Guide
Fire engineering glossary
Key UK terms in plain English. By the Guidex team. Last updated 3 November 2026.
Key terms
Cavity barrier
A construction that closes a concealed space against smoke or flame, or limits their movement inside it.
Compartment
A part of a building built to stop fire spreading to or from another part of the same building.
Evacuation lift
A lift designed and managed so that people can use it to leave a building during a fire.
Fire resistance
The ability of a part of a building to keep performing in a fire for a stated time. It covers load-bearing capacity, integrity and insulation.
Fire statement
A planning document for certain buildings in England. It covers fire safety matters such as water supplies and fire service vehicle access.
Fire strategy
The document that sets out how a building’s design deals with fire safety. Read what goes in one.
FRAEW
Fire risk appraisal of external walls. Read the PAS 9980 guide.
Gateway 2
The stage for higher-risk buildings in England where the Building Safety Regulator must approve the building work before it starts.
Higher-risk building
In England, generally a building at least 18 metres high or with at least 7 storeys, containing at least 2 homes. Check the current definition, because it is under review.
Means of escape
The structural means that give people a safe route to a place of safety outside the building.
Protected corridor
A corridor enclosed by fire-resisting construction, so people can use it to escape.
Protected stairway
A stair enclosed by fire-resisting construction that leads to a final exit and a place of safety.
Reaction to fire
How a material behaves when exposed to fire, including how it contributes to fire growth. BS EN 13501 gives the classes.
Refuge
A temporarily safe area with a route to a storey exit, where people who need help can wait for assistance.
Regulation 38
The Building Regulations rule that fire safety information must be given to the responsible person. See how it links to the report.
Responsible person
The person with fire safety duties for a building under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Travel distance
The distance a person must travel to reach the nearest available exit or storey exit.
These are plain summaries. The published guidance and legislation give the exact definitions.
See it on your own project
The quickest way to judge Guidex is to point it at a building you already know and check its answers against your own.