The British Standards Institution (BSI) is seeking feedback on the draft PAS 9970, which provides guidance for temporary fire alarm systems on construction sites. The consultation raises several important questions, and it’s essential that industry professionals share their experience and expertise.
At Howler, we work closely with construction sites to ensure temporary fire systems are reliable, compliant, and practical, so we’ve summarised the key questions and considerations below.
1. Alarm Reset Method (Clause 3.1.2 – Call Point)
Question for Commenters:
What are your thoughts on the method of resetting an alarm? Should a key be required, or are buttons preferred?
- Key reset: Reset key is easy to misplace on construction projects, which means that resetting the system can be delayed.
- Button reset: Faster and simpler for busy sites. Still requires someone to attend the call point to reset so cannot be abused.
The choice should balance ease of operation with safety control, ensuring alarms are always reinstated promptly after activation.
2. Manual Call Point Type (Clause 7.2.1 – Call Point)
Question for Commenters:
What are your thoughts on the type of button/call point? Should a specific type of button be required?
- Key reset options (MCPs) require additional management controls on site which adds complexity.
- Push button options are simpler to use, but still require a physical check of the activated device to reset, so safety is not compromised.
Industry feedback is crucial to ensure that call points are both practical and effective for real-world construction environments.
3. Detector Environmental Rating (Clause 7.5 – Environmental)
Question for Commenters:
Construction users, should detectors be rated for outdoor use? Do you use indoor-only detectors on site?
- There is generally no requirement for automatic detection outdoors, therefore the detectors do not need to be rated for outdoor use.
- Automatic detection is not effective outdoors, and therefore is only used indoors.
This question highlights the importance of understanding where detectors are located on site and why.
Why Your Input Matters
Temporary fire systems are critical for protecting construction sites. By contributing to the PAS 9970 consultation, you can help ensure the standard is practical, robust, and aligned with real-world site needs.
How Howler Can Help
At Howler, we are currently reviewing the draft PAS and its potential implications for construction fire safety.
If you would like support in:
- Understanding the proposed requirements
- Interpreting how the changes could affect your sites
- Preparing consultation feedback
our team would be pleased to help guide you through the process. Contact us.
If you work in construction fire safety, now is the time to review the draft and make your voice heard.
👉 Consultation closes: 18 March 2026
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