Non-sprinklered space intended for temporary use

Non-sprinklered space intended for temporary use

With the growing popularity of (video)calling, single-person phone booths are increasingly being installed in buildings. These booths provide a soundproof environment where users can make calls or hold video meetings undisturbed. They have a maximum surface area of 2 m² and are equipped with ventilation, but they are not designed for long-term use. This raises the question: should these single-person booths be equipped with separate fire detection and evacuation alarm systems in a building that already has a fire alarm or evacuation system?

An initial answer came on June 4 with the interpretation decision "Monitoring and Detection of Single-Person Phone Booths" from the CCV. However, there was still uncertainty regarding fire control (sprinkler or water mist). That has now been clarified as well, with a harmonization agreement published on November 28 regarding non-sprinklered spaces intended for temporary use.

Permitted criteria

A non-sprinklered space intended for temporary use—such as a phone booth, meeting pod, or quiet zone—may be excluded from sprinkler protection under the following conditions:

• The space is intended for short-term, temporary use;

• There is at least 500 mm of free space between the top of the structure and the ceiling above, including any existing sprinklers—or, if there is less than 500 mm, the sprinklers must be correctly positioned relative to the space(s);

• The unit is freestanding within the sprinkler-protected area, and if there are multiple non-sprinklered temporary-use spaces, there must be at least 150 mm of separation between them to avoid forming a continuous structure;

• The surface area of the space does not exceed 2.2 m² and it is not used for storage.

With these new guidelines, safety in buildings with phone booths is significantly enhanced. They ensure that these small spaces are not only functional but also meet the fire safety standards essential for the well-being of building occupants.

Do you have phone booths in your building?

Make sure they comply with the latest safety requirements. Fire safety begins with adhering to the correct standards and guidelines.