliness is important. Water mist systems use a range of materials in their pipework, including
stainless steel and copper. Water mist heads are usually fitted with filters to prevent clogging of
nozzles which would hinder discharge.
The water supplies for water mist systems can be provided either by pumps with dedicated water
storage tanks, or from containers where the water is propelled by gas under pressure. For hazards
involving materials associated with class A fires (other than in domestic or residential premises),
a 60 min water supply duration is required, whereas for some hazards involving flammable liquids,
the supply duration could be as little as 10 min because rapid fire extinguishment and post‑fire
cooling are achieved. The available water supply should provide for a minimum discharge of 10 min.
9.1.1.4 Personal protection systems using water mist

Personal protection systems are typically used to provide fire protection in the homes of people
who have a high likelihood of experiencing a domestic fire and who because of mobility or cognitive
impairments are unable to escape easily without assistance.
Such systems are self‑contained and consist of a fire sensor, a power supply with battery backup,
a supply of water (typically 100 l to 120 l), a means of generating water mist, and control and
monitoring circuits. The risk area covered by one unit should be verified by appropriate fire testing
and should be recorded in the manufacturer’s manual. Operation of the system generates a signal that
can be connected to an alarm‑receiving station to ensure a fire and rescue service response.
Personal protection systems are often made available by the fire and rescue service or social housing
providers following a detailed risk assessment, and are installed in the homes of those deemed at
special risk.
Because they are designed for local area application, i.e. to suppress a fire within a specific
discharge area, care should be taken (see Note 2) to ensure that the risk profile is appropriate. A risk
assessment should be carried out to identify the principal fire hazard(s) (e.g. a bed or chair) within
the discharge area of one or more personal protection systems.
These systems are not intended for protection of a whole building. If the fire hazard is not localized,
then a suppression system that covers the whole of the dwelling or risk area should be specified.
NOTE 1 A British Standard covering these systems is expected to be produced in due course, and this will
supplement the existing test standard LPS 1655 [8].
NOTE 2 BRE/LFB have published a document [19] which provides further guidance on the selection and
deployment of these systems.

9.1.2 Inert gas and halocarbon agent systems

Components for gas systems are covered by the BS EN 12094 series.
The BS EN 15004 series specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the installation of
inert gas and halocarbon agent systems. These systems are suitable for total flooding and consist
essentially of a source where the gas is stored under pressure in containers, and a piping system by
which it is conveyed from the source to the points of discharge (see Figure 4 and Figure 5).
NOTE 1 BS EN 15004‑1 specifies general system requirements, while individual agents are covered in
BS EN 15004‑2 to BS EN 15004‑10.
Figure 4 — Gaseous system — Example of single‑zone system
Key
1 Main control panel 8 Discharge nozzle – room
2 Manual release 9 Discharge nozzle – floor void
3 Hold‑off button (normally inside) 10 Detector – ceiling void
4 Discharge pressure switch 11 Detector – room
5 Agent containers 12 Detector – floor void
6 Audio/visual pre‑discharge alarms 13 Distribution pipework
7 Discharge nozzle – ceiling void 14 Vent

Figure 5 — Gaseous system — Example of multi‑zone system
Key
1 Main control panel 7 Discharge nozzle
2 Manual release 8 System state indicator c/w auto/manual changeover switch
3 Hold‑off button (normally inside) 9 Detector
4 Discharge pressure switch 10 Pressure relief vent (as required)
5 Agent containers 11 Selector valve
6 Audio/visual pre‑discharge alarms
BS EN 15004‑1 gives requirements for:

a) the design of systems including valves and manifolds, pipework, earthing, calculation of
flow through nozzles, pressure drops, balanced and unbalanced systems, and audible and
visual alarms;
b) appropriate inspection and maintenance schedules and safety precautions to be taken during
maintenance;
c) methods of actuating the system;
d) the discharge times;
e) the integrity of the enclosed volume and the need for venting;
f) how the extinguishing concentrations are determined via cup burner and room fire tests; and
g) contract arrangements.
NOTE 2 BS EN 15004‑1 confirms the need to seek advice in the planning of a gaseous system.
BS EN 15004‑2 to BS EN 15004‑10 give requirements for:

1) the physical characteristics of the agents;
2) the use of the agents, by way of tables detailing the measured extinguishing concentration and
the minimum recommended design concentration to extinguish flames, for a range of fuels;

3) the total flooding quantity of agents at a range of temperatures; and

4) storage container characteristics and super‑pressurization effects, where applicable.
9.1.3 Carbon dioxide systems

BS 5306‑4 specifies requirements and gives recommendations for carbon dioxide systems. These
systems consist essentially of a central source where the gas is stored under pressure, and a piping
system by which it is conveyed from the source to the points of discharge.
The central source can be either a low‑pressure (21 bar) tank within which the carbon dioxide is
kept refrigerated at a temperature of −18 °C, or a single high‑pressure (58 bar) container, or a bank of
containers, stored at ambient temperature.
Tanks and high‑pressure containers are often kept within special storage rooms or compounds
in order to protect them from severe weather conditions, chemical or mechanical damage or
interference by unauthorized persons. The ambient conditions required in BS 5306‑4 are:
a) for total flooding systems, not more than 46 °C nor less than −18 °C;
b) for local application systems, not more than 46 °C nor less than 0 °C.
Carbon dioxide systems are classed as total flooding, local application or manual hose‑reel systems.
The first two can be operated manually or automatically, the last only manually. A total flooding
system (see Figure 6) is intended to provide an extinguishing concentration of gas throughout
the enclosure into which it discharges. A local application system (see Figure 7) provides an
extinguishing concentration at the local points of risk at which it discharges. A manual hose‑reel
system is intended to provide a local extinguishing concentration at any point where the discharge
nozzle is directed.
BS 5306‑4 gives requirements for specifying, designing, accepting and testing total flooding systems.
It includes procedures for periodic inspection, servicing and maintenance, and notes the use of
service contracts for this purpose.
It also gives requirements relating to the uses and general design of local application systems and
manual hose‑reel systems. It includes techniques for estimating the total carbon dioxide to be stored,
calculated by the surface area method and the volume method.
Finally, it gives requirements for detailed design, safety precautions including methods for
checking container content, specifications for pipework and fittings, and inspection, testing and
commissioning procedures.

Figure 6 — Carbon dioxide total flooding system protecting a turbo‑generator with initial and extended discharge
over the whole volume
Key
1 System actuator (electrical) 9 Initial discharge nozzle
2 Pilot loop 10 Discharge pressure switch
3 Container valve and actuator 11 Initial discharge containers
4 Turbine 12 Extended discharge containers
5 Generator 13 Extended discharge feed pipe
6 Vertical cooler (horizontal type similarly protected) 14 Initial discharge feed pipe
7 Extended discharge nozzle 15 Exciter
8 Heat detector

Figure 7 — Carbon dioxide local application system protecting quench tank
Key
1 CO2 container 7 Heat actuated detector
2 System controller 8 Pit
3 Manual release 9 Quench tank
4 Pressure trip 10 Oven
5 Local application nozzles 11 Hood
6 Pressure switch 12 Damper
9.1.4 Halon systems

Halon systems are generally no longer in use (see Annex B).
9.1.5 Foam systems
9.1.5.1 Low‑expansion foam systems
9.1.5.1.1 General
There is a wider range of methods used for applying low‑expansion foams than for any other medium.
This is because the properties at risk often vary enormously in size and complexity. The range of
methods is described in 9.1.5.1.2 to 9.1.5.1.7.
NOTE A basic system might consist of a simple pressure vessel containing foam solution under gas pressure, and
discharging when a fire on, for example, a dip tank causes a heat‑sensitive sprinkler to operate. An example of a
complex system would be a fully‑fledged automatic foam‑generating system feeding a foam deluge system in an
aircraft hangar.
BS EN 13565‑1 specifies components for foam systems.

BS EN 13565‑2 describes methods for assessing the quality of foam produced by a system, the rate of
discharge of the foam, and its distribution over the area or volume to be protected. It also covers the
periodic inspection, testing and maintenance of foam systems.

9.1.5.1.2 Monitors and branch pipe systems

Monitors and branch pipe systems are used to provide primary protection for flammable liquid spills,
bunded areas and storage tanks. They can include either portable or mobile equipment fed from
the water supply fire main, in order to give the greatest flexibility of use. They are also used for the
protection of harbours, jetties and oil‑producing and handling plant in refineries.
9.1.5.1.3 Aspirating fixed foam sprays

Aspirating fixed foam sprays, which produce foam by intimately mixing air and foam solution, are
used to protect defined areas where fuel spillage fires might occur, e.g. loading racks, horizontal tanks,
pump rooms, large dip tanks and aircraft in hangars, on aprons or on landing pads. A pre‑mixed foam
system is shown in Figure 8 and typical low‑expansion foam deluge systems are shown in Figure 9
and Figure 10.
Figure 8 — Typical pre‑mixed foam system protecting a specific hazard
Key
1 Heat retaining plate 6 Pressure switch to alarm bell
2 Heat detector 7 Tank for premixed foam solution
3 Link line anchor 8 Manual discharge control
4 Foam sprinkler 9 Bund wall
5 Discharge pipe 10 Twin cylinders of carbon dioxide or nitrogen

Figure 9 — Typical low‑expansion foam deluge system using open foam nozzles
Key
1 Heat detectors 6 Water
2 Open foam nozzles 7 In‑line foam generator
3 Control box 8 Foam liquid
4 Alarm 9 Pump
5 Foam proportioner
Figure 10 — Typical low‑expansion foam deluge system using aspirating foam sprinklers
Key
1 Self‑aspirating foam sprinklers
2 Foam proportioner
9.1.5.1.4 Non‑aspirating fixed foam sprays

Non‑aspirating foam sprays, which produce a spray of foam solution with little or no mixing of
air, are used where water sprays alone might not be fully effective, but the addition of an AFFF,
FFFP or AFFF/AR concentrate (see 14.4.1), as appropriate, would provide an effective firefighting
performance. However, only foams successfully tested for non‑aspirated use should be used.
The nozzles used can also produce good spray with water alone.
Foam‑enhanced sprinkler protection is sometimes employed where flammable liquid fires might be
encountered in a sprinklered building. Typical examples are bulk storage of flammable liquids and
storages involving plastic tote boxes or pallets.

9.1.5.1.5 Fixed foam pourer systems

Fixed foam pourer systems are used for the protection of fixed roof fuel storage tanks, with or
without floating roofs. They operate by pouring the foam onto the free surface of the fuel, or onto the
rim seal area around the floating roof.
9.1.5.1.6 Sub‑surface and semi‑sub‑surface foam systems

Sub‑surface foam systems operate by injecting the foam beneath the surface of the fuel in a fixed‑roof
tank, and allowing it to float to the surface to form a sealing layer or blanket. Some foams (typically
those without fluorinated surfactants) are not sufficiently resistant to breakdown by the fuel and thus
are unsuitable for this application.
Semi‑sub‑surface systems are similar, but the foam is fed to the surface via a protecting sleeve which
prevents its contamination by the fuel. The methods are only suitable for water‑immiscible liquids.
9.1.5.1.7 Supplementary and bund protection systems

Low‑expansion foam protection systems may be used to provide supplementary and bund protection.
9.1.5.2 Medium‑expansion foam systems

Medium‑expansion foam systems are intended to provide protection, either indoors or outdoors,
against spills of flammable liquids where the foam can be applied gently close to the hazard, to build
up rapidly and to give good vapour suppression.
9.1.5.3 High‑expansion foam systems

High‑expansion foam systems (see Figure 11) dispense foam from a number of high expansion foam
generators to fill the volume within which fires (either class A or class B) might exist at various levels.
They are suitable for large volumes, cable tunnels, refrigerated rooms, basement areas, etc. While
predominantly suitable for indoor use, high‑expansion foam can be used in outdoor areas where it is
sheltered from the effects of the wind.

Figure 11 — Typical high‑expansion foam system for total flooding of a warehouse or storage
Key
1 Foam generators 5 Automatic valve
2 Automatic vent 6 Proportioner
3 Foam liquid storage tank 7 Control panel
4 Water line 8 Heat actuated devices
9.1.6 Powder systems

BS EN 12416, which is published in two parts, deals with powder systems.
BS EN 12416‑1 covers the design, construction and testing of components, e.g. powder containers,
actuators and nozzles.
BS EN 12416‑2 covers the design, construction and maintenance of the entire system. Information
about condensed aerosols is provided in BS EN 15276‑1 and BS EN 15276‑2.
9.1.7 Condensed aerosols

BS EN 15276, which is published in two parts, deals with condensed aerosols.
BS EN 15276‑1 gives test methods for components, including the determination of agent quantities
and extinguishing concentrations as determined via cup burner and room fire tests.
BS EN 15276‑2 specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the design, installation and
maintenance of condensed aerosol systems. These systems are suitable for total flooding and consist
essentially of a source (aerosol stored in a container), which upon activation is released into a
protected area. BS EN 15276‑2 gives requirements for:
a) safety of personnel from exposure to the agent;
b) design of systems, including selection of the appropriate number of condensed aerosol
generators, the need for earthing and hazards associated with their use in explosive
atmospheres;
c) appropriate inspection and maintenance schedules and safety precautions to be taken during
maintenance;
d) methods of actuating the system;

e) the integrity of the enclosed volume and determination of the need for venting; and
f) contract arrangements.
9.1.8 Oxygen reduction systems

BS EN 16750:2017 specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the design, installation,
planning and maintenance of oxygen reduction systems. It includes tests to ascertain ignition
thresholds of unfamiliar materials (both solid and liquid), together with calculation of oxygen
concentrations.
It gives guidance on:
a) the design of systems, including selection of the appropriate number of oxygen sensors and
reduced oxygen air capacities;
b) safety margins, alarm and fault notification levels;
c) appropriate inspection and maintenance schedules and safety precautions to be taken during
maintenance;
d) methods of system control (see BS EN 16750:2017, Clause 9);
e) the integrity of the enclosed volume and leakage considerations; and
f) health and safety information for working in oxygen‑reduced atmospheres for reasons of
fire prevention.
These systems are typically designed to deliver either pure nitrogen, or air with a pre‑mixed
composition with increased nitrogen, into a controlled space in order to continuously maintain
an oxygen concentration of between 13% and 16%. When the oxygen concentration is reduced to
around 13%, conditions are similar to the atmosphere created after the discharge of nitrogen gas by a
system intended to extinguish surface class A fires.
An environment continuously maintained at the appropriate level of oxygen prevents the
development of flaming combustion in materials that give rise to class A fires. Lower concentrations
could be needed for some materials, particularly if there is a risk of deep‑seated combustion
(considerably lower concentrations are normally required to extinguish such fires) and for fuels that
give rise to class B fires.
Although flaming combustion is likely to be suppressed under these circumstances, the presence
of a heat source still gives rise to pyrolysis. The potential for smouldering and/or the generation of
products of incomplete combustion under low oxygen conditions should be taken into account.
9.1.9 Wet chemicals (used in kitchen systems)

BS EN 16282‑7 specifies requirements and gives basic recommendations for the design, installation,
testing, maintenance and safety of kitchen systems. It specifically identifies the scope of protection
that should be afforded when a kitchen system is employed, in particular, identifying that all
appliances capable of catching fire and not just deep fat fryers are to be protected, and that protection
is included to cover ventilated ceilings/hoods, plenums and duct entrances. It states that the
protection in these areas should be activated simultaneously.
prEN 17446 (in preparation) establishes minimum requirements, specifically relating to components
performance, for design, installation, functioning, testing and maintenance. It specifies the testing
required to verify that the system is able to extinguish fires in the appliances it is designed to protect.
It recognizes that each appliance requires individual tests to determine satisfactory performance and
that testing of a single appliance is not sufficient to demonstrate that the system will extinguish fires
in all appliances.

9.1.10 Use of multiple agents or systems

There are many examples where the use of one medium alone might not be successful in
extinguishing a fire. In such cases, it is often effective to use two: the first to provide the majority
of the fire suppression effect and the second to complete the extinction. They can be applied
simultaneously or sequentially (see Clause 8). The development of dual systems, or the dual use of
individual systems, is therefore necessary. The circumstances of each case need to be assessed in
order to determine the best procedure. The principles are illustrated by the following examples.
a) Sequential dual use. Carbon dioxide systems are often installed to protect rolling mills in
conjunction with water‑based systems.
b) Simultaneous dual use. Powder and foam can be used simultaneously on flammable liquids of
low flash point, to benefit from the rapid knock‑down of powder and the sealing action of foam.
c) Mixed‑media systems. Multiple agents can be combined to achieve some specific properties and
performance.
9.2 Manual systems

9.2.1 Hydrant systems, hose reels (water) and foam inlets
Hydrant systems, hose reels (water) and foam inlets are classified as installed equipment and, while
not responding automatically to a fire, they are available at strategic points for use by suitably trained
occupants or the fire and rescue service. They convey the water or foam to hose points without the
need for laborious laying out of hoses over large heights and distances. Water supplies are available
from installed fire mains or, in the case of dry fire mains, can be pumped in from fire and rescue
service equipment. Foam supplies are usually served from fire and rescue service equipment or, in
the case of tank farms and other oil complexes, from centralized foam‑generating and pumping units.
BS 5306‑1 and BS 9990 deal with the provision of hydrant systems, hose reels and foam inlets. They
are essential for planning the main services to a building, as this concerns the water undertaking, the
fire and rescue authority and the insurers in addition to the architect and advisers. They recommend
the numbers and location of fire hydrants, wet and dry fire mains, landing valves, hose reels, pumps
and all associated equipment. BS 5306‑1 also gives recommendations for foam inlets and outlets, and
makes reference to all related standards appropriate to the subject. It covers testing and test records,
maintenance and the rectification of defects.
NOTE Figure 12 shows a building fitted with the three types of equipment. The water supply to the dry fire
main inlet, or foam to the foam inlet, is provided via a fire and rescue service vehicle and a mains hydrant outside
the building.

Figure 12 — Typical hydrant system hose reel and foam inlet installed in building
Key
1 Landing valve 5 Connection to building water supply
2 Dry fire main 6 Foam inlet
3 Hose reel 7 Foam nozzle
4 Dry fire main inlet 8 Oil‑fired heating appliance
9.2.2 Portable fire extinguishers

While portable fire extinguishers are not automatic systems, they nevertheless present an
opportunity to extinguish a fire early in its development. If they are of the appropriate type and are
selected and located correctly to suit the hazard, there is the possibility that the operation of the fixed
firefighting system might be rendered unnecessary by the control of the fire in its very early stages.
The importance of including fire extinguishers in the whole fire protection strategy is emphasized.
The following standards are relevant when specifying portable extinguishers:
• BS 5306‑3;
• BS 5306‑8;

• BS 5306‑9;
• BS 5306‑10;
• BS EN 3 series.
These standards cover topics including but not limited to:
a) guidance on the types of extinguishers available and their suitability for use in the different
classes of fire;
b) type, quality and firefighting performance;
c) inspection, maintenance and testing recharging and remedial action;
d) guidance on the competence and training of servicing engineers;
e) test‑fire rating schemes for extinguishers (requirements and guidance).
NOTE 1 Where powder‑filled portable fire extinguishers are to be used, it is necessary to take into account:
• visibility during and following discharge;
• clean‑up of discharged powder; and
• impact on fine finishes and delicate materials.
Subclause 14.5 and the standards referenced earlier in this clause give specific guidance on these issues.
NOTE 2 There are other types of portable fire extinguisher on the market (e.g. water mist). Manufacturers of such
devices might have conducted assessments and declare certain performance characteristics for their products.
These extinguishers might be suitable against a range of fire hazards.
10 Effect of changing occupancies or building redundancy

It is imperative when the occupancy or use of a building changes that the firefighting system already
installed is carefully assessed to determine whether it is suitable for its new duties or whether it
needs to be modified or changed altogether. Possible effects on neighbouring occupancies should also
be taken into account (see 14.2.4, 14.3.8, 14.4.8, 14.5.9, 14.6.5, 14.7.5, 14.8.5 as applicable to the
system type).
If the system is not suitable, an analysis of the hazards and requirements should be made
(see Section 3), to provide the design parameters of the new system. Where a new system is
considered on changing occupancies or locations, the firefighting agent and power supplies have
to be adequate for the revised loading. In all these cases, the appropriate authorities should be
consulted so that they can provide advice, and ultimately approval, for the change.
In the event that a building or part of a building becomes redundant and is to be vacated, refurbished
or demolished, the method of safe removal and disposal of the firefighting system should be
determined. If a building is not to be immediately demolished, it might be beneficial to retain the fire
protection system in operational mode, if this is feasible.
It is well known that unoccupied or empty (void) buildings are particularly at risk from deliberately
set fires. However, a whole building fire suppression system can, if left in working order when the
building is vacated, continue to protect the structure. Experience in empty retail and factory premises
which have been subjected to arson attacks has shown that even where there are multiple seats of
fire, a working sprinkler system can suppress or even extinguish a fire before the arrival of the fire
and rescue service. This approach might not be practical in abandoned or derelict buildings, where
absence of heating will compromise water‑based fixed firefighting systems. The same would hold
true where electrically powered pumps serve the system. Where pressure vessels form all or part of
the water supply, these can continue to provide an active source of firefighting water.

A fixed firefighting system might have been installed as part of a building’s original fire strategy.
Therefore, when a building fitted with a fixed firefighting system is to be taken over, no decision
should be taken to abandon or remove the system without contacting the relevant insurers and
ascertaining any views which might be expressed by the authorities having jurisdiction.
11 Repeal of local acts

Until 2012, many English counties and metropolitan boroughs had the ability to impose the need
for additional fire protection systems on the owners or occupiers of very large warehouse or other
buildings deemed to present a higher hazard by virtue of size or use. In many cases, the buildings
involved had had their fire strategy designed around the presence of automatic sprinkler systems
and/or smoke ventilation equipment. However, in 2012, all Local Acts were repealed.
Attention is drawn to Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 [20], which
requires that any equipment installed for the safety of life continues to be maintained in good
working order even if installed under repealed legislation.
12 Expected performance and reliability; whole life considerations

12.1 General
Outcomes in the event of a fire are directly related to the satisfactory performance of a system when
called upon. Fixed firefighting systems are systems which often sit idle for long periods of time before
being used. As such, they pose some unique challenges.
The reliability and effectiveness of fixed firefighting systems largely depends on:
a) simplicity of design;
b) system design in accordance with an appropriate standard;
c) installation workmanship;
d) selection and quality of components used; and
e) a suitable ongoing regime of inspection, testing and maintenance.
NOTE Third‑party accreditation (testing, verification and listing or certification) of the following can assist in
improving system availability, reliability and maintainability:
• critical components;
• system design; and
• system installation and the installer.
12.2 Sprinkler system reliability data

NOTE The reliability data given in this subclause are only applicable to sprinkler systems. The data are not
applicable to water mist systems or any other type of fixed firefighting systems. No equivalent reliability data for
any other type of fixed firefighting system were available at the time of publication.
Statistical data shows overall reliability for sprinkler systems for all building types is 88% [21]
or 94.3% [22].

In using such data, at least the following factors should be taken into account:
a) occupancy type;
b) country of origin (i.e. system design, installation and maintenance standards and other
factors); and
c) size and robustness of study (e.g. appropriateness of the statistical techniques employed).
The paper “A review of sprinkler system effectiveness studies” [23] is recommended further reading
for anyone considering using such figures and for those wishing to gain a deeper insight into fixed
firefighting system performance evaluation methods (e.g. by measurement or modelling).
12.3 System and component interoperability

Experience has shown that in many cases system and component interoperability is a desirable
attribute of a fixed firefighting system and its components. This might be because, for example:
a) fixed firefighting systems typically have long installation lives and throughout this period they
might require replacement or updated parts; or
b) equipment suppliers might cease trading or equipment become unavailable; or
c) system parts being available from multiple suppliers tends to lead to increased competition and
thus potentially better value to purchasers.
Sprinkler systems in accordance with BS EN 12845, BS 9251 and BS EN 16925 typically use
key system components which are standardized and can therefore be substituted by a range of
standardized parts, for example:
1) sprinkler heads can be replaced with equivalent sprinkler heads from any manufacturer;
2) an alarm valve can be replaced with another equivalent alarm valve from any manufacturer; and
3) a pump can be replaced by a pump from any manufacturer provided that it provides suitable
hydraulic performance.
Most fixed firefighting system types other than sprinkler systems do not utilize standardized parts
to the same degree. Potential users need to be aware of the potential implications of this situation
through the life of the system.
13 Relationship to other fire safety measures

13.1 General
Installed automatic firefighting systems are highly effective elements of a fire protection strategy
because they are immediately available and designed specifically to meet defined fire hazards.
The extent of the fire strategy is defined by a range of elements, one of which is installed firefighting
systems. While each element is independent of the others, they are mutually supportive and should
be regarded as a whole. The fire protection elements can include:
a) the fire detection and alarm system;
b) first‑aid firefighting measures, e.g. fire extinguishers, hose reels and fire blankets;
c) installed firefighting systems;
d) structural fire protection measures for the building and its contents, e.g. fire‑protective coatings,
structural fire resistance and fire compartmentation;

e) action by the fire and rescue service (including use of their own equipment and installed
equipment such as hydrants, wet and dry risers, fire mains and foam inlets); and
f) smoke ventilation systems; generally, the use of fixed firefighting systems requires ventilation
systems to be shut down upon detection of a fire (see 13.2).
NOTE 1 Attention is drawn to the need in some instances to shut down sources of heat, energy, motion and
ventilation in the case of many fixed firefighting system types.
NOTE 2 For a full description of fire strategy, see BS 9999:2017, 8.3, and BS 9991.
NOTE 3 Gaseous fires require special attention because, if the flow of gas is not quickly stopped after extinguishing
the fire, a serious danger of explosion could arise. The primary consideration in gaseous fires is to isolate the leak
and, if necessary, protect adjacent hazards.
The degree of importance of each element, and the extent of interdependency, varies with the type
of installed system and the characteristics of the hazard. The need for a particular element might be
reduced or eliminated by the success of others, but in some cases all the elements might be required.
13.2 Interactions between suppression and smoke ventilation

Where used, smoke control systems and sprinklers or other suppression systems in combination
should be complementary to each other, and should work together as part of an integrated fire safety
design. Any likely conflicts between systems which might adversely affect the performance of one
another should be taken into account.
Some examples of key areas that should be taken into account are:
a) influence of smoke control on the sprinkler system: it should be verified that the smoke control
system does not distort the sprinkler system actuation sequence or spray pattern whereby it
operates incorrectly, or too few or too many sprinkler heads operate; and
b) influence of sprinkler system on smoke control: it should be verified that the sprinkler system
does not adversely affect the smoke buoyancy where it would be detrimental to the performance
of the smoke control system.
If conflict is likely, and as part of the design process, the design team should determine how these
conflicts can be addressed. This does not necessarily lead to removing one system from the design.
Conflict between the systems can usually be resolved by careful siting, spacing or location of
components, or by delaying activation of one system.
Full scale fire testing might be necessary.
Due to the smaller, lower‑mass droplets produced by a water mist system, the water spray from these
systems is subjected to greater influence by air velocities produced by a ventilation system than
that of sprinklers. This could require additional assessment and/or testing than that needed for a
sprinkler system.
14 Firefighting media
14.1 General
This clause provides information on the general properties of firefighting media and the effects of
firefighting media on people, property and the environment.
The firefighting media available are:
a) water (see 14.2);
b) gaseous media, including inert gases, halocarbon agents and carbon dioxide (see 14.3);

c) foams (see 14.4);
d) powders (see 14.5);
e) condensed aerosols (see 14.6);
f) wet chemicals (see 14.7); and
g) oxygen reduction systems (14.8).
NOTE Reduced oxygen (hypoxic air) systems use an inert gas, nitrogen, to continually maintain a level of oxygen
lower than that needed to support sustained flaming combustion.
It is assumed that occupants will be instructed to leave any area covered by a fixed firefighting system
involved in fire to limit their exposure to products of combustion.
The environmental considerations in 14.3.7, 14.4.7, 14.5.7, 14.6.4, 14.7.4 and 14.8.4 address the
firefighting media themselves, but do not analyse the considerable impact of fire on the environment,
which should not be ignored.
It is essential that a system discharged within one occupancy does not adversely affect the interests,
livelihood or safety of persons within an adjacent occupancy, and this should always be taken into
account when selecting the firefighting system to meet a particular fire hazard. A summary of
possible adverse effects, which need to be avoided, is given in 14.2.4, 14.3.8, 14.4.8, 14.5.9, 14.6.5,
14.7.5 and 14.8.5.
14.2 Water
14.2.1 General properties
Water, which is applied for wetting and surface cooling, is the most widely used firefighting medium
and is likely to remain so because of the following properties.
a) It is inexpensive and usually readily available.
b) It has a high heat capacity, absorbing large amounts of heat as a liquid and even greater amounts
by its conversion to steam. Therefore, it is an effective medium:
1) in jet, spray (e.g. sprinklers) or mist form, for suppressing class A fires, even when these
fires are deep‑seated. It is also capable of extinguishing class A fires;
NOTE 1 As fires in these materials represent the majority of fire hazards, the applications of water in jet
or spray form are profuse.
NOTE 2 Residential and domestic sprinkler systems rely for their effectiveness on the wall‑wetting effect
of the sprinkler discharge as a method of inhibiting fire spread.
NOTE 3 Some test evidence suggests that water mist might be less effective against deep‑seated class A
fires where the initial fire is not hot enough to generate steam.
2) in spray or mist form, for use against class B fires, particularly those of a high flash point
(around 65 °C and above), e.g. diesel oil, transformer oil and lubricating oil;
3) in mist form, for use against fires involving petrol and alcohols;
4) in jet, spray or mist form, for achieving cooling. It is particularly effective:
i) as a spray in cooling exposed building elements or process equipment, such as doors
and windows, subject to radiant heat from an adjacent fire, or fuel storage tanks which
are adjacent to a fire;
ii) as a mist in cooling the fire and its surroundings as well as blocking radiant
heat transfer.

Water can be applied to fires indoors, or just as readily outdoors in circumstances where a fixed
system can be used. When water is delivered as a mist, often at low water delivery rates, the
increased surface area of the water droplets means that it can provide effective protection. The use
of water mist should be limited to applications included in the scope of BS 8458 and BS 8489‑1, or
where supported by fire testing.
For certain types of fuels, the effectiveness of water‑based systems can be increased by the use of
additives, e.g. foam (see 14.4).
When using water, other considerations include:
1) the possibility of electrical conductivity. This is particularly relevant to water when
applied as a jet;
NOTE 4 Fixed high‑velocity water spray systems are used extensively and successfully for the protection of
steam and gas turbine power‑generating equipment and in oil‑filled transformers and switchgear.
2) the effect of low temperatures; and

3) consequential water damage.
NOTE 5 This can be minimized when water is applied in a fixed automatic water‑based system.
14.2.2 Effects on people

Water is non‑toxic to humans unless it has been contaminated by toxic substances, e.g. radioactive or
toxic chemicals wrongfully disposed of, brackish or other sediments and sewage. The source of water
supplies should be tested periodically to verify that the water used does not present a toxic hazard.
Water is not normally a danger to respiration unless it is discharged directly into the face, contains
bacteria and/or is inhaled in aerosol form.
Water supplies, with their dissolved natural salts, conduct electricity to a degree dependent upon the
specific conductance of the solution. Some water mist systems use demineralized water to minimize
this effect.
Care should always be exercised when water is used against electrical equipment using manual
methods of application. Experience has shown that for fixed systems this is less of a concern.
14.2.3 Effects on property

Water with its dissolved salts can be corrosive, particularly to iron and steel, although other metals,
such as brass, bronze and aluminium, are not affected, especially if dried off after exposure.
Automatic sprinkler heads and automatic water mist nozzles operate individually, and only the heads
immediately in the vicinity of the fire operate. Consequently, the identified disadvantages associated
with water discharge are usually confined to areas local to the fire.
14.2.4 Effect of system discharge on neighbouring occupancies

NOTE Water run‑off from any water fire suppression system in a multi‑storey building can cause water damage
to the properties below. This is invariably much less water than would otherwise be applied by the fire and
rescue service.
14.2.4.1 Sprinkler systems

Sprinkler systems provide protection against fire damage, which means that adjacent properties are
likely to remain unaffected by the effects of fire, heat and smoke. Where appropriate, drainage or
retention (in a suitable catchment pond) of water from sprinklered buildings should be provided.

14.2.4.2 Water mist systems

Water mist systems provide cooling of the fire and combustion gases and block radiant heat transfer.
Some water clean‑up might be required.
14.3 Gaseous media

14.3.1 General
The gaseous media available for fire extinction include inert gases (see 14.3.2), halocarbon
agents (see 14.3.3) and carbon dioxide (see 14.3.4). These media have a number of
characteristics, as follows.
a) They are clean agents, i.e. they do not adversely affect the materials against which they are
discharged. However, there is a need to ventilate the area after discharge to remove the
remaining gas, any decomposition products and products of combustion (see 14.3.6).
b) They are particularly useful in extinguishing fires in enclosed equipment within the protected
room where other media might not be able to penetrate effectively. They are best used in those
enclosed spaces with controllable ventilation where the extinguishing concentration can be built
up quickly and maintained to facilitate cooling of the fire zone.
c) They are highly effective in penetrating electrical equipment. If the extinction is rapid, the
equipment can be saved from unnecessary damage from the fire, and there is very little cleaning
up after extinction. Since they are not electrically conductive, they are safe to use in this way,
even against high‑voltage equipment.
d) They cause negative and/or positive pressure changes within the enclosure during discharge,
which usually requires pressure relief vents to be fitted to the enclosure.
14.3.2 Inert gases

The inert gas agents are colourless, odourless, electrically non‑conductive gases, which are used
either as blends of nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide, or, in the case of nitrogen, argon and carbon
dioxide (see 14.3.4), as single component agents. All agents are stored as gases under pressure.
The following are some of the inert gas agents commonly used:
• IG‑01: 100% argon;
• IG‑100: 100% nitrogen;
• IG‑55: 50% nitrogen, 50% argon; and
• IG‑541: 50% nitrogen, 42% argon, 8% carbon dioxide.
14.3.3 Halocarbon agents

The halocarbon agents are colourless, essentially odourless, electrically non‑conductive gases, stored
as liquids under pressure (all of which are super‑pressurized, except HFC‑23). The following are
some of the halocarbon agents commonly used:
• HFC‑125: pentafluoroethane;
• HFC‑227ea: heptafluoropropane; and
• FK‑5‑1‑12: dodecafluoro‑2‑methylpentan‑3‑one.
Halons (1301 and 1211) are no longer used except for a limited number of critical applications as
defined in EC Regulation No. 744/2010 [1] (see Annex B).
HFC‑23 is banned by regulation EC Regulation No. 517/2014 [24] for use in new systems, and
existing systems cannot be refilled.

14.3.4 Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a colourless, odourless, electrically non‑conductive gas, stored as a liquid under
pressure. Under some conditions it is possible for electrostatic discharges to be produced during the
release of carbon dioxide.
14.3.5.1 General
The precautions to be taken when using the gaseous media are covered in detail in the subsequent
parts of BS 5306, BS EN 15004, and the Halon Alternatives Group (HAG) report [25], as appropriate.
The gaseous media do not conduct electricity and do not present a danger of shock if they are
discharged against high‑voltage equipment, provided that the recommended system component
clearance gaps are observed. However, discharge of these media can sometimes be accompanied by a
loud noise and, in some circumstances, brief obscuration of vision.
Protected spaces for gas systems specified in BS EN 15004 can be occupied while the system is in
automatic mode, if the achieved concentration of gas is within safe limits. Special protection measures
are required for CO2, which is toxic at design concentrations. Where concentrations are not within
safe limits or CO2 is used, such systems need to be in the manual mode when the room is occupied
and, in some circumstances, fitted with a lock‑off device. In all cases, there should be an audible and
visible warning that a discharge is about to take place. There should be a delay to facilitate evacuation
prior to discharge. In some circumstances, a hold‑off device that allows occupants to manually
delay the discharge should be fitted. Guidance on the electrical control and actuation of gaseous
extinguishing systems is given in BS 7273‑1.
14.3.5.2 Inert gases and halocarbon agents

The inert gas agents extinguish most fires by reducing the ambient oxygen concentration from 21%
to between 12% and 14%. The halocarbon agents generally extinguish fires by heat absorption
and, in the process, thermally decompose at high temperatures. The amount of agent that can be
expected to decompose in extinguishing a fire depends to a large extent on the size of the fire, the
particular agent, the concentration of the agent and the length of time the agent is in contact with the
flame or heated surface. If there is a rapid build‑up of concentration to the critical value, the fire is
extinguished quickly, and the decomposition is limited to the minimum possible with that agent.
Systems of both types designed to create concentrations lower than the NOAEL can be used in
occupied areas with the system in automatic mode. Those creating concentrations between the
NOAEL and the LOAEL require some additional safety features when used in normally occupied areas.
Those creating concentrations above the LOAEL are not safe for use in normally occupied areas.
NOTE Table 4 shows the NOAEL and LOAEL of inert gases and commonly used halocarbon agents.
Table 4 — Limits for inert gas and halocarbon agent concentrations
Gas NOAEL LOAEL

% %
All inert gases 43 52
HFC‑23 30 40
HFC‑125 7.5 10.0
HFC‑227ea 9.0 10.5
FK‑5‑1‑12 10.0 >10.0
NOTE Values taken from the HAG report [25].

14.3.5.3 Reduced oxygen (hypoxic air)

Reduced oxygen systems create environments with reduced oxygen levels. Prolonged occupation by
people should be subject to a risk assessment, and requires screening of the occupants to identify
those who might suffer adverse health effects at such concentrations. This risk assessment should
take into account the nature of work carried out, as a person’s performance in carrying out certain
tasks can be impaired in low oxygen environments.
14.3.5.4 Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is normally present in the atmosphere at a concentration of 0.03%.
Fire‑extinguishing concentrations of carbon dioxide create a lethal atmosphere, and it is thus
generally confined to normally unoccupied areas. In the event that it is used in a normally occupied
area, it should be fitted with a lock‑off device.
NOTE At carbon dioxide concentrations in the range 5% to 10%, breathing becomes increasingly laboured, and
a 10% concentration might be regarded as the danger level for most people. A concentration of 10% is sufficient to
cause unconsciousness, and if not removed from the area, the subject could die.

The gaseous media do not adversely affect materials, provided that they are discharged in a manner
that does not cause sudden cooling of sensitive electronic and other equipment. As they are “clean”
(see BS EN 15004), they do not leave any residual deposits that require cleaning up after extinction.
However, halocarbon agents can decompose when coming into contact with high temperatures.
Of particular concern would be hazards where permanently hot surfaces might be present. When
and where decomposition products occur, they are corrosive. The main decomposition product is
hydrogen fluoride (HF) (which dissolves in the presence of moisture to form hydrofluoric acid).
Prompt venting of the space after discharge can reduce the likelihood of corrosive action on
materials. This is also relevant to gases that do not produce decomposition products, as the fire itself
produces by‑products which, given the force of a discharge, are distributed widely throughout the
protected space, and might therefore cause corrosion if not removed.
Discharge of gaseous agents causes some pressure changes, including overpressure in some
compartments, which vary according to the particular agent, discharge time, environmental
conditions, natural leakage, etc. Pressure relief devices might be required to avoid damage caused by
such pressurization.
Incidents have been recorded where the discharge of gaseous systems has damaged certain computer
hard disk drives. This has been researched and found to be as a result of the noise generated by the
system (see references [26] and [27]). Extinguishing systems have two major sources of noise: the
alarm devices used to warn personnel to leave the area before the agent is released and the discharge
of the agent itself. The noise output from alarm devices is normally available from manufacturers, but
the discharge from the system can vary according to type of system used. It should be determined
whether it is necessary to take measures designed to reduce the noise reaching the hard disk drives.
This could include, installing the drives in soundproof enclosures, changing the nozzle spacings, and/
or using nozzles that have been developed to reduce the sound output.
14.3.7 Effects on the environment

The gaseous media (with the exception of the halons; see Annex B) do not have an ozone
depletion potential (ODP). Inert gases are naturally occurring and do not have any global warming
potential (GWP).
Halocarbon agents have varying GWPs and atmospheric lifetimes (ATL), and the use of HFC agents is
managed by existing legislation, as outlined in Annex B. FK‑5‑1‑12 is not an HFC and is not subject to

environmental use restrictions. Carbon dioxide used as a fire‑extinguishing agent is also not subject
to any environmental controls.
NOTE Table 5 gives values for the ODP, GWP and ATL of the commonly used inert gases and halocarbon agents.
Table 5 — Environmental rating of commonly used gaseous media
Gas ODP GWP ATL years

IG‑01 0 0 —
IG‑100 0 0 —
IG‑55 0 0 —
IG‑541 0 0 —
HFC‑23 0 12 400 A)
222
HFC‑125 0 3 170 A) 28.2
HFC‑227ea 0 3 350 A)
38.9
FK‑5‑1‑12 0 1 0.014
Carbon dioxide 0 1 —
A)
These values are taken from the IPCC fifth Assessment Report [28]. This report does not include
FK‑5‑1‑12 or the inert gases.

All the firefighting gases (except nitrogen) are denser than air, and on discharge tend to form
mixtures which sink to the lowest possible level. In venting from a protected enclosure, therefore,
it is essential that the discharge of gas and any products of combustion do not create a hazardous
atmosphere in adjacent spaces. The venting arrangements have to be designed such that the
discharge vents outside the building.
NOTE A typical example is the use of a gas for extinguishing a fire in a discrete records store or part of a library
on one of the upper floors of a building, a task for which these agents are eminently suitable due to the lack of
damage to the contents.
14.4 Foams
14.4.1 General
Foams consist essentially of a bubble structure formed by aerating and agitating a solution of a foam
concentrate in water.
Protein foams are made from concentrates based on proteinaceous products alone and with the
addition of fluorinated additives to give fluoroprotein foams. Hydrocarbon and fluorinated surfactant
materials can also be mixed with stabilizers to form aqueous film‑forming foam (AFFF) type
concentrates. These are used for the extinction of fires in hydrocarbons and other water‑immiscible
flammable liquids.
Modifications of fluoroprotein and AFFF foams have been developed that are suitable for use on fires
in water‑miscible flammable liquids, alcohols and ketones. These are the alcohol‑resistant (AR or
AFFF/AR) foams or general‑purpose foams.
Other types of foam currently used are:
a) film‑forming fluoroprotein (FFFP) foam, which is a fluoroprotein foam concentrate with the
ability to form an aqueous film on the surface of some hydrocarbons;
b) fluorine‑free foam (F3), which does not contain fluorinated surfactants; and
c) class F foam for use on oil- and grease‑bearing kitchen equipment.

Foams are classified by their expansion ratio (expansion) – the ratio of the volume of the made foam
to the volume of the solution from which it is made – as follows:
1) low‑expansion foams, with expansions between 1 and 20 (see 14.4.2);
2) medium‑expansion foams, with expansions between 21 and 200 (see 14.4.3); and
3) high‑expansion foams, with expansions between 201 and 1 000 (see 14.4.4).
14.4.2 Low‑expansion foams

Low‑expansion foams are intended primarily for application to the surface of flammable liquid fires.
However, there is no reason why they cannot be applied to solid fuels, provided that adequate
coverage can be obtained to exclude air as much as possible. In practice, low‑expansion foams can be
applied either:
a) to the surface of a burning liquid (surface application); or
b) beneath the surface so that the foam stream floats to the surface and spreads to form a protective
layer or blanket upon it (sub‑surface application).
The first method is the more common and can be used against spill fires and fires in, for example,
bunded areas and fuel tanks, using the appropriate equipment.
14.4.3 Medium‑expansion foams

Medium‑expansion foams can be made from low‑expansion foam concentrates or from a surfactant
concentrate based on ammonium lauryl ether sulfate.
These foams are intended for surface application or for application to fires which require a certain
depth of foam to obtain coverage, typically up to depths of 3 m.
Medium‑expansion foams are generally applied to the surface of flammable liquid fires, either
by hand‑held foam‑making branches or from fixed foam makers. This medium can also be used
effectively on solid fuel fires, or fires of mixed solid and liquid combustibles.
NOTE Examples of situations where medium‑expansion foams might be applied include a fire in a tank
containment bund, a fire in a gas turbine‑driven generating set, a fuel fire in an engine room, heat‑treatment baths
or places where fuel spillages can occur.
14.4.4 High expansion foams

Like medium‑expansion varieties, high‑expansion foams are made from a surfactant concentrate
based on ammonium lauryl ether sulfate.
These foams are intended for filling enclosures, within which a number of fires might be burning, at
different levels, and for LNG spills.
High‑expansion foams are similar in action to medium‑expansion foams, but they require generators
in which high volumes of air are supplied, often by means of a fan, in order to achieve the rate of
flow necessary for their production. They work by blanketing or smothering a fire, but the degree
of cooling available is much smaller than for medium‑expansion foams, due to their lower water
content. They can, however, produce much greater foam depths and can therefore smother a fire
in goods stored on high racks. For this, the depth of the foam needs to increase rapidly in order to
match, or overtake, the upward rate of development of the fire.
High‑expansion foam systems can be effective in fighting fires in confined spaces, such as cable
tunnels and joint chambers, provided that the risk of over‑pressure (arising due to the rapid
expansion in volume of the foam) is taken into account during the design stage.

High‑expansion foams are effective on LNG spills by forming a vapour suppression blanket without
significant degradation by cryogenic LNG liquid.

The commonly used foaming solutions are not toxic to humans, nor are they likely to be a danger to
respiration when applied as a surface layer or foam spray.
There is one situation, however, where high‑expansion foams can be a danger. This occurs where
the foam is being applied to fill an enclosure or volume so as to provide a firefighting facility over a
substantial depth. In such circumstances, occupants can strike hidden objects when moving towards
exits and, where the depth extends above their heads, they can lose vision and hearing and become
disorientated.
Where the foam layer extends to a significant level above the head, it is difficult to prevent foam
causing asphyxia. It is imperative, therefore, that in total flooding systems warning is given to
occupants to evacuate an enclosure before discharge occurs, and that adequate time is given for
them to do so.
Foam solutions conduct electricity in the same way as water with dissolved salts does. The specific
electrical resistance of the solution should be checked to determine the degree of risk. Aerated
foam is less conductive than the foam solution, the specific resistance increasing linearly with
the expansion.
14.4.6 Effects on materials

Most foam solutions can cause corrosion, even if only by removing the grease layer from a metal.
Some of the low‑expansion foam concentrates are corrosive to specific materials. It is therefore
necessary to establish that the foam concentrate selected does not have an adverse effect on the
system in which it is used. This is best achieved by reference to the foam manufacturer, who can carry
out tests where necessary. Valuable equipment wetted by foam in the course of firefighting needs
to be carefully cleaned afterwards, particularly if its subsequent corrosion is likely to affect its life
or operation.

Discharged foam needs to be contained, collected and disposed of safely, either via a foul sewer
(subject to agreement with the local water undertaking) or by incineration.
NOTE 1 Attention is drawn to the Groundwater Regulations 1998 [29], which stipulate that firefighting foams
cannot be discharged to groundwater.
NOTE 2 Attention is drawn to EC Regulation No. 2019/1021 [30], which prohibits perfluorooctane sulfonate

(PFOS)‑containing foams from being used under any circumstances. Fluorine‑based foams have been reformulated
to limit carbon chains to C6, thereby limiting potential degradation to PFOS and higher acids.

Most foam systems are designed to discharge within areas in which flammable liquid hazards
exist, and the likelihood of their affecting neighbouring occupancies is small, since the methods of
discharge are such that foam is not applied outside the affected area. However, the foam might drain
away from the area of application and cause effluent disposal problems or pollute local water sources.
All foams and fire effluent run‑off should therefore be contained.

14.5 Powders
14.5.1 General
Powders are finely divided chemicals with a controlled range of particle sizes, which are used in the
extinction of fires in flammable liquids, gases and solids. They are manufactured in the following
four main types:
a) for use on class B and class C fires (BC powders; see 14.5.2);
b) for use on class B and class C fires [BC (foam‑compatible) powders; see 14.5.2)];
c) for use on class A, class B and class C fires (ABC powders; see 14.5.3); and
d) for use on class Fires (D powders; see 14.5.4).
14.5.2 BC powders and BC (foam‑compatible) powders

BC powders and BC (foam‑compatible) powders are suitable for use on flammable liquids and
flammable gases only. The latter are also suitable for use in conjunction with firefighting foams
without adverse effects on the foam.
They are usually the bicarbonates of sodium or potassium, with a siliconized additive to promote
flow and non‑caking qualities. There is also a proprietary powder based upon an intimate mixture
of potassium bicarbonate and other materials that decrepitates in the fire zone and produces a fine
powder of high performance.
NOTE A flammable liquid fire reflashes when application of powder ceases if an ignition source (including hot
metal) is present.
14.5.3 ABC powders

ABC powders are suitable for use generally on flammable liquids, gases and solids (excepting
flammable metals).
They are based on ammonium phosphates with a siliconized additive. On impact with the surface of a
burning solid, the powder melts and forms a coating that inhibits further combustion. Solid fuel fires
against which ABC powder is used reignite slowly if application stops before extinction.
14.5.4 D powders
D powders are suitable for use on flammable metals. These powders might be subdivided into those
suitable for radioactive metals and those for use on general industrial metals.
They are usually formulated with a specific range of metals in mind, and hence they vary widely in
their characteristics.

Whilst the commonly used powders for class A, class B or class C fires are not toxic to humans, they
are extremely unpleasant to inhale and might cause irritation to the respiratory tract and lungs and
temporary breathlessness. When powders are discharged from a total flooding system, the discharge
of powder markedly reduces visibility, so evacuation should, where practicable, take place before
actuation. If this might not be possible, precautions should be taken against inhalation of the powder
and disorientation of evacuating personnel.
Powders specifically designed to be used against class D fires (particularly those for radioactive
metals such as graphite powder) are intended to be used under controlled conditions where they are
not likely to be inhaled. Some of them are toxic, and all should be treated with caution. It is strongly
recommended that occupants in affected areas wear appropriate respiratory protection.

14.5.6 Effects on materials

Powders discharged onto equipment cling to decorated surfaces, fabric, metals, glass, ceramics,
grease films, etc., and in combining with the moisture of the atmosphere (or firefighting water) can
form an acidic layer which can “bake on” and is corrosive. Many powders have the effect of removing
painted layers. ABC powders melt onto hot surfaces and, after cooling, the hardened coating might be
difficult to remove. Equipment and spaces contaminated with powder need to be cleaned as soon as
possible. However, powder hangs suspended in the air for some time, and contaminated areas could
therefore require cleaning more than once.

All powders are classed as hazardous waste.

Because of the need for an extensive clean‑up following the discharge of powder and the hygroscopic
nature of the powders, their use is not recommended in locations where damage could be caused to
fine finishes or delicate materials.

Powder systems are likely to be a nuisance rather than a danger, since a standard door or window
would hold back the bulk of the powder discharged into an enclosure. The very finest particles might
penetrate, but only in small quantities.
However, there are two possible exceptions, as shown in the following examples.
a) The process of clearing up the discharged powder might affect the production of a neighbouring
occupancy involved in the manufacture of fine electronic equipment, or similar, unless stringent
efforts are made to contain the powder.
b) Where a metal finishing plant uses a special powder to extinguish fires in the outlet duct from a
finishing and burnishing plant, the residues could be a severe impediment to a paint spray plant
in a neighbouring occupancy, unless the metal plant outlet duct is fitted with very efficient filters.
14.6 Condensed aerosols

14.6.1 General
A condensed aerosol is a mixture of an oxidant, combustible component and technical admixtures
producing fire‑extinguishing aerosol upon activation. The aerosol contains solid particulates,
normally a few micrometres in diameter. During the combustion forming the aerosol, there might
be some variation in composition due to numerous factors. These variations (of basic material)
can influence the composition of the aerosol, but it should generally be taken into account that
concentrations of N2 (nitrogen), CO (carbon monoxide), NOx (nitrogen oxides) and NH3 (ammonia)
are produced.
When the fire has been extinguished areas should be ventilated to remove the remaining aerosol, any
decomposition products and products of combustion.
The main advantage of aerosols is the extinguishing efficiency relative to the weight and volume of
agent and storage equipment.

Aerosols can create a toxic atmosphere, and their use should be confined as far as possible to
normally unoccupied areas. In the event that an aerosol is used in an occupiable area, it should be
fitted with a lock‑off device.

As the composition of aerosols varies between manufacturers, each manufacturer is expected to

provide details of the particle size and the by‑products produced either during the generation of the
aerosol or by the aerosol itself, so that any possible physiological effects on people can be assessed.
Aerosols do not conduct electricity and do not present a danger of shock if they are discharged
against high‑voltage equipment, provided that the recommended system component clearance gaps
are observed. However, discharge of these media can sometimes lead to some obscuration of vision.
A condensed aerosol discharges at an elevated temperature. Immediately after discharge, the
aerosol’s generators can be hot.

During discharge, the heat expansion of some aerosols can create overpressure in the enclosure.
The protective enclosure should have sufficient structural strength and integrity to contain the
aerosol discharge. Where necessary, venting should be provided to prevent excessive over- or
under‑pressurization of the enclosure.
The discharge of aerosols produces fine particles which can settle on surfaces and equipment.
These can cause damage, such as corrosion and contamination, to equipment. Attention is therefore
drawn to the need for an assessment of the likelihood and potential impact of such damage and
an immediate post‑discharge ventilation routine, as detailed by the respective aerosol system
manufacturer, to be strictly observed.

As aerosol formulations vary between manufacturers, information about any environmental
considerations for specific agents should be obtained from the manufacturer.

Aerosol systems are used in total flooding applications. They should be used in enclosures that
are capable of establishing and maintaining the appropriate design application density (i.e. the
extinguishing density multiplied by a safety factor, required for system design purposes). Effects of
residues on sensitive equipment or other objects should be taken into account when using these
systems in such spaces.
14.7 Wet chemicals (used in kitchen systems)

14.7.1 General
Wet chemical agents used in kitchen systems (where a class F fire might occur) are aqueous solutions
of organic salts. The agent is sprayed in fine droplet form (atomized) on appliance cooking oil fires.
The composition of wet chemical agents varies between manufacturers, and they should be tested
individually to determine their effectiveness on fires in hoods, ductwork and a variety of specific
cooking appliances. Wet chemicals can provide excellent flame knock‑down and surface cooling, and
some of them react with the hot grease to form a layer of foam on the surface of the fat. This soap‑like
blanket acts as an insulator between the hot oil and the air, helping to prevent flammable vapours
from escaping and thus reducing the chance of reignition.
NOTE Wet chemical systems are not likely to be suitable for large industrial oil cookers.
All appliances or foodstuffs utilizing or incorporating oils or fats, as well as extract ventilation
systems, are potential fire hazards, regardless of the amount of oil/fat being used in the cooking
process. The following are examples of hazards that should be protected:
a) deep oil/fat fryers;
b) griddles/range tops;

c) gas, electric, lava, pumice, synthetic rock, charcoal, wood, upright and chain broilers;
d) woks;
e) hoods;
f) ducts; and
g) plenums.
It is essential that the wet chemical system is tested for suitability to protect the specific appliances.
It is also important that the fuel supply is shut off prior to or during system activation.

Wet chemicals used in kitchens are locally applied, so it is unlikely that they would come into contact
with people during normal use. As each wet chemical is different, treatment for contact can vary, and
the manufacturer’s instructions should be followed.

When applied, wet chemicals come into contact with appliances and equipment. Clean‑up can
normally be accomplished by flushing the equipment with water or steam. Precise clean‑up will vary
according to the specific composition of the wet chemical, and the manufacturer’s instructions should
be followed.

As wet chemicals vary between manufacturers, information about any environmental considerations
for specific agents should be obtained from the manufacturer.

Effects of residues on sensitive equipment or other objects should be taken into account when using
wet chemical systems. The need for clean‑up prior to resuming cooking activities should be taken into
account. Media should be applied in such a way that risk to occupants and neighbouring equipment
is minimized.
14.8 Oxygen reduction systems

14.8.1 General
Oxygen‑reduced air is used as a fire prevention method, through the creation of closely controlled
environments with continuously lowered oxygen concentrations.
Oxygen‑reduced air is introduced into an enclosure to produce an oxygen concentration below that
necessary for combustion. This is achieved primarily (but not exclusively) through the addition
of N2 (nitrogen). Reduced oxygen concentrations can be used to prevent or suppress flaming
combustion, thus creating conditions in which fires cannot readily ignite and develop. The level of
oxygen reduction should be defined by the ignition threshold of fire risks within the enclosure. Lower
oxygen concentrations are needed for some materials, particularly if there is a risk of deep‑seated
combustion, and for fuels that generate class B fires.
Oxygen reduction systems have the following properties.
a) They are highly effective in well‑sealed areas with low leakage rates, for example, archives,
vaults, computer facilities, warehouses and cold storage.
NOTE 1 Users are advised to take into account the continuous energy input required to maintain a low oxygen
atmosphere. Factors include building integrity and compartment size.

b) They provide a continuous level of fire prevention, rather than a discharge of extinguishing agent
once a fire has been detected.
c) There is no residual clean‑up or damage to goods or equipment within the protected space.
d) Although not required to actuate the oxygen reduction system, separate aspirating smoke
detection systems would normally be provided to warn of the presence of pyrolysis and
smouldering combustion.
e) Oxygen reduction systems require detailed risk assessments with regard to occupants likely
to enter the protected space. As oxygen levels reduce, it becomes increasingly important
that adequate provision is in place to protect the health and safety of all people within the
oxygen‑reduced (hypoxic) space, in particular those who are predisposed to be adversely
affected by reduced oxygen levels, such as pregnant women or those with certain medical
conditions (see 9.1.8).
Oxygen reduction systems may be used where:
1) the enclosure is normally unoccupied;
2) the enclosure to be protected has sufficient integrity to retain the reduced‑oxygen atmosphere at
the requisite level; and
3) the fabrics of construction and contents of the enclosure are within the limits of the capability of
the oxygen reduction fire prevention approach.
Particular attention should be paid to the effects of such systems upon the health and safety
of occupants.
NOTE 2 Attention is drawn to the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 [31].

In environments with reduced oxygen levels, occupation by people should be subject to a risk
assessment, with screening of the occupants to identify those who might suffer adverse health effects
at reduced oxygen concentrations. This risk assessment should take into account the nature of work
carried out, as well as the level of oxygen reduction.
Technical or organizational measures should be taken to prevent unauthorized people from entering
protected areas with permanently reduced oxygen levels.
NOTE Attention is drawn to the requirements of the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 [31] in terms of managing
risks associated with creating an oxygen‑reduced environment.

Oxygen reduction systems do not have an effect on property.

Oxygen reduction systems do not have a direct effect on the environment.
14.8.5 Effect of system operation on neighbouring occupancies

The noise output of plant required to maintain the reduced oxygen atmosphere, which can have
relatively high‑duty cycles, should be taken into account.
The risk of a neighbouring volume being affected by the protected space should be taken into
account, and appropriate measures taken to ensure the safety of persons.

15 Electricity and firefighting

Concerns about the dangers of using water as a firefighting media on fires involving live electrical
equipment usually relate to the possible risks of electrocution. This theoretical risk (the HSE have not
recorded any such actual injuries10)) probably originates in tests undertaken by the Paris fire brigade
in the 1930s and replicated in a piece of demonstration equipment at the Fire Service College.
Gaseous systems are electrically non‑conductive and are ideal for use in electrical installations.
There have been several instances where fires have started in server rooms but have been
extinguished by a single sprinkler head, preventing any fire spread from the room of origin.
At the time of publication of this part of BS 5306, the standards for sprinklers and water mist systems
allow these to be omitted in “areas or rooms where water discharge might present a hazard”. For
sprinklers in particular, BS EN 12845:2015, 5.1.3c) is used to justify omission of coverage in switch
rooms, server rooms and transformer chambers.
Given that the risk of electrocution is considered to be minimal, where a full sprinkler system is being
installed, it is recommended that sprinklers be provided in electrical plant rooms [except high voltage
(HV) electrical rooms], unless there are reasons to the contrary (e.g. key equipment which cannot
be wetted). If sprinkler protection is to be omitted, an alternative solution should be chosen, e.g. a
gaseous, water spray or water mist system, or, at the very least, the provision of dry powder and/or
carbon dioxide portables adjacent to electrical equipment.
Guidance on portable fire extinguishers using water‑based media and electrical risk is given
in BS 5306‑8.
BS EN 3‑7 includes a test for dielectric safety.
Where wet systems are clearly unacceptable because of the risk to personal safety or collateral
damage to property, it has been normal practice to install inert or chemical gas flooding systems
where automatic fire suppression is essential.
With regard to water‑based systems in general, power generation companies make extensive use of
water‑based fire suppression equipment to protect turbo‑alternators, switch gear and transformers
at voltages up to 400 kV and involving significant currents (typically 20 000 MVA). Provided that such
systems are designed and installed in accordance with the appropriate standards, it is expected that
they will function as designed.
16 Control of fixed firefighting systems

16.1 General
This clause sets out the general principles and practices involved in the control of fixed firefighting
systems. It describes the control methods for various types of system, and their suitability for
different applications.
In automatic systems, operation is initiated directly by a suitable method of fire detection, which
also initiates a warning locally and usually at a centrally manned point(s), and, in some cases, via an
alarm receiving station to the fire and rescue service. Some systems, other than sprinkler systems,
are usually equipped with a selector switch to provide for either manual or automatic operation,
particularly where the discharge of the agent could be hazardous to occupants in the area affected by
the discharge. Some method of inhibiting operation when the system is undergoing maintenance can
also be provided. The details of these facilities vary from system to system.
10)
See https://www.bafsa.org.uk/water-firefighting-electricity/ for further information.

Where separate fire detection, control and actuation systems are used, they can be mechanical,
pneumatic, explosive or electrical. Recommendations relating to these systems can be found in the
BS 7273 series. Specific additional provisions are set out in BS 6266 covering electronic equipment
installations.
16.2 Water systems

16.2.1 Sprinkler systems
Automatic sprinkler systems have closed heads, i.e. the valve in the head is kept closed by a thermally
sensitive bulb or strut which fractures when heated by a fire, allowing the valve to open and water
to be discharged. The sprinkler head therefore acts as a fire detector and a water distributor.
The discharge of water from the affected sprinklers causes the main alarm valve on the system to
open and permits a continuous flow of water through the opened heads.
A variant of the sprinkler system is the pre‑action system, in which an automatic fire detection system
triggers the main valve, allowing water to flow to the closed heads, from whence it is discharged as
soon as the heads open. Where sprinklers are used to give a controlled discharge over a selected area,
they are fed from a multiple jet control (MJC), which is an in‑line valve opened by the operation of a
bulb or soldered strut. The sprinkler heads fed from the MJC are of the open type.
All sprinkler systems can be manually shut off for maintenance or alterations by closing the
main stop valve.
Sprinkler systems are normally supplied with a local mechanical (water‑powered) alarm, but are
easily connected to an existing fire detection system control panel using a pressure or flow switch.
Thus, they can be connected to an alarm receiving centre which can transmit alarms directly to the
fire and rescue service in accordance with BS 7273‑3.
In the case of pre‑action systems, detection and control systems should be in accordance
with BS 7273‑3.
16.2.2 Water spray systems

Water spray systems use open spray nozzles or projectors. They are typically under the control of
a separate fire detection system that is sensitive enough to give a rapid response to fire conditions,
but not so sensitive as to give false operation under non‑fire conditions. Actuation of the detection
system, usually based on an airline system fitted with sprinkler heads, opens the deluge valve,
allowing water to flow to all the open nozzles that it supplies.
As with sprinkler systems, all water spray systems can be manually shut off for maintenance or
alterations by closing the main stop valve.
Spray systems can be connected to a fire detection control panel via a flow switch.
Electrically actuated system detection and control systems should be in accordance with BS 7273‑3.
16.2.3 Water mist systems

Water mist systems fitted with automatic nozzles operate in a manner identical to sprinklers.
Where open nozzle systems are specified, the system’s control valve should be actuated by a
dedicated fire detection system tailored to the nature of the fire risk.
Electrically actuated system detection and control systems should be in accordance with BS 7273‑3
and BS 7273‑5.
All water mist systems can be manually isolated for maintenance and alterations by closing the stop
valve at the system control valve.

They can also be arranged to provide signals of “fire” and “system operation” to an alarm receiving
centre, which can be connected to the fire and rescue service if required.
16.3 Gaseous systems

Gaseous systems include total flooding, local application and manual hose‑reel systems for
carbon dioxide.
Automatically operated gaseous systems are actuated by automatic fire detection systems. This can
be by various types of detection system. In order to prevent false operation under non‑fire conditions,
systems are generally arranged to respond to a minimum of two detectors, each on different zones
of the detection circuits. This is termed coincidence operation. Following coincidence operation,
a pre‑set time delay (generally not exceeding 30 s) is normally initiated prior to the release of the
gaseous media to allow for evacuation. A “hold” switch can also be included in the protected area
to delay operation of the system until the switch is released. Some carbon dioxide systems are
designed to give a primary discharge to extinguish the initial fire, followed by a secondary discharge
to maintain the extinguishing concentration within the enclosure. The detection and control systems
should be in accordance with BS 7273‑1 and BS 7273‑2.
Other standards (e.g. LPS 1666 [14]) use other approaches to detection and actuation,
e.g. detection tubes.
All gaseous systems are equipped with a means of preventing discharge (“lock off”) when the system
is being serviced or maintained.
NOTE Further information is provided in BS 5306‑4 and BS EN 15004.
16.4 Foam systems

Foam systems encompass a wider variety of types of equipment and some have features in common
with water systems. Therefore, experience of the latter has played a major part in the development of
control of foam systems.
The simplest type of foam discharge system comprises a cylinder or tank of foam solution retained
under pressure by means of a closed sprinkler or sprayer. On operation of the heat‑sensitive bulb or
link, the sprinkler valve opens, and the foam solution is discharged on to the area of the fire as foam.
NOTE 1 Such systems can be used for small oil‑filled transformers, heat treatment baths, and similar applications
to small areas.
Foam‑enhanced sprinkler protection operates on similar principles to low expansion foam systems
where a complete sprinkler system, sprinkler installation or part of an installation might include
foam enhancement.
A common type of low‑expansion foam system, larger than the simple type described, is similar in its
control to a sprinkler system. When one or more of the heat‑sensitive closed spray heads is opened by
the heat from a fire, the ensuing drop of pressure in the trunk main causes a pressure‑sensitive switch
to switch in the pump. This then forces the water to flow through a suitable type of proportioning
device where the foam concentrate is injected, and thence to the now‑open spray heads.
NOTE 2 Where a pre‑mixed foam solution is used, the proportioning device is not required.
Another type of full‑scale automatic foam system includes a fire detection system which relays a
signal to a control and annunciation panel. This panel gives audible and visual alarms and also sends
a signal to start a water pump that supplies water and opens the foam system control valve. The flow
of water induces another flow of foam concentrate in the correct proportion, and the two streams mix
to form a foam solution. The foam solution is delivered through hydraulically designed pipework to a
series of open nozzles, from which it is discharged.

Other types of foam system, e.g. protection of storage tanks by fixed pourers or monitors or
by sub‑surface application, are usually operated manually on receipt of an alarm given by a
heat‑sensitive or other form of fire detection system.
Medium- and high‑expansion foam systems can be operated by point or linear system fire detection
devices suitable for the fire and hazard being addressed. The detection and control panel also has a
manual/automatic selector switch and a time delay facility to allow occupants to leave the area after
the warning is given. The time delay can be up to 30 s.
16.5 Powder systems

Small systems typically containing less than 20 kg of powder are normally used to protect a specific
fire hazard, e.g. a heat‑treatment bath or a carding machine, where fires could occur frequently. Such
a system could be discharged by heat‑actuated devices. Larger modular systems, typically up to
approximately 100 kg, could be operated by similar equipment and would be used to protect larger
hazards in places where occupants would not normally be present during the time at which a fire is
most likely, e.g. engine test bays.
Systems above 100 kg can be operated by full‑scale detection systems with manual/automatic
selection, coincidence connection and time delay as appropriate, in a similar manner to
gaseous systems.
NOTE Explosion suppression systems can also utilize dry powder, but are outside the scope of this part of BS 5306.
16.6 Condensed aerosols

Aerosol systems are typically actuated by automatic detection systems in the same way as gaseous
systems, and the detection details in 16.3 would apply.
Automatic activation can be performed by a coincident detection system initiating a signal via a
control panel to activate one or more generators. Local thermal activation is also possible, whereby
individual generators are automatically activated when an in‑built thermal ignition device is
heated by a fire.
Automatic systems should also have a means of manual actuation.
Areas should have adequate precautions to prevent exposure to the aerosol, including time delay,
manual/automatic selection and emergency hold devices, in a similar manner to gaseous systems.
NOTE Further information is provided in BS EN 15276‑2.
16.7 Wet chemical (used in kitchen systems)

Kitchen systems are normally actuated by automatic detection systems, with a means of manual
actuation. Most detection systems that are employed use fusible link detection, but other detection
methods are also potentially suitable.
16.8 Oxygen reduction systems

The oxygen reduction system control and monitoring process is carried out by continuously
measuring the oxygen concentration within the protected area. The oxygen concentration is
controlled by a minimum of three independent BS EN 50104 oxygen sensors per area (the number
increasing according to the volume of the enclosure). These sensors monitor the oxygen level in the
protected space. Separate fire detection systems would normally be provided to warn of the presence
of pyrolysis and/or smouldering combustion.
The oxygen level data are transmitted to a control panel located in a designated area. Oxygen‑reduced
air is introduced into the protected area automatically according to the demand. A display of
the actual oxygen concentration should be visible from outside the entrance(s) of the protected

enclosure(s). It should be possible to stop the further reduction of the oxygen‑reduced environment,
from outside the protected enclosure.
The control panel should include, as a minimum:
a) a continuous display of the oxygen concentration level measured in each protected space;
b) alarm indications at oxygen alarm levels measured on any of the oxygen sensors in the
protected area;
c) oxygen sensor fault and fault status indication;
d) online/offline status controlled by a secure switch;
e) control of the range of oxygen concentration levels acceptable for each protected space and the
associated alarms, with safeguards so that levels cannot be accidentally adjusted; and
f) a power supply conforming to BS EN 54‑4, with sufficient battery backup for 24 h in the event of
mains failure.
An abnormally low oxygen concentration level (the lower alarm threshold) alarm should trigger
automatic shutdown to stop the further reduction of the oxygen‑reduced environment.
17 Installation, inspection and testing of systems and equipment

The standards discussed in Clause 9 give requirements, recommendations and guidance for design,
installation, commissioning, handover, maintenance and testing of fixed firefighting systems.
For acceptance tests, the date and programme are first communicated to all parties involved, and a
joint inspection of the system is made. The agreed test programme is then carried through and might
comprise the following items:
a) the date and time of inspection/test;
b) the responsible persons carrying out/witnessing tests;
c) the test programme, including fan integrity testing for gaseous systems and discharge testing for
water spray, foam and gaseous systems (where applicable);
d) the test results and conclusions;
e) any external factors significantly affecting the test;
f) subsequent action agreed as necessary;
g) the work carried out as a result of e) and f) and the result of retests, if any;
h) the final test report; and
i) other actions as required by the system standard or manufacturers’ requirements.
The user should be provided with suitable training and all relevant documentation in relation
to the system. System design, installation and maintenance standard usually specify expected
documentation. This part of BS 5306 also refers to several aspects of system specification
(see Clause 4 to Clause 8, and additional clauses as appropriate to the system) which are to
be documented.

18 Servicing and maintenance of systems

18.1 General
Given the critical role of fixed firefighting systems, it is essential that they are properly maintained.
Guidance on the servicing and maintenance of each type of system or equipment is given in the
relevant British Standard (see Clause 9) and the system manufacturers’ instructions. As with
installation, inspection and testing, there is much common ground in the approach to this subject but
there are some differences to suit the different systems. Each standard notes, however, that a regular
programme of servicing and maintenance is essential, and, if possible, it should be formalized by
means of an inspection and service schedule agreed between the user and the installer, their agent or
a servicing organization. The details of the servicing agreement vary between the different systems.
18.2 Fire mains (including hydrants), hose reels and foam inlets
Field experience shows that maintenance of these systems is often overlooked, and therefore good
practice recommendations are highlighted in this subclause.
It is recommended that the following maintenance instructions are provided to the owners or
occupiers of the building.
a) All fire hydrants should be inspected at least once a year by a competent person to verify that
pressure and flow are satisfactory, that there are no obstructions and that all isolating valves are
locked in the open position.
b) All dry fire mains should be checked every six months to verify that all valves are fully
serviceable, and a wet pressure test should be carried out annually to verify that there
is no leakage.
c) All wet fire mains should be similarly checked, and, in addition, water storage tanks and booster
pumps should be checked for operational serviceability.
d) All hose reels should be checked regularly to verify that there are no leaks, the valves operate
satisfactorily, the nozzle outlet is not choked, and the nozzle can be moved between “jet” and
“spray” positions without difficulty. The hose should be run out fully at least once a year and
subjected to operational water pressure. At the same time, the booster pumps may be checked,
and the flow rate of each hose reel measured to check that it is not less than the minimum
recommended in BS 5306‑1.
e) Defects in equipment should be rectified as soon as possible by a competent person. If delay
ensues, the fire and rescue service should be warned, and warning notices should be posted in
the building at the appropriate place. The fire and rescue service should be informed as soon as
the equipment is serviceable again.
Further guidance is given in BS 9990, BS 5306‑1 and BS EN 671‑3.

Annex A (informative)
Glossary of terms
NOTE This annex provides a glossary with details of document types and bodies referred to in this part of
BS 5306. Other similar bodies might also exist.
A.1 Types of standards publications

A.1.1 BS (British Standard)
standard of UK national origin, developed and published by BSI following the principles set out
in BS 0:2016
A.1.2 BS EN (British Standard)

standard developed by CEN committees and published by BSI as a UK standard, which normally
supersedes and replaces a UK standard for same application
A.1.3 BS code of practice

type of British Standard giving recommendations and guidance which usually reflect current good
practice as employed by competent and conscientious practitioners
A.1.4 BS specification
type of British Standard giving a coherent set of absolute requirements, each of which is
objectively verifiable
A.1.5 EN (European Norm)

European Standard developed by CEN committees and published in all CEN member countries by a
local body such as BSI after successful formal voting
A.1.6 PAS (Publicly Available Specification)

BSI or ISO document, usually developed by external sponsorship and published to respond to an
urgent market need, representing either the consensus of the experts within a working group, or a
consensus in an organization
NOTE As with Technical Specifications, ISO PASs are published for immediate use and also serve as a means to
obtain feedback for an eventual transformation into an International Standard. ISO PASs have a maximum life of
six years, after which they can be transformed into an International Standard or withdrawn. PASs of UK national
origin are reviewed at intervals not exceeding two years. They can be transformed into a British Standard, or
constitute part of the UK input into the development of a European or International Standard.
A.1.7 prEN (provisional European Norm)

draft European Standard in development by CEN committees, which might be open for public
comments and not yet submitted for formal vote by member countries
A.1.8 TS (Technical Specification)

CEN or ISO document that addresses work still under technical development, or where it is believed
that there will be a future, but not immediate, possibility of agreement on an International Standard
NOTE A Technical Specification is published for immediate use, but it also provides a means to obtain feedback.
The aim is that it will eventually be transformed and republished as an International Standard.

A.1.9 TR (Technical Report)

CEN or ISO document that contains information of a different kind from that of prENs and TSs
NOTE A Technical Report might include data obtained from a survey, for example, or from an informative report,
or information of the perceived “state of the art”.
A.2 Test, certification and standardization bodies

A.2.1 BRE Global
part of the BRE Group (Building Research Establishment); an approval, testing and certification body
that publishes LPS documents (see A.3.2) in support of product and application certification, e.g.:
a) product certification requirements;
b) fire test performance requirements
A.2.2 BSI (British Standards Institution)

UK national standard body (NSB), which publishes standards in the UK and worldwide
A.2.3 CEN (European Committee for Standardization)

European standards organization comprised of member state representatives of National Standards
Bodies, such as BSI
A.2.4 FM (Factory Mutual)

North American organization with two distinct operating divisions:
a) FM Global – Insurance company;
b) FM Approvals – approval and certification body
A.2.5 LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board)

trading name of BRE Global; a third‑party certification (www.redbooklive.com) and standards
writing body
A.2.6 NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)

US Codes and Standards organization written by balanced consensus committees and usually adopted
as code into US building regulations
A.2.7 UL (Underwriters Laboratories)

US‑based approval and certification body that publishes UL documents in support of product and
application certification, e.g.:
a) product certification requirements;
b) fire test performance requirements
A.3 Other terms

A.3.1 CE marking
marking which shows presumption of conformity to applicable European Directives or Regulations

A.3.2 LPS (Loss Prevention Standard)

document published by BRE Global (LPCB), e.g. in support of product listing specifications or fire test
performance protocol requirements
Annex B (informative)
Environmental considerations for certain
halocarbon agents
NOTE Attention is drawn to the following regulations in respect of the legal requirement for companies and
personnel involved in activities associated with halon and certain fluorinated greenhouse gases to be certificated:
• halons: The Ozone Depleting Substances (Qualifications) Regulations 2006 [32];
• certain fluorinated greenhouse gases: EC Regulation No. 304/2008 [33].
B.1 Halon
B.1.1 Halon manufacture
Under the 1987 Montreal Protocol [34] on substances that deplete the ozone layer, the production
of halons identified as ozone‑depleting compounds was banned in developed countries
from 31 December 1993. This ban was implemented and enforced in the European Community
through EC Regulation No. 3093/94 [35], which is enacted in the Environmental Protection (Controls
on Ozone‑Depleting Substances) Regulations 2002 [36], which prohibit the production of halons, and
controls their supply and use. The use of halon 1211 and 1301 is restricted to the “critical uses” listed
in the EC Regulation No. 3093/94 [35].
B.1.2 Withdrawal of halon systems and extinguishers

Amendments to the Montreal Protocol during the 1990s, along with the increased availability of
technologies for replacing ozone‑depleting substances, led to the introduction of control measures
stricter than those imposed by EC Regulation No. 3093/94 [35], which led in turn to further
Regulations being developed in Europe. EC Regulation No. 2037/2000 [37] prohibited the use of
virgin halon in new land‑based systems from 1 October 2000. After 31 December 2002, it became an
offence to supply halons that have been recovered, recycled or reclaimed in existing extinguishers,
and all systems were to be decommissioned by 31 December 2003, except for “critical uses”. It also
became an offence to possess a halon extinguisher from this date, unless this is for one of the “critical
uses”. EC Regulation No. 744/2010 [1] prohibits the placing on the market and use of halons and of
products and equipment containing halons, except for the “critical uses” listed in this Regulation.
B.1.3 Withdrawn halon systems and extinguishers

Halon extinguishers withdrawn from service are required to be emptied in such a way that the
halon is recovered, either for the possibility of re‑use or for disposal by a non‑contaminating
method. To this end, they have to be sent to an authorized disposal agent with the facilities and
expertise required to recover or destroy the halon. The Ozone Depleting Substances (Qualifications)
Regulations 2006 [32] set the minimum qualifications for anyone who handles halon. These
Regulations require that any person handling halon either for disposal or critical uses is certified to
show that they meet the minimum requirements.
NOTE This includes removing halon from a customer’s site.

B.2 Fluorinated greenhouse gases

B.2.1 Definition of gaseous fire extinguishing agents covered by Fluorinated
Greenhouse Gas Regulations
Fluorinated greenhouse gases as identified in EC Regulation No. 517/2014 [24], include
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and other
greenhouse gases that contain fluorine and are listed in the Regulation. HFCs and PFCs have been
used as fire extinguishing agents in the United Kingdom. FK‑5‑1‑12 is not covered by the fluorinated
greenhouse gas regulations.
B.2.2 Regulations
Under EU Regulations, some restrictions exist in respect to the use of HFCs and PFCs in fire
protection. EC Regulation No. 842/2006 [38] set in place certain requirements that were captured
through additional Regulations:
• EC Regulation No. 1493/2007 [39] – reporting by producers, importers and exporters;
• EC Regulation No. 1494/2007 [40] – labelling;
• EC Regulation No. 1497/2007 [41] – leakage checking requirements; and
• EC Regulation No. 304/2008 [42] – certification of companies and personnel.
EC Regulation No. 842/2006 [38] banned the use of PFCs in fire protection (systems and
extinguishers) from 4 July 2007.
EC Regulation No. 842/2006 [38] was repealed in 2014 and replaced by EU Regulation
No. 517/2014 [24], which introduced some additional requirements in relation to labelling
and leakage.
EU Regulation No. 517/2014 [24] introduced quotas for the quantity (based on the total
CO2 equivalency) of fluorinated greenhouse gases that are allowed to be imported into the EU, based
on 100% of the quantity imported in 2015, reducing to 21% by 2030. The quotas apply to fluorinated
greenhouse gases as a group of chemicals and does not automatically represent a specific reduction
in the quantity of HFCs that may be imported or used in fire protection, since quota reduction from
importers can be achieved by reductions across a range of fluorinated greenhouse gases.
EU Regulation No. 517/2014 [24] introduced a ban in the use (placing on the market) of HFC‑23 for
fire protection from 1 January 2016.

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Standards publications
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
BS 0, A standard for standards – Principles of standardization
BS 5306‑8, Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises – Selection and positioning of
portable fire extinguishers – Code of practice
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fire extinguishers – Code of practice
BS 5306‑10, Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises – Part 10: Colour coding to
indicate the extinguishing media contained in portable fire extinguishers – Code of practice
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BS 9990:2015, Non automatic fire‑fighting systems in building – Code of practice
BS 9991, Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings – Code of practice
BS 9992, Fire safety in the design, management and use of rail infrastructure – Code of practice
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and hose systems with lay‑flat hose
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for components
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maintenance14)
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for components
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and test methods for components
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installation and maintenance
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maintenance16)
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modification of buildings or rooms intended for the storage or use of heritage collections
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and maintenance
BS EN 50104, Electrical equipment for the detection and measurement of oxygen – Performance
requirements and test methods
BS EN 50600‑2‑5, Information technology – Data centre facilities and infrastructures – Security systems
BS EN ISO 12100, Safety of machinery – General principles for design – Risk assessment and
risk reduction
BS EN ISO 19353, Safety of machinery – Fire prevention and fire protection
BS EN ISO/IEC 17021, Conformity assessment – Requirements for bodies providing audit and
certification of management systems
BS EN ISO/IEC 17024, Conformity assessment – General requirements for bodies operating
certification of persons
BS EN ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
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BS EN ISO 80000‑1, Quantities and units – General
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prEN 14972 (all parts), Fixed firefighting systems – Water mist systems18)
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[3] GREAT BRITAIN. Companies Act 2006. London: The Stationery Office.
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[4] GREAT BRITAIN. Building Regulations 2010 and subsequent amendments.

London: The Stationery Office.
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[7] BUSINESS SPRINKLER ALLIANCE. Business resilience through property protection.
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[8] BRE GLOBAL. Requirements and test methods for the LPCB approval and listing of personal
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[14] BRE GLOBAL. Requirements and test procedures for the LPCB approval of direct low pressure
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[15] FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION. LPC rules for automatic sprinkler installations (incorporating
BS EN 12845). Gloucestershire: FPA, 2015.
[16] NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION. Standard for the installation of sprinkler systems.
NFPA 13. Quincy, MA: NFPA, 2019.
[17] NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION. Standard on Water Mist Fire Protection Systems.
NFPA 750. Quincy, MA: NFPA, 2019.
[18] BRE GLOBAL. Requirements and test methods for the approval of watermist systems for
use in commercial low hazard occupancies. Loss Prevention Standard 1283. Watford: BRE
Global, 2014.
[19] BRE GLOBAL/LONDON FIRE BRIGADE. Guidance on the use, deployment and limitations of
personal protection systems in the homes of vulnerable people. Watford: BRE Global, 2015.
[20] GREAT BRITAIN. Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. London: The Stationery Office.
[21] NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION. U.S. experience with sprinklers. Ahrens,
USA: NFPA, 2017.
[22] OPTIMAL ECONOMICS. Efficiency and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in the United Kingdom:
An analysis from fire service data. (Report commissioned by National Fire Chiefs Council and
National Fire Sprinkler Network.) Edinburgh: Optimal Economics, 2017.
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19)

[23] FRANK. K., GRAVESTOCK, N., SPEARPOINT, M. et al. A review of sprinkler system effectiveness
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fluorinated greenhouse gases and repealing Regulation (EC) No. 842/2006. Luxembourg:
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2014.
[25] HALON ALTERNATIVES GROUP. A review of the toxic and asphyxiating hazards of clean agent
replacements for halon 1301. Petersfield: The Halon Users National Consortium, 2003.
[26] JOHNSON CONTROLS. Impact of sound on computer hard disk drives and risk mitigation
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[27] SIEMENS. Silent extinguishing – Disruptions to hard disk drives caused by inert gas extinguishing
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[28] INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE. IPCC fifth assessment report: Climate
change 2014. Geneva: IPCC, 2014.
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Parliament and of 2 April 2008 establishing, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 842/2006 of
the European Parliament and of the Council, minimum requirements and the conditions for
mutual recognition for the certification of companies and personnel as regards stationary fire
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[38] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Regulation (EC)

No. 842/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on certain
fluorinated greenhouse gases. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European
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[39] EUROPEAN COMMISSION. Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1493/2007 of 17 December 2007
establishing, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 842/2006 of the European Parliament and of
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of certain fluorinated greenhouse gases. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the
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establishing, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 842/2006 of the European Parliament and
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BSI Standards Publication

Fire protection installations and

Part 0: Guide for selection, use and application of fixed

Publishing and copyright information

© The British Standards Institution 2020

Published by BSI Standards Limited 2020

ISBN 978 0 539 03277 2

The following BSI references relate to the work on this document:

Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

Date Text affected

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© THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION 2020 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED i

9.2 Manual systems 42

ii © THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION 2020 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Relationship with other publications

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© THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION 2020 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1

2 © THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION 2020 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

3 Terms and definitions

3.1 authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)

3.2 class A fire

3.3 class B fire

3.4 class C fire

3.5 class D fire

3.6 class F fire

3.7 competent person

3.8 condensed aerosol

© THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION 2020 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3

3.9 condensed aerosol generator

3.10 control valve set

3.11 deluge system

3.12 design concentration

3.13 design density

3.14 extinguishing concentration

3.15 fire extinguishment

3.16 fire mains

3.16.2 wet fire main

3.17 fire suppression

4 © THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION 2020 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

3.18 firefighting medium

3.19 foam branch

3.20 foam inlet

3.21 foam monitor

3.22 foam‑making branch pipe

3.23 fluorinated surfactant

3.25 fire hazard

3.26 high‑racked storage

3.27 hose reel (water)

3.28 hypoxic air

3.29 in‑cabinet system

© THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION 2020 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 5

3.30 landing valve

3.31 liquefied natural gas (LNG)

3.32 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

3.33 local application system

3.34 lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL)

Sprinkler to BS 9251 ◐A) ◐B) C)

Air handling / Compressor room

Loading bays ◐G) V)