Fire Safety Sustainability

From PAS79, PAS1 and PAS2 to Sustainability:
What every Facilities Management team needs to know

Wed 06/04/2025 - 15:29

It has been several years of change for Facilities Management teams to digest, when it comes to fire safety.

The bulk of fire safety regulatory changes were implemented following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, including specific PAS79 legislation in 2020 and subsequent changes to fire safety legislation, namely the Fire Safety Act in the UK. The alteration from ‘guide’ to ‘code of practice’, in 2020, also formalised substantial compliance requirements.

Add in requirements for new homes and businesses to meet rigorous energy efficiency standards to help reduce energy consumption and bills, contributing to environmental protection and a wider push towards the UK’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, and it is a tough task for FM teams to follow.

Here at SOCOTEC UK & Ireland, we want to guide you through the changes, and remind you of what the key fire safety standards, PAS79, PAS1 and PAS2 all mean for you and your organisation, as well as the critical role sustainability plays in the process.

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The Key Fire Safety Standards

What is PAS79?

A Publicly Available Specification that guides fire risk assessment, PAS79 was first developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in 2005 as a guide for fire risk assessments.

It was then updated through several major revisions to help organisations comply with fire safety regulations.
It’s major revision in 2020 saw the standard split into two parts – as well as becoming a formal code of practice:

PAS79-1:2020 for non-residential premises (offices, schools, warehouses, etc.)
PAS79-2:2020 specifically for housing/residential buildings

It offers a meticulous, structured methodology for conducting and documenting fire risk assessments within buildings. As a key standard in fire safety management, PAS79 provides guidance on:

Conducting comprehensive fire risk assessments
Documenting findings in a structured format
Implementing appropriate fire safety measures
Ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations

This is achieved through PAS79’s key components, starting with a systematic process to identify fire hazards and evaluate risks. A range of templates in several formats support this, formalising the assessment process into a clear, standardised process.

Within these templates are risk evaluation and measured controls, which evaluate the significance of identified risks and outline appropriate measures to mitigate identified fire risks, respectively. And, finally, the review process ensures that requirements are periodically reviewed, ensuring everything remains up to scratch.

But why is PAS79 particularly relevant for Facilities Management teams? Well, firstly, it provides a thorough framework for maintaining legal compliance, making it hugely important criteria to meet. Through this framework, a building’s occupants and assets are protected from danger.

The regulation also forms part of wider building safety management systems and helps support business continuity planning – put simply, PAS79 represents a foundation of safety management that can be integrated with broader sustainability objectives in facility management.

A Publicly Available Specification that guides fire risk assessment, PAS79 was first developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in 2005 as a guide for fire risk assessments.

PAS79-1:2020 for non-residential premises (offices, schools, warehouses, etc.)
PAS79-2:2020 specifically for housing/residential buildings

It offers a meticulous, structured methodology for conducting and documenting fire risk assessments within buildings. As a key standard in fire safety management, PAS79 provides guidance on:

Conducting comprehensive fire risk assessments
Documenting findings in a structured format
Implementing appropriate fire safety measures
Ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations

The Key Fire Safety Standards

What about PAS1 & PAS2?

Also known as ‘Public Alarm System Standard 1’, PAS1 establishes requirements for public warning systems, particularly for fire safety in buildings.

Also developed by the BSI it broadly focuses on:

System design and installation requirements
Performance specifications for alarm notification devices
Testing and maintenance protocols
Integration with building management systems
Compliance requirements for public buildings

Likewise, ‘Public Alarm System Standard 2’, better known as PAS2, complements the first standard:

Extended requirements for more complex facilities
Advanced integration capabilities with other building systems
Additional specifications for specialized environments (healthcare, educational facilities, etc.)
Enhanced monitoring and reporting requirements

System design and installation requirements
Performance specifications for alarm notification devices
Testing and maintenance protocols
Integration with building management systems
Compliance requirements for public buildings

Likewise, ‘Public Alarm System Standard 2’, better known as PAS2, complements the first standard:

Extended requirements for more complex facilities
Advanced integration capabilities with other building systems
Additional specifications for specialized environments (healthcare, educational facilities, etc.)
Enhanced monitoring and reporting requirements

How does Sustainability come into play?

So those are the three thorough standards that help keep companies compliant by following specific regulations when it comes to fire safety – but how do they help a firm meet its sustainability goals?

PAS79, PAS1 and PAS2 revolve around several different pillars that help companies achieve a more sustainable outlook, with several enabled by technological advances.

Modern alarm systems are designed with these standards in mind and incorporate energy-saving features, while resources are optimised thanks to fully integrated systems, leading to less long-term turnover in equipment and infrastructure.

Smart building integrations use PAS-compliant systems that add to the energy efficiency options available. The evolution from meeting basic compliance with PAS standards to a more holistic approach to sustainability is certainly what is needed within most businesses. At the same time, these standards have naturally evolved to become more sustainable across the board.

The same can also be said when it comes to compliance. Regulatory compliance is one thing, but proactive sustainability leadership is invaluable, and something that should be given serious consideration by businesses of all sizes.

For the modern Facilities Management team, it should be about getting the right integration for their firm. This means an integrated approach is critical, one that considers safety requirements along with environmental considerations.

This not only is an easy-decision internally, but from an external perspective, to help support a firm’s reputation and meet Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) goals, as well as doing the right thing for the planet. Nowadays, stakeholders expect organisations to have robust sustainability policies, which require buy-in from all involved, including clients, employees and the public.

Key considerations :

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