Architect’s guide to fire-resistant ventilation in 2026 and beyond

As the UK construction industry enters a new era of regulatory rigour and environmental responsibility, fire-resistance in ventilation has evolved from a niche concern to a central design imperative.

With the Future Buildings Standard coming into force from 2025, architectural practices are facing heightened expectations around airtightness, energy efficiency, and life safety compliance.

In this context, fire-resistant ventilation becomes a critical aspect of holistic building design, particularly in multi-residential, mixed-use, and care environments.

This guide outlines what architects need to know about fire-resistant ventilation in the evolving landscape of UK building safety.

Why fire-resistant ventilation matters in modern buildings

Ventilation systems are designed to move air—but in the event of a fire, they can also enable the spread of smoke and flame if not correctly specified. With increasingly airtight envelopes and widespread use of Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) and Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV), the need for robust fire compartmentation and properly-specified ductwork and fire collars within ventilation infrastructure is greater than ever.

The Grenfell Tower tragedy and the recommendations of the Hackitt Review have reinforced the need for fire safety to be embedded in design thinking from RIBA Stage 2 onward.

Architects now play a key role in preventing vertical fire spread through service risers, and they need to ensure that every penetration, duct, and void aligns with fire strategy requirements.

Regulatory shifts architects must know 

The following regulatory frameworks are central to ventilation fire safety from 2025, moving into 2026 onward:

• Building Safety Act – increases accountability for designers and specifiers.
• Future Homes Standard – mandates highly efficient, low-carbon-ready systems.
• Approved Document B (Fire Safety) – requires stricter management of service penetrations.
• Approved Document F (Ventilation) – addresses the performance and installation of ventilation systems.
• Approved Document L (Conservation of fuel and power) – requires buildings to be well-insulated, have energy-efficient heating and lighting, and be airtight to limit heat loss and reduce carbon emissions.
• BS EN 13501-1 – Criteria for the combustibility of materials, including paint, with A1 and A2 combustibility ratings and SD (smoke and drip) ratings.

These changes demand greater collaboration between architects, M&E consultants, and fire engineers from RIBA Stage 2 onwards.

For architects, this also means designing with foresight; specify systems that are not just compliant at handover, but resilient over a building’s lifespan.

Designing for fire-resistant ventilation: Strategies for architects

Here are key fire-safe ventilation design tactics architects should integrate early:

1. Plan mechanical riser locations thoughtfully

• Consolidate ventilation routes to minimise penetrations across fire compartments.
• Use dedicated mechanical risers for extract and supply systems.
• Position risers away from escape routes.
• Consolidate systems to reduce fire-sealing points.
• Allow for future maintenance access.

2. Maintain compartment integrity

• Ensure all wall and floor penetrations are sealed using tested fire-stopping systems, including CE-marked intumescent wraps, collars or sleeves where required.
• Ensure plastic ducting used in fire-rated zones is appropriately sleeved.
• Design with continuous fire-rated ducting across compartments.

3. Coordinate and align with fire strategy

• Coordinate closely with the fire engineer and M&E team to align ductwork routes with the overall fire compartmentation plan.
• For larger or high-rise schemes, ensure that ventilation systems do not compromise protected escape routes.

4. Integrate smoke and pressure systems where applicable

• Consider pressure relief dampers and fire dampers where smoke extract is required.

Specification essentials: Your fire-resistant ventilation checklist

Beyond the apartment: Additional fire safety considerations for architects

While specifying fire-resistant mechanical ventilation systems is essential at the dwelling level, architects must also account for the broader fire safety strategy within the building’s communal and landlord-serviced areas.

Designing for fire resilience at the building level involves an understanding of additional systems that manage smoke, protect escape routes, and support firefighting access. Architects are advised to engage with specialist consultants to ensure these elements are fully integrated with both the ventilation and fire strategy.

Key standards and systems to be aware of:

• BS 8519 – Guidance for selecting and installing fire-resistant power and control cable systems, particularly for life safety applications such as fire detection, smoke control and alarm systems.
• BS 9999 – Comprehensive codes of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings, supporting risk-based design strategies.
• BS EN 12101 – A multi-part standard essential for the specification of smoke and heat control systems, including fire-rated ductwork and fans.
• In larger residential buildings, architects should consider integrating:
  • Smoke control dampers
  • Pressure relief systems
  • BS EN 12101-3-compliant extract fans in shared corridors, lobbies, or stairwells.

How Titon supports fire-safe ventilation specification

At Titon, we understand the pressure architects face to deliver safe, compliant, and buildable solutions. As a trusted partner to architects and contractors, we offer compliant ventilation products that align with UK fire and ventilation regulations, with fire safety that is built in—not bolted on.

Our support includes:

• MVHR and MEV systems designed for integration with fire-rated ducting and collars.
• Design collaboration at early stages to ensure compliance with Parts B, F, and L.
• Product testing to BS EN13141-2:2010 airflow performance testing, including complete system configurations.
• Technical datasheets, BIM files, and assistance with specification writing.
• Free CPDs on fire-safe mechanical ventilation design.

Whether you’re designing high-rise residential buildings, student accommodation, or healthcare settings, Titon ensures that your ventilation strategy aligns with your fire compartmentation requirements.

Titon FireSafe® Air Brick: Engineered for safety in every wall

One standout solution in our fire-resistance portfolio is the Titon FireSafe® Air Brick range, developed specifically for external wall applications in high-rise and high-risk buildings.

Manufactured from non-combustible 1.2mm electrogalvanised steel, the Titon FireSafe® Air Brick provides robust compliance with Approved Document B, making it ideal for buildings requiring Euroclass A1 fire-rated components.

The range is designed to be used alongside Titon’s standard ducting, ensuring seamless specification and installation across external air terminals. It is also available in multiple colours and finishes to support architectural aesthetic requirements without compromising safety.

Key features of the Titon FireSafe® Air Brick and Push Through Wall Kit include:

🔥 Non-combustible construction: Manufactured from A1-rated non-combustible 1.2mm electrogalvanised steel and A2-rated powder coat paint.

🌀 Airflow efficiency: High free area of 90% for maintained airflow.

🎨 Facade integration: Available in RAL powder-coated finishes to visually match facades.

🧱 Ductwork compatible: Designed for compatibility with ducting of various sizes, including 204x60 and 220x90.

🛠️ New and retrofit applications: Quick and easy installation, suitable for new build and retrofits.

With compliance, performance, and aesthetics in mind, the Titon FireSafe® Air Brick is the ideal solution for architects seeking non-combustible ventilation terminals that meet modern regulatory expectations.

Conclusion

Moving into 2026, fire safety should be viewed more as a moral obligation than a compliance hurdle. With new standards quickly approaching, now is the time to revisit how your practice specifies and coordinates ventilation systems; with the right approach, specifying fire-resistant ventilation systems ensures that air quality, efficiency, and safety are never in conflict.

Titon is here to help you navigate the evolving building space with trusted advice, reliable products, and complete design support.

Partner with us to ensure your projects stay ahead of regulation and protect both occupants and your reputation.