Understanding BS 8629:2024 – Evacuation Alert Systems for High-Rise Residential Buildings

In response to the evolving fire safety landscape, particularly following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the UK introduced British Standard BS 8629. This standard outlines how evacuation alert systems (EAS) should be designed, installed, and maintained in high-rise residential buildings. Its purpose is to assist the fire and rescue service (FRS) in initiating an evacuation when a “stay put” strategy is no longer viable.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of BS 8629:2024 and explains its significance for building owners, developers, fire safety professionals, and responsible persons.

—

What is BS 8629?

BS 8629:2024 is the British Standard for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of evacuation alert systems (EAS) for use by the fire and rescue services in residential buildings. The system is not intended to be a fire detection or alarm system, but a tool to assist the FRS in managing phased or full evacuations during an incident.

The most recent version—BS 8629:2024—replaces the original 2019 edition, incorporating updates and clarifications based on industry feedback and evolving best practice.

—

Why Was BS 8629 Introduced?

The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 exposed critical gaps in how high-rise residential buildings manage evacuations during major incidents. One issue was the inability to communicate evacuation instructions effectively to residents during a rapidly escalating situation. The public inquiry recommended the mandatory installation of evacuation alert systems in new high-rise residential buildings.

BS 8629 was developed in direct response to this recommendation, ensuring that the FRS has a reliable means of alerting residents floor by floor or throughout the entire building when an evacuation is required.

—

Key Features of a BS 8629-Compliant System

Evacuation alert systems must be:

✅ Installed in buildings over 18 metres or seven storeys
✅ Designed for FRS use only—protected behind lockable, tamper-proof control panels
✅ Independent of the building’s main fire alarm system
✅ Capable of initiating floor-by-floor evacuation or full evacuation as needed
✅ Audible within each residential flat through alert devices (typically sounders or beacons)

The system is usually installed in a secure location (such as a firefighting lobby or ground floor fire control room), where fire service personnel can manually trigger alerts on a floor-by-floor basis.

—

What's New in the 2024 Revision?

BS 8629:2024 includes important updates such as:

• Enhanced requirements for system resilience, including power supply integrity
• Clarified guidance on alarm sound levels in dwellings
• Additional guidance for retrofitting evacuation alert systems in existing buildings
• More detailed commissioning and maintenance procedures
• Updated signage and labelling for system components

These changes ensure consistency across installations and reflect the latest thinking from fire safety engineers and practitioners.

—

Who Is Responsible for Compliance?

Building owners, responsible persons (RPs), developers, and housing providers are expected to ensure compliance with BS 8629 in applicable buildings. Although not currently mandated for all existing high-rises, evacuation alert systems are required under Building Regulations for new residential buildings over 18m (as per Approved Document B).

Fire risk assessments under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 may also prompt recommendations to install such systems in high-risk premises.

—

Integration with Fire Safety Strategy

Evacuation alert systems should form part of a holistic fire safety approach that includes:

• Compartmentation
• Stay-put or phased evacuation policies
• Fire doors and smoke ventilation systems
• Waking Watch (as an interim measure)
• Fire detection and alarm systems

It’s important to note that BS 8629 systems are intended for use by the FRS—not for automatic occupant use—and must be maintained and tested accordingly.