Best Pracce Guide 5 (Issue 2)

Electrical
installations
and their
impact on the
fire performance
of domestic
premises used as
single family
houses

Page 1
 This is one of a series of Best Practice Guides produced by Electrical
Safety First* in association with leading industry bodies for the benefit
Best Practice Guide of electrical contractors and installers, and their customers.
Electrical Safety First is indebted to the following
organisations for their contribution and/or Consultants to Electrical Safety First:
support to the development of this Guide:
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www.abe.org.uk
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of charge to all interested parties. Further copies may be downloaded
www.beama.org.uk from the websites of some of the contributing organisations.

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on any of the Best Practice Guides is always welcome – email
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Chief Fire Officers’ Association organisation set up in 1956 to protect users of electricity against the
www.cfoa.org.uk hazards of unsafe and unsound electrical installations.

Electrical Contractors’ Association

www.eca.co.uk

Institution of Engineering and Technology

www.theiet.org

Intumescent Fire Seals Association

www.ifsa.org.uk

Knauf Drywall Published by:

www.knaufdrywall.co.uk Electrical Safety First
Unit 331
LABC Metal Box Factory
www.labc.co.uk 30 Great Guildford Street
London SE1 0HS
NAPIT
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www.napit.org.uk
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Electrical Safety First and other contributors believe that the guidance
SELECT (Electrical Contractors’ Association and information contained in this Best Practice Guide is correct, but
of Scotland) all parties must rely on their own skill and judgement when making
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© Electrical Safety Council. November 2015
 Electrical installations and their
impact on the fire performance
of domestic premises used
as single family houses

Photo courtesy of Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service

1. Aim

1.1 The aim of this Guide is to promote best practice 1.2 The guidance, which is intended to apply to
by providing practical advice and guidance for electrical installations designed after July 2008, may
designers, installers, verifiers and inspectors also be of benefit to specifiers, builders, building
of domestic electrical installations where, as is control bodies and other interested parties.
often the case, the electrical work requires, or has
required, the penetration of linings forming ceilings 1.3 By following the guidance, it is considered that
and walls. electrical installation work will not compromise the
fire performance provisions that are mandatorily
required to be incorporated into domestic premises
under the relevant building regulations.

Page 3
2. Introduction

2.1 This Guide has been produced by Electrical Safety 2.7 Amongst these forms of construction are narrow
First in association with the bodies indicated on section solid, stress graded timber joists, plywood/
page 2. Orientated Strand Board (OSB) webbed ‘I’ joists
(‘timber I beams’), tooth or nail-plated trusses and
2.2 It addresses the impact that electrical installations joists, composite timber studs and lightweight metal
in domestic premises have on the fire performance studs. Illustrations of these vulnerable forms of
of loadbearing and non-loadbearing walls and floors construction are to be found in Annex A.
(and sometimes ceiling membranes) that have a
fire containment function, or are required to carry a 2.8 The fire resistance of these elements can easily
load for a prescribed period. be compromised by inadequate fire sealing
and ‘making good’ after any penetration to
2.3 Fire safety in buildings generally requires that in the accommodate electrical equipment and associated
event of a fire sufficient time is available for people wiring.
to escape from a building:
2.9 Electrical equipment that has been identified as
• certain walls, floors and ceilings provide having a direct and significant influence on the fire
fire resistance for the purposes of performance of buildings includes:
constructing fire compartments and/
or protected escape routes, and • flush-mounted consumer units
• the structure resists collapse. • concealed and recessed luminaires,
including downlighters
2.4 The advice given in this Guide is aimed largely at
preserving the structural stability of the premises • flush-mounted electrical socket-outlets,
as much as the fire separation between areas. flex outlet plates and data points
For example, in most domestic premises, it is
the loadbearing capacity of the floors that is • flush-mounted switches, detection
threatened by early failure of ceiling linings, not and control devices
the fire separating function.
• recessed wall luminaires
2.5 Many modern forms of engineered construction
• concealed speakers.
have an inherently lower level of fire resistance
when compared to more traditional forms of 2.10 The above items all require the removal of a part
construction, and are heavily reliant on the of the ceiling or wall lining, and replacement
plasterboard or similar linings for achieving the with glass, thin metal or plastic that does not
requisite level of fire separation. provide the same level of fire protection to the
structural members, causing a reduction in the fire
2.6 Much of the guidance is related to the effect that performance of the element. These are known as
the installation of electrical equipment will have partial penetrations.
on the performance of the protective linings that
are used to provide fire protection to lightweight 2.11 In addition to the influence that these partial
joisted or studded constructions. In the case of the penetrations have on the fire performance, some
associated wiring, the need to prevent fire from installations can penetrate both linings, such as:
passing through holes in all elements, whether solid
or lightweight, is also addressed. • associated wiring and conduits
• ventilation fans and related ductwork.
2.12 These installations have a potential to compromise
the fire containment capability, and guidance is
included for these situations. These are known as
full penetrations.

Page 4
2.13 In addition to the above items that all have a direct of a fire, for example due to heat generated by
influence on the fire performance of floors or loose connections.
walls, the following items can also have an indirect
influence if the lining provides some or all of their 2.15 When involved in a fire, thermoplastic materials
support: used in the construction of electrical fittings can
release significant quantities of dense smoke and
• heavy ceiling-hung luminaires, lighting toxic products. They can also create flaming molten
tracks and overhead projectors droplets which have been known to cause fire
spread to carpets and furnishing below them.
• wall-mounted brackets for televisions, heavy
speakers and flat screen installations. 2.16 The fire separating capability of an element of
construction is generally measured by the duration
If the room is involved in fire, the weight of such for which the element will satisfy the criteria of a
items may lead to the premature failure of the lining fire resistance test. Historically, these criteria have
material. been determined by exposure to the BS 476: Part
2.14 In addition to the risk of the electrical installation 20: 1987 heating and pressure conditions, but more
reducing the fire separation capabilities of those recently by the new European testing regime as
elements that need to resist fire spread or to embodied in BS EN 1363-1. More information on
remain structurally sound in a fire, a poorly the relevant test methods and criteria can be found
constructed installation can potentially be the cause in Annex B.

Result of an eight minute fire on lightweight joists (Courtesy of Manchester City Council - Building Control)

Page 5
3. Scope

3.1 This Guide gives practical advice and guidance for 3.5 The Guide gives recommendations as to what is
the installation, and the making good following considered to be best practice, taking into account
the installation, of electrical equipment and wiring that electrical installers may not have adequate
in self-contained domestic premises (including knowledge of the construction of the elements that
bungalows, multi-storey houses, individual flats and are potentially being compromised by their work.
maisonettes) that are designed to accommodate a
single family unit. The advice and guidance applies 3.6 Where an installer wishes to differentiate between
to both new and existing premises. new and traditional forms of construction, the
guidance given in Annex C may assist. Some
3.2 The Guide does not apply directly to Houses in investigations may require the services of another
Multiple Occupation, hostels, caravans or boats, professional, such as a surveyor or fire specialist.
or to the communal parts of blocks of flats or the
communal parts of maisonettes, nor does it apply
to any premises used for purposes other than a
Note: This Guide does not necessarily
dwelling (such as small shops, factories or similar
apply to all innovative or unusual forms of
premises used solely as places of work).
construction or electrical equipment. If in
3.3 The Guide gives advice on what needs to be done doubt, specialist advice should be sought.
to maintain the fire resistance of walls and ceilings
in domestic premises that have been penetrated
or partially penetrated in the process of installing
electrical equipment and wiring.

3.4 It does not consider in detail the impact that the

installation of electrical equipment and wiring may
also have on the structural, acoustic or energy
targets prescribed in building regulations.

Page 6
4. General electrical installation requirements

4.1 This Guide takes into account the publication 4.4 Regulation 510.3 requires manufacturers’
of BS 7671: 2008 (Requirements for Electrical instructions to be taken into account. It is
Installations, IET Wiring Regulations 17th Edition), important to do this in order, for example, to
which is the latest version of the national standard prevent luminaires becoming a source of ignition.
for the safety of electrical installations, first Any installation instructions that are considered
published in 1882. to be inappropriate should be queried with the
manufacturer concerned, and amended installation
4.2 BS 7671 requires, in Section 421 (Protection instructions requested.
against fire caused by electrical equipment),
that equipment must not present a fire hazard 4.5 All terminations and joints, whether for low voltage
to adjacent materials, and that manufacturers’ (LV) or extra-low voltage (ELV) circuits, should be
instructions must be taken into account. Section enclosed in accordance with Regulation 526.5 to
421 also requires that fixed equipment causing prevent fire spread should a loose connection occur.
a concentration and focusing of heat (such as
spot lamps) shall be at a sufficient distance from 4.6 As part of the initial verification process, the
any fixed object or building element so that the electrical installer has a duty to ensure that all
object or element is not subjected to a dangerous the necessary fire precautions have been taken,
temperature in normal conditions. irrespective of which party was responsible for
that element of the electrical work(Regulation
4.3 In Section 527 (Selection and erection of wiring 611.3(vii)).
systems to minimise the spread of fire) of that
standard, it is required that wiring systems are
selected and erected to minimise the spread of fire,
including:

• Within a fire-segregated compartment, the

risk of the spread of fire must be minimised
by the selection of appropriate materials,
and by the appropriate construction of the
installation (Regulation 527.1.1), and

• A wiring system must be installed so that

the general building structural performance
and fire safety performance are not
reduced (Regulation 527.1.2), and

• Where a wiring system passes through elements

of building construction such as floors, walls,
roofs, ceilings, partitions or cavity barriers, the
openings remaining after the passage of the
wiring system must be sealed according to the
degree of fire resistance (if any) prescribed for
the respective element of building construction
before penetration (Regulation 527.2.1).

Page 7
5. Legal

5.1 Building regulations for each part of the UK Note: In England & Wales, Part P of the Building
define fire performance objectives for the various Regulations and, in Scotland, Building Standard
elements that make up domestic premises, and 4.5, make this a requirement, putting the
give recommended performance levels in guidance responsibility on the installer if self-certifying the
supporting those regulations. The objectives work as compliant with building regulations.
are taken into account in this Guide. For further
information, see Annex D. Currently, electrical safety in Northern Ireland
is not controlled under building regulations.
5.2 It is vital that the fire performance of critical
walls and floors is maintained to at least the level
recommended in the guidance supporting the
regulations, after the installation of electrical
equipment and associated wiring.

5.3 For properties in England and Wales, attention

is drawn to the Party Wall Act. Under this Act,
any work undertaken on the party wall between
properties which could affect its performance
(or indirectly affect the structure of an attached
neighbouring property) is a notifiable activity. In
Scotland, a building warrant is required for any
work that adversely affects a separating wall or a
separating floor.

5.4 The fitting of electrical equipment in a masonry

party wall has never been considered as being
notifiable, but cutting holes in the linings and
installing ‘plastic’ accessories may be deemed to be
covered by statutory requirements. Electrical Safety
First therefore recommends that the neighbour be
advised of the intended work in order to give them
the opportunity to object to, comment upon, or
prevent the work taking place.

5.5 Electrical installation work will often be undertaken

on behalf of owners or tenants after the occupation
of the premises and, as such, it is not subject to
any form of third party audit or final approval. The
electrical installer is therefore subject to a duty of
care to ensure that the fire performance of the
premises is not compromised. In Scotland, certain
works require building warrant approval depending
on the work proposed and the building type.

Page 8
RECOMMENDATIONS
6. Flush-mounted consumer units

6.1 Flush-mounted consumer units should not be

installed in a fire separating wall. In exceptional
circumstances, where this cannot be avoided, and
subject to the agreement of the Local Authority,
the enclosure of the consumer unit or a separate
builder’s work enclosure around the consumer
unit must provide a proven level of fire resistance
commensurate with the fire separating element.

Photos courtesy of Hager

Photo courtesy of MK

Page 9
7. Downlighters (recessed luminaires)

7.1 When exposed to a fire from below, downlighters 7.6 Such separate forms of protection must be
may provide far less protection to a cavity and the fit for purpose and not be easily dislodged or
structural elements within it than the plasterboard compromised after installation by subsequent work.
they are replacing, unless suitable precautions are Any such protection must conform to the guidance
taken. given in Annex E.

7.2 Electrical Safety First recommends that, wherever 7.7 Electrical Safety First recommends that
possible, downlighters having integral fire downlighters installed in a ceiling beneath a roof
protection are selected for use in all ceilings where space have integral fire protection, or are provided
the lining that is to be penetrated is the sole means with some other suitable form of fire protection,
of keeping fire and heat out of the cavity. in order to safeguard escape from the premises,
restrict the spread of fire, and reduce the risk of
premature failure of the roof structure.

7.8 In order to avoid the risk of fire (as well as reduced

lamp and service life) caused by overheating,
downlighters and any associated transformers must
not be covered by thermal insulation. Building
Regulations do not prohibit the leaving of a small
area around downlighters free from thermal
insulation where this is necessary to permit the
dissipation of the heat they generate. However, due
Result of a downlighter fire
allowance for this should be made in the overall
(Courtesy of Manchester City Council - Building Control)
thermal performance of the premises.

7.3 There are a number of types of downlighter A number of studies have shown that the use of
available, and it is important that the type selected “unprotected” downlighters which penetrate into
for a particular application has test evidence to a loft space account causes significant energy loss.
support its fire performance when incorporated in a The use of approved downlight loft covers allows
ceiling of the type into which it is to be installed. the insulation to be continuous and uninterupted
thus meeting current Building Regulations fully. Any
such downlighter loft covers should be dust tight to
IP6X and meet the requirements of BS EN 60598-1
and BS EN 60598-2.2.

7.9 In all cases, manufacturers’ installation instructions

Typical downlighters with integral fire protection should be taken into account to avoid downlighters
(Photos courtesy of Safe and Sound Lighting Ltd) becoming a source of fire.

7.10 Guidance on the selection of suitable types of

7.4 Generally, the tests should have been carried out downlighter for particular applications is given in
in accordance with BS 476: Part 21: 1987 or BS EN Table 1 of this Guide.
1365-2. The nature of the test evidence can be
critical, and is discussed in detail in Annex B.

7.5 Not all designs and styles of downlighter may be

available with integral fire protection, especially
where higher lighting levels and/or larger coverage
is required. In these situations, additional fire
protection may be fitted at the time of installation in
the form of a ‘fire hood’, an insulated fire-protective Typical fire hood for a downlighter
box, or similar.

Page 10
 Table 1: Recommendaons for recessed luminaires/downlighters in floors and ceilings
Building Locaon Construcon Fire Resistance Required Recommended
Bungalow Roof ceiling All N/A A
Two-storey house Roof ceiling All N/A A (assuming adequate compartmentaon between
adjacent dwellings)
First Floor Robust Modified 30 mins** B, C, but A can be jusfied if tradional construcon
confirmed (Annex C)
Lightweight Modified 30 mins** B, C
Below room over garage All 30 mins B ,C
Over basement All 30 mins B, C
Three-storey house Roof ceiling All N/A A (assuming adequate compartmentaon between
adjacent dwellings)
First and Second Floor All 30mins B, C
Ceiling of garage under room All 30 mins B ,C
Over basement All 30 mins B, C
Robust Modified 30 mins** B, C, but A can be jusfied if tradional construcon
Loš conversion
First floor (when loš converted) confirmed (Annex C)
(2-storeys to 3)
Lightweight Modified 30 mins** B, C
Four-storey (or more) Roof ceiling All N/A A (Assuming adequate compartmentaon between
house adjacent dwellings)
All Floors, including garage and
basement ceilings/ floors All 60 mins B, C
Flats
Top floor <5m Compartment floor All 30 min D, B ,C
Top floor <18m Compartment floor All 60 min D, B ,C
Top floor <30m Compartment floor All 90 min D, B ,C
Top floor >30m Compartment floor All 120 min D, B ,C
Duplex flats Intermediate floor All 30 min B, C

KEY:
A = Unprotected downlighter permižed, but = Ensure that thermal insulaon will not prejudiceluminaire
suitable fire protecon recommended for safety reasons = Should only be installed if it can be verifed that the penetraon
B = Downlighter with integral protecon will not have an adverse impact on accousc performance
C = Downlighter with hood complying with Annex E = Robust construcon is defined in Annex C
D = Downlighter inserted in false (secondary) ceiling = Lightweight engineered construcon is defined inAnnex A
** = See Annex F

Page 11
8. Flush-mounted accessories
(including switches, sockets, flex outlet plates, data and telephone points etc.)

8.1 Numerous flush-mounted accessories are common 8.3 The risks associated with fire penetrating through
in modern homes. These generally comprise two flush-mounted accessories are significant when they
components: penetrate a 30 minute fire-resisting loadbearing
stud wall, ‘back-to-back’ with other accessories in
• a recessed housing, or back box the same cavity (or interlinked cavities).
• a face plate with integral socket,
switch mechanism, flex outlet etc,
and associated wiring terminals.

8.2 Back boxes may be either moulded plastic or steel

construction, but all designs incorporate large
knockout sections, many times greater in diameter
than the cables passing through them, which make
them very permeable in a fire after the face plate
has been destroyed by the heat. This permeability
will allow hot gases into the cavity of the wall
much more rapidly than the plasterboard. For fire
separating applications, and for applications relied
upon to resist collapse, this should be guarded Photo courtesy of Greater Manchester
against by providing additional localised fire Fire & Rescue Service
protection.

8.4 Therefore, where flush-mounted accessories

penetrate each face of a 30 minute fire separating
or loadbearing plasterboard lined wall within the
same cavity space (that is, the gap between two
studs), each accessory should be fitted with a back
box that incorporates integral fire protection, or be
fitted with a proprietary fire protection pad, unless
evidence of the fire resistance performance of the
accessories is available.

Plan view
!
Example of accessories being back-to back in the
The effect of fire on a socket-outlet same cavity space (can be at different heights)
(Photo courtesy of Greater Manchester
Fire & Rescue Service)

Plan view
!
Example of accessories not being back-to-back in the
same cavity

Page 12
8.5 Such back boxes or protective pads must have
evidence of performance to demonstrate that they
have the ability to maintain the fire separation
capability of a wall for 30 minutes, were they to
be tested to BS 476: Part 21: 1987 (loadbearing) Plan view
or BS 476: Part 22 (non-loadbearing), or the EN !
equivalent as appropriate (see Annex B), with plastic The box depth must be selected so that with the
accessories fitted in both linings. pad in place, the required clearance is maintained
between the pad and the accessory, and the wiring
is not unduly distorted.

Plan view

!
Fire protection pad fitted externally

Intumescent pad being installed in a dry lining box

(Photo courtesy of Knauf Drywall)

Fire and acoustic rated cover fitted behind a

dry lining box (Photo courtesy of Tenmat Ltd)

Intumescent pad being installed in a dry lining box

(Photo courtesy of Knauf Drywall)

8.6 Recommendations for the protection of flush-

mounted accessories in timber or metal stud walls
in particular situations are given in Table 2 of this
Guide.

Page 13
 Table 2: Recommendaons for flush-mounted accessories in mber and metal stud walls

Page 14
Building Locaon Installa on Fire Resistance Required Recommended
All DwellingTypes Internal walls within a dwelling that do not One lining only or back-to-back N/A A
have a fire separa ng func on

Bungalow Internal walls One lining only or back-to-back N/A A

Stairway enclosure One lining only or back-to-back N/A A
Two-storey house
One lining only 30 min A
(detached) Wall separa ng garage from other rooms Back-to-back 30 min B
Stairway enclosure One lining only or back-to-back N/A A
Two-storey house One lining only 30 min A
Wall separa ng garage from other rooms Back-to-back 30 min B
(a“ached)
Separa ng wall between dwellings # Fi†ng in one or both linings # 60 min B

Stairway enclosure One lining only 30 min A

Three-storey house Back-to-back 30 min B
One lining only 30 min A
Wall separa ng garage from other rooms
Back to back 30 min B
One lining only 30 min A
Stairway enclosure
Back-to-back 30 min B
Three-storey house
One lining only 30 min A
(a“ached)
Wall separa ng garage from other rooms Back-to-back 30 min B
Separa ng wall between dwellings # Fi ng in one or both linings # 60 min B
Stairway enclosure One lining only or back-to-back 60 min B
Four-storey (or more)
One lining only 30 min A
house
Wall separa ng garage from other rooms Back-to-back 30 min B
Stairway enclosure One lining only or back-to-back 60 min B
Four-storey plus One lining only 30 min A
house (a“ached) Wall separa ng garage from other rooms Back-to-back 30 min B
Separa ng wall between dwellings # Fi†ng in one or both linings # 60 min B
Flats
Top floor <5m Walls between occupancies # Fi†ng in one or both linings 30 min B
Top floor <18m Walls between occupancies # Fi†ng in one or both linings 60 min B
Top floor <30m Walls between occupancies # Fi†ng in one or both linings 90 min B
Top floor >30m Walls between occupancies # Fi†ng in one or both linings 120 min B

Duplex flats Internal stairway enclosure One lining only 30 min A

Back-to-back 30 min B

= Ensure that protec on system will not prejudice wiring to accessory

KEY: = Should only be installed if it can be verifed that the penetra on
A = Unprotected accessory will not have an adverse impact on accous c performance
B = Accessory installed with applied or integral protec on # = Flush-mounted accessories should not be fi“ed in these walls
unless unavoidable (Not permi“ed in Scotland)
9. Flush-mounted wall luminaires and
concealed speakers in walls or ceilings

9.1 This type of equipment varies significantly in size,

design and construction. It is therefore not possible
to give specific advice in this Guide in respect of the
best method of maintaining the fire performance of
the lining(s) penetrated by such equipment.

9.2 In principle, however, speakers concealed in ceiling

linings should be treated in a similar manner to
downlighters, and both luminaires and speakers
flush-mounted in walls should conform to the
guidance given for flush-mounted accessories.

9.3 Where a luminaire or speaker has integral fire

protection, then this must be to the appropriate
test standard (see Annex B).

Photo courtesy of CEDIA/Smartcomm

9.4 If the equipment does not have integral fire

protection then, when it is being installed in a
ceiling or wall that is required to provide fire
separation, the equipment has to be provided
with an ad hoc form of fire protection and, where
appropriate, acoustic insulation. It may be difficult
for the installer to establish what form of protection
is likely to maintain the required fire resistance,
and therefore any proposed method of providing
protection should be tested, or more reasonably
assessed in lieu of test evidence, by those
authorities recognised in guidance in support of
regulations.

9.5 Proprietary protection is likely to become available

in due course, and should be used when it does.

Page 15
10. Cables, conduit and trunking penetrating
internal fire separating walls and floors

10.1 This section provides guidance as to what should 10.4 Sealing the cable ingress point has to take into
be done to preserve the fire resistance of elements account that the insulation of non-fire performance
that are required to provide fire resistance, when cables will probably melt or char away, leaving an
cables have to pass through them. The guidance unfilled gap between the conductors and the lining.
is applicable to situations where insulated and Depending upon the nature of the cable insulation,
sheathed cables, or cables in plastic conduit or this may even have the potential to carry the flames
plastic trunking, pass through floors and walls. on its surface into the void. On a single cable this is
unlikely to be a serious risk, but the ability to make
10.2 The fire risk associated with non-fire performance an adequate fire seal becomes increasingly difficult
cables and plastic conduits and trunking passing as the number of cables increase.
through building elements is twofold. Initially there
is a risk of a loss of integrity due to the heat and/ 10.5 It is common and accepted practice to make good
or flames passing through any unsealed holes that any hole around a cable by using inert filler such
have been made to allow the cable to pass through, as plaster or grout, but this does not compensate
resulting in flaming on the unexposed side. for melting/flaming insulation, and will also be
ineffective in voids between cables.
Secondly, the hole in a plasterboard lining will allow
fire to get into the ceiling or wall void prematurely, 10.6 It is recommended, therefore, that the sealant used
cause ignition of the structure which can lead to a to make good holes through which cables pass has
loss of loadbearing capacity. intumescent properties: that is, it has the ability to
expand and fill any voids that are developing due
10.3 With respect to the first of these, it is important to movement and/or melting of cables, in order to
that fire is not allowed to exploit either the initial maintain the fire resistance of the element.
penetration of the first lining (which could permit
fire to get into the cavity), or subsequently to 10.7 The risk of fire gaining premature access to any void
penetrate the second lining (which would allow the is increased if the cables are run through a plastic
fire to effectively bypass the protective barrier). conduit or trunking system, or are bunched. Any
cosmetic sealing of the gap between the lining and
the plastic conduit or trunking will certainly not be
able to seal any voids between the cables and the
outer plastic casing following the melting of the
conduit or trunking.

10.8 In elements that require high levels of fire

resistance, especially where there is a sleeping
risk – that is, a place where people sleep (such
as 60 minute compartment walls and floors), it is
recommended that a proprietary cable transit or a
fire resisting conduit be installed in the construction
element being penetrated, if services have to pass
through one or both linings that form the wall.
Fire seals around cables and trunking
Note: In Scotland, the guidance clause 2.2.6
(Domestic Handbook) recommends that combustible
separating walls do not contain pipes, wires or other
services. In buildings with a storey height over 18 m,
Clause 2.2.7 states that separating walls and floors
must be constructed of non-combustible materials.

Page 16
11. Ventilation fans and related ductwork

11.1 In older properties, ventilation fans were normally 11.3 If fire were to enter the cavity of a stud wall
fitted on an external wall rather than on an internal or the cavity between the inner wall and any
wall and, as a consequence, there was not generally outer ‘sheathing’, the building can suffer both
a fire safety issue regarding the influence on the undue structural damage if modern engineered
integrity and insulation rating of the wall due to construction is used, and/or disproportionate
such systems when installed in a cavity blockwork or fire spread in the cavity in more conventional
masonry wall. properties. This cavity spread can result in an
indirect loss of fire integrity between adjacent
11.2 However with ever increasing air tightness internal enclosures, and therefore fire should be
requirements, controlled ventilation and, often prevented from gaining access to any of the cavities.
heat recovery is the standard for new builds, this
means combustible PVC ducting runs are installed 11.4 When installing a ventilation fan directly into a
all around the building, often with both return and loadbearing external stud construction wall, the
supplies in each room, which can result in rapid hole cut into the inner and outer lining should be
spread of fire and smoke, both horizontally and lined out across the thickness of the wall with a
vertically through the premises. Where such ducting continuous non-combustible material, preferably
penetrates a fire-rated ceiling, intumescent fan and with some insulating properties, through which the
vent sleeves or fire-rated air valves should be fitted. extract duct passes. This liner should be fixed in
place so that it does not fall away over time.

11.5 When the vent from for example, a shower cubicle,

is connected to an extended duct which runs
within the floor void to an outside wall possibly
via an in-line fan, then this length of low melting
point ductwork (plastic or aluminium) will have no
measurable fire resistance and fire entering into
this duct, via the vent, will soon have access to the
joists. Indeed, should the fan be in extract mode at
the time of the fire, fire will be drawn into this void
quite quickly.

Photo courtesy of Tenmat Ltd

Fire spread into bathroom via plastic duct

(Photo courtesy of Greater Manchester
Fire & Rescue Service)

Page 17
11.6 Any void between two joists that contain such 11.7 Where the duct runs transverse to the joists,
a duct which is running parallel with the joists the amount of joist to be cut away is likely to be
should be lined on the face of both joists with fire structurally significant and expert guidance should
protection board that duplicates the fire protection be sought, in respect of both the effect on the
provided by the ceiling lining. The void beyond the structure and the fire separation measures.
duct should be separated by a transverse barrier of
the same rating. Similarly, the flooring above may
need to be underdrawn with fire protection board if
it is butt-jointed.

The method of fire sealing the wall/duct interface

will vary depending upon whether it is a studded
construction or a conventional masonry cavity wall
(see Figures 11a and 11b).

Figure 11a: Joist/wall protection when installing vent into conventional masonry wall construction

Figure 11b: Joist/wall protection when installing vent into a timber frame wall construction

Page 18
12. Wall or ceiling-mounted electrical equipment

12.1 It has become increasingly common to mount

heavy equipment such as TVs, speakers, flat screen
installations etc on wall brackets, and to hang heavy
luminaires, lighting track and projectors etc from
the ceiling.

12.2 Plasterboard linings are not designed to carry such

weights under fire conditions and, unless these
items are fixed back only to the structural members
in the wall or floor, they will pull down the linings
once the board is weakened by the fire.

12.3 Weakening of normal and ‘sound’ grade

plasterboard will occur rapidly after fire has
Photo courtesy of CEDIA/Smartcomm
consumed the room face paper lining and, whilst
fibreglass-reinforced board will not fail quite as
quickly or as dramatically, fixings will pull through it
at a fairly early stage in the fire attack.

12.4 Obviously, early failure of these protective linings

will allow fire attack on the studs and joists which
again, if of engineered construction (see Annex A)
will lead to premature structural failure.

12.5 All heavy equipment mounted on the face of

walls or hung from the ceiling must be supported
completely independently from the fire protective
plasterboard linings. Whilst it may be permitted
to fix directly to the joists, false ceiling members
or studs, none of the fixings should rely solely on
plasterboard.

12.6 If any additional fixings are needed beyond those

that the structure is able to provide, then a section
of the lining should be completely removed and the
edges of the ‘hole’ fitted with supports to which
‘both’ edges of the plaster board can be fixed.

12.7 Additional structural members should then be

fitted between joists and studs at the required
fixing locations and the new plasterboard should be
scribed, cut to size/shape and fixed in accordance
with plasterboard manufacturers’ instructions,
before fitting the suspended equipment. Joints
between existing and new plasterboard linings
should be filled and skimmed with plaster.

Page 19
ANNEX A

Examples of forms of modern engineered

construction covered by this Guide.

Floor Joists

Space joists; consisting of timber top and

bottom chords spaced apart by pressed
Timber ‘I’ beams; consisting of Orientated Strand
steel ‘boomerangs’ Narrow stress graded
Board (OSB) or plywood webs with solid timber
softwood joints (less than 38mm)
or laminated timber top and bottom chords.

Studs

Glue laminated ‘timber’ studs

Steel webbed, timber ‘I’ beams;

consisting of corrugated steel webs with
timber top and bottom chords

Steel ‘C’ studs

Punched metal plate connected ‘truss’ joists

Narrow stress graded softwood studs (less than 38 mm)

Page 20
ANNEX B

Under regulatory guidance there are a number In respect of these tests, the criteria of failure are
of fire tests called up against which the elements, loadbearing capacity (BS 476 Part 21 and
together with installed components as they will be BS EN 1365 only), integrity and insulation, which are
in practice, have to be verified. The ability of the defined as follows:
element to satisfy the structural fire requirements
Loadbearing capacity is the ability to carry the
and fire separating objectives is adjudged by a
design loads for the specified period without
series of established British and European test
collapse or exceeding pre-determined deflection
procedures.
limits.
The relevant standards are:
Integrity is the ability to resist the passage of
• Non-loadbearing walls and ceiling membranes: flames, or the passage of critically hot gases
BS 476: Part 22: 1987, or (measured by means of an oven dry cotton pad).
BS EN 1364: Parts 1 and 2.
Insulation is the ability to restrict temperature rise
• Loadbearing elements: on the unexposed face to a mean temperature rise
BS 476: Part 21: 1987, or of 140 °C and a maximum temperature rise of
BS EN 1365: Parts 1 and 2. 180 °C.

• Wires, cables and conduit penetrating elements:

BS EN 1366-3.

• Suspended ceilings that are provided only for the

protection of steel beams*:
BS 476: Part 23: 1987.

Note: there is no directly comparable

BS EN test for this purpose.

Narrow stress graded softwood studs (less than 38 mm)

*The use of a suspended ceiling provided for the purpose of protecting steel beams in lieu of cladding, or
spraying them, is a very restricted application and will rarely be found in the domestic sector. Unfortunately,
a number of proprietary products available for protecting downlighters will have erroneously been tested
to this standard, but these will not be suitable for ‘making good’ fixed ceilings or suspended ceilings
used to provide protection to ‘timber’ joisted floors or other ‘domestic’ forms of construction.

Page 21
ANNEX C

Guidance on what constitutes robust construction c) One hour fire resisting floors between flats:
which identifies where unprotected4 downlighters
may be fitted
• the joists are solid timber not less than 43 mm
thick and at no more than 450 mm centres, and
When the installer wishes to fit unprotected
• the floorboards above are either tongue
downlighters, it is necessary to establish the and grooved softwood boards greater
construction in detail and ensure that the floor is of than 18 mm thick and free from dead
one of the following constructions; knots, or is ‘timber’ based jointed flooring
of a similar minimum thickness
a) First floor of two-storey house:
• the ceiling consists of two layers of
• the joists are solid timber not less than 43 mm plasterboard, not less than 30 mm* thick
thick and at no more than 450 mm centres, and for non-fire rated board or not less than
25 mm thick of fire rated** board.
• the floorboards above are either tongue and
grooved softwood greater than 18 mm thick or
are tight fitting butt jointed softwood boards
free from dead knots, or is ‘timber’ based
jointed flooring not less than 18 mm thick, and

• the ceiling consists of 12.5 mm

plasterboard or ‘sound’ lath and plaster
with the ‘hooks’ in good condition.

If downlighters are installed in a compartment floor

(or separating floor in Scotland – see Annex F), they
must be protected regardless of the construction.

b) All other floors in a single family unit:

• As for the first floor above, except butt jointed

floor boards are not permitted without an
overlay of medium density fibreboard (MDF),
hardboard or plywood not less than 4 mm thick.

Protected means downlighters that incorporate integral fire protection or which are fitted
4

with fire hoods that comply with the guidance given in Annex E of this Guide.
* Excluding any textured surface which should be removed locally prior to fitting the luminaire
** Type 5 to BS 1230 or Type F to BS EN 520

Page 22
ANNEX D

Summary of the recommendations given in England & Wales

national regulatory fire safety guidance: The Building Regulations 2000
The requirements given in Table 1 and 2 of this • Approved Document B
Guide are the ‘recommendations’ made in the Fire Safety (Volume 1)
Guidance Documents published in support of the Dwellinghouses (2013 Edition)
relevant regional regulations. These Guidance
Documents offer a prescriptive solution to the Scotland
‘functionally’ expressed regulations in the relevant The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004
region of the UK. At the time of publication, the
relevant regional regulations that deal with the fire • The Scottish Building Standards Technical
safety issues are: Handbook Domestic (2013)

Northern Ireland
The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000,
as amended

• Technical Booklet E, 2005

The above regulations apply only to new build, or
to major refurbishments (material alterations) that
are notified after the dates given. Buildings already
constructed and/or occupied will have complied
with the regulations and associated guidance in
force at the time of application.

These Guidance Documents would have expressed

the recommended fire performance of the structure
in terms of the test standards described in Annex B.

Page 23
ANNEX E

Test procedure to evaluate the robustness of The base of the test construction consists of a single
downlighter fire hoods sheet of 12.5 mm type plasterboard nailed to the
underside of the timber framework. Two further
1. INTRODUCTION sheets of 12.5 mm plasterboard 1500 mm x
This Annex provides requirements5 that need 300 mm are screwed to the inner face of the two
to be satisfied by a downlighter fire hood major timber sections in a vertical position.
that is considered to be ‘robust’ in both its
Midway down the length of the frame, a hole
construction and fitting, and thereby meets the
is cut in the centre of the plasterboard on the
recommendations given in this Guide.
underside of the test frame. The size of the hole so
During installation, in order not to compromise the cut should be equal to that formed in the ceiling to
performance of the downlighter, it is essential that accommodate the downlighter that the fire hood is
the area immediately above the downlighter and designed to protect.
the fire hood remains free from thermal insulation
A 1400 mm length of 400 mm wide mineral wool
(see 7.9). Subsequent to its installation, however,
(24 kg/m3) is cut sufficient to provide an overall
the fire hood needs to demonstrate its ability to
insulation depth of 270 mm within the test frame.
remain in place and resist crushing, that is to be
‘robust’ in the event of any application of thermal The test assembly is held in position 2 m above
insulation or other material by others. ground level by the use of appropriate scaffolding.

2. SCOPE 5. TEST PROCEDURE

The purpose of this test procedure is to assess the
5.1 Compression test
ability of a downlighter fire hood which has satisfied
the fire test requirements of BS 476: Part 21: 1987 The specimen fire hood is located above the hole in
to retain its mechanical stability over its working life the manner prescribed by the manufacturer. Unless
whilst providing the requisite level of fire protection the device is identified as being suitable only for
to the structure of the buiding from a downlighter installation from above, this will be positioned from
located beneath. below.

Once the specimen has been located in position,

3. TEST PROTOCOL
the distance between the top innermost part of the
The test protocol is a two part test. The first part
fire hood and the lower surface of the plasterboard
deals with the ability of the specimen fire hood
of the main structure shall be measured in at least 3
to resist compression after the application of the
places, averaged and noted (a).
insulation within the test frame. The second part
deals with the ability of the fire hood to resist Once this has been ascertained, the insulation
dislodgement subsequent to installation. described above is laid down the length of the test
rig so as to be resting on the upper surface of the
4. TEST EQUIPMENT plasterboard and specimen.
The test assembly is designed to simulate a
At this point, the distance referred to above will be
domestic ceiling. It consists of two softwood floor
measured again (b). The insulation shall remain in
joists 225 mm x 47 mm x 1500 mm long held
place for 25 days. After this period, the distance
450 mm apart, being screwed to similar sectioned
referred to above will be measured once more (c).
timbers at either end.

Page 24
Once the above distances have been ascertained,
the insulation should be removed and the
‘dislodgement test’ should be undertaken on the
same test specimen

5.2. Dislodgement test

One end of the test assembly will remain

supported via a ‘hinge’, whilst the opposing end is
progressively raised or lowered at a rate of 100 mm/
sec until either:-

a) the specimen fire hood becomes dislodged, in

excess of the permitted amount or

b) the test assembly reaches an angle of 45 degrees.

6. PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

6.1. Compression test

In the case of the second measurement (b), a

reduction in the average distance of less than 5%, or
5 mm (whichever is the smaller) is acceptable.

For any reduction in excess of this figure, the

specimen is deemed to have failed. In the case
of the third measurement (c), there should be no
further reduction in distance measured.

6.2. Dislodgement test.

If the specimen moves laterally by more than

10 mm or a gap of 3 mm appears between the
specimen and the top surface of the plasterboard
prior to, or on completion of, the movement test,
then the specimen will be deemed to have failed.

5
These test requirements have been developed by IFSA, the Intumescent Fire Seals Association.
IFSA is a recognized trade association for manufacturers of intumescent materials and intumescent-
based systems, membership of which requires all product claims to be substantiated.

Page 25
ANNEX F

Glossary of terms

Luminaire: equipment which distributes, filters or ‘Separating floor and wall’: In Scotland, a floor
transforms the light transmitted by one or more or wall constructed to prevent the spread of fire
lamps, and which includes all the parts necessary between buildings or parts of buildings of separate
for supporting, fixing and protecting the lamps, but habitation, such as flats and maisonettes.
not the lamps themselves and, where necessary,
circuit auxiliaries together with the means for
Three-storey house: A house in single occupation
connecting them to the supply.
with two floors above ground floor levels, often
referred to as a town house.
Critical application: An application where the
consequences of a failure to provide the fire
House of four storeys, or more: A house that has
resistance requirements for an element will have
three or more floors above ground floor where the
a direct impact on the life safety of the occupants,
height of the uppermost floor does not exceed
e.g. between adjacent dwellings.
18 m.

Compartment wall/floor: known in Scotland as

separating wall/floor.

‘Modified’ fire resistance: In domestic applications

the fire resistance of the first floor has a loadbearing
capacity of 30 minutes, but the integrity and
insulation criteria are reduced (modified) to only 15
minutes.

House in Multiple Occupation: For England and

Wales, the legal definition of a House in Multiple
Occupation is to be found in Sections 254-260 and
Schedule 14 of the Housing Act 2004 or, in the case
of Scotland, the Civic Government (Scotland) Act
1982 (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation)
Order 2000 as amended.

Page 26
Page 27
 Best Prac Best Prac (Issue 2) Best Prac (Issue 2) Best Pracce Guide 5 (Issue 2)

Replacing a Guidance on the Connecting a Electrical

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domestic and electrical safety system to a and their
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low voltage installation of domestic
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houses

Best Prac (Issue 2) Best Prac Best Prac Best Prac

Consumer unit Test instruments Selection and Safe installation

replacement for electrical use of plug-in of retrofit
in domestic and installations: socket-outlet self-ballasted
similar premises Accuracy and test devices LED lamps
consistency

The latest versions of all the BestPracticeGuides are available to

download from www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

Page 28