Practical fire safety guidance for existing non-residential premises

Annex

Pyrotechnics In Entertainment Premises

In January 2009, there was a fire in an Edinburgh nightclub which was caused when pyrotechnics used during a Hogmanay celebration ignited a suspended plastic net. There were no fatalities though some patrons were injured. This involved inappropriate selection of pyrotechnics. The events manager of the premises was prosecuted for non-compliance with the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

The use of outdoor pyrotechnics has been associated with major loss of life in fires in entertainment premises throughout the world. The following list shows premises where pyrotechnics have been reported as a cause of fire. Sometimes other factors have been contributory such as combustible sound-insulation and means of escape issues.

• Nightclub, Rhode Island, USA - February 2003 - 100 deaths

• Club, Buenos Aires, Argentina - December 2004 - 194 deaths

• Nightclub, Quito, Ecuador - April 2008 - 15 deaths

• Club, Bangkok, Thailand - January 2009 - 66 deaths

• Nightclub, Perm, Russia - December 2009 - 154 deaths

• Nightclub Brazil January 2013 - 242 deaths

• Nightclub Bucharest October 2015 - 64 deaths

British Standards British Standards Institution ( www.bsi-global.com).

EN 179 Building hardware. Emergency exit devices operated by a lever handle or push pad. Requirements and test methods

EN 1125: Building hardware. Panic exit devices operated by a horizontal bar. Requirements and test methods

EN 1154: Building hardware. Controlled door closing devices. Requirements and test methods

EN 1155: Building hardware. Electrically powered hold open devices for swing doors. Requirements and test methods

EN 1634: Part 1: Fire-resistance tests for door, shutters and openable windows

EN 12845 Fixed firefighting systems: automatic sprinkler systems: design, installation and maintenance

EN ISO 7010 graphical symbols - safety colours and safety signs - registered safety signs

476: Part 22: Fire tests on building materials and structures. Methods for determination of the fire-resistance of non-loadbearing elements of construction

5266: Part 1: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises

5306: Part 0: Fire protection installations and equipment on premises. Guide for selection

5306: Part 8: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Selection and installation of portable fire extinguishers. Code of practice

5499: Part 10: Guidance for the selection and use of safety signs and fire safety notices

5839: Part 1: Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises

5839: Part 3: Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings. Specification for automatic release mechanisms for certain fire protection equipment

5839: Part 8: Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of voice alarm systems

5852: Methods of test for assessment of ignitability of upholstered seating by smouldering and flaming ignition sources

5867: Part 2: Fabrics for curtains drapes and window blinds. Flammability requirements. Specification

7036: Code of practice for safety at powered doors for pedestrian use

7273: Part 4: Code of practice for the operation of fire protection measures. Actuation of release mechanisms for doors

9999: Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings.