BS 476 is being withdrawn — but what replaces fire-test “assessments”?
The withdrawal of the BS 476 fire-test route is already under way. For fire resistance, the key change in Approved Document B takes effect from 2 September 2029, when the European test and classification route becomes the recognised approach.
BSI gives a useful overview of the timetable here: The changing status of the BS 476 standard series: A summary
The more interesting question is what happens to assessments of test evidence. Under the traditional UK approach, a fire test can support an expert assessment covering variations that were not themselves tested — for example different door sizes, glazing, ironmongery, meeting stiles, side panels or overpanels.
Niall Rowan of the ASFP explains the issue well in this video: Withdrawal of BS476 | Getting Technical.
The European system does still allow extrapolation — but in a much more rules-based way. Instead of a relatively open-ended expert assessment, the scope is derived through Direct Application (DIAP) and, where available, Extended Application (EXAP) rules, with the resulting performance classified under the BS EN 13501 framework. For fire doors, the BS EN 15269 series provides the EXAP methodology.
So the important distinction is not: “assessment disappears, therefore every permutation must be tested.” It is:
That potentially makes the European route more consistent and transparent — but also less flexible. For manufacturers with broad or bespoke product ranges, the quality and breadth of the available EXAP rules — and the way test programmes are planned — will become increasingly important.
Is that a worthwhile trade-off for greater consistency, or are we at risk of losing useful engineering judgement and increasing the testing burden?
