School Fire Safety Bulletin – Transition to BS EN 13501 Fire Classification Standards
To improve fire safety across educational settings, the UK Government is phasing out the BS 476 fire testing standards and replacing them with the BS EN 13501 series. This change affects all wall-mounted materials, including school pinboards, and reflects lessons learned from major fire safety reviews such as the Grenfell Tower inquiry.
Why This Change Is Happening
The BS 476 standard, while long-standing, does not assess critical fire behaviours such as smoke production and flaming droplets, which are key contributors to fire spread and risk to life. The BS EN 13501 series introduces quantitative testing and a Euroclass rating system that provides a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of how materials behave in a fire.
This transition ensures greater consistency, enhanced safety, and alignment with international best practice – ultimately helping to protect pupils, staff, and visitors more effectively.
Key Dates for the Transition
- 2nd September 2024
- UK Government officially announced the withdrawal of BS 476 from Approved Document B, marking the start of the transition.
- 2nd March 2025
- BS 476 classifications for reaction to fire and roof performance will no longer be accepted. All assessments must use BS EN 13501 standards.
- 2nd September 2029
- BS 476 will be fully phased out. After this date, all fire protection measures must comply exclusively with BS EN 13501.
What is Changing?
| BS 476 | BS EN 13501 |
|---|---|
| BS 476Focuses on surface spread of flame and fire propagation | BS EN 13501Assesses ignitability, heat release, smoke production, and flaming droplets |
| BS 476Uses qualitative ratings (Class 0, Class 1) | BS EN 13501Uses Euroclass ratings (for example, B-s3, d2) |
| BS 476Does not assess smoke or droplets | BS EN 13501Includes smoke and flaming droplet testing |
What This Means for Your School
Schools will likely need to upgrade their pinboards and other wall-mounted materials. Under the new standards:
- All such materials must meet stricter fire safety criteria.
- Pinboards must be tested as part of a complete wall system.
- Ensure better protection for pupils, staff, and visitors.
What You Need to Do
By March 2025:
- Begin auditing existing pinboards and wall-mounted materials.
- Identify any items rated only under BS 476. If the boards are quite old, they are unlikely to meet the new standards.
If this is the case, follow these steps:
- Check the back of the boards for the BS number.
- If there is no BS number and the school is aware of the supplier, contact them to verify compliance.
By September 2029:
- Replace non-compliant boards with materials certified to BS EN 13501.
- Request fire certificates from suppliers to verify compliance.
- Update fire risk assessments to reflect the new standards.
Somerset Council’s Support
We are actively reviewing and updating school fire safety guidance sheets, including those for displays in educational premises. The Guidance document titled “Displays in Educational Premises Sheet 72” is currently being revised to reflect the new BS EN 13501 requirements.
Further updates and resources will be shared in the coming months to support schools through this transition.
