The Government has published a document listing amendments to Volumes 1 and 2 of Approved Document B which will come into effect in September 2026.
These amendments principally concern:
- Threshold for the provision of a second staircase in blocks of flats with a storey 18m or more in height.
- Evacuation shafts are introduced to support the provision of evacuation lifts.
- Changes to provisions for fire doorsets.
- New terminology including definitions for evacuation shaft, evacuation lift lobby, interlocked stair and storey exit.
- Provisions for horizontal escape and vertical escape separated as per the structure of Volume 2.
The 2019 edition incorporating the 2020 and 2022 amendments will continue to apply where a building notice or an initial notice has been given to, or a building control approval application with full plans made to, the relevant authority before 30 September 2026 and either the building work to which it relates:
- has started and is sufficiently progressed before that day; or
- is started and is sufficiently progressed within the period of 18 months beginning on that day
You can view the amendments at the link below:
Fire safety: Approved Document B
FIS will publish further detailed guidance on these changes in the coming months.
See more news likes this
Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations on Packaging Waste
The Government recently announced that it would delay the introduction of the producer EPR payments for one year and these will not now apply until October 2025. However, companies will still be required to report and submit their packaging data for 2023. See...
Get involved in Skills Bootcamps
FIS is looking for employers to offer work trials or employment to candidates that are currently taking part in Skills Bootcamps. We are currently seeking employers that are: Based in the London or West Midlands area that has vacancies for Drylining, Carpentry or...
Inadequate and incomplete fire stopping leads to safety risks
CROSS Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK (CROSS-UK) are the body used by Government to report safety issues to ensure information about safety issues in construction are shared with the sector. They recently published the following report. Following...