UK national standards body the BSI has opened a public consultation for the new code of practice for fire risk appraisal and assessment of external wall construction and cladding of existing blocks of flats.
The consultation on the standard, named PAS 9980: Fire risk appraisal and assessment of external wall construction and cladding of existing blocks of flats – Code of practice, will remain open until 20 May.
It will give recommendations and guidance on undertaking a fire risk appraisal and assessment (FRAA) of the external wall construction of a multi-storey, multi-occupied residential building.
The purpose of the FRAA is to assess the risk to occupants from a fire spreading externally over or within the walls of the building, and to make a decision on whether or not remediation is necessary. It is applicable where the risk is known or suspected to arise from the presence of combustible materials within the external wall build-up.
The standard is intended for use by fire engineers and other building professionals tasked with advising on the fire risk of external wall construction of existing blocks of flats, as well as other building professionals who make decisions based upon the outcome of the FRAAs.
The BSI is seeking views from the construction, fire, housing and safety industries as well as from consumers and residents.
Comments can be registered online at: https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2020-01838
Following consultation, the standard is due to be published in September 2021.
