Foreword

Publishing information

This British Standard is published by BSI Standards Limited, under licence from The British Standards Institution, and came into effect on 31 March 2025. It was prepared by Technical Committee CB/501, Flood risk and watercourses. A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to the committee manager.

Supersession

This British Standard supersedes BS 85500:2015, which is withdrawn.

Information about this document

This is a full revision of the document, and introduces the following principal changes:

• makes reference to, and is consistent with, the CIRIA Code of practice for property flood resilience [1];
• includes a comprehensive list of the impacts of flood water on all materials and building elements;
• includes more detailed guidance, supported by engineering drawings for new and retrofit resilient designs; and
• benefits from the increased attention to property resilience promoted by the Property Resilience Roundtable.

This publication can be withdrawn, revised, partially superseded or superseded. Information regarding the status of this publication can be found in the Standards Catalogue on the BSI website at knowledge.bsigroup.com, or by contacting the Customer Services team.

Where websites and webpages have been cited, they are provided for ease of reference and are correct at the time of publication. The location of a webpage or website, or its contents, cannot be guaranteed.

Use of this document

As a guide, this British Standard takes the form of guidance and advisory recommendations. It is not to be quoted as if it were a specification or a code of practice.

Presentational conventions

The guidance in this document is presented in roman (i.e. upright) type. Any recommendations are expressed in sentences in which the principal auxiliary verb is “should”.

Additional commentary, explanation and general informative material is presented in smaller italic type.

Where words have alternative spellings, the preferred spelling of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary is used (e.g. “organization” rather than “organisation”).

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.

This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.

The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.

This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

BS 85500:2025

Flood resilient construction. Improving the flood performance of buildings. Guide

Current

Published:

27 Mar 2025