AlanaFire Risk Assessment and Appraisal is used for assessing the risk to occupants caused by a fire spreading over or within the walls. The assessment can be used to determine if, in specific circumstances, remediation may be necessary. It is useful when there is a possibility of an explosion from combustible materials found in the external walls.
The FRAA considerations are external wall construction, spandrel, and photovoltaic panels. This assessment is very comprehensive and must be completed by highly competent assessors.
PAS 99880 provides recommendations and guidance regarding the fire risk assessment (FRAA) for an external wall constructed in multi-story residential buildings.
What Is PAS9980?
British Standard: PAS9980. Code of Practice offers guidance and recommendations on conducting a fire safety appraisal and assessing the external wall constructions of multistorey, multi-occupied residential homes.
The PAS has two objectives: it provides a standard procedure that can consistently be used to assess and record the risk of fire spreading through all external wall assessments and helps those receiving the assessments better understand the findings.
The standard can be used by fire engineers and other professionals in the building industry who have to advise on fire risks of exterior wall construction for existing blocks.
What Types of Buildings Does the PAS 9980 Cover?
The PAS 9980 addresses multi storey blocks. However, the PAS 9980 also includes the following types. If, from the perspective of general fire strategy and means to escape design, and particularly evacuation strategy, they have a similar nature to a purposely-built block, flats:
- Student accommodation
- Sheltered or other specialised housing
- Flats created from converted buildings
What Type of Walls Does PAS9980 Cover?
The PAS 9980 addresses the risk of fire spreading over external walls of multistorey flats of any size.
The PAS 9980 applies to situations with a single or mixed wall type. It also covers buildings that can be partially or fully clad with combustibles.
The scope of the PAS includes wall build-ups such as:
- External walls featuring rain screen cladding, with insulation or not in the cavity
- External thermal insulation system composites (ETICS), including those that contain rendered insulation
- Insulated core (“sandwich”) panels
- Glazed facades featuring infill/spandrel panels
- Substrates such as concrete blockwork or brick, steel framing systems (sfss), and timber framing
- Curtain walls
Who Is PAS 9980 Designed For?
The PAS 9980 has been specifically developed for use as a tool by fire engineers.
It can be used by any other building professionals and those who do such appraisals and make decisions based only on the frames. This usually includes:
- Building surveyors
- For architects
- Facade engineers
- Project managers
- Cladding contractors
- Property owners/landlords
- Agents managing or facility managers
- Local housing authorities
- Fire and rescue services
- Building control bodies
- Advice agencies
- Insurance
- Valuers and mortgage lender
Conclusion
The PAS 9980 has a concise format and offers a lot more information. This includes a history of fire regulations and standards, case studies from fire incidents, and a glossary.
Facade Consultants are dedicated to providing our clients with services to comply with regulatory requirements, including appraisal reports and fire risk assessments. Please don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know about your needs.
FR Consulting reports will enable owners and managers of multi-occupancy residential buildings to see if their buildings have the potential for a fire hazard and if any remedial work is needed.
