Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) - Part E 2012

Fire Safety Certificate Application - Compliance

Report For

Proposed Retail / Office

Development At

The Shore Road / York Road

Junction Belfast

Co. Antrim

Northern Ireland
CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION 2

1.1 PROJECT OVERVIEW 2

1.2 COMPLIANCE WITH LEGISLATION 2
1.3 PURPOSE GROUP CLASSIFICATION 2

2.0 DEMONSTRATION OF COMPLIANCE 2

2.1 MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF FIRE 3

2.2 CONSTRUCTION 6
2.3 ACTIVE FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS 8
2.4 EXTERNAL FIRE SPREAD 10
2.5 FIRE SERVICE PROVISIONS 12

3.0 REFERENCES 13

4.0 APPENDIX 14
4.1 FLOOR PLAN DRAWINGS

1
 1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PROJECT OVERVIEW

The proposed building comprises 7 storeys of accommodation with retail on ground floor, office
accommodation from 1st to 5th floor and an enclosed rooftop plant room on the top floor level. Each
storey has a footprint of 900m2 and a floor to floor height of 4m, with the top floor of office
accommodation situated 20.00m above ground level. The retail unit on ground floor has a lettable floor
area of 750m2 and the office accommodation comprises lettable area of 800m 2 per floor. It is proposed
to let each floor to individual tenants.

The building is designed as a shell and core as the internal layout is yet to be confirmed. The building
construction comprises reinforced concrete columns and floor slabs. External cladding to the building
includes a combination of traditional masonry cavity wall construction and architectural cladding
panels.

The site is bounded on the North and East Elevations by public roads. On the South Elevation the
proposed site is adjacent to an existing building, and there is a public laneway on the West Elevation.

1.2 COMPLIANCE WITH LEGISLATION

This Report is submitted with drawings in support of an application for a Fire Safety Certificate under
The Building Control Regulations Northern Ireland (2012) for the proposed construction of a new retail
/ office building at the Junction of Shore Road and York Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

By employing Technical Booklet E (TB-E) (Department of Finance and Personnel, 2012) as the
principle guidance document for this Report it is demonstrated that the proposed development, if
completed in accordance with the drawings and design details submitted with the application together
with performance requirements prescribed in this Report, will comply with the requirements of Part E
(Fire Safety). It is noted that the objective of the fire safety measures set out in this Report is to satisfy
the obligations of the Building Regulations, which are concerned with the health, safety and welfare of
persons in and about the proposed building. Additional measures may be necessary to protect against
the risk of property and consequential loss; such measures are however a matter for the client and his
Insurers. This Report deals with each of the specific requirements of Part E in particular:

▪ E2: Means of Escape in Case of Fire

▪ E3: Internal Fire Spread (Linings)
▪ E4: Internal Fire Spread (Structure)
▪ E5: External Fire Spread
▪ E6: Access and Facilities for the Fire Services

1.3 PURPOSE GROUP CLASSIFICATION

Location Usage Purpose Group Classification(1)

Ground Floor Retail PG 4

Upper Floors Office PG 3

NOTES (1) Purpose Group classification as per Table A.1 of TB-E.

(2) Top floor plant considered ancillary accommodation as per Appendix A.2 (c)(iii) of
TB- E as does not occupy more than one fifth of the overall compartment area.

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 2.0 DEMONSTRATION OF COMPLIANCE

2.1 MEANS
BASIS OF
FOR ESCAPE IN CASE OF FIRE
COMPLIANCE

Location Design
Basis
Entire Building Relevant recommendations of Section 2 of Technical Booklet E:
(Retail, Office & Plant) 2012 [TB-E].

2.1.1 DESIGN FOR HORIZONTAL ESCAPE

2.1.1.1 No. of Escape Routes - Estimated Peak Occupant Levels

Location / Area(1) Usage Floor Space Estimated Peak Min.

Room Reference (m2) Factor(2) Occupant No.
(m2/person) Level (persons) Escape
Routes(3
Ground Floor Retail 750 Retail 2.0 375 2
First Floor Office 800 Office 5.0 160 2
Second Floor Office 800 Office 5.0 160 2
Third Floor Office 800 Office 5.0 160 2
Fourth Floor Office 800 Office 5.0 160 2
Fifth Floor Office 800 Office 5.0 160 2
Sixth Floor Plant 650 Plant 30.0(4) 22 2(5)

NOTES (1) Refers to area of room or storey, as appropriate, with area calculated in
accordance with paragraph 2.37 and Appendix B of TB-E: 2012.
(3) Floor space factors as per Table 2.2 of TB-E: 2012. It is noted that paragraph 2.37 of
TB-E permits the occupant capacity to be determined as the maximum number of
persons the room or storey is designed to hold (where this is known) or of the number
calculated using the appropriate occupant load factors.
(4) Minimum number of escape routes as per Table 2.1 of TB-E.
(5) Onerous estimation based on storage type accommodation. In reality this space is
likely to be infrequently occupied by no more than 3-4 people for inspection,
maintenance and repair.
(6) Increased number of exits required where single direction travel distance limits are
exceeded.

2.1.1.2 Travel Distances

As the internal layout of each floor is not yet known, the critical direct travel distances have been
identified on the accompanying Fire Safety Certificate plan drawings and are summarised in the Table
as follows, in all other areas the travel distances are well within the recommended limits.

Location / Room Reference Maximum Distance Recommended(1)

Proposed (m) Limits (m)
Dead End Alternative Dead End Alternative

Ground Floor Retail 12.0 26.0 12.0 30.0

Upper Floor Offices 6.0 27.0 12.0 30.0
Top Floor Plant(2) 6.0 22.0 6.0 23.3

NOTES (1) Recommended direct travel distance limits ex Table 2.3 of TB-E.
(2) Plant room is of an ordinary hazard classification.

3
2.1.1.3 Storey Exit Widths

Location Estimated Peak Proposed Minimum Exit Capacity

Occupant Exit Widths (mm)(2) (persons)(3)
Demand(1) (persons)

Ground Floor Retail 375 3 @ 1100 440

Upper Floor Offices 160 2 @ 1100 220
Top Floor Plant 22 2 @ 750(4) 50

NOTES (1) Estimated peak occupant loading as set out in Section 2.1.1.1 of this Report.
(2) Width refers to:
(a) Minimum aggregate clear width when the door or doors are open as
per Diagram B.6 of TB-E. Door hardware which does not intrude more than
100mm into the width may be ignored. Note: It is assumed that the door or
doors open to an angle of at least 90 deg.
(b) Clear width of corridor/passageway measured between walls or
other obstructions such as columns, at shoulder level (i.e. 1500mm above floor
level) -: all obstructions (i.e. door hardware, handrails and skirtings) which
intrude less than 100mm into this width are disregarded. It is noted that widths
in Table above are the minimum required widths for Part E compliance. Widths
in excess of these may be proposed to meet functional or other considerations
such as Technical Booklet R (Department of Finance and Personnel, 2012).
(3) Allowing for the discounting of one (widest) exit and capacity calculated in
accordance with paragraph 2.52 and Table 2.4 of TB-E.
(4) Although the plant room has 3no. exit doors, two of which lead to the same storey
exit and are therefore may be at risk of being taken out simultaneously in a fire.

2.1.1.4 Evacuation Considerations

Giving consideration to the building height and footprint, the building is being designed on the basis of
“Simultaneous Evacuation” as outlined in paragraph 2.65 of TB-E, where the escape stairways and
final exits will have the capacity to allow all floors to be evacuated simultaneously.

2.1.2 VERTICAL ESCAPE

2.1.2.1 Stair Sizing

All parts of the proposed development are provide with access to 2no. escape stairs. As each floor has
been provided with lobby protection, there is no requirement to discount. Thus, the total occupant
loading(1) is calculated as:

[(160 x 5) + 22] / 2 = 411

Persons

Therefore, each stair will have a minimum clear width of 1100mm (2), providing an exit capacity for 420
persons(3) per stair, which is sufficient capacity to cater for the estimated peak occupant demand.

As the south stair does not communicate with the ground floor retail unit the final exit will have a clear
width of 1100mm. The final exit from the north stair needs to cater for the merging flow of the office
and retail. The merging flow is calculated as follows from Clause 15.6.6 and Figure 6(1) of BS
9999:2017 (British Standards Institution, 2018):

WFE(4) = Sup + WSE => WFE = 1100 + 1100 => WFE = 2200mm

NOTES (1) Ex Section 2.1.1.1 of this Report.

(2) Width refers to clear width between walls or balusters subject to handrails not
intruding more than 100mm.
(3) Stairway capacity in accordance with Table 2.6 of TB-E.
(4) The formula for calculating the width of the final exit is based on the assumption that D
< 2m and N > 60 persons.

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2.1.3 PROVISION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Disabled access and egress from the proposed extension should comply with TB-R: 2012 and BS 5588
Part 8 (British Standards Institution, 1999). However, for the purposes of TB-E compliance, the
following apply:

2.1.3.1 Refuge Spaces

As per the requirements of paragraph 2.77 of TB-E, refuge spaces (min 1400mm x 900mm) are
provided on the landings of both the North and South Stairs at all upper floors except the top floor
which consists exclusively of plant accommodation and is thus not a suitable area for a person with a
disability.

Although paragraph 2.77 of TB-E states that the amount of refuges need not necessarily equal the sum
of the number of wheelchair users who can be present in the building, where the alternative evacuation
measures are not in place, it is recommended that the amount of refuge spaces on each floor be
commensurate with the expected number of impaired persons expected who may have difficulty
escaping unaided down a stair as per the recommendations in Annex G of BS 9999: 2017.

It should be noted that no reliance should be placed on rescue by the Fire and Rescue Service for
occupants availing of these areas. Appropriate fire safety management procedures should be put in
place to ensure occupants of refuge spaces are evacuated by trained fire safety mangers and delegated
staff.

2.1.3.2 Two Way Communication

In accordance with the recommendations in paragraph 2.81 of TB-E, an emergency voice
communication system should be provided complying with BS 5939-9 (British Standards Institution,
2011) and consist of a Type B outstation at each refuge which communicates with a master station
located adjacent to the fire alarm panel to enable communication between management members who
are organising evacuation and those temporarily waiting in refuges.

5
 2.2 CONSTRUCTION
BASIS FOR COMPLIANCE: Section 4 of Technical Booklet E: 2012 [TB-E]

2.2.1 STRUCTURAL FIRE RESISTANCE - REQUIRED FIRE RESISTANCE RATINGS

Location Purpose Height / Depth (m) Design Minimum Proposed Period of

Groups Reference Fire Resistance (mins)

Proposed Table 4.2

3&4 18 < H < 30 90
Development of TB-
E

2.2.2 SCHEDULE OF ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE(1)(2)

The list below details the relevant elements of structure as applicable to the proposed development

Item 1 Structural Framing Members Beams and columns (excluding those only supporting a
roof not used for means of escape) to achieve
90minutes loadbearing capacity (on exposed faces).
Item 2 Load Bearing Walls Load bearing walls supporting the floor slabs are to
achieve 90minutes load bearing capacity (on each side
separately).
Item 3 Floors Floor construction to achieve 90minutes loadbearing
capacity, integrity, and insulation (from the underside).
Item 5 External Walls External walls, excluding permitted unprotected areas,
are to achieve 90min stability, integrity, and insulation
rating (each side separately) on the Shore York
Lane
elevation where the boundary distance is < 1m. On all
other elevations, where the boundary distance is > 1m,
external walls, excluding permitted unprotected areas
are to achieve 90minutes stability and integrity, and
15minutes insulation rating (from the inside).
The extent of unprotected area permitted is set out in
Section 2.4.2.3 of this Report.
Item 8 Protected Shafts The south stair is a designated protected shaft from
ground to first floor and is to achieve loadbearing
capacity, integrity, and insulation (on each side
separately). See Item 9 below for the construction of
the stairway above ground floor.
Item 9 Protected Stairway As the south stair does not contain openings which
communicate with the ground floor accommodation it
can be constructed as a protected stairway from first
floor upward, and is therefore to achieve 30mins
loadbearing capacity, integrity and insulation(3) (each
side separately).
Item 10 Firefighting Shafts The north stair is a designated firefighting shaft. The
shaft is to achieve 120minutes loadbearing capacity,
integrity, and insulation (from the remote side), and
60minutes loadbearing capacity, integrity and
insulation (from the shaft side). This is excluding any
part within the shaft separating the firefighting
stairway, firefighting lift and the firefighting
lobby
which is to achieve 60 minutes loadbearing capacity,
integrity and insulation (each side separately).
Item 11 Protected Lobby Enclosure Protected lobbies to the south stair to achieve 30
minutes stability, integrity and insulation(3) (each side
separately).

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 Item 16 Cavity Barriers Cavity barrier construction to achieve 30 minutes
integrity and 15 minutes insulation (each side
separately).
Item 20 Fire Doors Fire doors to be FD60S or FD30S rated as appropriate
as per Table 4.5 of TB-E. Locations of fire rated doors
are indicated on the accompanying floor plan drawings.

NOTES (1) Elements of structure as defined in Section 1 and Table 4.1 of TB-E.
(2) It is noted that elements which only support the roof do not fall within the scope
of the “elements of structure” definition and therefore do not require any fire
resistance rating, excluding the variations in paragraph 4.11 of TB-E.
(3) See Table 2.8 of TB-E for permitted extent of uninsulated glazed elements.

2.2.3 COMPARTMENTATION
As per paragraphs 4.17 and 4.18 of TB-E, compartment walls or floors as appropriate should be
provided to separate parts of the building which are in different purpose groups, therefore, the floor
between the ground floor shop and the first floor office will be constructed as a compartment floor. The
upper floors will not be constructed as compartment floors as per paragraph 4.18 of TB-E, which states
that it is not a requirement to provide compartment floors between the separate tenant office levels.
However, it should be noted that additional compartment floors can be provided should the client
require a greater amount of permitted unprotected area than that calculated in Section 2.4.2.3 of this
Report. The plant accommodation on the top floor is considered as ancillary and as such does not need
to be a constructed as a separate compartment.

As the North stair is a firefighting shaft it is enclosed full building height in compartment wall
construction as per paragraph 4.15 of TB-E. In order to complete the separation between the retail and
office space, the South stair is enclosed in compartment walls from ground to first floor.

2.2.3.1 Compartment Limits

The table below outlines the largest proposed compartment sizes associated with each purpose group
for the proposed development.

Use No. of Purpose Size Proposed Compartment Limit(1)

Storeys Group Area (m2) Vol (m3) Area (m2) Vol

Retail 1 4 750 3000 2000 No limit

Office 6 3 800 19,200(2) No Limit No limit

NOTES (1) Compartment limits as per Table 4.4 of TB-E.

(2) Ancillary plant accommodation included in office compartment volume calculations.

2.2.3.2 Junctions of Compartment Walls / Floors

All compartment enclosures are being constructed to 90 minutes fire resistance rating to form a
complete fire barrier. Where compartment walls or floors meet a compartment wall or external wall the
junction is to be fire stopped to maintain the fire resistance of the compartmentation in accordance
with paragraph 4.20 of TB-E. Where the compartment walls meet the underside of the roof above, the
compartment wall to roof junction is to be detailed in accordance with Diagram 4.2 of TB-E.

2.2.3.3 Openings in Compartment Walls and Floors

Openings in compartment walls will be restricted to the following:
➢ Any door openings in a compartment wall should be protected with a self-closing fire door as per
paragraph 4.29 to 4.35 of TB. It should be noted that the width of openings for fire doors in a
compartment wall should be not more than 25% of the length of the compartment wall.
➢ Any passage of pipes, ventilation ducts, chimneys, appliances ventilation ducts, or ducts encasing
one or more flues pipes, which meet the provisions in paragraphs 4.43 to 4.47 of TB-E;
➢ Protected shafts which meet the relevant provisions of paragraphs 4.25 to 4.28 of TB-E.

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 2.3 ACTIVE FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS
BASIS FOR COMPLIANCE: Relevant recommendations of Technical Booklet E: 2012 [TB-
E] supported by extracts from BS 9999: 2017.

2.3.1 FIRE DETECTION & ALARM SYSTEMS

Paragraph 2.38 of TB-E: 2012 recommends a suitable fire detection and alarm system be designed to
BS 5839-1: 2002 + A1: 2008 be installed. BS 5389-1 does not recommend which category of system
be installed, however, an informative annex (Annex A) suggests a Category M system for office and
retail. Reference to BS 9999:2017, which supersedes the aforementioned BS 5839-1, suggests a
Category L2M system for office and retail (A3 and B3 Risk Profile) which would be deemed a more
appropriate system in scenarios where escape routes are shared between multiple occupancies. BS
5389-1 also recommends the provision of manual call points, even in buildings with comprehensive
fire detection, as people in the vicinity of the fire will normally be aware of the fire, and able to raise
the alarm before it is detected automatically.

Therefore, a Category L2M fire detection and alarm system will be installed throughout the proposed
building comprising:

 Automatic detection (smoke and heat detection as appropriate) shall be provided

throughout escape routes and rooms off escape routes, including detection within high
risk areas such as the plant room in accordance with the relevant requirements of the
Category L2 level of coverage.
 Sounders sufficient to 65dBA, or 5dBA above normal ambient noise levels > 30secs in
duration, throughout the development.
 Manual call points at final exits and storey exits.

On activation of the AFDS: (subject to programming):

▪ Electric locks on doors on escape routes are to release.

▪ Lifts, except the designated firefighting lift, are to return to final exit level (ground floor
level), unless the fire is at that level, in which case the lift shall return / stay at 1st floor
level. The doors on the lift shall open and remain open until the fire alarm system is
reset.
▪ Re-circulating HVAC systems are to shut down.

2.3.2 SUPPRESSION

2.3.2.1 Sprinklers
Not applicable to the proposed design, i.e. the proposed design demonstrates compliance with the
requirements of the Building Regulations without the need for a suppression system.

2.3.2.2 Portable Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers are to be provided in accordance with the recommendations of BS 5306-8
(British Standards Institution, 2012).

2.3.3 SMOKE CONTROL PROVISIONS

In the north stair is being designed as a firefighting shaft, smoke control provisions are required for
both the firefighting stairs and lobbies. Paragraph 6.6 of TB-E refers to BS 5588-5 (British Standards
Institution, 2004) for the design of firefighting shafts. However, the BS 5588 suite of documents have
been superseded by BS 9999: 2017, in which Section 27.1 sets out requirements relating to the
ventilation of firefighting shafts. As the firefighting shaft serves a building with a top floor less than
30m above ground level natural smoke ventilation in accordance with Section 27.1.4 can be employed.

As per Table 21 of BS 9999, the firefighting stair should be provided with either a manually openable
vent at each storey with a minimum free area of 1.0m 2 or minimum aerodynamic free area of 0.7m 2.
Alternatively, the stair can be provided with a remotely or automatically openable vent at the head of
the stairs with an aerodynamic free area of 0.7m2.

8
 In terms of lobby ventilation, Table 21 of BS 9999 requires every lobby above ground to be provided
with an openable vent of 1.5m 2 minimum free area or a minimum aerodynamic free area of 1.0m 2
which can be manual or automatic in conjunction with the type of stair ventilation selected. The lobby
vent should be sited as near to the ceiling of the lobby as practicable and should be at least as high as
the door connecting the lobby and the stairwell. When in the closed position, the lobby vents should
either:
▪ have a minimum fire and smoke resistance performance of 60 min and a leakage rate no
greater than 200 m3/h/m2 when tested in accordance with BS EN 1366-2; or
▪ be in accordance with BS EN 12101-8.

The manual, remote and automatic vents should be in accordance with paragraph 27.1.5.1, 27.1.5.2 and
27.1.5.3 respectively.

2.3.4 EMERGENCY LIGHTING

Escape lighting(1) is to be installed in accordance with BS 5266-1 (British Standards Institution, 2011)
and should be provided in the following areas:

(a) Both the north and south stairways(2) and lobbies off the stairs as they serve a storey more than
18m above ground.
(b) All windowless accommodation.
(c) Open plan areas more than 60m2 in area.
(d) All internal and external escape routes on the ground floor retail accommodation.

NOTES (1) Escape lighting requirements as per Table 2.9 of TB-E.

(2) Escape lighting to stairways should be on a separate circuit to that supplying
any other part of the building.

9
 2.4 EXTERNAL FIRE SPREAD
BASIS FOR COMPLIANCE: Section 5 of TB-E and BRE Report BR 187
(Building Research Establishment 2014).

2.4.1 ASSESSMENT PRINCIPLES

Protection against the external fire spread of fire from one building to another is related to the distance
between a building and each of its relevant boundaries and the extent of the unprotected area in the side
of the building that faces the boundary. The provisions limit the extent of openings and other
unprotected areas in the sides of a building which would not give adequate protection against the
external spread of fire from one building to another, and are based on a number of assumptions such as;

(a) That the fire will involve a complete compartment but not spread to other compartments;
(b) That the intensity of a fire is related to the use of the building and will be moderated by a
sprinkler system where it is provided;
(c) That a building, which has an identical elevation, is located on the opposite side of, and the
same distance from, the relevant boundary; and
(d) That radiation from that part of the external wall, which has the fire resistance required by
Section 4, is discounted unless its external surface is combustible as described in paragraph
5.10 of TB-E.

In terms of external wall fire spread, boundary distance calculations are based upon the general
principle that the building should be separated from its relevant boundaries by at least half the distance
at which the total thermal radiation intensity received from all unprotected areas in the external wall
would be 12.6kW/m2 (in still air) assuming the radiation intensity at each unprotected area is 84kW/m 2
in offices and 168kw/m2 in retail. These figures are extracted from the Building Research
Establishment Report (BR 187: 2014) and is based on the experimental data in BS 7974 (British
Standards Institution, 2001), in particular BS PD 7974-1 (British Standards Institution, 2003) in
estimating the intensity of the fire based on the expected fuel load densities for different building /
compartment occupancies.

The designation of roof covering is also an important parameter in respect of external fire exposure
and should be determined by testing in accordance with BS 476-3 (British Standards Institution, 2004)
(National Class) and expressed by two letters in the range A to D with AA classification being the best
or be classified within the European system as B ROOF(t4) to EROOF(t4) in accordance with BS EN
13501-5, with BROOF(t4) being the highest performance and FROOF(t4) being the lowest. The minimum
from any part of the roof, other than a plastic rooflight, to the relevant boundary should not be less than
that given in Table 5.7 of TB-E for the relevant designation of roof covering, however, there are no
restrictions on the use of roof coverings designated AA, AB, or AC (National Class) or B ROOF(t4)
(European class).

2.4.2 SPACE SEPARATION

2.4.2.1 External Wall Surfaces

It is noted that the surfaces of the external walls of the proposed development shall comply with the
requirements of Table 5.1 of TB-E as follows;

Location Purpose Distance from Height of Minimum External

Groups Boundaries (m) Elevation (m) Surface Performance

North & East Elevations 3&4 > 1.0 > 18.0 Class 0 / Class B-s3,d2(1)
West Elevation 3&4 < 1.0 > 18.0 Class 0 / Class B-s3,d2

NOTES (1) Applies to surfaces 18m or more above ground level. Surfaces below this level
should be a material which has an index of performance (I) of not more than 20
when tested to BS 476-6 (British Standards Institution, 1989) (National class); be of a
classification Class C-s3,d2 (European class) or higher; or be timber cladding at
least 9mm thick.

10
2.4.2.2 Construction of External Walls
External cladding to the building comprises architectural cladding panels on traditional masonry cavity
wall construction complying with Diagram 4.5 of TB-E, and therefore satisfies the requirements of
paragraph 5.4 of TB-E for a supporting material of limited combustibility. It should be noted that where
an external wall has the appropriate fire resistance but has a combustible material more than 1mm thick
as its external surface, that wall should be considered to have an unprotected area amounting to half the
actual area of the combustible material as shown in Diagram 5.3 of TB-E.

2.4.2.3 Unprotected Areas

External fire spread by virtue of unprotected areas in the external wall is assessed using the enclosing
rectangle method, as detailed below;

Location Appropriate Available Distance Permitted(3) Proposed %

Enclosing to Relevant(2) Unprotected Unprotected
Rectangle (mxm)(1) Boundary (m) % Area Area

North Elevation(4)
Ground Floor Retail 6x9 2.5 20% ≤ 20%
1st – 5th Floor Office 24 x 9 2.5 23% ≤ 23%

East Elevation(5)
Ground Floor Retail 6 x 30 10.0 70% ≤ 70%
1st - 5th Floor Office 24 x 30 10.0 42.5% ≤ 42.5%

West Elevation(6) - - - -
South Elevation n/a n/a n/a n/a

NOTES (1) Any part of the external wall of a protected stairway is discounted when selecting the
appropriate enclosing rectangle to calculate the amount of unprotected area.
(2) ‘Relevant’ boundary as defined in paragraph 1.1 of TB-E.
(3) Ex Table 1 of BR187.
(4) Relevant boundary to the centreline of the Shore Road.
(5) Relevant boundary to the centreline of York Road.
(6) West elevation is within 1m of the relevant boundary at Shore York Lane
and
therefore no unprotected areas other than those in Diagram 5.4 of TB-E.

11
 2.5 FIRE SERVICE PROVISION
BASIS FOR COMPLIANCE: Section 6 of TB-E: 2012 supported by BS 5588-5 (superseded by BS
9999)

2.5.1 FIREFIGHTING SHAFTS

As per the requirements of paragraphs 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 of TB-E, as the building has a storey greater
than 18m above fire and rescue level, has a floor area on any floor of not greater than 900m 2, and isn’t
fitted with a sprinkler system, it will be provided with at least 1no. firefighting shafts. As the north stair
serves all storeys and the lobby contains a lift, it will be the designated firefighting shaft.

The firefighting shaft will be constructed as follows:

1. As the internal layout of the floors is not yet known, the firefighting shaft is located so that every
part of every storey (other than fire and rescue access level) is not more than 40m, in a direct line
from a fire main outlet. As seen from the accompanying floor plan drawings, the maximum
distance on any floor to the fire main outlet is ≤ 27m.

2. The shaft should be designed and constructed in accordance with the relevant recommendations of
BS 5588-5, now superseded by BS 9999: 2017, i.e.:

a. Ventilation requirements as per Section 2.3.3 of this Report.

b. Contain a firefighting lift complying with BS EN 81-1 (British Standards Institution,
1998) or BS EN 81-2 (British Standards Institution, 1998) as appropriate for the
particular type of lift and BS EN 81-72 (British Standards Institution, 2015).
c. Be provided with a dry main designed and constructed in accordance with the relevant
recommendations of BS 9990 (British Standards Institution, 2015), and located in the
firefighting lobby. The dry main is fitted with an outlet connection and valve at every
level other than at fire and rescue access level (ground) in the locations indicated on the
accompanying floor plans.

It should be noted that an additional door has been provided to allow occupants using the stair to
escape without interfering with firefighters in accessing the firefighting lift in the firefighting lobby.

2.5.2 VEHICLE ACCESS

As per paragraph of 6.19 of TB-E, the provisions for vehicle access are related to whether or not the
building has a fire main or mains and, where it does not, to the size and height of the building. As the
building has been provided with a dry riser it falls under 6.19(d), as such, access for a pumping
appliance will be provided to within 18m, and within sight of, the fire main inlet connection point at
the firefighting shaft to the north elevation of the building.

Vehicular access is provided along the public shore road to the north elevation in close proximity to
the firefighting shaft, and is therefore in accordance with paragraph 6.20 and Table 6.2 of TB-E. As
the height of the top floor is greater than 11m above ground level, the hard standing will be suitable
for a high reach type appliance and designed to have a minimum carrying capacity of 17.0 tonnes,
with the ability for a tender to drive along the perimeter of the building without the need for a
turning facility.

12
 3.0 REFERENCES

Legislation
Department of Finance and Personnel (2012). The Building Regulations Nrthern Ireland, S.I No. 192.

Technical Booklets
Department of Finance and Personnel (2012). Technical Booklet E: Fire Safety.
Department of Finance and Personnel (2012). Technical Booklet R: Access and
Use.

British Standards
The British Standards Institute (2018). BS 9999: Fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings.
The British Standards Institute (1999). BS 5588 Part 8: Fire safety in the design, management and use of
buildings.
The British Standards Institute (2011). BS 5588 Part 9: Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code
of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice communication
systems.
The British Standards Institute (2012). BS 5306 Part 8: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on
premises. Selection and positioning of portable fire extinguishers. Code of practice.
The British Standards Institute (2004). BS 5588 Part 5: Access and facilities for fire-fighting.
The British Standards Institute (2011). BS 5266 Part 1: Code of practice for the emergency escape lighting of
premises.
The British Standards Institute (2011). BS 5266 Part 1: Code of practice for the emergency escape lighting of
premises.
The British Standards Institute (2001). BS 7974: Applications of fire engineering principles to the design of
buildings - Code of practice.
The British Standards Institute (2004). BS 476-3: Fire tests on building materials and structures. Classification
and method of test for external fire exposure to roofs.

The British Standards Institute (1989). BS 476-6: Method of tests for fire propagation of products.

The British Standards Institute (2015). BS 9990: Non automatic fire-fighting systems in buildings. Code of
practice.

British European Standards

The British Standards Institute (1998). BS EN 81-1: Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts –
Part 1: Electric lifts.

The British Standards Institute (1998). BS EN 81-2: Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts -
Part 2: Hydraulic lifts.

The British Standards Institute (2015). BS EN 81-72: Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts.
Particular applications for passenger and goods passenger lifts - Part 72: Fire-fighters lifts.

Reports & Published Documents

The Building Research Establishment (2014). External Fire Spread: Building separation and boundary
distances.
IHS Global Limited.

The British Standards Institute (2003). PD 7974 Part 1: Applications of fire engineering principles to the design
of buildings – Part 1: Initiation and development of fire within the enclosure of origin (Sub-system 1).

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