This part of BS 5588 provides guidance for designers and the building construction team on the incorporation of ventilation and air conditioning ductwork into new and existing buildings other than premises covered by BS 5908.
The standard covers non-combustible building service ducts, and ductwork manufactured from metal and/or rigid mineral based components which exhibit:
- high integrity when exposed to fully developed fire conditions
- resistance to penetration by flame
- an ability to exclude or contain fire.
It does not cover ductwork manufactured from materials that rapidly melt, shatter or degrade during fire exposure, for example glass and plastics materials.
The standard covers precautions to prevent the spread of fire and smoke and other by-products of combustion within a building through the movement of air for environmental control, i.e. ventilation, heating and cooling. It does not cover the movement of air for purposes other than for environmental control, e.g. boiler flues, pneumatic information transfer systems, nor smoke control systems, pressure differential systems and industrial process plant extract systems.
