Equipment & Standards Regulation Changes (2025)

Fire extinguisher phase-outs

Under chemical safety regulations or REACH-aligned policy, Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) fire extinguisherscontaining certain harmful PFAS chemicals are being phased out, with bans applying from 4 July 2025 — pushing replacement with safer alternatives. 

Fire-testing standard transition

The UK is transitioning fire-testing standards from the older British BS 476 system to the European BS EN 13501standards (started March 2025) to harmonise reaction-to-fire and material classification across products and construction materials. 

Sprinkler and residential fire safety codes

New standards such as BS 9991:2024 reflect updated fire safety design, management and use requirements for residential buildings, including mandatory sprinkler systems in new care homes. These codes support statutory changes and improved safety practices from 2025 onward.