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Fire safety – Building standards in Scotland

External wall cladding and balconies not more than 1m from a boundary should achieve Euroclass A1 or A2, with the exception of domestic builds which can use Euroclass B under certain conditions*. Where the building is more than 1m from the boundary the cladding should be constructed from materials with a reaction to fire rating in accordance with the following table.

Building UseTopmost Storey Height Above GroundEuropean Classification
Entertainment and assembly building AnyA1 or A2
Entertainment and assembly building with a total storey area not more than 500 m2 11m B - E (see regulations)
Hospital and residential care building AnyA1 or A2
Hospital and residential care building with a total storey area not exceeding 200 m2 11mB - E (see regulations)
Any other building (including domestic) More than 11m A1 or A2
Not more than 11m B - E (see regulations)

Additional information:

*Domestic houses may use Euroclass B rated cladding within 1m of the boundary provided that;


Domestic

Internal linings

Protected zones (escape routes etc) should have wall and ceiling surfaces which achieve European Classification A1, A2 or B.

A room, unprotected zone or protected enclosure should have wall and ceiling surfaces with a reaction to fire no worse than European Classification C.

Limitations on higher risk surfaces – a room (other than a kitchen) not more than 4m2 may have wall and ceiling linings with a European Classification D. In a room (other than a kitchen) more than 4m2 the wall surfaces may also have a European Classification D subject to a maximum of 20m2 where the total area of European Classification D products is not more than half the floor area of the room.

Sloped walls and ceilings

Any part of a ceiling which slopes at an angle of more than 70º to the horizontal should be classified as a wall lining.

Authentic Double Smoked Ebony Oak Flooring | Reynolds Architecture
Vertical Grain Siberian Larch Cladding | Reynolds Architecture

Non-domestic

Every room, fire-fighting shaft, protected zone or unprotected zone, should have at least wall and ceiling surfaces with a reaction to fire which follows the guidance in the table below.

BuildingResidential Care Buildings & HospitalsShopsAll Other Buildings
Room not more than 30m2C [2]DD
Room more than 30m2B [3]CC [4]
Unprotected zonesBB5C
Protected zones and fire-fighting shaft [1]BBB

Additional information:

Limitations on higher risk surfaces

In a room, any part of the wall may be of one reaction to fire classification lower than that recommended in the table above, where the total area of those parts in any one room is not more than half the floor area of the room. This is subject to a maximum of 20m2 in residential buildings and 60m2 in non-residential buildings.

Sloped walls and ceilings

Any part of a ceiling which slopes at an angle of more than 70º to the horizontal should be classified as a wall lining.

The information on this page is for reference only. Please consult with Building Control for advice on your project.