UK publishes report on smoke toxicity

Research report for UK Government will input to possible regulation of smoke toxicity from construction products. The report was commissioned following recommendations of Dame Judith Hackitt’s review (pinfa Newsletter n°92) of building regulations and fire safety following the Grenfell fire which killed over 70 people (Public Inquiry conclusions, pinfa Newsletter n°163). This report includes a review of smoke toxicity research, standards and testing methods, and to carry out testing to support regulatory recommendations for test methods. The research tested carbon monoxide emissions only from a mixture of PIR (polyisocyanurate) and phenolic foam in a crib set up (fully ventilated). The report considers that “the findings did not provide a sufficiently robust methodology for regulatory assessment of smoke toxicity in building materials. The experimental approach of coupling bench-scale yields with burning rate measurements lacks the reliability needed for practical application in building construction regulations”. The report thus concludes that “considering the reaction-to-fire performance of materials is the primary way to reduce fire hazard” alongside building compartmentalisation to protect people from spread of fire smoke. The report recommends “that it is not necessary to explicitly regulate the toxicity of the smoke produced from burning construction materials” but that knowledge should continue to monitored.

“Fire safety: smoke and toxicity. Final report”, R. Hadden, M. Spearpoint, J. Torero, Y. Kanellopoulos, K. Chotzoglou (Edinburgh University, OFR Consultants, University College London, Efectis) for the UK Building Safety Regulation, September 2025, 330 pages https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-smoke-and-toxicity