Building standards (fire safety) - external wall systems: consultation

Part 4 – Consequential matters – combustible exemptions

Overview

The current list of A1 and A2 exemptions in the technical handbook annexes for reaction to fire has raised questions about the combustibility of other penetrations through the external wall that are not included in the list below e.g. flue liners, drainage and overflow pipes, ventilation extract ducts and outlet terminals etc. The current list of exemptions is provided below for ease of reference.

In buildings where external wall cladding systems achieve a European Classification A1 or A2, the following products, where used as part of such a wall, need not achieve the same classification:

• cavity tray
• any part of a roof (other than a part of a roof pitched at an angle of 70º or more to the horizontal) if that part is connected to an external wall
• door frames and doors
• electrical installations
• insulation and water proofing materials used below ground level
• intumescent and fire stopping materials where the inclusion of the materials is necessary for compliance with the standards in Section 2 (Fire)
• membranes
• seals, gaskets, fixings, sealants and backer rods
• thermal break materials where the inclusion of the materials is necessary for compliance with the standards in Section 6 (Energy), or
• window frames and glass.

Question 4 : Do you think that the current list of exemptions above should be amended to include other penetrations e.g. cavity wall vents, boiler condensate pipes, drainage and overflow pipes, ventilation extract ducts, balanced flue liners etc.

Yes ☐

No ☐

Unsure ☐

Please select only one answer and provide your reasoning in the box below.

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