Revised PAS 9980 Code of Practice for Fire Safety Risks

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published a revised version of the PAS 9980 code of practice, aiming to enhance the consistency and clarity in assessing fire safety risks associated with external walls. This update is particularly significant for UK fire safety professionals involved in building safety assessments, especially those dealing with cladding issues. The code was first published in 2022 and has been revised as many residential buildings across the UK continue to be assessed.

What the Revised Code Entails

PAS 9980 is the code of practice for Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEWs) on existing blocks of flats. It is voluntary guidance for competent building professionals, and a FRAEW is meant to inform the building’s wider fire risk assessment. As reported by PBC Today, the revision gives assessors a structured method, common terminology, clearer documentation requirements and recognised competency expectations, so that appraisals are carried out and reported more consistently.

A key principle is proportionality: remediation should match the risk that an individual building presents. The code takes a holistic, risk-based view rather than a simple compliance check, and it helps assessors decide when the risk of fire spreading through the external walls is low enough that a specialist appraisal is not needed.

Importance for UK Fire Safety Professionals

For professionals in the UK, the revised code is a vital tool in the ongoing effort to ensure building safety. It addresses the need for a consistent approach to fire risk assessments, which is crucial in the context of cladding remediation. The code's emphasis on proportionate remediation is particularly relevant, as it helps avoid unnecessary and costly interventions while still prioritising safety.

Practical Takeaways

• Read the revised PAS 9980 before your next external wall appraisal. It is voluntary, but it sets out the recognised method.

• Use it to decide whether a building needs a full FRAEW at all, and feed the findings into the fire risk assessment.

• Apply the code's framework to make informed and proportionate remediation decisions.

Sources

PBC Today: PAS 9980, a clear and consistent approach to fire safety risks