BSIA Launch Vital Guide for Fire Safety and Access Control Compliance

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is proud to announce the launch of Form 353 - Access Control: Considerations for Fire Regulations, Fire Safety and Systems. This comprehensive publication is now available to BSIA members, and offers essential insights into the the intersection of access control systems and fire safety compliance.

This publication was produced in collaboration with the Fire Industry Association (FIA), Johnson Controls, and Assa Abloy. 

The latest on access control and fire safety

The guidance released by the BSIA ensures compliance, protects lives, and avoids costly or legal operational risks. It is an essential read because:

• It’s an exclusive resource that supports professional credibility, client trust, and competitive advantage in tendering and specification.
• It consolidates key UK legislation and standards, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, and BS EN 179/1125/13637.
• It offers practical advice for system designers and installers to avoid non-compliant configurations that could hinder emergency egress or firefighter access.
• It helps BSIA members conduct thorough fire risk assessments and understand how access control systems must behave during emergencies (e.g., fail-safe unlocking, manual overrides).
• It addresses high-rise and multi-occupancy building challenges, including secure information boxes and firefighter access protocols.

Form 353 has been developed in collaboration with leading member companies and industry experts to support designers, installers, and specifiers in navigating the complex regulatory landscape. It provides practical advice on integrating access control systems with fire alarm systems, ensuring emergency egress, and maintaining fire barrier integrity. It also addresses post-Grenfell considerations, dynamic lockdown risks, and the importance of fail-safe mechanisms and manual overrides.

Alignment with the value of professionalism

BSIA members can access Form 353 as part of their membership benefits, with additional resources including template disclaimers, risk assessment guidance, and links to supporting standards.

This launch reinforces BSIA’s commitment to promoting best practice, safety, and regulatory compliance across the security industry. We encourage all members to download the guide, share it with clients, and use it to support safe and compliant system design.

To access the form, please visit the BSIA Library and search 'Form 353'. This is currently available to members only, so you must be logged in.