Introduction

Fire safety is a crucial aspect of any building project, especially in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the subsequent Hackitt Review. To address the need for better management and exchange of fire safety information throughout the lifecycle of a built asset, a new British Standard has been developed: BS 8644-1:2022 Digital management of fire safety information – Part 1: Design, construction, handover, asset management, and emergency response – Code of practice.

This blog post will explain what BS 8644-1 is, why it is important, and how it can benefit the construction industry and other stakeholders.

What is BS 8644-1?

BS 8644-1 is a code of practice that provides recommendations and guidance on the management, presentation, and exchange of fire safety information using digital information management processes. It covers the following stages in the lifecycle of assets in all parts of the built environment, including infrastructure:

• Briefing
• Design
• Construction (including on-site fire safety information)
• Asset handover
• An asset in operation
• fire and rescue service intervention

The standard is intended for use by individuals and organizations that contribute to and influence the definition of design, construction, use, maintenance, and end of life of a built asset. It is applicable primarily to newly built assets, but its principles can also be applied to existing assets.

The standard is aligned with the BS EN ISO 19650 series of international standards for managing information over the whole life cycle of a built asset using building information modeling (BIM). However, it also provides guidance to users who do not use BIM.

Why is BS 8644-1 important?

BS 8644-1 is a response to one of the recommendations in the Hackitt Review, which identified an egregious lack of accessible and relevant fire safety information for developing and existing assets across the UK-built environment. The review called for a "digital standard of record-keeping for the design, construction and during the occupation of new High-Risk Residential Buildings (HRRBs)".

The standard aims to address this gap by providing a framework for creating, managing, and sharing fire safety information digitally across the life of a built asset. This will enable:

• A safer built environment that is appropriate for the intended end users
• Reduced disruption to business operations and property loss from fire
• Relevant, accurate, and accessible fire safety information to be made available to the right people at the right time

How can BS 8644-1 benefit the construction industry and other stakeholders?

BS 8644-1 can benefit various stakeholders involved in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of built assets, as well as fire and rescue services. Some of the benefits are:

• improved collaboration and communication among different parties.
• enhanced quality assurance and accountability for fire safety information.
• increased efficiency and consistency in fire safety information management.
• reduced risk of errors, omissions and duplication of fire safety information.
• improved compliance with fire safety regulations and standards
• improved performance and resilience of built assets in case of fire.
• improved decision making and planning for fire prevention, protection and intervention.

How can I access BS 8644-1?

Alternatively, you can access it online for free through BSI's Online Library: https://bsol.bsigroup.com/en/

You can also provide feedback on the standard through BSI's online consultation platform: https://standardsdevelopment.
bsigroup.com/projects/2019-02962#/section

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Conclusion

BS 8644-1 is a new British Standard that provides guidance on how to manage fire safety information digitally across the life of a built asset. It aims to improve fire safety outcomes for both new and existing assets in the UK-built environment. It is relevant for anyone involved in or influencing the design, construction, use, maintenance, and end of life of a built asset. It is aligned with the international standards for BIM but is also applicable to non-BIM users. It is available for purchase or online access from BSI.

If you are interested in learning more about BS 8644-1 and how it can help your project, implementing BS 8644-1 in your organization or project, or sharing your views or experiences on BS 8644-1, please visit the desapex.com or contact us for more information. We would love to hear from you and assist you with your fire safety needs.

Thank you for reading this blog post and we hope you found it useful and informative. Please feel free to share it with your colleagues and network. Stay tuned for more updates on fire safety standards and best practices from Desapex.