Its length is justified by its importance. It includes fire safety legislation and standards and case studies from fire events. It also includes a glossary of terms used in the industry.
Many, especially multifamily homeowners, have been waiting to tell them if their walls present an unacceptable risk and if they require remediation.
FR consulting can help you demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations and other standards for exterior walls. Many believed it did NOT replace the EWS1 forms when the standard was released. EWS1 forms are not required by mortgage lenders for buildings with acceptable or low PAS 9980 fire risk assessment.
PAS 9980 Risk Assessment Objectives
The Goals are:
- Share a common approach to assess fire spread risk on exterior walls.
- Aid recipients to understand the dangers and results.
This standard also includes assessing fire risk and exterior walls (FRAEW), which feeds into the Fire Safety Order evaluation. It may also be used to determine if higher structures will require a future safety case. The guideline applies to all multifamily structures, not just those over 18m. It can also serve as student and specialised housing.
PAS 9980 Defines Risk
PAS 9990 defines risk as the potential for fire spread, secondary fires, tenable escape conditions, and effective fire services action. The risk levels are classified as low, medium, or high. Medium-risk buildings may be manageable but must be repaired or protected from fire. High-risk buildings need more study. This will likely require a fire engineering investigation, which could include wall remediation.
What Should I Know About FRAEW?
FRAEW covers the exterior wall structure and spandrel panels. Attachments like balconies are also considered. It also includes neighbouring fire risks and threats, evacuation routes and fire service access. For a thorough evaluation to be conducted, assessors must have the necessary qualifications. The proposal details competency expectations as well as evaluation methods.
Which Buildings Are Covered By PAS 9980?
You can find out which structures PAS covers by exploring the question, “What is a PAS9980 fire risk assessment?” PAS 9980 applies to apartment towers and other buildings. The buildings must be comparable to an apartment complex in terms of fire strategy, escape architecture and fire management. PAS includes student housing, sheltered and specialised housing as well as apartments.
PAS 9980 Wall Constructions
PAS 9980 protects against fire spreading from multi-story buildings regardless of their height. PAS includes single and mixed-wall configurations. Partial explosive structures are also covered.
External walls built with PAS include rain-screen cladding. It also includes ETICS (precisely rendered insulation). PAS includes insulated core panels and glass facades with infill/spread and curtain walls.
What Is PAS9980 For?
PAS9980 is for fire engineers and other professionals in the building industry who need to assess the fire risk of exterior walls of blocks of flats.
It can also be used by other building professionals, such as those doing assessments and making decisions based on FRAEW results. These results are not exclusive to:
- Surveyors
- Architects
- Architects
- Landlords
- HUD
- Facility managers/Agents
- Firefighters
Conclusion
Risk Assessment PAS 9980 is long and provides a lot of information. This includes FRAEW reports as well as fire safety laws. It also includes case studies and a glossary. Although the paper is intended for building engineers and firefighters, building surveyors and architects might also find it helpful.
PAS 9980 deals with fires spreading over apartment complexes of multiple stories, regardless of their height. PAS 9980 provides coverage for flats, student housing, and specialised housing.
PAS 9980’s primary goals are to provide a standard approach for assessing the risk that fire spreads to exterior walls for all assessments and to ensure people who receive them understand any consequences and dangers.
The Facade Consultants guidance should have clarified PAS9980 and its implications for future fire risk assessments.
