Meet the standards reshaping fire safety in the UK
In the wake of increased scrutiny and rising expectations, fire safety in the UK is undergoing a significant transformation.
The latest revisions to BS 9991 and BS 5839-1, alongside the introduction of BS 8670-1, reflect a deeper cultural shift. One that places greater emphasis on competency, accountability, and performance across the built environment.
A new era of fire safety awareness
No one in the fire safety profession can ignore the profound changes sweeping through the UK industry. The tragic consequences of fire events in recent years have sparked a renewed call to action for greater vigilance, tighter regulation, and a fire safety culture that extends far beyond compliance.
Today, the spotlight is on the entire lifecycle of a building: from design and construction to installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance. Every stakeholder - be it a designer, installer, or building owner - is now expected to adopt a proactive approach and demonstrate a deep understanding of modern fire safety practices.
Explore how standards are supporting all areas of fire management by visiting our Fire Topic Page.
BS 9991: Robust framework for residential fire safety
The newly revised BS 9991:2024 Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings - Code of practice sets the tone for this new fire safety landscape. As the UK’s key standard for fire safety in residential buildings, BS 9991 now reflects:
Expanded coverage to include residential care homes, addressing the complex needs of vulnerable occupants.
Clarified guidance for the use of mass timber in structural elements, replacing outdated restrictions with evidence-based recommendations.
Revised approaches for single-stair buildings, sprinklers, fire doors (now classified using European standards), smoke control, and evacuation lifts.
Updated recommendations on ancillary spaces, kitchen safety, and external wall systems.
Together, these changes ensure BS 9991 offers a future-proofed, comprehensive, and practical guide to designing safer living environments. As of June 2025, BS 9991:2024 now includes a corrigendum to take into account feedback received since publication.
Learn more about this standard by reading our article BS 9991: A comprehensive update to the UK’s essential fire safety standard.
BS 5839-1: Supporting safe occupancy in non-domestic premises
Where BS 9991 sets the benchmark for residential buildings, BS 5839-1:2025 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings - Part 1: Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises - Code of practice reinforces fire protection in non-domestic premises. The updated standard aligns with modern fire detection technologies, streamlines system design, and mirrors real-world industry practices.
Key updates include:
A complete restructuring and clause renumbering to improve usability.
A new Section 7 addressing system extensions and modifications.
Clarified siting's of manual call points and requirements for recording all variations.
Stronger guidance on automatic detection in sleeping areas.
Updated battery calculations and service visit intervals.
Whether you’re responsible for a small office or a large commercial complex, BS 5839-1:2025 delivers essential tools to safeguard lives and properties.
Discover more about this standard by reading our article A guide to the changes in fire alarm system standard BS 5839-1.
BS 8670-1: Establishing competency across the industry
Regulatory evolution is not just about what we build. It’s about who builds it and how well they understand their responsibilities. That’s where BS 8670-1:2024 Competence frameworks for building safety - Core criteria - Code of practice comes in.
BS 8670-1 marks the beginning of a new suite of standards aimed at establishing consistent and measurable criteria for fire safety competency. Initial frameworks already cover key duty holders such as:
Main contractors;
Building owners; and
Lead designers.
Further guidance is in development for fire risk assessors, installers, and maintainers of active fire systems, placing a clear emphasis on verified knowledge, relevant work experience, and a fire-aware mindset.
The cultural shift: From compliance to competency
Whether you're designing residential spaces, managing commercial fire alarm systems, or training your team on fire safety roles, these new and revised standards give you the structure to succeed.
What unites these standards is more than their technical content. Together, they signal a shift in how fire safety is approached across the industry:
From box-ticking to best practice
From minimum standards to maximum resilience; and
From isolated responsibilities to collaborative, system-wide thinking
The call for a new fire safety culture is clear, and it starts with education, competency, and the adoption of industry standards. Be part of the change and get yours today.
Discover BSI Knowledge
Want to access and manage the standards you need all in one place? With a BSI Knowledge subscription, you will have the flexibility and visibility to manage the essential standards you need. Build your own custom collection of standards or opt for access to our pre-built modules and keep up to date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more.