Evacuation alert systems are becoming a critical component in the fire-safety arsenal for high-rise residential buildings, spurred by post-Grenfell reforms aimed at enhancing protection. Central to this process is the role of third-party certification in ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of these systems.
The need to verify the competence of fire-system installation and maintenance contractors prompted BAFE, the UK’s independent register of quality third-party certificated fire-safety organisations, to launch the Evacuation Alert Systems Scheme SP207 in 2020. This scheme highlights the crucial role of third-party certification in ensuring system reliability and contractor expertise.
By achieving compliance through this certification, contractors can independently demonstrate their proficiency. NSI, the UK’s premier certification body in the security and fire-safety sectors, contributed significantly to the development of this scheme and became the first certification body licensed by BAFE to provide independent audits of organisations for SP207 in October 2020.
Evacuation alert systems have recently gained national attention, as post-Grenfell legislative changes have recommended their use in high-rise buildings. These systems are not intended to replace fire detection and alarm measures but serve as a crucial tool in expediting the alert process for Fire & Rescue Services (FRS) as a ‘last resort’ measure when the ‘stay put’ strategy is no longer viable.
They enable the FRS to effectively alert occupants to evacuate specific areas or the entire building in a controlled manner without requiring direct, door-to-door communication. This targeted approach allows firefighters to prioritise critical evacuation areas and optimises the deployment of firefighters for evacuation purposes.
Typically, these systems comprise secured evacuation alert control and indication equipment, with manual controls for the FRS to activate evacuation alert sounders in designated groups of flats and communal areas such as gyms, restaurants and roof gardens that may also need to be evacuated. To accommodate residents with disabilities, the systems may also feature visual alerts, vibrating pillow pads and vibrating pagers, ensuring comprehensive coverage and accessibility.
Legal imperatives
Following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017, significant changes were made to fire-safety legislation in the UK including revised building regulations, and enhanced standards and codes of practice. Initially, the Scottish government recommended installing evacuation alert systems in new residential buildings over 18m high, in a recommendation stemming from the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 1 report. This led to the introduction of BS 8629:2019 to ensure the efficacy of these systems. Reflecting the important and evolving nature of this fire-safety measure, amendments to this standard were considered just two years later and introduced in March 2023.
In England, separate amendments to the Building Regulations (Approved Document B) came into effect in December 2022, stating that evacuation alert systems should be provided in all new high-rise residential buildings taller than 18m. Fire safety in approximately 12,500 high-rise residential buildings in England is governed by the Building Safety Act 2022, which defines ‘higher-risk’ buildings as those that are 18m tall or higher, or at least seven storeys with two or more residential units. Existing buildings of this height undergoing substantial alterations in the future will also need to comply. However, these requirements have not yet been introduced in Wales or Northern Ireland.
Ensuring compliance and competence
Evacuation alert systems must be inspected, tested and supervised by a competent person every six months, with the system’s certificate of compliance renewed accordingly. Failure to do so results in non-compliance with BS 8629, potentially making ‘Duty holders’ liable to prosecution and rendering insurance invalid.
As fire-safety standards continue to evolve, evacuation alert systems are poised to become standard in high-rise residential buildings, with potential expansion to lower-height blocks through future legislation. For those responsible for overseeing installation, inspection and maintenance of these systems, selecting providers with NSI approval and BAFE registration ensures the highest level of competence and reliability.
The integration of evacuation alert systems, bolstered by stringent certification and regulatory frameworks, represents a significant advancement in safeguarding residents of high-rise buildings, aligning with the broader objectives of post-Grenfell fire-safety reforms.
For more information, go to nsi.org.uk
About the Author
John Davidson
With 30+ years of experience in the security sector John is responsible for the development and maintenance of various certification schemes within NSI and is the NSI “Fire Lead”. He is engaged in the development of BSI standards, representing NSI on FSH 12 & FSH12/1. He was involved in the development of BS 8629 and the revision of PAS 79 and is also a member of a number of BAFE scheme development groups.
John is a Member of the Institution of Engineering & Technology (I.E.T) and a Fellow of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) and a Member of the International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM).
He is also a registered IRCA Principal Auditor and a practitioner of the Chartered Quality Institute and continues to audit approved companies primarily against the BAFE SP205 scheme for Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment.
