The following pages set out more information about fire safety measures. Benchmarks are offered for use to assist with assessing the adequacy of existing fire safety measures. Where existing fire safety measures fall below these benchmarks, then consideration should be given during the fire safety risk assessment as to whether this poses a risk which requires action. Where this is the case then upgrading may remove or reduce the risk.
It is important that the status of the Technical Annexes in this guide is understood. Most of the benchmarks in the Technical Annexes are a modification of the Building Regulation standards and associated Technical Handbook guidance that applies to new buildings. The intent of the modification is to provide benchmarks which can be used as a comparison in existing premises. It may be reasonably practicable to upgrade to a particular benchmark in some situations but not in others. The aim is to use the relevant benchmarks as guidance in order to achieve an overall degree of safety or reduction in risk consistent with that required as a result of the risk assessment. All premises are different and each risk assessment will be site specific and decisions in respect of fire safety standards should at all times be based on judgement of risk.
There are 15 Technical Annexes: