FireSafe24
Reference Guide

UK Fire Safety Standards

Master list of current UK fire safety standards — 2026 edition. Structured for fire engineers, consultants, and building control professionals.

Important Notice

  • • "Current" = latest published or in-force edition as of 2026
  • • BS EN standards are multi-part and updated individually — some parts may have newer amendments than others
  • • Always verify the current edition via BSI (bsigroup.com) before using on contractual or professional work

⚠️ Key 2024–2026 Changes You Must Know

BS 9991 → 2024

Major update to fire safety in residential buildings

BS 5839-1 → 2025

Major update to non-domestic fire detection & alarm systems

BS 5266-1 → 2025

Updated code of practice for emergency lighting

BS 476 being removed

Full removal of old fire resistance tests by 2029

BS EN 13501 mandatory

EN classification system becoming mandatory for material classification

BS 9999 revision in progress

Non-residential design standard undergoing revision

EN 54 / EN 12101 continuous updates

Individual parts of these multi-part series updated on a rolling basis

🔥 Master List — UK Fire Safety Standards (2026)

StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS 9999Fire safety in non-residential buildings2017 (current – revision underway)Current
BS 9991Fire safety in residential buildings✅ 2024 (latest)✅ Updated
BS 7974Fire engineering principles2019 (current)Current
PAS 79Fire risk assessment methodology2020 (current widely used)Current

BS 5839 Series — Codes of Practice

StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS 5839-1Non-domestic fire alarms✅ 2025 (major update)✅ Updated
BS 5839-6Domestic alarms2019 + A1:2020Current
BS 5839-8Voice alarm systems2023Current
BS 5839-9Emergency voice comms (EVCS)2021Current

BS EN 54 Series — System Components (mandatory product standards)

Multi-part system — all current, parts updated individually. Full suite contains 25+ parts.

StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS EN 54-2Control panelsCurrentCurrent
BS EN 54-3SoundersCurrentCurrent
BS EN 54-4Power suppliesCurrentCurrent
BS EN 54-5Heat detectorsCurrentCurrent
BS EN 54-7Smoke detectorsCurrentCurrent
BS EN 54-11Manual call pointsCurrentCurrent
BS EN 54-16Voice alarm controlCurrentCurrent
BS EN 54-23Visual alarm devicesCurrentCurrent
BS EN 54-20Aspirating smoke detectors (ASD) — Class A, B & C sensitivityCurrentCurrent
StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS 5266-1Emergency lighting code of practice✅ 2025 (latest)✅ Updated
BS EN 1838Emergency lighting performanceCurrent (EN standard)Current
BS EN 50172Emergency escape lighting systemsCurrentCurrent

Portable Extinguishers

StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS 5306-3Portable extinguisher inspection & maintenance2017Current
BS 5306-8Selection & positioning2012Current
BS EN 3 seriesPortable fire extinguishersCurrent (EN suite)Current

Sprinklers & Suppression

StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS EN 12845Fixed firefighting systems — Automatic sprinklers (commercial)CurrentCurrent
BS 9251Sprinkler systems for residential premises2021Current
BS EN 15004Fixed firefighting systems — Gas suppressionCurrentCurrent
BS EN 13565Fixed firefighting systems — Foam systemsCurrentCurrent
BS EN 671Fixed firefighting systems — Hose reelsCurrentCurrent
BS EN 12416Fixed firefighting systems — Powder systemsCurrentCurrent
BS EN 16282Equipment for commercial kitchens — Kitchen suppressionCurrentCurrent
StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS EN 1634-1Fire resistance and smoke control tests — Fire door assembliesCurrentCurrent
BS EN 16034Fire resisting and/or smoke control doorsets (product standard)CurrentCurrent
BS 476-22Fire resistance tests — Non-loadbearing elements⚠️ Being phased out⚠️ Phasing Out
BS 8524-1/2Fire curtainsCurrentCurrent
BS EN 1366 seriesFire resistance tests — Service installations (dampers, ducts)CurrentCurrent

Current System (mandatory direction of travel)

StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS EN 13501-1Reaction to fire classification for construction productsCurrentCurrent
BS EN 13501-2Fire resistance classificationCurrentCurrent
BS EN 13823Single burning item (SBI) fire testCurrentCurrent
BS EN ISO 11925-2Ignitability testCurrentCurrent

Old System — Being Removed

UK regulations are moving fully to the EN classification system.

StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS 476 seriesFire tests on building materials and structures❌ Phased out — removal started 2025, full removal by 2029❌ Removed
StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS EN 12101 seriesSmoke and heat control systems (all current)CurrentCurrent
BS EN 12101-2Smoke vents (natural)CurrentCurrent
BS EN 12101-3Powered smoke and heat exhaust ventilatorsCurrentCurrent
BS EN 12101-6Pressure differential systemsCurrentCurrent
BS 7346 seriesComponents for smoke and heat control guidanceCurrentCurrent
StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS 8519Selection and installation of fire-resistant power and control cable systemsCurrentCurrent
BS EN 50200Fire resistance of cablesCurrentCurrent
BS 6387Fire performance of cablesCurrentCurrent
StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS EN 54-16Voice alarm control and indicating equipmentCurrentCurrent
BS 5839-8:2023Voice alarm systems — Code of practice2023Current
StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS EN ISO 7010Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signsCurrentCurrent
BS 5499 seriesSafety signs including fire safety signs (guidance)CurrentCurrent
StandardTitleEdition / Status
BS EN 81-72Safety rules for lifts — Firefighting liftsCurrentCurrent
BS 7273 seriesFire alarm interfaces and auxiliary functionsCurrentCurrent
BS 7273-4Actuation of fire door release mechanisms2015 + A2:2023Current
StandardTitleEdition / Status
Approved Document BFire safety — Volume 1 (dwellings) & Volume 2 (non-dwellings)2019 edition + 2020, 2022, 2025 amendments live. 2026 & 2029 further updates scheduled.✅ Updated

✅ Professional Baseline — 2026

If you are working in UK fire safety in 2026, your minimum standard set should include:

BS 9991:2024
BS 9999:2017 (pending update)
BS 5839-1:2025
BS 5266-1:2025
BS EN 54 (latest parts)
BS EN 12101 series
BS EN 13501 classification system
Approved Document B (2025 amendments)

Always verify current editions at bsigroup.com before specifying or quoting standards on professional documentation. Standards are regularly amended and this guide should be used as a working reference only.

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