The British Standards Institution (BSI) has launched a public consultation on a proposed standard designed to improve the commissioning, maintenance and management of integrated fire safety systems in buildings.
The draft, BS 9996, Commissioning and maintenance of integrated fire safety systems: Code of practice, opened for consultation on 21 October 2026 and will remain open until 6 January 2027.
Improving coordination of fire safety measures
Developed by BSI committee FSH/14, Fire precautions in buildings, the proposed standard aims to ensure active and passive fire protection measures operate effectively together.
It addresses the relationship between building design, installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance, with an emphasis on maintaining system performance throughout a building’s life.
The draft also considers how integrated systems should perform under foreseeable conditions, including faults and degraded operating modes.
Commissioning and testing requirements
BS 9996 proposes recommendations covering the planning and execution of commissioning activities, integrated systems testing and verification of overall building performance.
The guidance would establish processes for jointly commissioning interacting fire safety systems rather than assessing individual measures in isolation.
It also addresses planned inspection, testing and maintenance following occupation.
Strengthening documentation and accountability
A central element of the proposed standard concerns information management and the recording of fire safety activities.
The guidance recommends maintaining documentation and audit trails covering commissioning, verification, inspection, maintenance and subsequent building modifications.
Its underlying principles include integration, competence, accountability, evidence and information integrity.
Consultation open until January 2027
The draft is intended for building owners, designers, fire engineers, installers, facilities managers, maintenance providers, accountable persons and fire and rescue services.
BSI is inviting industry professionals and other interested parties to review the proposals and submit comments.
Feedback received before 6 January 2027 will be considered during the standards development process before a final version is published.
