When travelling

When you are travelling, you should never assume you are as protected abroad as you are at home. Electricity safety standards in the UK are higher than in many other countries.

Apart from some of the obvious differences, like plugs and sockets, there are other aspects you should be aware of. For example, electricity supplies worldwide can vary from anything between 100 volts and 240 volts. This means it’s not always safe to use UK electrical equipment that is rated at a voltage different from the foreign supply. Check before you plug it in. (The normal voltage and frequency of the electricity supply in the UK is 230 v 50 Hz.)

Keeping yourself safe is easy if you follow these simple rules:

  • Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands.
  • Never touch light switches if they are cracked or show signs of damage.
  • Never plug equipment into a socket which looks damaged or cracked, or has part or all of the cover missing.
  • Never use mains-powered electrical appliances in a bathroom.
  • Always check cables are securely attached and are not cut, nicked or damaged in any way. There should be no joints in the cable and certainly no repairs with insulating tape. Cables should also be checked for signs of overheating, such as discoloration.
  • Always check that the travel adaptor you are using is the correct type for the country you are travelling to and never force it into a socket if it does not easily fit.
  • Never ignore burning smells, sounds of arcing (buzzing and crackling), fuses blowing or scorch marks on plugs and sockets.
  • On campsites check there is Residual Current Device (RCD) protection or a similar device that will cut off the supply if there is an electrical problem.

What to do before you go

  • Find out about the type of sockets and the voltage used in the country you are visiting .
  • Think about the appliances you intend to take and whether you will need to use travel adaptors or voltage converters and what their power rating should be.
  • Consider buying travel adaptors and voltage converters before you go as not all products available abroad will meet British safety standards.
  • On cruise ships, the voltage and type of sockets provided in cabins can vary (even with the same cruise operator) and may not be the same as that used in the country the ship departs from. Check with the cruise operator or your travel agent.

Using electrical appliances abroad – Your questions answered:

Can you use uk electrical appliances safely.

Yes, but you must consider the type of socket, the voltage and the frequency of the electricity supply used in the country you are visiting. In most cases a travel adaptor will be needed. Where the supply voltage is different you may need to use a voltage transformer or converter unless the electrical appliance or its power supply is dual voltage rated. If the frequency is different, the normal operation of an electrical appliance may also be affected. For example, a 50Hz clock may run faster on a 60Hz electricity supply. For travellers to Europe only the socket type needs to be considered as the voltage and frequency are the same as the UK.

What are travel adaptors?

A travel adaptor is a device that simply allows you to plug any UK electrical appliance into a foreign electrical socket. It is important to note that it does not convert the voltage or frequency.

Which ones should you use?

There are over a dozen different styles of plugs and sockets used throughout the world. Before you travel you need to know the type of socket used in the country you are visiting. Some adaptors are designed to be used in more than one country – so make sure you take the right one.

Some travel adaptors are not suitable for appliances that require an earth connection and should only be used with double-insulated equipment.

Double-insulated appliances will be marked the double-insulated symbol which is usually two rectangles . Before plugging an appliance in, check that it does not exceed the maximum power rating shown in AMPS or WATTS on the adaptor. For safety, all modern travel adaptors must meet an electrical safety standard known as BS 5733.

What are voltage converters/transformers?

In countries where the voltage is 100 - 127 v and the appliance, or its power supply, is not dual voltage rated, you will need to use a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly. Both voltage converters and transformers increase the voltage, but some ‘electronic’ appliances such as CD players, TV’s, radios, computers, etc are not suitable for use with converters. If unsure, check with the manufacturer. 

Can I buy electrical appliances abroad and use them safely back in the UK?

Due to the differences already explained in this guide, we would not recommend buying electrical appliances abroad for use back in the UK.

Share this article:

[email protected] 

01423 796250

bs standard for travel

What is BS8546? - GO Distribution

What is bs8546 and why is it so important.

bs standard for travel

What is BS8546?

BS8546 is a British Standard introduced specifically for travel adaptors.

It is now a regulation set in the UK to protect the user from unsafe “low cost” travel adaptors.

What standard has it replaced?

This standard actually hasn’t replaced or updated any other standard as it is the first standard set specifically for travel adaptors which is quite hard to believe!

What happens if I sell non-compliant travel adaptors?

You risk the safety of your customers, you can face product recall and will have your goods withheld at customs if trading standards get involved.

Why should I buy your travel adaptors?

Our travel adaptors have all been tested and approved to every standard that applies to them and currently hold all the certification for sale in the UK. We are a authorised distributor of SKROSS and this brand is currently the only one safe for the UK Market.

GENERAL FACT

  • All travel adaptors must be rated >5A. 
  • Travel adaptors must be earthed efficiently throughout if an earthed product can be plugged into it. ▪ All live ports must be shielded with shutters that can’t open if only one plug pin is pushed into it. 
  • All materials should be of the highest quality, so not to deteriorate under heat, humidity, sudden impacts and exposure to UV Rays. 
  • There are differences to the International standards for adapters specification in testing requirements. The UK standard is now set with BS8546, this is first specific standard introduced for travel adapters which all must adhere to from now on, otherwise any non conforming units can be confiscated by trading standards.

INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE MARKED ON TRAVEL ADAPTERS

OUR BS8546 TRAVEL ADAPTER RANGE

bs standard for travel

Slide title

bs standard for travel

The 3-pole adapters in our PRO Series come with up to 4 slidable plugs, covering all countries within Australia/China, US, UK and partly Italian/Swiss/Brazilian socket standards. As a result, they can be applied in up to 205 destinations worldwide, and are available both with and without a USB port.

bs standard for travel

PRO Light Series

The 3-pole adapters from the PRO Light series come with 3 slidable plugs which cover all countries with the Australian/Chinese, US and UK standard sockets. Hence, they can be applied in up to 200 countries. Available with and without 2 integrated USB ports.

65W & 100W Power Delivery Power Banks

65W & 100W Power Delivery Power Banks

bs standard for travel

What is GaN Technology?

5 exciting new Skross products for 2024. Travel adapters, pillows, car USB chargers and more

Exciting new Skross products coming in 2024

A comparison between USB-A, Micro USB and USB-C cables

Different types of USB charging cables and their key features

A group of people having a business meeting

Powering Up Your Business Travel with Skross: A Professional's Guide

a blue suitcase with a hat, clothes and travel adapters in it

The Art of Efficient Packing: Your Ultimate Guide to Packing Hacks and Space-Saving Solutions

Skross Through the Years: A Journey of Innovation and Excellence

Skross Through the Years: A Journey of Innovation and Excellence

Our 8 must have travel accessories for Road Warriors

Our 8 Must-Have Skross Travel Accessories for Road Warriors

New Travel Accessories 2023

Embracing Skross's New Cutting-Edge Travel Accessories Collection

The Future of Travel Adapters: USB-C and Power Delivery

The Future of Travel Adapters: USB-C and Power Delivery Revolutionizing Convenience

The Power of Convenience: Skross Charging Cables

The Power of Convenience: Skross Charging Cables

Unleash Portable Power with Skross Power Banks

Unleash Portable Power with Skross Power Banks

Plugs

Destination-Specific Travel Adapters: Navigating the Plug Maze

Travel Adapter Safety: Protecting Yourself and Your Devices with Skross

Travel Adapter Safety: Protecting Yourself and Your Devices with Skross

bs standard for travel

Mystery Behind the Leaning Tower of Power

Find Out What Skross Is Doing to Reduce CO2 Emissions

Skross Climate Goals: Joining Forces with myclimate and Reducing Their Carbon Footprint

Learn more about Power Delivery Travel Adapters here!

Power Delivery Travel Adapters: Empowering Your Mobile Lifestyle

Get some help choosing the Right Travel Adapter for Your International Adventures

Choosing the Right Travel Adapter for Your International Adventures

Check out our premium Skross Branded Power Gifts

Skross Branded Power Gifts: Empowering Connections and Unforgettable Moments

Explore the differences Between 2 Pole and 3 Pole Plugs

Learn the Difference Between 2 Pole and 3 Pole Plugs

bs standard for travel

Don´t get caught out on the NEW British Standards for Travel Adapters

  QUICK LINKS

Skross Alpha Premium travel adapter Range

Where state-of-the-art charging meets design! There's no need to plug in to power up. Instead, Qi-enabled smartphones simply need to be placed on the charging pad for an energy boost.

Skross world travel adapters range

WORLD TRAVEL ADAPTERS

These genius all-rounders are available in different versions to suit all travel charging needs.

Designer, Class 1 & 2 Available

Skross country adapters range

COUNTRY TRAVEL PLUGS

These practical 3-pole adapters safely support powerful devices such as laptops and hairdryers. 

Skross USB charger range

2-4 USB Output

Skross power bank range

POWER BANKS

You'll never need to miss a single call or message again thanks to our power banks.

Skross travel accessories range

ACCESSORIES

Our high quality portfolio ranges from basics to premium cables, even including special edition colours that perfectly match the latest smartphones on the market.

bs standard for travel

Country Coverage List

Terms & Conditions

©2024  Kastronix Limited  trading as GO Distribution

Registered in England No: 5649420 VAT No: GB613440575

Status :  Published

  • Add to cart

This document gives guidance to organizations on how to manage the risk(s), to the organization and its travellers, as a result of undertaking travel.

This document provides a structured approach to the development, implementation, evaluation and review of:

  • programme development;
  • threat and hazard identification;
  • opportunities and strengths;
  • risk assessment;
  • prevention and mitigation strategies.

This document is applicable to any type of organization, irrespective of sector or size, including but not limited to:

  • commercial organizations;
  • charitable and not-for-profit organizations;
  • governmental organizations;
  • non-governmental organizations;
  • educational organizations.

This document does not apply to tourism and leisure-related travel, except in relation to travellers travelling on behalf of the organization.

Standard first page

Read sample 

General information.

  • Status  :  Published Publication date  :  2021-09 Stage : International Standard published [ 60.60 ]
  • Edition  : 1 Number of pages  : 48
  • Technical Committee : ISO/TC 262 ICS  : 03.100.01  
  • RSS  updates

Add to cart this standard

  • ISO 31030:2021
  • 00 Preliminary
  • 10.99 2018-07-06 New project approved
  • 20.00 2018-07-06 New project registered in TC/SC work programme
  • 30.00 2020-02-07 Committee draft (CD) registered
  • 30.20 2020-02-07 CD study initiated
  • 30.60 2020-04-04 Close of comment period
  • 30.99 2020-08-06 CD approved for registration as DIS
  • 40.00 2020-09-01 DIS registered
  • 40.20 2020-11-03 DIS ballot initiated: 12 weeks
  • 40.60 2021-01-27 Close of voting
  • 40.99 2021-05-19 Full report circulated: DIS approved for registration as FDIS
  • 50.00 2021-05-19 Final text received or FDIS registered for formal approval
  • 50.20 2021-06-22 Proof sent to secretariat or FDIS ballot initiated: 8 weeks
  • 50.60 2021-08-18 Close of voting. Proof returned by secretariat
  • 60.00 2021-08-18 International Standard under publication
  • 60.60 2021-09-14 International Standard published
  • 90.20 International Standard under systematic review
  • 90.60 Close of review
  • 90.92 International Standard to be revised
  • 90.93 International Standard confirmed
  • 90.99 Withdrawal of International Standard proposed by TC or SC
  • 95.99 Withdrawal of International Standard

Got a question?

Check out our FAQs

Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00 (UTC+1)

  • Standards catalogue

Eurofins E&E London - Safety Testing & Certification

Formerly Nemko Limited

  • Why Eurofins E&E London?
  • Accreditation / Approvals
  • UKCA Marking
  • Global Market Access
  • North America
  • Saudi Arabia
  • The MET Mark – Product Safety Certification for the North American Market
  • 13A UK Plugs
  • Audio Video
  • Electrical Accessories
  • EN/IEC 62368
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Factory Inspections
  • Impact Protection (IK)
  • Ingress Protection (IP)
  • Information Technology
  • Laboratory Equipment
  • Plugs and Sockets

Travel Adaptors

  • Medical Device Safety Testing

Travel Adaptors

We are UKAS accredited (Accreditation No. 0225) for testing to BS 8546, the standard for travel adaptors.

It replaces standards such as BS 5733 and IEC 60884, which have been commonly applied to travel adaptors in the past, for products marketed in the UK.

For information about testing USB outlets see below.

Key information

  • Applicable from April 2016
  • Covers all travel adaptors which contain either BS 1363 compatible plug pins or a BS 1363 compatible socket, (if intended for sale in the UK).
  • USB charger socket outlets are also covered under Annex F of BS 8546 by applying: (i) Any of the following safety standards: BS EN 62368-1 or BS EN 61558-2-6 & BS EN 61558-2-16 Plus: (ii) BS EN 62680-1-1 (the performance standard that is currently specified in BS 8546) Note: the USB circuit must be classified as a ‘dedicated charging port’

For further information or a quotation contact Edward Rose:

T: +44 (0)20 8254 5231 E:  [email protected]

  • Institutional Login
  • Register as a new user

The reassuringly easy way to work with standards.BSOL is the simple online tool that gives you instant access to standards.

It’s easy to build your own database of relevant ISO, EN, BS, PAS, ASTM and IEC standards. You can find what you need fast and stay right up to date – so you can avoid costly errors and work with confidence.

  • +44 345 086 8037
  • [email protected]
  •  | 
  • Privacy Notice
  • Intellectual Property
  • Accessibility
  • Cookie Policy

bs standard for travel

BSI Group is the first world’s and national standards body and a leading global standards maker.

The bsi list of standards contains over  50 000 standards and publications. 30 000 titles and more are current. the list of bsi standards includes bs standards of uk origin, bs en standards published by cen/cenelec and bs iso and bs iec international standards. , bsi group represents uk economic and social interests across all european and international standards organizations and in the development of business information solutions for british organizations of all sizes and sectors., popular bs standards:, quality management bs en iso 9001, environment management bs en iso 14001, information security bs en iso/iec 27001, health & safety bs iso 45001, asset management bs iso 55001, bim kit bs en iso 19650 series, fire detection bs 5839-6, water quality bs 8580-1:2019 - tracked changes, wiring regulations bs 7671:2018.

BSI GROUP publishs over 3,100 standards each year, underpinned by a collaborative approach, engaging with industry experts, government bodies, trade associations, businesses of all sizes and consumers to develop standards that reflect good business practice, protect consumers and facilitate international trade.

First Aid for Free

Free Online First Aid, CPR and AED Training With Certificates

  • First aid blog

British Standard BS 8599 First Aid Kit Contents List

by John Furst · Published May 3, 2016 · Updated June 20, 2016

The British Standard BS 8599 sets out the requirements for first aid kits in the workplace. The rules can seem confusing for some organisations and employers.

In this first aid blog post we explain the first aid kit requirements in order to meet BS 8599 .

Employers are required to make a risk assessment to decide what hazard levels are and how many employees are involved in the area to be covered.  Below is a useful guide to help match this risk assessment to an appropriate kit size.

Where there are special circumstances, such as remoteness from emergency medical services, shiftwork or sites with several separate buildings there might need to be more First Aid kits than set out in the table below.

BS 8599 First Aid kit contents list

Here are the suggested first aid kit contents for each of the kit sizes.

' src=

JOHN FURST is an experienced emergency medical technician and qualified first aid and CPR instructor. John is passionate about first aid and believes everyone should have the skills and confidence to take action in an emergency situation.

You may also like...

The three cs of first aid.

December 23, 2013

 by John Furst · Published December 23, 2013 · Last modified December 26, 2013

bs standard for travel

First aid for trigger finger

October 21, 2015

 by John Furst · Published October 21, 2015 · Last modified October 20, 2015

How does a defibrillator work?

How does a defibrillator work?

February 3, 2015

 by John Furst · Published February 3, 2015 · Last modified February 2, 2015

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Terms of Use

By using this website you agree to our medical disclaimer

This website is not a substitute for practical first aid training

Firstaidforfree.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

bs standard for travel

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

BS 9991: What are the new changes?

bs standard for travel

Fire safety is incredibly important — this doesn’t need to be reiterated. We all know that compliance with fire regulations protects buildings and the environment, as well as being a case of life or death, so they’re not just a legal requirement. One of these essential best practices is BS 9991, which is a document produced by the British Standards Institution (BSI), the UK national standards body.

While BS 9999 regulates fire safety in the design , management and use of non-residential constructions, BS 9991 complements it for residential buildings. It lays out specifications and practices for suitable fire safety measures, including fire detection alarm systems and fixed pre-fighting arrangements.

However, BS 9991 is being rehauled at the moment in an attempt to reflect the many changes to buildings and construction in the years since 2015, when the latest update was released. So, if you’re an architect, fire safety engineer, fire risk assessor or any other professional who is concerned with fire regulations for flats and other dwellings, it’s vital that you keep updated.

Luckily, a draft of the proposed 2021 revision is out, so we have taken the time to point out the recent proposed changes, as well as some glaring omissions in the new text. Note that the document is likely to be amended further, though.

1. Systems and strategy

One of the biggest changes the new content introduces are to smoke ventilation systems and fire strategy.

Smoke ventilation systems (Section 22.3.2.2)

Albeit rare on a stair core that is above 18 metres, the previous regulations allowed natural smoke ventilation systems on any height of building (excluding natural facade ventilation on buildings over 30 metres). If you’re wondering why this type of system is so uncommon in tall constructions, the answer is concern over smoke-logging — when smoke cools down and loses its buoyancy. As natural ventilation systems require the smoke to travel up a very long shaft, the chances of this increase, which will be counter-productive. It can significantly hinder the stack effect and result in the smoke persisting. In other words, failed ventilation.

The new changes spell this out and restrict the use of natural smoke ventilation to buildings up to 30 metres in height, as long as travel distances are below 7.5 metres (extended to 15 if sprinkles are installed). If the structure is taller or the distances are higher, BS 9991 states that a mechanical smoke ventilation system or pressure differential system should be used.

‘Stay Put’ strategy (Section 3.62)

The ‘Stay Put’ policy has been the subject of much controversy. This fire evacuation strategy, relevant mainly for blocks of flats, suggests that as long as fire and smoke have not reached a room, the dwellers are encouraged to shut the doors and windows and remain in the unaffected area. If and when the fire does reach their flat or common area, that’s when they should vacate the premises and seek help.

The new phrasing in BS 9991 explains that “all residents are always free to leave their flats if they wish to do so”, but that it might, however, “place them at greater risk than remaining within their flats”. Of course, this has always been the case — no one has ever forbidden anyone from leaving their apartment even in buildings with the strategy in place. Nonetheless, it being clarified in the Standard will bring comfort to those who are unsure about this policy and its use.

2. System control and control products (Annex A.2.1)

When it comes to rescue services, sometimes the need arises to fiddle with controls and fire systems. This is to allow firefighters to turn parts of the system on or off as the situation changes. However, some of these controls and overrides are either incredibly complex or unclearly labelled, which discourages emergency services from interacting with them for fear of worsening conditions. The new guidelines lay out how these systems should be structured to allow for maximal fire safety:

Automation: Systems should be fully automatic and never rely on the interaction of firefighters during the means of escape or firefighting phases. This does not apply to openable vents.

High-speed mode (AKA boost or firefighting mode) :

Smoke control systems should start in high-speed mode at the outset if this is the requirement.

Variable speed mechanical systems should be controlled using pressure sensors or other means that will not require firefighters to operate controls to initiate a high-speed mode.

Overrides: Systems should not possess any overrides or manual inputs that may interfere with their automatic function. If overrides are absolutely necessary, the automatic system should be completely turned off — this is unlikely to occur until the incident is deemed ‘over’ by the firefighters.

Control panels: Control panels should be simple and logical to operate without relying on manuals.

The most significant change is the regulation stating that systems should start in high-speed mode from the get-go, as well as have no overrides or manual input to change their automatic function. These amendments will completely transform the way systems are used in a fire scenario. Fire and rescue services will have to be trained to understand these controls, while designers, architects and fire engineers will need to overhaul their approach.

3. Construction (Annex A.5.1.4(c))

Previously, the only shaft types with size restrictions were natural smoke ventilation systems. These have a minimum cross-sectional area of 1.5m² and a minimum dimension of 850mm in any direction. The new amendment to BS 9991 now asserts the same minimum dimension for mechanical smoke ventilation systems, too — although it still does not lay out a strict cross-sectional area requirement. Instead, it gives a range of 0.6m² and 1.0m². Granted, this will not make a huge difference in practice, as the vast majority of mechanical extract shafts are around 0.8m² anyway. However, it is now codified, which means designers will have to pay extra attention to it.

BS 9991 also deals with a number of smoke control products and further clarifies their correct use. Notably, this is sometimes done in a contradictory manner to previous advice, which implies it is even more important to pay attention to these changes.

Smoke vents (Annex A.5.1 and A.5.2.3.2)

In contrast with Approved Document B, which states that “All vents should either be a fire doorset [...] or fitted with a smoke control damper [...]”, the new standards set in BS 9991 declare that automatic opening vents (AOVs) that open into shafts or ducts should be smoke control dampers. This is significant because, unfortunately, recent fires have taught us that fire doors acting as vents are not ideal. They have failed to operate, causing evacuees to be removed from buildings wearing smoke hoods. The new regulation makes it abundantly clear that this is no longer considered best practice.

Actuators (Annex A.5.2.3.2, Note 2)

In some buildings, site-installed actuators or ‘window actuators’ have been used as makeshift smoke vents. BS EN 12101-2 already clarified that this is an unapproved practice, but BS 9991 now strengthens this point even further, affirming that “the fitting of actuators to other components to ‘make’ natural smoke vents or smoke control dampers is not acceptable, as no performance has been tested.”

Smoke control dampers (Annex A.5.5)

The document now posits that smoke control dampers should be classified for reduced leakage S, upholding BS EN 12101-8 but departing from the SCA Guide. It also applies a minimum operations classification of C10 000. Both of these requirements ensure that the dampers are of good quality and are able to last for a long period of time, as they are used or tested weekly.

5. Power (Section 23)

Secondary power supply methods previously included an option to use two separate intakes into the building from the same external substation. This now appears to have been removed, limiting alternatives to a life safety generator, an independent utility primary network substation to the one feeding the primary supply or an uninterruptible power supply. As of now, it is unclear why this change has been made, however, independent queries will surely clarify this.

Moreover, a clause in Section 23 states that “the UPS battery equipment should be located adjacent to the equipment that it is to support […].” This is an interesting concept, but yet again ambiguous regarding its application to roof-mounted extract units, as at present it would be unusual to situate a UPS on the roof of a building.

6. Standards (Section 22.3.2.3, Note 1)

Interestingly, the BS 9991 gives us a sneak peak into a new Standard coming out soon: “When published, BS EN 12101-13 will take the place of the designs in the current BS EN 12101-6 and will refer to BS EN 12101-6 for kit and component requirements.” Designers and architects should keep their eyes peeled for that.

7. Maintenance (Annex J)

Annex J brings along many changes and clarifications, including:

Inspections (J.2.3): Smoke control systems and fire damper control panels should be inspected daily.

Cleaning (J.7): Ducting and shafts should be cleaned at least annually, and certificates of cleaning should be obtained.

Records (J.8): Each system and component of active and passive fire protection should have a record kept, with positive evidence and documentation of inspection — even where there are no faults.

Faults (J.9): A written risk assessment should be drawn up in case of a fault, including the measures that will correct it. Residents should be informed and advised.

8. Notable omissions, anomalies and required clarifications

Seeing as the document as it stands now is still in its draft stage, it is understandable that some parts require clarification, while others are lacking:

Aerodynamic free area: There is some uncertainty between EN 120101 and Approved Document B regarding declaration of free areas versus aerodynamic free areas. BS 9991, unfortunately, does not give a standardised answer to this question in Section 3.33.

Control equipment: The document seems to be confused on when to conform with BS ISO 21927-9. The Standard is mentioned in Annex A.2.2 regarding natural smoke and heat exhaust ventilators, whereas it should be dealt with when talking about control specifications.

Mechanical smoke ventilation systems: In Annex A.3.2.1, Note 1, the document lays out parameters for a test criteria. However, these are usually applied to pressure differential systems rather than mechanical smoke ventilation systems, so it seems conspicuous.

Depressurisation: When it comes to methods to stop excessive depressurisation of extract zones, pressure sensors are mentioned while reverse-hung doors aren’t. This is despite the fact they are far less likely to fail.

Smoke shaft: It has previously been acceptable to use the smoke shaft for cabling for the smoke ventilation system, however, in Annex A.5.1.3(j), it is mentioned that no service should be contained within the smoke shaft — including its control devices. It is unclear whether the guidance has changed on this.

Extract point: Section 22.3.2.3 contradicts SCA guidance when it states that a mechanical smoke ventilation system that is installed in the protected lobby or corridor can be directly adjacent to the stairwell enclosure. The previous practice asserts that the extract point should be remote from the stair core.

BS 9991 is an incredibly important update to the 2015 Standard. It has many well-needed clarifications and elucidates key concepts and practices that may have been confused before, while taking into account the changes to construction and the lessons that have been learnt since. This draft still requires some fine-tuning, though, so make sure to follow us for more information, or get in touch with us if you need professional help.

bs standard for travel

  • Skip to main content
  • Accessibility help

Information

We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Building Standards technical handbook 2017: non-domestic buildings

The Building Standards technical handbooks provide guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and are available in two volumes, Domestic buildings and Non-domestic buildings. This publication is available in html and also in PDF format (in 'supporting documents' ).

This document is part of a collection

  • Building standards

Mandatory Standard

2.9.0 introduction.

While the number of deaths from fires in non-domestic buildings is less than domestic buildings the potential for significant life loss and injuries is far greater. This is due to the large occupancy capacities that may be involved and the complexity of occupant behaviour including the potential for delay in occupant evacuation following the outbreak of fire.

Occupants in buildings do not normally perceive themselves to be at risk from fire and are not fully aware of the speed that fire can spread. The risk to occupants is greater if they are asleep during the outbreak of fire as their ability to detect a fire and to escape will be greatly impaired.

Everyone within a building should be provided with at least one means of escape from fire that offers a safe passage to a place of safety outside the building . This should allow for them to escape from the building before being affected by fire or smoke. In certain circumstances, for example, where the travel distance is excessive, a second means of escape should be provided. This will allow the occupants to turn away from the fire and make their escape in the other direction. There may be up to four stages in the process of escape:

escape from the room of fire origin or escape from the fire where only one direction is possible

escape from the compartment of fire origin or until the safety of a fire resisting wall is reached

escape from the floor of fire origin to protected zones and escape stairs , and

escape from the building to a place of safety at ground level.

Due to the special fire precautions within residential care buildings , hospitals and enclosed shopping centres, additional guidance is provided in the annexes. However it is important to remember that the guidance in the annexes is in addition and supplementary to the guidance to Standard 2.1 to 2.15. For additional guidance on:

residential care buildings , see annex 2.A

hospitals , see annex 2.B

enclosed shopping centres, see annex 2.C.

Conversions - in the case of conversions , as specified in regulation 4, the building as converted shall meet the requirement of this standard (regulation 12, schedule 6).

2.9.1 Escape principles

The occupants should be able to leave the building or part of the building in relative safety during the outbreak of a fire without assistance from the fire and rescue service.

Designers generally achieve this by providing independent routes of escape either directly to a place of safety , or through an adjacent compartment or protected zone .

The time available to leave a room or compartment of fire origin before being overcome by fire or smoke is dependant on a number of key factors:

the number and mobility of occupants in the compartment or room of fire origin

the containment measures of the room or compartment of fire origin

the geometry of the room or compartment

means of early warning of fire

the fire dynamics (e.g. the fire load and the rate of fire growth)

the distance to reach a place of safety, a protected zone or another compartment , and

the number and width of exits.

There are many options available to designers when considering escape from buildings to a place of safety . However these options can be subdivided into 3 broad categories:

direct escape

internal escape

external escape.

Direct escape means that occupants can escape from a building directly to a place of safety by way of a final exit door without using an internal or external escape route . Whilst direct escape to a place of safety is preferable, this is not always possible or convenient, for example, in hospitals or multi-storey buildings with many floors high above the ground.

Internal escape is perhaps the most common method of escape from buildings . Occupants escape from fire using enclosed corridors and stairs inside the building to reach a final exit door from the building , which leads to a place of safety .

External escape routes are wholly or partially open to the external air therefore the risk of smoke logging is reduced compared with enclosed escape routes inside the building . External escape routes include external escape stairs , access decks and flat roofs . In certain circumstances, an escape route from a building may be by way of a flat roof or an access deck .

2.9.2 Occupancy capacity

The use of a building and its occupancy capacity can vary considerably. It is necessary therefore to calculate the appropriate number of occupants in each space for normal circumstances.

The occupancy capacity can be estimated by assigning a floor area per occupant, this is called the occupancy load factor. The occupancy capacity of a room or space (without fixed seating) can then be obtained by dividing the area in square metres by the relevant occupancy load factor. While some buildings such as residential buildings are designed for a definitive number of occupants other occupancies such as in offices can vary.

The table below is based on the following characteristics of the occupancy:

assembly and entertainment buildings , which may have high occupancy density and large undivided floor areas

offices, where desks, cabinets and office machinery will be present

shops , where display shelves, counters and racks will be present

residential buildings , where the number of occupants is generally controlled by the number of beds available

factory and storage buildings , where the occupancy capacity is normally low and goods or machinery will be present.

The values in the table can be used as a guide to assess the occupancy capacity of a room. Where the occupancy load factors listed in the table below are not used, a written statement of the occupancy capacity should be submitted to the verifier who may wish to confirm the figures (e.g. occupancy capacity may be based on the number of available seats; the figure should include the number of spaces available for wheelchair users).

Table 2.10. Occupancy capacity in rooms and spaces without fixed seating

Additional information:

The occupancy capacity in enclosed shopping centres should be calculated in accordance with annex 2.C.

Shop sales area are classified as follows:

shop sales areas other than those listed in sub-clause 2(b) including supermarkets and department stores (all sales areas), shops for personal services such as hairdressing and shops for the delivery or uplift of goods for cleaning, repair or other treatment or for members of the general public themselves carrying out such cleaning, repair or other treatment

shop sales areas in shops trading predominately in furniture, floor coverings, cycles, perambulators, large domestic appliances or other bulky goods or trading on a wholesale self-selection basis.

The descriptions; arcade, hall, gallery and room used in the table do not indicate a particular design or configuration of building .

2.9.3 Travel distance

Travel distance is the term applied to the distance that occupants have to travel to a protected door and is measured along the actual route of escape from any point within a storey, including the distance across rooms .

The further occupants need to travel within a building to reach a protected door the greater the risk from the effects of fire. The travel distance should allow for the occupants to reach a protected door before being overcome by fire or smoke. This distance will depend on the nature of the fire and the characteristics of the occupants.

Occupants should be able to reach a protected door before there is a noticeable accumulation of smoke in the route of escape.

Therefore, to provide for safe evacuation of the occupants, it is necessary to have limitations on the distance occupants should have to travel to reach a protected door .

The limitations on travel distances reflect the different levels of protection that are necessary for the building occupants, based on the fire hazard and occupancy profile. The distances and available directions of travel, given in the following table and the guidance on travel distance, reflect this philosophy.

Table 2.11. Recommended travel distance (m)

Additional information :

For additional guidance on residential care buildings , see annex 2.A.

For additional guidance on hospitals , see annex 2.B.

For additional guidance on enclosed shopping centres, see annex 2.C.

If the building also contains a room or auditorium with provision for fixed seating, the more demanding travel distances should be used.

In a silage or grain store on a farm where the material is handled primarily by mechanical plant, the distance is 30m.

2.9.4 Measurement of travel distance

Travel distance is the distance measured along the actual route of escape from any point within a storey to the nearest protected door giving direct access to:

a place of safety , or

another compartment , or

a protected zone , or

an external escape stair , or

a flat roof or access deck , or

to a door in a sub-compartment wall as described in annex 2.A and annex 2.B.

In the case of a building which has only 1 direction of travel, the travel distance should be measured to a protected door giving access to an escape stair or a place of safety. In the case of a building or part of a building where there are at least 2 available directions of travel, the travel distance may be measured to any protected door.

Obstructions - where a floor is divided by fixed seating or other fixed obstructions, the travel distance should be measured by way of the shortest route along open seatways, gangways or circulation areas.

Internal stairs - where a measurement of travel distance includes an internal unenclosed escape stair , the travel distance should be measured along the pitch line from the centre of the nosing of the topmost tread to the lower landing, including the length of any intermediate landings.

2.9.5 Head room

An escape route and circulation area should have a clear headroom of at least 2m. In a doorway it may be reduced to not less than 1.9m.

2.9.6 Horizontal evacuation

In progressive horizontal evacuation, occupants within separate compartments remote from the fire may not need to evacuate the building . They may be able to remain within the building until the fire and rescue service has dealt with the fire or, if required, commence evacuation into an adjoining compartment or escape direct to the outside. The objective is to provide a place of relative safety within an adjoining compartment , from which further evacuation can be made if necessary but under less pressure of time.

Where the travel distance is measured to a protected door in a compartment wall :

there should be no fire shutter in that compartment wall , and

if the compartment does not contain either a final exit or direct access to a protected zone , then each of the adjoining compartments , should have at least 1 other escape route , which is not through a further compartment , and

the area of the adjoining compartment is:

at least the sum, in m 2 ; of the occupancy capacities of both compartments multiplied by 0.3, or

the escape route width available from the adjoining compartment is sufficient for the sum of the occupancy capacities of both compartments .

A fire in any one compartment should not prevent the occupants of any other compartment area from reaching a final exit.

See annex 2.A for additional guidance on residential care buildings and annex 2.B for hospitals .

2.9.7 Number of exits

To assess the numbers of exits required from the storey , the occupancy of the whole storey must be assessed. There is no need however to include adjoining parts of the building where the adjoining part does not communicate with the part under consideration.

The evacuation time from a room or storey is controlled by the number of exits and the time taken for occupants to pass through the exits. The fewer and narrower the exit the longer it can take for occupants to leave a room or storey, this is liable to cause irritation among those waiting, which in an emergency may lead to panic and crushing. Exits must therefore be numerous and wide enough to discharge the occupants before such conditions occur.

The number of escape routes from a room or storey exits relates to:

the use and occupancy profile within the building

the occupancy capacity

the height of a storey above the ground or the depth below ground, and

the travel distance involved.

To provide the occupants with the opportunity to move away from the effects of fire and smoke, on each storey of a building there should be sufficient exits to one or more of the following:

an escape stair

another compartment

directly to a place of safety .

In hospitals, the number of storey exits increase in proportion to the number of patient beds (see annex 2.B).

Room exits - it is important to realise that evacuating occupants from a building is dependant not only on the time it takes to reach an exit but also on the number that can be discharged through an exit in a given time. The tables below state the minimum number of exits that should be considered for a room depending on its occupancy capacity. For the purposes of this guidance, reference to a room shall include reference to a gallery , catwalk or openwork floor.

Table 2.12. Minimum number of room exits

The table below states the minimum number of exits that should be provided for a storey related to its occupancy capacity.

Table 2.13. Minimum number of storey exits

At least 2 storey exits should be provided from:

any storey at a height of more than 7.5m

any storey in a residential care building or hospital

a basement storey at a depth of more than 4.5m; or a basement storey which is intended to be used by members of the general public (other than a basement storey providing access only to sanitary accommodation ).

Single escape stair - it is possible to design a building with part of the upper storey at a height of not more than 7.5m to have only one escape route where the remainder of the storey has two escape routes . In cases where escape is by way of a single escape stair , access to the escape stair should be by way of a protected lobby .

Room exits to storey exits - where a room is located on a storey , which, due to the occupancy capacity, height of the storey or travel distance, is recommended to have 2 or more storey exits , the escape routes from the room exits to the storey exits should be designed as follows:

where only 1 room exit is provided, the escape route from the room should lead to 2 independent storey exits. However this need not be provided to:

any room or space inside a protected zone enclosing an escape stair (see clause 2.9.24), or

any room on a storey at a height of not more than 7.5m where the escape route provides access to a place of safety or to another compartment and the travel distance is designed in accordance with the guidance in clause 2.9.3 for one direction of travel.

where the occupancy capacity of a room is not more than 100, the room exits may give access to the same space provided the guidance for alternative directions of escape has been followed.

where the occupancy capacity of a room is more than 100, the room exits may also give access to the same space provided:

the guidance for alternative directions of escape has been followed, and

both escape routes are separated in the adjoining space by construction including a self-closing fire door , with a short fire resistance duration.

2.9.8 Escape route widths

To assist in the movement of occupants and reduce anxiety during an evacuation, escape routes should be wide enough to allow occupants to escape safely. The following recommendations for the width of escape routes are based on the speed and number of occupants that can move along an escape route together.

The aggregate unobstructed width in mm of all escape routes from a room, or storey, should be at least 5.3 x the occupancy capacity of the room or storey.

When a room or storey requires 2 or more escape routes , consideration should be given to the impact of one of the exits being affected by fire. The remaining exits, should be wide enough to allow all occupants sufficient time to leave the room or storey safely. Under these circumstances, when calculating the width of exits , the largest exits should be discounted. The aggregate width of the remaining exits need to be capable of accommodating the total number of occupants of the room or storey .

The guidance on the width of exits assumes a unit width of 530mm per person and a rate of discharge of 40 persons per minute. In theory a corridor 530mm wide would be capable of discharging 100 occupants in 2.5 minutes, but such a width would not allow occupants to move around freely and without difficulty, to the best of their ability. The unobstructed width of each individual escape route should be at least 1200mm to assist occupants with sensory, cognitive and/or mobility impairments. However where only stepped access is provided to a part of the building , the escape route may be reduced as follows:

in buildings with not more than 225 occupants the minimum width may be reduced to 1100mm

in buildings with not more than 100 occupants the minimum width may be reduced to 1000mm.

Doorways can reduce the width of escape routes by 150mm. This nominal reduction allows for the construction of door frames, however:

where the number of occupants using the escape route is not more than 225, the clear opening width of the doorway should be at least 850mm

where the number of occupants using the escape route is not more than 100, the clear opening width of the doorway should be at least 800mm.

The clear opening width at doorways is measured in accordance with the diagram below:

Figure 2.7. Clear opening width at doorways

Constancy of width - an escape route should not narrow in the direction of escape. However an escape route may pass through a wider circulation area leading to a narrower circulation area provided the latter is of a width at least that recommended for the escape route . Width of escape stairs is covered in clause 2.9.31.

The strict application of the above guidance may not be appropriate in all cases as follows:

a hospital, where staff will move bed patients into a safe area within the building , or

enclosed shopping centres where the mall is regarded as a place of relative safety.

More detailed guidance for hospitals is provided in annex 2.B and for enclosed shopping centres in annex 2.C.

2.9.9 Direction of escape

Everyone within a room when confronted by an outbreak of fire should be provided with at least one means of escape that offers safe passage to an exit from that room.

A layout, which only follows the recommendations for travel distance and number of storey exits, may still result in an undesirable layout. For example if two exits are placed close together it may make it impossible for all occupants to reach either exit if the fire is close to the exits. It is essential therefore, that where more than one exit is provided they are located so that at least one exit is available.

In many cases, there will not be an alternative at the beginning of the route. For example, there may be only one exit from a room to a corridor, from which point escape is possible in two directions. This is acceptable provided the distance the occupants have to travel, to the point where they can diverge in two or more directions, follows the relevant guidance in clause 2.9.3 for one direction of travel, and the overall route to a protected zone or place of safety follows the recommendations for more than one direction of travel.

Where more than one room exit is provided, the directions of travel from any point within the room should:

diverge at an angle of at least 45°, or

be combined for a distance not more than that allowed for one direction of travel and then diverge to two exits at an angle of at least 45° plus 2½° for every metre travelled in one direction (see table to clause 2.9.3).

To reduce the risk of 2 room exits becoming impassable due to fire or smoke in the early stages of fire growth, the distance between the exits from the room should be more than twice the distance travelled in one direction.

2.9.10 Escape from inner room

Occupants within an inner room could become trapped where there is an outbreak of fire in the adjoining access room. Therefore, escape should only be by way of one other room, and the inner room should:

not be used as sleeping accommodation

have an escape route that does not pass through more than one access room

the access room should be fitted with a suitable automatic fire detection and alarm system to warn the occupants of the inner room of an out break of fire

the access room should not be a place of special fire risk .

2.9.11 Fixed obstructions/furnishings

Storage areas of buildings with fixed obstructions should provide unobstructed access to an exit. Access to an exit in such buildings may be by way of a gangway. The width of gangways between fixed obstructions (including fixed racking or shelving and high-bay storage) should be at least 530mm. Due to the low occupancy and limited occupation in a building for the bulk storage of spirituous liquor, the width may be reduced to at least 400mm.

Fixed seating or furnishings - in a building , or part of a building , with fixed seating or fixed seating and fixed tables or other floor fixtures, there should be access to an exit by way of a gangway or a seatway, or a seatway directly to an exit; or a circulation area in accordance with the table and diagram below and:

in the case of an auditorium that has more than 1 exit, at least 1 exit should be provided at least two-thirds of the distance from any stage, screen or performing area towards the back of the room, and

a gangway or exit door should be provided at each end of a row of more than 12 fixed seats, and

in the case of shops where the room, or part of the room, has an occupancy capacity of more than 100, the minimum width of a circulation area should be designed as if the circulation area were an escape route , or

in the case of buildings to which the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 applies, it is appropriate to use the Guide to safety at sports grounds http://www.culture.gov.uk .

Figure 2.8. Plan of room with provision for fixed seating

Figure 2.9. Method of measuring seatway widths

Table 2.14. Minimum width of gangways & seats in a room with fixed seating

May be reduced to 900mm where the occupancy capacity of the room is not more than 60.

The travel distance should be measured by way of the shortest route along open seatways, gangways or circulation areas.

2.9.12 Escape routes in residential buildings

In residential buildings occupants are particularly vulnerable to fire when asleep. Occupants may also be unfamiliar with their accommodation and escape routes . Those occupants on the fire floor should be provided with the opportunity to reach a protected zone (or other escape route ) in relative safety and as quickly as possible, therefore, the movement of fire and smoke to the escape route should be inhibited.

In a residential building , where any corridor escape route serves sleeping accommodation it should be constructed of walls providing a short fire resistance duration and any door in the wall should be a suitable self-closing fire door with a short fire resistance duration. However the fire door to the cleaners cupboard need not be self closing provided it is lockable.

This guidance may need to be adapted in a residential building used as a place of lawful detention due to the unique operational factors.

For additional guidance on residential care buildings and hospitals see annex 2A and 2B.

2.9.13 Fire and smoke control in corridors

The first hazard to occupants beyond the room of fire origin is likely to be from the products of combustion. Any migration of fire and smoke to an escape route may deter occupants from using it.

Every corridor, that is used as an escape route that exceeds the dimensions in the guidance below, should be:

subdivided with a wall or screen with a short fire resistance duration, or

protected by the installation of a smoke control system.

Where the corridor is subdivided by a wall or screen with a short fire resistance duration (insulation criteria need not be applied) any door in the wall or screen should be a self-closing fire door and:

where the corridor is a dead end more than 4.5m long and provides access to a point from which more than 1 direction of escape is possible, it should be divided at that point or points, as shown in the diagram below and

where the corridor provides at least 2 directions of escape and is more than 12m in length between the exits it serves, it should be divided in the middle third of the corridor. This does not mean that the corridor should be subdivided into 12m lengths.

Figure 2.10. Corridor division

Where a cavity extends across any of the self closing fire doors identified above, or above the walls described in clause 2.9.12 a cavity barrier with at least short fire resistance duration should be fitted above the sub-dividing wall and fire door to inhibit fire and smoke spread.

Smoke control systems - when a design incorporates a smoke control system in a building , other than a residential care building or hospital , it should employ smoke differentials in accordance with BS EN 12101: Part 6: 2005, but assuming a minimum pressure difference (over the wall being assessed) of 25 Pa based on a wind speed of 22m/sec. Mechanical smoke ventilation using pressure differentials may be used to inhibit smoke spread into escape routes by means of:

depressurisation systems, or

pressurisation systems.

The merits and limitations of each system should be assessed before deciding which system to choose.

A depressurisation system is based on the principle of extracting smoke to the outside air. This creates a negative pressure in the space relative to the adjacent spaces. Where a smoke ventilation depressurisation system is used, replacement air should be provided for the system to operate effectively. The volume of air and smoke removed should be replaced with the equivalent volume of replacement air at a sufficient rate in order to ensure a smoke flow out of the building . Reducing the rate of replacement air can result in the smoke ventilation system becoming less efficient whereas increasing replacement air and extraction at high velocities can produce air pressure conditions which make doors difficult to open. The system should be balanced to ensure that the forces required to open doors are not greater than those specified in Section 4 Safety.

A pressurisation system is based on the principle of forcing air into the escape route which helps to keep smoke out. Forced air can be used to maintain a positive pressure in the escape route which produces an air flow through gaps around doors preventing the smoke from entering. The system design should take account of likely pressure reduction when occupants open doors to escape or when fire-fighters open doors to access the fire. The system should be balanced to ensure that the forces required to open doors are not greater than those specified in Section 4 Safety.

2.9.14 Openings in floors

In the event of a fire, there is always a risk that an opening in a floor could result in a proportion of fire or smoke and toxic fumes arising from a fire flowing up through the opening leading to a build-up of smoke on the upper storeys . This can pose a threat to life safety, particularly when the occupants are unfamiliar with the building . Smoke and flames rising through such an opening in a floor may impede evacuees from leaving the building . It is important when such a design is considered that it does not impair the ability of the occupants to escape. Occupants should be able to move directly away from the opening or continue their evacuation at a safe distance away from the edge of the opening.

Escape routes should not be compromised by openings between floors, such as at an escalator and fire safety measures are necessary to compensate for this increased level of hazard; the diagram below explains this principle.

In a building where there is an opening in any floor, not being a compartment floor or separating floor , an escape route should not be within 4.5m of the openings unless:

the direction of travel is away from the opening, or

there is an alternative escape route , which does not pass within 4.5m of the opening, or

a wall or screen with a short fire resistance duration for integrity is provided between the opening and the route of escape.

Figure 2.11. Openings in floors

2.9.15 Obstacles

Time can be a critical factor in ensuring occupants can leave the building before being overcome by the effects of fire and smoke. It is important therefore that an escape route provides a clear unobstructed route that does not restrict the flow of occupants.

To ensure the safe and smooth movement of occupants and prevent unnecessary increase in anxiety during an evacuation the following should not be part of an escape route:

an escalator, or

a turnstile, other than a suitably designed and installed turnstile unit with an emergency break out facility enabling the entire unit to open in the direction of escape, or

any shutter; other than one which is installed for security purposes across a shop front and which does not close automatically in the event of fire, or

a manual sliding door, accessible to the public.

A fixed ladder may be used to escape from a plant room (not being a place of special fire risk ), which is unoccupied other than for maintenance purposes.

Revolving doors and automatic doors can obstruct the passage of persons escaping. However they may be installed in an escape route if designed and installed in accordance with BS 7036: 1996 and are either:

arranged to fail safely to outward opening from any position of opening, or

provided with a monitored fail-safe system for opening the door from any position in the event of mains supply failure and also in the event of failure of the opening sensing device, and

opens automatically from any position in the event of actuation of any fire alarm in the fire alarm zone within which the door is situated.

2.9.16 Direction of door openings

Doors across an escape route can slow the flow of occupants and may lead to crowding. To ensure that doors on an escape route do not unduly delay escape they should open in the direction of escape. However doors across an escape route may open against the direction of escape where the occupancy capacity in the building , or part of the building is low as follows:

in a factory building or storage building where the occupancy capacity is not more than 10

in any other building where the occupancy capacity is not more than 60.

However if the door is an emergency door or a door serving a place of special fire risk , the side-hung door should open in the direction of escape regardless of occupancy levels.

2.9.17 Galleries

For the purposes of compliance with this standard a gallery is an integral part of the room into which it projects, and the occupants of a gallery would have the same awareness of an outbreak of fire in a room as the other occupants of that room. The limitations on the size of a gallery relative to the room into which it projects is to provide those occupants on the gallery with the same awareness of any outbreak of fire.

The safety of those using a gallery, relates to:

the use and occupancy characteristics within the room, and

the occupancy capacity, and

the travel distance, and

the number of escape routes .

A gallery should be open above and below to the room into which it projects and should not give access to any other room , other than a room with a means of escape independent of the gallery. The gallery may be wholly or partly enclosed below, where:

the floor of the gallery has a short fire resistance duration, and

at least 1 route of escape from the gallery is by way of a protected door .

2.9.18 Locks

Locks on exits doors or locks on doors across escape routes present difficulties when assessing the need for security against the need to allow safe egress from a building in the event of a fire. Security measures however should not compromise the ability of the occupants to escape from a building in an emergency.

In general, all doors on escape routes , should either not be fitted with locks, or they should only be fitted with fastenings that can be readily operated from the side approached by occupants making an escape. The operation of these locks should be readily apparent, without the use of a key or access control tokens and without having to manipulate more than one mechanism. This is not intended to prohibit the use of locks to secure a room , storey or building when unoccupied. This guidance may also need to be adapted in a building used as place of lawful detention due to the unique operational factors.

Where an exit door from a room, storey or a door across an escape route has to be secured against entry when the building or part of the building is occupied, it should only be fitted with a lock which is readily operated, without a key, from the side approached by occupants making their escape. Similarly, where a secure door is operated by a code, combination, swipe or proximity card, biometric data or similar means, it should also be capable of being overridden from the side approached by occupants making their escape (see also electrically operated locks).

Guidance on the types of hardware for timber fire and escape doors can be obtained from the Code of Practice, 'Hardware for Fire and Escape Doors' Issue 2, June 2006, published by the Door and Hardware Federation and the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers.

2.9.19 Mechanical or electro-mechanical panic exit locking devices

Different groups of users will have differing needs to enable them to escape quickly and easily from a building in the case of fire and this should be reflected in the type of lock chosen. For example, in buildings frequented by the general public it is important that the locks can be released by occupants who may be unfamiliar with the building and have received no training in the emergency procedures or the types of exit locks used in the building .

These locks are designed to operate on body pressure alone and require no knowledge of their operation to enable safe and effective evacuation of the building . In these cases, panic exit locks operated by a horizontal bar should be designed and installed in accordance with BS EN 1125: 1997.

2.9.20 Mechanical or electro-mechanical emergency exit locking devices

In buildings , or parts of buildings , that are not open to the general public, such as in offices or other working environments, the occupants should be awake and familiar with the building . When staff in such areas are trained both in the emergency procedures and in the use of the specific emergency devices fitted (see clause 2.0.8) then emergency exit devices to BS EN 179: 1997 can be installed. This type of locking device is released mechanically by a single action applied to the door lever handle or push pad to allow people familiar with the building to escape in an emergency.

Locking devices to BS EN 179: 1997 can also be used in buildings or areas used by the general public where the occupancy capacity is low. Therefore these devices should not be installed on any door accessible to the general public where the aggregate occupancy capacity of the rooms or storeys served by the door is more than 60 persons.

2.9.21 Electric locking devices that unlock on electrical power being withdrawn

Where there is a choice of escape routes and the doors on one direction of escape are fitted with devices giving mechanical escape which operate on body pressure alone to BS EN 1125: 1997 or by the use of a lever handle or push pad to BS EN 179: 1997, the alternative escape route could be fitted with fail unlocked, electric locking device, such as an electro-magnetic lock. These are devices that require electrical power to be withdrawn from them to unlock.

Fail unlocked, electric locks, may be installed on exit doors and doors across escape routes , which are inaccessible to the general public or, on any door accessible to the general public where the aggregate occupancy capacity of the rooms or storeys served by the door does not exceeds 60 persons.

Where the locks are intended to be used by occupants who are familiar with the building , staff in such areas, will need to be trained both in the emergency procedures and in the use of the specific locking devices fitted (see clause 2.0.8). Fail unlocked devices are not designed to be used by people in a panic.

Where installed in buildings that feature fail unlocked electric locks, they should operate in conjunction with a fire alarm system, the design of which should be determined by a fire risk assessment (see clause 2.0.8).

More detailed guidance on the type of fire alarm system most appropriate to the circumstances is contained in BS 5839: Part 1: 2002.

This type of ‘fail unlocked electric locking device’ should unlock instantly when electrical power is withdrawn and should unlock even when pressure is being applied to the escape door by occupants trying to escape at the time that electrical power is withdrawn.

‘Fail unlocked electric locks’ should not be installed on:

a protected door serving the only escape stair in the building (or the only escape stair serving part of the building ), or

a protected door serving a fire-fighting shaft, or

on any door which provides the only route of escape from the building or part of the building , or

on any door accessible to the general public where the aggregate occupancy capacity of the rooms or storeys served by the door exceeds 60 persons.

A delay in the opening of a door across an escape route, can lead to an increase in anxiety of occupants or possible panic. Therefore ‘fail unlocked electric locks’ should be programmed to fail to the unlocked position:

on operation of the fire alarm system

on loss of electrical power or system error

on activation of a manual door release unit (Type A) to BS EN 54: Part 11: 2001 they are connected to, positioned at the door on the side approached by occupants making their escape and where the door provides escape in either direction, a unit should be installed on both sides of the door.

Some electric locking devices fail locked on both sides of the door when electrical power is withdrawn and does not give mechanical escape by panic bar, handle or push pad. This type of electric locking should not be used on exit doors and doors across escape routes.

2.9.22 Auditoria

In a building containing an auditorium, a ventilation system should be provided above all stages so that in the event of fire the occupants can escape before being overcome by the effects of fire or smoke. The ventilation system should be designed in such a way that the direction of air movement in the event of fire is from the auditorium towards the stage. Ventilation may be provided by means of mechanical extract ventilation or by natural ventilation direct to the external air, additional guidance is provided in BS 5588: Part 6: 1991.

Escape from the part of the stage behind the safety curtain should be independent from that of the auditorium.

Ancillary fire hazard rooms in the stage area, such as scenery dock, workshop, stage basement, staff or other rooms associated with the stage should where reasonably practicable be enclosed by a construction with a short fire resistance duration.

In a building containing an auditorium having an occupancy capacity of more than 500, additional passive and active fire safety measures should be provided and any stage should be separated from the remainder of the building by walls of medium fire resistance duration.

However this does not apply to the following:

the proscenium opening, provided there is a safety curtain which conforms to BS 5588: Part 6: 1991, and

an open stage.

Any door openings in the proscenium wall other than the proscenium opening should be provided with protected lobbies with short fire resistance duration.

Where a stage is equipped with a safety curtain, a high level outlet over the stage and stage area should be provided to allow the safety curtain system to operate effectively by containing fire and smoke to the stage and to allow the escape of smoke and hot gases in the event of a fire on the stage.

Where a building has an open stage the smoke exhaust system should be sized to keep the auditorium relatively clear of smoke during the period of evacuation. Extract ventilation should preferably be taken from high level positions to assist in keeping the main auditorium clear of smoke. The size and performance of the smoke exhaust system will depend upon the size of the stage. Unless determined otherwise by a fire engineering calculation, natural exhaust ventilators over an open stage should have a combined total aerodynamic free area of at least 10% of the area of the stage.

Each case should be considered separately to ensure that smoke will not be transferred from one area to another, particularly where there are distinctly separate entertainment areas, which share common escape routes.

2.9.23 Protected lobbies

A protected lobby is located within a protected zone and is designed to inhibit the movement of fire and smoke from an adjoining room , storey or space into the escape stair or fire-fighting lobby. This is normally achieved by fire resisting construction together with at least 2 sets of self-closing fire doors between the fire and the escape stair or fire-fighting lobby.

Protected lobbies in non-domestic buildings are used:

to inhibit fire and smoke spread to escape stairs

to help occupants escape past the floor of fire origin

to provide a protected route of escape from the fire floor

to reduce the number or width of escape stairs in a building

to provide a relatively safe space for the fire and rescue services to set up a forward control point and to provide a bridgehead from which to commence operations (see Standard 2.14).

Buildings with 1 Escape route - occupants in buildings with only 1 escape route are at greater risk from being exposed to fire and smoke during their escape. Therefore, where a building has only 1 escape route by way of an escape stair , access to the escape stair should be by way of a protected lobby.

There is less risk in low rise non-residential buildings with low occupancy numbers, which have a fire warning and detection system installed as this should provide the occupants with sufficient time to escape. The occupants of such buildings should be awake, and have less distance to travel. Therefore, a protected lobby need not be provided where the building :

is a non-residential building with no more than 300 occupants, and

no storey is at a height of more than 7.5m, and

an automatic fire detection and alarm system is installed in the building as recommended in BS 5839: Part 1: 2002 to Category L1.

Occupants in tall buildings will take longer to escape from the building and are therefore at greater risk from being exposed to fire and smoke during evacuation. There is also the risk that more than 1 escape stair could be affected by fire or smoke. Therefore, in every building having a storey at a height of more than 18m above ground level, access to the protected zone containing the escape stair should be by way of a protected lobby . When a protected lobby is provided, the wall dividing a protected lobby from the remainder of the protected zone should have a short fire resistance duration for integrity only and any door in the wall should be a self-closing fire door with a short fire resistance duration. However see Standard 2.14 for fire and rescue service facilities.

2.9.24 Protected zones

A protected zone may or may not contain an escape stair and is intended to protect occupants during their evacuation to a place of safety .

Protected zones should be designed and constructed to withstand fire in an adjoining room or space. The protected zone should form a complete enclosure having at least a medium fire resistance duration. Every door in the wall of a protected zone should be a self-closing fire door with a medium fire resistance duration. However the floor of the lowest storey or an external wall (other than an external wall described in clause 2.9.36) need not be fire resistant.

Shared residential building - a protected zone in shared residential accommodation should have at least short fire resistance duration.

As a building becomes taller the distance to be travelled and time taken for the occupants to reach a place of safety increase. Therefore in buildings with any storey at a height of more than 18m, the enclosing structure of the protected zone should have long fire resistance duration on all storeys .

The accommodation within every protected zone should be limited to places where fire is unlikely to start. As the fire risk is considered low, a cleaners cupboards of not more than 3m 2 and toilets or washrooms may be sited in the protected zone .

In buildings with 2 or more protected zones, the occupants have an alternative route out of the building if one of the protected zones was affected by fire or smoke. A reception room, an office and a general store room , each of not more than 10m 2 may be located within the protected zone as they are of limited size and the potential fire load is low.

The wall separating the rooms/cupboards from the protected zone should have a short fire resistance duration and any door in the wall should be a self-closing fire door . A door to a cleaner’s cupboard need not be self-closing provided it is lockable. The walls/doors separating the toilets or washrooms from the protected zone need not have a fire resistance duration.

2.9.25 Enclosure of escape stairs

To protect occupants from fire and smoke when evacuating a building , an escape stair should be within a protected zone . However this is not necessary in the following situations:

an escape stair which connects 2 or more levels within a single-storey where the difference in level between the highest and lowest level is not more than 1.8m, or

an external escape stair with a total rise of not more than 1.6m, or

an external escape stair constructed in accordance with clause 2.9.37

an escape stair , from a gallery, catwalk (including lighting bridges), or openwork floor where they have:

an occupancy capacity of not more than 60, or

an occupancy capacity of more than 60 but not more than 100 and at least 1 route of escape is by way of a protected zone , an external escape stair or to another compartment . Where the occupancy capacity is more than 100 the escape stair should be enclosed within a protected zone .

2.9.26 Places of special fire risk

Due to a very high fire risk, with potential for rapid fire growth, a place of special fire risk should only be accessed from a protected zone by way of a protected lobby . This is to give additional protection to the protected route of escape.

2.9.27 Openings and service penetrations

Fire and smoke can easily pass through openings in protected routes of escape (see clause 2.0.6) which could prevent the occupants from escaping in the event of an outbreak of fire within the building . For this reason, the openings in protected routes of escape should be limited to openings such as smoke ventilation systems, chimneys , flue-pipes, self-closing fire doors and service openings, fire shutters or dampers.

It is important that ducted heating and ventilation systems including air conditioning systems, installed to maintain interior environment conditions, that serve the building should not transfer fire and smoke to or from; any compartment to any other compartment , escape route, common space, roof space or other concealed space. Therefore, in the event of an outbreak of fire, the system should automatically either shut off, or operate in smoke control mode. For more detailed guidance refer to BS 5588: Part 9: 1999.

In order to inhibit the spread of fire and smoke, the openings should be protected and fire stopped in accordance with the guidance to Standard 2.1.

2.9.28 Junctions

The junctions between protected routes of escape (see clause 2.0.6) and other parts of the building are vulnerable to fire and smoke. This is because fire and smoke can penetrate weaknesses at junctions which could compromise the means of escape. The designer should consider detailing at junctions to inhibit fire and smoke spread into the protected route of escape.

Where part of a building is a protected route of escape and forms a junction with any other part of the building including for example, an external wall , a separating wall , another compartment wall , or any other wall or screen forming a protected route of escape, the junction should maintain the fire resistance duration of the more demanding guidance.

In order to inhibit the spread of fire and smoke, junctions should be protected in accordance with clause 2.1.15 and for additional guidance on fire-stopping materials, see clause 2.1.14.

2.9.29 Fuel pipes

Pipes conveying fuel inside protected zones could accelerate fire growth and under certain conditions, create an explosive atmosphere within the building . Oil and liquefied petroleum gas can produce pool fires, i.e. a turbulent fire burning above a horizontal pool of vaporising hydrocarbon fuel. The pool fire can be either static e.g. where the pool is contained or a ‘running’ pool.

Fuel pipes carrying oil (other than a pipe conveying oil supplying a hydraulic lift) should be located outside protected zones . A pipe conveying oil supplying a hydraulic lift may be located inside a protected zone . Fuel pipes carrying natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (including associated meters) may be located within a protected zone provided:

the installation is in accordance with the requirements of the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996, SI 1996 No 825 and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 SI 1998 No 2451, and

any pipe is constructed of screwed steel or welded steel construction , and

the pipe or pipes are contained within a service shaft with at least a medium fire resistance duration from the outside, and

the service shaft is ventilated at high and low level in accordance with BS 8313: 1997.

2.9.30 Temporary waiting spaces

The speed of evacuation of occupants with sensory, cognitive and/or mobility impairments can be much slower than other building users. Therefore, a space should be provided to allow them to wait temporarily, before completing their escape to a place of safety .

The safe evacuation of occupants with sensory, cognitive and/or mobility impairments is the responsibility of the employer or other person having control of the building and not that of the fire and rescue service. Therefore, occupants with sensory, cognitive and/or mobility impairments, should not be directed to remain in these spaces awaiting the arrival of the fire and rescue service. The employer or other responsible person should make the necessary arrangements for the safe evacuation of all occupants from the temporary waiting spaces.

The duty holder also has a duty under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, to assess the risks to workers and any others, who may be affected by their work or business. Further requirements under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006, in respect of fire safety risk assessment and further obligations in respect of fire safety measures must also be considered.

Temporary waiting spaces should have an unobstructed clear area capable of accommodating a wheelchair and measuring at least 700mm x 1200mm. They should be located in either:

a protected lobby , or

an adjacent compartment .

However it is not necessary to provide a temporary waiting space in a protected zone where the storey has level or ramped egress to a place of safety or on an external escape stair with a total rise of not more than 1.6m.

To assist the escape process and reduce the anxiety of occupants making use of the space, an emergency voice communication (EVC) system should also be provided in the designated temporary waiting space.

The EVC should follow the guidance in either:

BS 5839: Part 9: 2003 and consist of type B outstations and communicate with a master station located in the building control room (where provided) or adjacent to the fire alarm panels, or

in some buildings , it may be more appropriate to use alternative two way communication that can be readily operated by occupants in the temporary waiting space.

2.9.31 Escape stair widths

Every escape stair should be wide enough to accommodate the number of occupants needing to use it in an emergency and allow them to make their escape before being overcome by the effects of fire and smoke. This width will depend on the number of stairs provided and whether the escape strategy for the building (or part of the building ) is based on:

simultaneous evacuation, or

phased evacuation.

Minimum effective width - to help limit the potential for queuing at the storey exit which in an emergency may lead to panic and crushing, the effective width of an escape stair should be at least the width of any escape route giving access to it. Therefore the effective width of each escape stair should be at least 1200mm to assist occupants with sensory, cognitive and/or mobility impairments. However where the building has limited occupancy numbers the escape stair width may be reduced as follows:

1100mm where the number of occupants using the stair is not more than 225, and

1000mm where the number of occupants using the stair is not more than 100.

The effective width of an escape stair is measured between handrails and clear of obstructions.

Where the number of occupants using the escape stair is more than 225 then the formula for calculating the effective width of the stair should be used. The escape stair should not narrow in the direction of escape.

Appropriate capacity - to assist the verifier and designer establish the width of an escape stair , it is necessary to establish the number of escape stairs and the number of occupants who will access them on each storey . The effective width of escape stairs is based on the number of occupants who will use each escape stair and the resultant figure is known as the appropriate capacity (AC). The methodology for calculating the appropriate capacity must also take into account whether a building has been based on simultaneous or phased evacuation.

Simultaneous evaluation - in a building designed on the basis of simultaneous evacuation the escape stairs (in conjunction with the rest of the means of escape) should have the capacity to allow the occupants of all storeys to evacuate at the same time.

The appropriate capacity in relation to an escape stair at any storey above or below the adjacent ground is calculated by one of the following methods.

Where the escape stair serves only one storey, the appropriate capacity equals the occupancy capacity of the storey served by the escape stair (see diagram below). The appropriate capacity for the storey should then be used in the formula for calculating the effective width of the escape stair .

Figure 2.12. One storey example

In a building in which the escape stair serves more than 1 storey the appropriate capacity for each storey should be calculated and the total appropriate capacity for all the storeys served by the escape stair should then be used in the formula for calculating the effective width of the escape stair . A deduction of 20% from the appropriate capacity is allowed for the number of occupants who could be standing in the stair.

This method of calculating the escape stair width can be used to reduce the width of the stair as it rises up the building although this would not be a typical form of construction .

Figure 2.13. More than one storey example

Phased evacuation allows occupants most at risk to be evacuated first. This allows the designer to reduce the width of the escape stairs and minimises disruption in large buildings . Tall buildings take longer to evacuate and where the building is at a height of more than 25m it is beyond the reach capability at which Fire and Rescue service can effect external rescue. Therefore, when phased evacuation is adopted in buildings additional active and passive fire protection measures will be necessary.

As phased evacuation relies on some occupants remaining where they are until instructed to leave, it is only suitable for buildings where the occupants are awake and familiar with the building , for example, offices.

The occupants first evacuated are those on the storey of fire origin and those on the storey immediately above. If further evacuation is required this is done on the basis of the next two adjoining upper storeys to avoid congestion in the escape stairs . The remaining storeys would then be evacuated two storeys at a time however this would be dependent on the severity of the fire and any direction given by the fire and rescue service.

Because of the additional time it may take to evacuate a building or part of a building where the means of escape is based on vertical phased evacuation, the following fire safety measures should be provided:

installation of an automatic fire detection and alarm system to BS 5839: Part 1: 2002, Category L2, and

a voice alarm should be installed in accordance with BS 5839: Part 8: 2008. Such a system enables two or more stages of alarm to be given within a particular area, and

the escape stairs should be entered from a protected lobby , and

every storey should be a compartment storey , and

if the building has any storey at a height of more than 25m, every storey should be protected by an automatic life safety fire suppression system (see guidance to Standard 2.15), and

an internal speech communication system should be provided via a control point at the access level to allow the fire and rescue service to converse with a fire warden on every storey .

In a building where the stairs have been designed on the basis of vertically phased evacuation the appropriate capacity [AC] in relation to an escape stair at any storey above or below the adjacent ground is calculated by the following method and in accordance with the diagram below.

In a building , or part of a building , which is divided by one or more compartment floors , the appropriate capacity [AC] is equal to, the total occupancy capacity, less 20%, of each of the 2 adjacent upper storeys , served by the escape stair , or in the case of an escape stair serving a basement storey , the 2 adjacent basement storeys served by that escape stair , having in either case the greatest combined occupancy capacity.

Figure 2.14. Compartmented building example

Calculation of effective width - based on the above principles for simultaneous and phased evacuation, the effective width of every escape stair in mm can be calculated by the following formula:

EW = 5.3 x AC N − 1 EW = {5.3 x AC} over {N - 1}

EW is the effective width of an escape stair measured in mm between handrails and clear of obstructions

AC is the appropriate capacity, which in relation to an escape stair is the occupancy capacity of the storey served by the escape stair , less 20%

N - 1 is the number of escape stairs minus 1, unless it meets exception for protected lobbies above

A deduction of 20% from the appropriate capacity is made to allow for the number of occupants who could be standing in the stair.

Before using the formula it is necessary to consider the possibility that one stair may be affected by fire or smoke before all occupants have evacuated the building . For that reason one stair should be discounted for calculation purposes, unless a protected lobby is provided on every storey between each escape stair in a protected zone and any part of the building at any storey from which there is access to the escape stair.

If the escape stair contains any of the rooms listed in clause 2.9.24 the stair should be discounted from the stair width calculation.

Example 1 - simultaneous evacuation

What is the minimum effective width needed for escape stairs in an office building with 4 storeys and 2 escape stairs and which escape is based on simultaneous evacuation? For this example it is assumed that the occupants are distributed evenly across each storey, therefore the number of occupants will be split evenly to each escape stair .

There are 100 occupants on the top storey, 150 occupants on the 2nd storey and 200 occupants on the 1st storey. The escape routes on the ground storey do not communicate with the escape stairs.

It is assumed that the buildings do not have any protected lobbies, therefore the effective width equals:

AC is the appropriate capacity and is the sum of the occupancy capacity of the storeys served by the escape stair minus 20% for standing capacity in the stair:

Top storey = 100 x 0.8

2nd storey = 150 x 0.8

1st storey = 200 x 0.8

EW = 5.3 x 360 2 − 1 EW = {5.3 x 360} over {2 - 1}

= 1908 1 {1908} over {1}

The minimum width of each escape stair will be 1908mm.

Example 2 - simultaneous evacuation

What is the minimum effective width needed for escape stairs in an office building with 6 storeys and 3 escape stairs and which escape is based on simultaneous evacuation. For this example it is assumed that the occupants are distributed evenly across each storey, therefore the number of occupants will be split evenly to each escape stair .

Each storey has 300 occupants and the escape routes on the ground storey do not communicate with the escape stairs.

It assumed access to each protected zone containing the escape stair is by way of a protected lobby. Therefore, there is no need to deduct 1 stair from the calculations:

EW = 5.3 x AC N EW = {5.3 x AC} over {N}

AC is the appropriate capacity and is the sum of the occupancy capacity of the storeys served by the escape stair minus 20% for standing capacity in each of the stairs.

There are 5 storeys accessing the escape stair and each storey has 300 occupants the appropriate capacity is found by:

AC = 300 x 5 x 0.8

EW = 5.3 x 1200 3 EW = {5.3 x 360} over {2 - 1}

= 6360 3 {1908} over {1}

The minimum width of each escape stair will be 2120mm.

Example 3 - phased evacuation

What is the minimum effective width needed for escape stairs in an office building with 10 storeys and 3 escape stairs and which escape is based on phased evacuation. For this example it is assumed that every storey is a compartment storey and that the occupants are distributed evenly across each storey, therefore the number of occupants will be split evenly to each escape stair .

As escape is based on phased evacuation, access to each protected zone containing the escape stair should be by way of a protected lobby. Therefore, there is no need to deduct 1 stair from the calculations:

AC is the appropriate capacity of each of the 2 adjacent upper storeys , with the greater occupancy capacity, minus 20% for standing capacity in each of the stairs:

AC = (300 x 0.8) + (300 x 0.8)

EW = 5.3 x 480 3 EW = {5.3 x 360} over {2 - 1}

= 2544 3 {1908} over {1}

However as the effective width of each escape stair should be at least 1200mm all 3 stairs should be at least 1200mm wide.

Combined escape routes - where escape routes from a storey consist of a combination of escape stairs and other escape routes (see diagram below) the effective width of any escape stair from that storey should be designed to take into account that proportion of the number of occupants on that storey who may escape by way of the other escape routes .

The escape route should be sized to take account of all the occupants who will be escaping. Therefore, where the escape route from an escape stair is also the escape route from the ground storey and/or basement storey , the width of that escape route should be increased to take account of that proportion of the occupancy capacity from the ground storey and/or basement storey .

Figure 2.15. Combined escape example

2.9.32 Independence of escape stairs

Where there are alternative escape stairs from a storey , there is the risk that one of the escape stairs could be smoke logged preventing access through to the alternative escape stair . Where a room or storey needs two or more escape stairs , it should be possible to reach 1 alternative escape stair without passing through the other.

When the escape stairs are adjacent to one another, to reduce the likelihood of them becoming smoke logged at the same time, for example, where the protected zones enclosing escape stairs share a common wall, any access between them should be by way of a protected lobby .

2.9.33 Escape routes in a central core

To reduce risk of smoke spread to more than 1 escape stair , corridor or lobby, a building with more than 1 escape route contained in a central core, should be planned so that the exits from the storey are remote from one another, and so that no 2 exits are approached from the same lift hall, common lobby or undivided corridor or linked by any of these other than through self-closing fire doors .

Figure 2.16. Central core example

2.9.34 Escape stairs in basements

The limited natural ventilation available in a basement can lead to rapid heat and smoke build up. The heat and smoke generated can be forced up through any opening such as a door into a stairway. This means that fire-fighting in under-ventilated compartments must be approached with caution before opening the door to the basement storey .

There is also a risk that disoriented occupants could continue their escape to the basement storey instead of escaping through the ground storey .

In order to minimise these risks, a wall or screen (including a self-closing fire door ) with a medium fire resistance duration should be provided between the ground storey of the protected zone and the basement storey .

2.9.35 Construction of escape stairs

In buildings of more than 1 storey where the means of escape is via an escape stair , this will also be the route from which the fire and rescue services will fight the fire and effect rescue. The possibility that the escape stair may be affected by fire breaking out or being deliberately set in the stairway has to be considered. Consequently the escape stair should be provided with additional protection.

Therefore, every part of an escape stair (including landings) and the floor of a protected zone or protected lobby , should be constructed of non-combustible material. However this does not apply to:

an escape stair in shared residential accommodation

any handrail, balustrade or protective barrier on an escape stair

an escape stair which connects 2 or more levels within a single-storey where the difference in height between the highest and lowest level is not more than 1.8m

an escape stair from a gallery, catwalk or openwork floor constructed in accordance with the guidance in clause 2.9.25

a floor finish (e.g. laminate flooring) applied to the escape stair (including landings) or to the floor of a protected zone or protected lobby .

2.9.36 External walls adjacent to protected zones

If a protected zone has an external wall that projects beyond the face of a building or is set back in a recess, the protected zone may be vulnerable to fire following the break out of fire through an adjacent window, door or other opening. Radiated heat or flames from the fire may impede occupants using the protected zone to escape.

Therefore where any part of a protected zone is not more than 2m from, and makes an angle of not more than 135° with any part of an external wall of another part of the building , the escape stair should be protected against fire for a distance of 2m, by construction with a:

short fire resistance duration where every storey in the building is at a height of not more than 7.5m above the ground, or

medium fire resistance duration where any storey is at a height of more than 7.5m.

The designer can choose which wall should be fire resisting and may include fire resisting facades or other fixed glazing, or any other opening protected against fire. However it is not sufficient to use the final exit door as a barrier between the occupants escaping and the fire. In such cases the external wall adjoining the protected zone at the final exit should be protected against fire as described above.

2.9.37 External routes of escape

Escape routes will normally lead to the final exit door of the building , which leads to a safe place in the outside air from which occupants can freely disperse. An exit can also lead to an external escape stair, a flat roof or access deck giving access to a place of safety.

Protection of external route of escape - in some cases it may not be possible to freely disperse away from the building (e.g. where the final exit door discharges to an enclosed outdoor space). In such cases, where there is only 1 route of escape, the external wall of the building within 2m of the route of escape should have a short fire resistance duration for integrity up to 1.1m above the adjoining ground. This does not apply to sub-floor vents.

An external escape stair is an unenclosed escape stair , which is open to the external air and provides occupants with an escape route , which leads to a place of safety . They present additional hazards to occupants evacuating a building in the event of fire. This is because the escape stair will be exposed to the possible effects of inclement weather and occupants who are unfamiliar with the escape routes can feel less confident using an unenclosed stair high above the ground.

Therefore, an external escape stair should only serve a building where:

the top most storey height is not more than 7.5m, and

the building or part of the building is not accessible to the general public, and

in the case of a residential care building or a hospital , the stair is intended to be used by staff only.

In order to protect the occupants from fire and smoke during evacuation, the external escape stair should be protected against the outbreak of fire from within the building . Where the escape stair which has a total rise of more than 1.6m, every part of the external wall including fixed windows or glazing, self-closing fire doors (other than a door opening from the top storey) or any other opening not more than 2m from the escape stair, should have a short fire resistance duration. Fire protection below an escape stair should be extended to the lowest ground level.

An external escape stair with a total rise of not more than 1.6m from which occupants can freely disperse, is considered to be low enough above the ground to present minimal risk to occupants leaving the building and as a result, fire protection need not be provided.

Due to the likely smoke dissipation to atmosphere; service openings including ventilation ducts not more than 2m from the escape stair may be protected by heat activated sealing devices or systems.

Escape across flat roofs and access decks can be hazardous because the surface can be exposed to adverse weather conditions and in the case of flat roofs , may also have obstructions or no edge protection. Therefore, escape routes over flat roofs should only be used where the building or part of the building is inaccessible to the general public and there is more than 1 escape route from the room or storey leading to the flat roof .

In order to protect occupants from fire, a flat roof or an access deck forming part of an escape route should have medium fire resistance duration for the width of the escape route and for a further 3m on either side of the escape route . Every wall not more than 2m from either side of the escape route , should have a short fire resistance duration up to a height of at least 1.1m measured from the level of the escape route .

In addition, there should be no exhausts of any kind less than 2m from the escape route unless protected by heat activated sealing devices or systems (see clause 2.1.14). A wall or protective barrier at least 1.1m high may be necessary on each side of the escape route or along the edge of the access deck when the escape route is across a flat roof or access deck (see Section 4 Safety).

2.9.38 Final exits

The final exit to a place of safety at ground level, should present as little restriction as possible to occupants using wheelchairs or having other disabilities. Final exits should therefore be provided with:

a level platt except for any nominal slope for drainage having an area of at least 1.2m x 1.2m, and

a threshold that does not form a trip hazard and will permit unassisted egress to occupants in a wheelchair (see Section 4 Safety).

When altering existing buildings , it may not always be reasonably practicable to achieve the above recommendations.

There is a problem

Thanks for your feedback

Your feedback helps us to improve this website. Do not give any personal information because we cannot reply to you directly.

Fire Safety Information

Fire safety advice, information, articles, and videos for businesses and homes.

Excellent Trustpilot score

BS 5306 And Fire Extinguishers

BS 5306

The current UK fire extinguisher regulations are, in fact, a combination of two different sets of requirements:

  • The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
  • BS 5306 Sections 3 And 8

British Standard 5306 concerns “Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises” with two parts dealing with fire extinguishers in particular:

Part 3: Commissioning and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers Part 8: Selection and positioning of portable fire extinguishers

BS 5306 Part 3

This deals with how to first commission (set up) new fire extinguishers, and how to maintain them once they are in place. It covers commissioning, basic servicing, the extended service, overhaul procedures and recharges.

 fire extinguisher

Commissioning

Once your new fire extinguisher arrive at your premises, they need to be checked and properly set up, ready for use. If you buy your fire extinguishers direct or online, rather than through a maintenance company, you need to check over the extinguisher to ensure:

There was no damage in transit The safety clip is still in place The extinguisher pressure gauge is in the normal range There are no dents or gouges in the fire extinguisher body The extinguisher is at the correct weight according to the manufacturer’s instructions

Fire extinguishers of up to 4kgs should be wall-mounted such that the handle is 1.5m off the floor. Heaver extinguishers need their handles 1m above floor level. Where wall mounting is not appropriate or possible, you can also position extinguishers on a stand or plinth that raises them to the correct level.

Basic Service

A regular visual check each month should be made to ensure fire extinguishers have not been discharged and are in good repair. Your extinguishers also require a basic service check every year, which may include replacement of parts if required.

Extended Service, Overhaul Procedures And Recharges

Extended servicing and overhauls are required at set intervals, although it may be more cost-effective to actually replace extinguisher rather than pay the overhaul and recharging costs. Indeed, many smaller businesses find that it might be cheaper and more efficient to replace the few extinguishers they have rather than pay the cost of annual maintenance checks. The BS also gives guidance on disposal of disused or condemned fire extinguishers.

BS 5306 Part 8

This part gives guidance on the selection and positioning of portable fire extinguishers, and is perhaps the more useful of the two documents. It stresses the importance of early planning, environmental considerations, and training. This part of the Standard also addresses important considerations such as the type of extinguishers available, the types of fires they can be used on, and the operational temperature ranges.

When choosing an appropriate fire extinguisher, you need to consider:

  • The distance and direction of discharge (i.e. How far it will reach or spread)
  • Its electrical conductivity (or not)
  • The effect of powder extinguishers when discharged in inside spaces

When positioning your fire extinguishers, you need to consider:

  • Ease of access
  • Security of fixings or stands
  • Visibility and proximity to escape routes
  • Consistency of locations on different floors
  • Ensuring the best extinguisher for the job is the first to hand

When mounting your fire extinguishers, you need to ensure:

  • All size of extinguishers are the correct height from the floor
  • Extinguisher mounts are securely fixed in place
  • Any extinguisher can be quickly removed to use in an emergency
  • The extinguisher is no more than a set distance from any possible fire (i.e. More than 30metres from a Class A fire)
  • All extinguishers are protected against corrosion and vandalism – consider fire extinguisher boxes and jackets, plus anti-tamper seals

Minimum Fire Extinguisher Quantities

The BS 5306 defines both the travel distance (i.e. distance from a source of fire) and the minimum number of extinguishers required per square metre. It is worth remembering that these are minimum requirements; your own Fire Risk Assessment may identify the need for more extinguishers, but should never specify less than the minimum.

For example, in a Class A risk area such as an office, reception or file store with a floor area of up to 400square meters, you should provide at least 2 extinguishers with a total fire rating of 26A.

The Standard gives minimum requirements for all classes of fire, and also includes examples for locations where more than one fire risk exists, such as manufacturing premises with a kitchen area.

In the UK, there is no separate class for fires involving electrical equipment, as technically electricity does not burn, but instead can cause other materials to ignite.

You can read the full text of the Order here.

Click here to see our complete range of fire extinguishers.

Share this:.

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

GSA Logo

  • Explore sell to government
  • Ways you can sell to government
  • How to access contract opportunities
  • Conduct market research
  • Register your business
  • Certify as a small business
  • Become a schedule holder
  • Market your business
  • Research active solicitations
  • Respond to a solicitation
  • What to expect during the award process
  • Comply with contractual requirements
  • Handle contract modifications
  • Monitor past performance evaluations
  • Explore real estate
  • 3D-4D building information modeling
  • Art in architecture | Fine arts
  • Computer-aided design standards
  • Commissioning
  • Design excellence
  • Engineering
  • Project management information system
  • Spatial data management
  • Facilities operations
  • Smart buildings
  • Tenant services
  • Utility services
  • Water quality management
  • Explore historic buildings
  • Heritage tourism
  • Historic preservation policy, tools and resources
  • Historic building stewardship
  • Videos, pictures, posters and more
  • NEPA implementation
  • Courthouse program
  • Land ports of entry
  • Prospectus library
  • Regional buildings
  • Renting property
  • Visiting public buildings
  • Real property disposal
  • Reimbursable services (RWA)
  • Rental policy and procedures
  • Site selection and relocation
  • For businesses seeking opportunities
  • For federal customers
  • For workers in federal buildings
  • Explore policy and regulations
  • Acquisition management policy
  • Aviation management policy
  • Information technology policy
  • Real property management policy
  • Relocation management policy
  • Travel management policy
  • Vehicle management policy
  • Federal acquisition regulations
  • Federal management regulations
  • Federal travel regulations
  • GSA acquisition manual
  • Managing the federal rulemaking process
  • Explore small business
  • Explore business models
  • Research the federal market
  • Forecast of contracting opportunities
  • Events and contacts
  • Explore travel
  • Per diem rates
  • Transportation (airfare rates, POV rates, etc.)
  • State tax exemption
  • Travel charge card
  • Conferences and meetings
  • E-gov travel service (ETS)
  • Travel category schedule
  • Federal travel regulation
  • Travel policy
  • Explore technology
  • Cloud computing services
  • Cybersecurity products and services
  • Data center services
  • Hardware products and services
  • Professional IT services
  • Software products and services
  • Telecommunications and network services
  • Work with small businesses
  • Governmentwide acquisition contracts
  • MAS information technology
  • Software purchase agreements
  • Cybersecurity
  • Digital strategy
  • Emerging citizen technology
  • Federal identity, credentials, and access management
  • Mobile government
  • Technology modernization fund
  • Explore about us
  • Annual reports
  • Mission and strategic goals
  • Role in presidential transitions
  • Get an internship
  • Launch your career
  • Elevate your professional career
  • Discover special hiring paths
  • Events and training
  • Agency blog
  • Congressional testimony
  • GSA does that podcast
  • News releases
  • Leadership directory
  • Staff directory
  • Office of the administrator
  • Federal Acquisition Service
  • Public Buildings Service
  • Staff offices
  • Board of Contract Appeals
  • Office of Inspector General
  • Region 1 | New England
  • Region 2 | Northeast and Caribbean
  • Region 3 | Mid-Atlantic
  • Region 4 | Southeast Sunbelt
  • Region 5 | Great Lakes
  • Region 6 | Heartland
  • Region 7 | Greater Southwest
  • Region 8 | Rocky Mountain
  • Region 9 | Pacific Rim
  • Region 10 | Northwest/Arctic
  • Region 11 | National Capital Region
  • Per Diem Lookup

FY 2024 per diem highlights

We establish the per diem rates for the continental United States (CONUS), which includes the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Federal agencies use the per diem rates to reimburse their employees for subsistence expenses incurred while on official travel.

Federal per diem rates consist of a maximum lodging allowance component and a meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) component. Most of CONUS (approximately 2,600 counties) is covered by the standard rate of $166 ($107 lodging, $59 M&IE). In fiscal year (FY) 2024, there are 302 non-standard areas (NSAs) that have per diem rates higher than the standard rate.

Since FY 2005, we have based the maximum lodging allowances on average daily rate (ADR) data. ADR is a widely accepted lodging industry measure derived from a property's room rental revenue divided by the number of rooms rented. This calculation provides us with the average rate in an area. For more information about how lodging per diem rates are determined, visit Factors Influencing Lodging Rates .

We remind agencies that the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) allows for actual expense reimbursement when per diem rates are insufficient to meet necessary expenses. Please see FTR § § 301-11.300 through 11.306 for more information.

FY 2024 results

The standard CONUS lodging rate will increase from $98 to $107. All current NSAs will have lodging rates at or above FY 2023 rates. The M&IE per diem tiers for FY 2024 are unchanged at $59-$79, with the standard M&IE rate unchanged at $59.

There are two new NSA locations this year:

  • Huntsville, AL (Madison County)
  • Charles Town, WV (Jefferson County)

The following locations that were NSAs (or part of an established NSA) in FY 2023 will move into the standard CONUS rate category:

  • Hammond / Munster / Merrillville, IN (Lake County)
  • Wichita, KS (Sedgwick County)
  • Baton Rouge, LA (East Baton Rouge Parish)
  • Baltimore County, MD
  • Frederick, MD (Frederick County)
  • East Lansing / Lansing, MI (Ingham and Eaton Counties)
  • Kalamazoo / Battle Creek, MI (Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties)
  • Eagan/ Burnsville / Mendota Heights, MN (Dakota County)
  • Akron, OH (Summit County)
  • Wooster, OH (Wayne County)
  • Erie, PA (Erie County)
  • Corpus Christi, TX (Nueces County)
  • Round Rock, TX (Williamson County)
  • Appleton, WI (Outagamie County) 
  • Brookfield / Racine, WI (Waukesha and Racine Counties)
  • Morgantown, WV (Monongalia County)

PER DIEM LOOK-UP

1 choose a location.

Error, The Per Diem API is not responding. Please try again later.

No results could be found for the location you've entered.

Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories and Possessions are set by the Department of Defense .

Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department .

2 Choose a date

Rates are available between 10/1/2021 and 09/30/2024.

The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.

Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.

Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."

Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."

When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.

bs standard for travel

New Safety Standard for Travel Adaptors

Travel Adaptor

A new British Standard ‘BS 8546: 2016 - Travel adaptors compatible with UK plug and socket system’ was published in April 2016. As there has been no British Standard specifically for travel adaptors in the past, there is no transition period, and should be applied with immediate effect to the design and manufacture of any travel adaptors having at least one plug or socket-outlet portion compatible with BS 1363 UK plugs and socket-outlets.

Electrical Safety First, along with other interested parties involved in the development of the standard, are keen to promote the use and application of this publication which will address many of the safety issues seen in travel adaptors currently on the market.

Commonly found issues include:

  • Incorrect dimensions;
  • Contacts designed to work with a variety of plug types not performing adequately for any plug-pin configuration;
  • Loss of earth connection;
  • Voltage conversion, especially those designed for use with both the UK and US systems;
  • Excessive temperature rise,
  • Cross-polarity, (swapping of live and neutral) especially those designed for use with both the UK and Australian systems;
  • Accessibility of live parts - particularly multiple plug and socket travel adaptors;
  • Dangerous compatibility of incompatible systems.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of multiple (sometimes referred to as ‘universal’) travel adaptors designed for worldwide use, and many now incorporate electronic circuitry such as USB charging ports. Despite clear safety requirements through applicable product safety legislation (such as the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the General Product Safety Regulations 2005), over 50 travel adaptors have appeared on the Rapid Alert System for non-food dangerous products (RAPEX) in the past five years. This is due, in part, to the rapidly expanding complexity of travel adaptors (such as the so-called universal travel adaptor with multiple plug and socket interfaces), the unique and particular hazards of which are not being taken into account by producers, and not adequately dealt with by existing British and European Standards. It is anticipated that the new British Standard BS 8546: 2016 will deal with many, if not all, of the safety issues commonly seen in RAPEX listings.

As such, the Standard will, for the first time, provide certification bodies, manufacturers, suppliers and enforcement authorities with a clear specification to agreed safety requirements for travel adaptors of all types (including those incorporating USB charging circuits), ensuring safer compatibility for use in the UK, and by UK consumers worldwide.

In the past, Certification bodies were reluctant to test these products without a standard as the testing must be of such a high level, the cost is prohibitive. This new standard will enable them to provide an effective and cost-efficient testing service. The benefit to retailers will be increased confidence in the products they sell and decreased testing costs.

Share this article:

bs standard for travel

London travel news LIVE: Delays hit Underground, Overground and DLR on Friday night

LIVE – Updated at 22:15

Delays have hit multiple Tube lines on the Underground during rush hour on Friday night.

The Victoria line is facing delays after a fire scare at Seven Sisters.

The London Fire Brigade was called to reports of smokes coming from the tracks at the north London Tube station but they did not find anything.

This left the line part suspended from King’s Cross St Pancras to Walthamstow Central on Friday afternoon but this stretch is now running again.

The Hammersmith and City line is also experiencing major delays due to a shortage of trains.

Meanwhile, disruption has hit the Central, Circle, Bakerloo and Metropolitan lines, along with the Overground and the DLR.

Follow live updates below.

Severe delays on Victoria Line

Good morning, and welcome to the Standard’s travel live blog.

It’s bad news this morning for those using the Victoria Line, which is experiencing severe delays due to the late finishing of engineering works.

TfL says there are also minor delays on the Central Line due to the ongoing train shortage, but there is a good service on the rest of the Underground network.

No Southeastern trains from Cannon Street or via Greenwich this weekend

No Southeastern trains will run from London Cannon Street or via Greenwich tomorrow or on Sunday, says National Rail, due to engineering works.

Traffic queuing for three miles after M25 crash

A lane of the M25 anticlockwise is closed in north London following a crash near Potters Bar.

Three miles of traffic is queuing following the collision, which involved a lorry and a car, says traffic monitoring system Inrix.

The traffic is tailing back between junction 25 for the A10 (Enfield) and junction 24 for A111 Stagg Hill (Potters Bar).

Minor delays on Victoria Line

Earlier severe delays on the Victoria Line, caused by late-finishing engineering works, have now been downgraded to minor delays.

The TfL says there are also minor delays on the Central and Bakerloo lines due to a shortage of trains, but a good service on all other lines.

Traffic eases on M25 near Potters Bar following crash

Traffic is moving normally again on the M25 anticlockwise near Potters Bar following this morning’s crash, says traffic monitoring system Inrix.

Minor delays on the Bakerloo line

There are minor delays on the Bakerloo line this morning, Transport for London has said.

A shortage of trains has led to the link experiencing some disruption.

TfL has not said when it expects to resolve the issue.

Weekend closures on the A21

Motorists heading into the south east have been warned about A21 closures into Kent this weekend.

There will be weekend closures in the Tonbridge area from 8pm to 6am with further disruption next week.

Details below.

Traffic had stopped on A2 due to police incident

Traffic has been released on the A2 eastbound in Kent between the A227 (Gravesend) and M2, National Highways has said.

“Delays remain in the area but should start to ease,” a statement added.

On Friday morning, the motoway had been brought to a halt due to a police incident. Long queues then formed.

Delays still being shown on the M25

Data from Inrix shows traffic to still be heavy on the M25 after an earlier crash.

The build up is shown between junctions 10 and 11 after the collision between the car and the lorry.

Central line now reporting minor delays

Minor delays due to train cancellations have now led to the Central line experiencing minor delays - Transport for London has said.

All other lines are now operating a good service.

M25 closed from J27 (M11) to J26 (A121)

The M25 has been closed and traffic is stationary from J27 (Epping / M11) to J26 (A121 / Waltham Abbey).

The incident in north, east London, occured after a crash involving a lorry.

Inrix data shows the traffic has stopped just after the Bell Common Tunnel.

Everything is at a standstill as of 1.10pm.

Disruption on the London Overground

The London Overground is disrupted between Gospel Oak and Barking Riverside due to passengers causing a disturbance on a train.

National Rail has warned there could be disruption until 3pm.

Heavy traffic in East London

Heavy traffic is beginning to build in East London, data has shown.

Inrix graphics show that vehicles are moving slowly in East Ham, Beckton and Barking areas.

There has been no associated problem flagged.

M25 now reopen but delays expected

The M25 has now reopened after an earlier crash anticlockwise from J27 (Epping / M11) to J26 (A121/ Waltham Abbey)

This stretch still has congestion to J28 (A12 Brook Street Roundabout) with the opposite side back to J25 (Enfield).

Lanes three and four (of four) remain closed, with recovery under way, Inrix said on Friday around 3pm.

Severe delays on Hammersmith and City line

Severe delays due to train cancellations are currently being felt on the Hammersmith and City line, Transport for London has said.

The entire line from Hammersmith to Barking is marked as impacted.

TfL has not gvien any further detail about the waiting times expected.

Part suspension and severe delays on the Victoria line

Transport for London has said the Victoria line is not running from King’s Cross to Walthamstow Central due to a fire alert at Seven Sisters.

There are severe delays on the rest of the line, south to Brixton.

May wrote on Twitter: “Why is there always some sh*t going on with the Victoria line I just wanna go home.”

Victoria line no longer part suspended

The Victoria line is now running a full service but it is currently severely delayed.

More on the 'fire' at Seven Sisters

The London Fire Brigade said: “Crews responded to reports of smoke issuing from tracks at Seven Sisters Underground Station in Tottenham.

 “Firefighters carried out a systematic search of the track and found no signs of fire or smoke.

 “The Brigade was called at 3.35pm and the incident was over for firefighters at 4.17pm.”

Severe delays to Circle line

There are currently severe delays due to train cancellations.

Victoria line delays now minor

The delays to the Victoria line, which were severe, are now minor.

DLR part suspended

There is currently no service between Gallions Reach and Beckton while we fix a faulty train at Beckton - good service on the rest of the line.

Minor delays to Overground

There are currently minor delays between Stratford and Richmond due to a person getting ill on a train earlier at Hackney Wick.

Bakerloo line severely delayed

There are currently severe delays between Stonebridge Park and Harrow & Wealdstone while Network Rail fixes a signal failure at Harrow & Wealdstone - good service on the rest of the line.

Bakerloo line now part suspended

There is currently no service between Stonebridge Park and Harrow & Wealdstone while we fix a signal failure at Harrow & Wealdstone - good service on the rest of the line.

Overgound delays now severe

The delays between Stratford and Richmond / Clapham Junction, due to a person ill on a train earlier at Hackney Wick, are now severe.

Minor delays to Metropolitan line

There are currently minor delays between Moor Park and Amersham / Chesham due to train cancellations.

That concludes the Evening Standard’s coverage of London travel news, check back in with us on Monday!

Seven Sisters is served by the Victoria line

Overview of Travel Insurance Coverage

What does travel insurance cover, what does credit card travel insurance cover, what travel insurance coverage do you need to pay more for, choosing the right travel insurance, what does travel insurance cover frequently asked questions, understanding what travel insurance covers.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Chase Freedom Flex℠. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

  • Travel insurance is intended to cover risks and financial losses associated with traveling.
  • Coverage can include trip cancellation, baggage protection, medical care, and emergency evacuation.
  • When filing a claim, be specific and comprehensive in your documentation to ease the process.

Whether it's a trip across the world or a trip across the state, having travel insurance provides major relief if things go awry. Flight delays, lost baggage, illness, injuries, and other unforeseen events can disrupt even the best-laid plans. With a major disruption comes the potential for unanticipated expenses.

Travel insurance and the coverage it offers can help keep you protected and save you money in the long run.

Travel insurance policies protect travelers from financial losses should something go wrong during their trip. You can customize which coverages you want to include, and there are several to choose from.

"Common types of coverage include trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage protection, coverage for medical care if you get sick or hurt during your trip, and emergency medical evacuation," says Angela Borden, a travel insurance expert and product strategist for travel insurance company Seven Corners.

Travel insurance plans offer nonrefundable payments and other trip-related expenses. While monetary compensation is a primary benefit, there is another valuable perk of travel insurance. It can provide peace of mind.

Your specific travel insurance plan (and its terms and conditions) will determine the minutia and specifics of what is covered. As with most other forms of insurance, a general rule of thumb is the more you spend, the better your coverage.

"Travel insurance can be confusing, so it's best to research a reputable company that specializes in travel insurance and has a long history of successfully helping travelers all over the world," says Borden.

Trip cancellation and interruptions

A travel insurance policy can reimburse you for a prepaid, nonrefundable trip if it is canceled for a covered event, such as a natural disaster or a global pandemic.

Trip interruption insurance covers you if you're already on your trip and you get sick, there's a natural disaster, or something else happens. Make sure to check with your travel insurance providers to discuss any inclusions, coverage, and more.

Travel delays and missed connections

Travel delay insurance coverage provides reimbursement for any expenses you incur when you experience a delay in transit over a minimum time. Reimbursements can include hotels, airfare, food, and other related expenses.

Medical emergencies and evacuations

Typically, US healthcare plans are not accepted in other countries. So travel insurance with medical coverage can be particularly beneficial when you are abroad. Medical coverage can also help with locating doctors and healthcare facilities.

Medical transportation coverage will also pay for emergency evacuation expenses such as airlifts and medically-equipped flights back to the US. Out of pocket, these expenses can easily amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Certain plans may even transport you to a hospital of choice for care.

Travel insurance generally does not include coverage for pre-existing conditions. That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver, which we will talk about later.  

Baggage and personal belongings

Most airlines will reimburse travelers for lost or destroyed baggage, but be prepared for limitations. Travel insurance plans will typically cover stolen items, such as those stolen out of a hotel room. This may not include expensive jewelry, antiques, or heirloom items. Typically, airlines have a few days to recover your bag.

In the meantime, you can make a claim to pay for items like certain toiletries and other items you need to pick up. If your bag is truly lost or you don't get it for an extended period, you can file a true lost baggage claim.

A major perk on several travel credit cards is embedded credit card travel insurance . Typically, you will need to use the specific card for the transaction (at least with partial payment) for travel coverage to kick in.

Each card has specific rules on what exactly is covered. But one of the industry leaders is the $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. Here's a snapshot of what is covered with this specific card:

  • Baggage delay: up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days if a passenger carrier delays your baggage by more than six hours.
  • Lost and damaged baggage: up to $3,000 per passenger per trip, but only up to $500 per passenger for jewelry and watches and up to $500 per passenger for cameras and other electronic equipment.
  • Trip delay reimbursement: up to $500 per ticket if you're delayed more than six hours or require an overnight stay.
  • Trip cancellation and interruption protection: up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.
  • Medical evacuation benefit: up to $100,000 for necessary emergency evacuation and transportation when on a trip of five to 60 days and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
  • Travel accident insurance: accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $1,000,000 for common carrier travel).
  • Emergency medical and dental benefits: up to $2,500 for medical expenses (subject to a $50 deductible) when on a trip arranged by a travel agency and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
  • Rental car coverage: primary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision up to $75,000 on rentals of 31 days or fewer

More protections are included with cards with an annual fee, but there are exceptions. The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex, for instance, includes up to $1,500 per person (and up to $6,000 per trip) in trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.

However, there are some differences between credit card travel coverage and obtaining coverage from a third party.

"Credit card coverage does not typically provide travel medical benefits," Borden says. "For protection if you get sick or hurt while traveling, you'll want a travel insurance plan with medical coverage."

Whether you get your travel insurance in a standalone policy or through a credit card, it's important to review your plan details carefully. In either case, there may be exclusions and other requirements such as deadlines when filing a claim, Borden notes.

Knowing what travel insurance doesn't cover is as important as knowing what it does cover.

"Travelers should understand that travel insurance benefits come into play only if a covered reason occurs," Borden says. Most standard travel insurance plans won't reimburse you for the following:

Cancel for any reason (CFAR)

Cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance covers a trip cancellation for any reason, not just a covered event. your standard benefits won't kick in unless it's a covered event. For instance, you'll be reimbursed simply for changing your mind about taking a trip.

That said, CFAR travel insurance is not without its downsides. For one, it's more expensive than traditional insurance, and most CFAR policies will only reimburse you for a percentage of your travel expenses. Additionally, CFAR policies aren't available for annual travel insurance . 

You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance here.

Foreseen weather events

Sudden storms or unforeseen weather events are typically covered by standard travel insurance plans. There are exceptions to be aware of. For example, an anticipated and named hurricane will not be covered.

Medical tourism

If you're going to travel internationally for a medical procedure or doctor's visit, your travel insurance plan will not cover the procedure itself. Most medical travel plans also won't cover you if something goes wrong with your procedure.

Pre-existing conditions and pregnancy

Those with specific pre-existing conditions, such as someone with diabetes and needing more insulin, will not be covered by most plans. In addition, pregnancy-related expenses will likely not be covered under most plans.

That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver for stable conditions. In order to obtain a wavier, you will need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time frame from when you booked your trip, usually two to three weeks, depending on your policy.

Extreme sports and activities

Accidents occurring while participating in extreme sports like skydiving and paragliding will typically not be covered under most plans. However, many plans offer the ability to upgrade to a higher-priced version with extended coverage.

Navigating claims and assistance

When a trip goes awry, the first thing you should do is document everything and be as specific as possible with documentation. This will make the claims process easier, as you can substantiate and quantify your financial losses due to the delay.

For example, your flight home has been delayed long enough to be covered under your policy, you'll want to keep any receipts from purchases made while waiting. For instances where your luggage is lost, you will need to file a report with local authorities and document all the items you packed.

Cancellation protection also requires meticulous attention to detail. If you're too sick to fly, you may need to see a doctor to prove your eligibility. If an airline cancels a flight, you'll also need to document any refunds you received as travel insurance isn't going to reimburse you for money you've already gotten back. 

Part of the benefit of CFAR insurance is the reduced paperwork necessary to file a claim. You'll still need to document your nonrefundable losses, but you won't have to substantiate why you're canceling a trip.

Each plan should be personalized to meet the insured party's needs. Some travelers prefer to stick to the bare minimum (flight cancellation benefits through the airline). Others want a comprehensive plan with every coverage possible. Before you buy anything, set your destination. Are there any travel restrictions or changes pending? Does your destination country require emergency or other medical coverage?

If the destination airport is known for lost or delayed luggage, travelers should keep important items in carry-ons. Lost or delayed luggage coverage protects insured parties in the event of a significant delay or total loss.

Second, check current credit card travel benefits to avoid redundancies. Savvy travelers don't need to pay for the same coverage twice.

Finally, consider your individual needs. Do you have a chronic medical condition, or do you feel safe with emergency-only medical coverage? Keep in mind, this does not include coverage for cosmetic surgery or other medical tourism. Do you have a budget limit for travel insurance? Asking and answering these important questions will help every traveler find the right product.

Most travel insurance plans are simple, and Business Insider's guide to the best travel insurance companies outlines our top picks. Remember, read your policy and its specifics closely to ensure it includes the items you need coverage for.

No one likes to dwell on how a trip might not go as planned before even leaving. However, at its core, travel insurance provides peace of mind as you go about your trip. While the upfront cost may seem significant, when you compare it to the potential expenses of a canceled flight, emergency evacuation, or a hefty medical bill, it's a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

Coverage for pandemics vary from policy to policy. Some travel insurance companies have specific provisions for pandemic-related cancellations, while others may exclude them entirely.

Sports injuries are often covered under travel insurance, but high-risk or adventure sports might require additional coverage or a special policy.

Travel advisories have different effects on your travel insurance depending on your policy. Traveling to a country already under travel advisory may invalidate your coverage, but if you're already traveling when a travel advisory is announced, you may be covered.

Travel insurance usually covers the cost of emergency medical evacuations to the nearest suitable medical facility, and sometimes back to your home country, if necessary.

Many travel insurance policies provide coverage for the cost of replacing lost or stolen passports during a trip.

bs standard for travel

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

bs standard for travel

  • Main content

Spring break travel, Milwaukee Mitchell airport prepares for peak

Mke airport preps for spring break peak.

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport anticipates Saturday, March 23 will be its busiest travel day of the spring break season.

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport anticipates Saturday, March 23 will be its busiest travel day of the spring break season.

It's the time of year when thousands of people catch flights to catch a break. Though it started snowy, Friday was just the calm before the storm.

"There’s a lot of families in the airport, a lot of people here," said Summer Hegranes, the airport's marketing coordinator.

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

Families like the Berdelmans felt especially lucky to trade snow for sand. 

"We are flying down to Miami, and then we are taking a cruise," said Ava Berdelman. "Part of the reason we came here early, because we weren’t sure how the roads would be."

bs standard for travel

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport prepares for start to spring break travel peak

The Berdelmans weren't the only people who urged travelers to get to the airport early. Matt Niepow avoided the rush of spring breakers flying out as he returned to Milwaukee from Dallas.

"The security line goes nuts. I have TSA Precheck, and even that gets a little long," said Niepow. "They are all trying to escape the cold, and I am coming the other way."

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.

Fortunately for people flying out of Milwaukee Mitchell on Friday, there were only a few delays. 

"Most flights are going out on time today," Hegranes said.

bs standard for travel

No matter where people are flying for spring break, when it comes to the peak travel week, experts said travelers can never be too early.

"At least two hours before your flight," said Hegranes. 

Airport officials said parking facilities could fill up on the busiest days. They recommend travelers use the MKE SmartPark app for iOS and for Android .

Security/TSA

TSA officials are offering tips to travelers to ensure a smooth experience. That includes a reminder of prohibited items – and to follow instructions during the screening process. Planning ahead and packing properly can facilitate the screening process and ease your travel experience at the airport.

  • Learn how to properly travel with firearms in checked luggage .
  • What can I bring?
  • The security screening process
  • Passenger support: TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances with additional assistance during the security screening process. You may also request assistance through the TSA screening checkpoint by clicking here .

Carry-on baggage screening in standard lanes

  • Food: In most cases, food or snacks such as fruit, health bars, and sandwiches can stay inside your carry-on bag. There are special instructions for liquids, gels, and aerosols, as well as for baby food, breast milk and medically necessary items.
  • Packing: If you are preparing for your flight, be aware that how and what you pack can impact the screening process. Be sure that you check for prohibited items and remember to follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule .

IMAGES

  1. Raising the safety of Travel Adaptors with British Standard BS8546

    bs standard for travel

  2. BS Британские тесты на соответствие стандартам

    bs standard for travel

  3. Pioneering fire protection through innovation and professionalism BS

    bs standard for travel

  4. Vehicle Hand Signals

    bs standard for travel

  5. BS in International Travel and Tourism Management

    bs standard for travel

  6. PDF

    bs standard for travel

VIDEO

  1. What's The Most Profitable Cabin Class For Airlines?💰

  2. What is standard mailing time?

  3. Rent 28k 2 BHK flat for rent in Purvankara Silver Standard Keshav Nagar call 9699759471

  4. Standard

  5. [Live] RF PH CLASIC

  6. Claiming Tax Refunds in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide for Tourists

COMMENTS

  1. Raising the safety of Travel Adaptors with BS8546

    A travel adaptor compliant with BS 8546 will be clearly marked with its capabilities - rated current, rated voltage, wattage etc. ALL BS 8546 travel adaptors will have to be rated 5 Amps as a minimum - a value suitable for the majority of products we carry with us on our holidays. The ratings will also be linked to the non-UK sockets into ...

  2. New Safety Standard for Travel Adaptors

    A new British Standard 'BS 8546: 2016 - Travel adaptors compatible with UK plug and socket system' was published in April 2016. As there has been no British Standard specifically for travel adaptors in the past, there is no transition period, and should be applied with immediate effect to the design and manufacture of any travel adaptors having at least one plug or socket-outlet portion ...

  3. The British Standard for Travel Adaptors

    The BS 8546:2016 Standard covers all travel adaptors which have at least one set of plug-pins of socket-outlet compatibility with the UK (BS1363) plug and socket system. Fill out the form below to download our paper to find out more. Your name. Company. Job title. Country

  4. Information For Travellers: Using Electricals Overseas

    For safety, all modern travel adaptors must meet an electrical safety standard known as BS 5733. What are voltage converters/transformers? In countries where the voltage is 100 - 127 v and the appliance, or its power supply, is not dual voltage rated, you will need to use a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely ...

  5. What is BS8546?

    It is vitally important that everyone who supplies promotional merchandise is aware of the new British Standard that covers travel adapters - BS8546. BS8546 is a British Standard introduced specifically for travel adapters, it is now a regulation set. in the UK to protect the user from unsafe "low cost" travel adapters.

  6. Standard for Travel Adaptors (Hong Kong)

    BS 8546:2016, the new standard covers all travel adaptors which have at least one set of plug-pins of socket-outlet compatibility with the UK (BS1363) plug and socket system. The broad scope includes travel adaptors with any of the following features: - USB ports for charging portable devices. - Plug pins which can be configured for use with ...

  7. PDF Sgs Testing & Certification Solutions for Travel Adaptors

    BS 8546: 2016: On 30 April 2016, British Standards Institution released standards for all types of travel adaptors to better standardize the quality of such products. IEC 60884-2-5: 2017 In May 2017, IECEE released a standard for all types of adaptors, which first mentioned the requirements for travel adaptors.

  8. ISO 31030:2021

    Abstract. This document gives guidance to organizations on how to manage the risk (s), to the organization and its travellers, as a result of undertaking travel. This document provides a structured approach to the development, implementation, evaluation and review of: prevention and mitigation strategies. This document is applicable to any type ...

  9. BS8546 60884 travel adaptors USB safety testing certification

    We are UKAS accredited (Accreditation No. 0225) for testing to BS 8546, the standard for travel adaptors. It replaces standards such as BS 5733 and IEC 60884, which have been commonly applied to travel adaptors in the past, for products marketed in the UK. ... Any of the following safety standards: BS EN 62368-1 or BS EN 61558-2-6 & BS EN 61558 ...

  10. British Standards

    British Standards (BS) are the standards produced by the BSI Group which is incorporated under a royal charter and which is formally designated as the national standards body (NSB) for the UK. ... BS 8546 Travel adaptors compatible with UK plug and socket system.

  11. PDF British Standards Online Library (BSOL) 2021

    BSOL is a simple online tool that acts as your standards management system. Access, view and download standards with multiple user access, across multiple sites, facilitating the distribution of the knowledge across your business. BSOL contains British Standards and international and European standards that have been adopted as British Standards.

  12. BSOL British Standards Online

    The reassuringly easy way to work with standards.BSOL is the simple online tool that gives you instant access to standards. It's easy to build your own database of relevant ISO, EN, BS, PAS, ASTM and IEC standards. You can find what you need fast and stay right up to date - so you can avoid costly errors and work with confidence. Find out ...

  13. List of British Standards

    BS 83 Standard of Reference for Dope and Protective Covering for Aircraft; BS 84 Report on Screw Threads (British Standard Fine), and their Tolerances (Superseding parts of Reports Nos. 20 and 33) ... BS 8546 Travel adaptors compatible with UK plug and socket system. BS 8572:2018 Procurement of Facility-Related Services Code of Practice: ...

  14. BS Standards

    BSI Group is the first world's and national standards body and a leading global standards maker. The BSI list of standards contains over 50 000 standards and publications. 30 000 titles and more are current. The list of BSI Standards includes BS standards of UK origin, BS EN standards published by CEN/CENELEC and BS ISO and BS IEC ...

  15. BS EN and BS standards comparison

    Tubes. BS EN 1057:2010. Seamless, round tubes for water and gas in sanitary and heating applications. 2871 Pt 1. BS EN 12449:2016. Seamless, round tubes for general purposes. 2871 Pt 2. BS EN 12450:2012. Seamless, round copper capillary tubes.

  16. Building standards technical handbook 2020: domestic

    ISBN. 978-1-78544-328-2. The building standards technical handbooks provide guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. This handbook applies to a building warrant submitted on or after 1 March 2021 and to building work which does not require a warrant commenced from that date.

  17. British Standard BS 8599 First Aid Kit Contents List

    The British Standard BS 8599 sets out the requirements for first aid kits in the workplace. The rules can seem confusing for some organisations and employers. In this first aid blog post we explain the first aid kit requirements in order to meet BS 8599.. Employers are required to make a risk assessment to decide what hazard levels are and how many employees are involved in the area to be covered.

  18. BS 9991: What are the new changes?

    The new changes spell this out and restrict the use of natural smoke ventilation to buildings up to 30 metres in height, as long as travel distances are below 7.5 metres (extended to 15 if sprinkles are installed). If the structure is taller or the distances are higher, BS 9991 states that a mechanical smoke ventilation system or pressure ...

  19. 2.9 Escape

    1 March 2017. Part of. Building, planning and design. ISBN. 978-1-78544-329-9. The Building Standards technical handbooks provide guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and are available in two volumes, Domestic buildings and Non-domestic buildings. This publication is available in html and also in ...

  20. PDF FIA Guidance on Manual Call Point

    measures into the re-write of BS 5839 Part 1 (to be BS 5839 Part 1: 2017). This guidance documents looks at the benets of call point protecon and where and how they should be ed in line with recommendaons in Brish Standards. 2. BS 5839-1 RECOMMENDATIONS In the 2013 version of BS 5839-1, the ng of protecve covers was considered to be a variaon to

  21. PDF POCKET GUIDE TO BS5839-1

    PP2328 BS 5839-1 GUIDE/ISSUE 13/2019 | SECTION 2 CLAUSE 14 | PAGE 6 PP2328 BS 5839-1 GUIDE/ISSUE 13/2019 | SECTION 2 CLAUSE 13.2.3 & 22.3 | PAGE 7 SECTION 2 CLAUSE 22.3 CLAUSE 13.2.3 ALARM ZONES An alarm zone is clearly defined within the standard but generally is an area of the building coinciding with the fire compartment boundaries.

  22. BS 5306 And Fire Extinguishers

    BS 5306 Sections 3 And 8; British Standard 5306 concerns "Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises" with two parts dealing with fire extinguishers in particular: ... The BS 5306 defines both the travel distance (i.e. distance from a source of fire) and the minimum number of extinguishers required per square metre. ...

  23. Frequently asked questions, per diem

    For any official temporary travel destination, you must provide a receipt to substantiate your claimed travel expenses for lodging and receipts for any authorized expenses incurred costing over $75, or a reason acceptable to your agency explaining why you are unable to provide the necessary receipt (see Federal Travel Regulation 301-11.25).

  24. FY 2024 per diem highlights

    The standard CONUS lodging rate will increase from $98 to $107. All current NSAs will have lodging rates at or above FY 2023 rates. The M&IE per diem tiers for FY 2024 are unchanged at $59-$79, with the standard M&IE rate unchanged at $59. There are two new NSA locations this year: Huntsville, AL (Madison County) Charles Town, WV (Jefferson County)

  25. New Safety Standard for Travel Adaptors

    A new British Standard 'BS 8546: 2016 - Travel adaptors compatible with UK plug and socket system' was published in April 2016. As there has been no British Standard specifically for travel adaptors in the past, there is no transition period, and should be applied with immediate effect to the design and manufacture of any travel adaptors having at least one plug or socket-outlet portion ...

  26. London travel news LIVE: Delays hit Underground, Overground and ...

    Severe delays on Victoria Line 08:06, Lydia Chantler-Hicks. Good morning, and welcome to the Standard's travel live blog. It's bad news this morning for those using the Victoria Line, which is ...

  27. What Does Travel Insurance Cover? Key Features Explained

    Most standard travel insurance plans won't reimburse you for the following: Cancel for any reason (CFAR) Cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance covers a trip cancellation for any reason, not just ...

  28. Spring break travel, Milwaukee Mitchell airport prepares for peak

    MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport anticipates Saturday, March 23 will be its busiest travel day of the spring break season.. It's the time of year when thousands of people catch ...