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
Is this finally the beginning of the end for retentions in Scotland?
Following the formation of a small working group in Scotland to look at retentions, a new paper has been presented to Scottish Government. Retentions have long blighted construction and this paper sets out conclusions from the working group together with clear...
New Procurement Policy Note in Scotland calls for fluctuations
Following successful lobbying by the CICV Forum in Scotland (of which FIS is an active member), the Scottish Government have issued a new Construction Policy Note (CPN) that sets out measures for contracting authorities to manage and mitigate market pressures...
FIS Latest Trends Survey underpins optimism in the finishes and interiors sector
The FIS Latest Trends Survey indicates that overall 58% of respondents reported increased quarterly sales in Q2 2021. Looking into the next quarter, the market is even more optimistic than in Q1 with a balance of 70% expecting increased sales in Q3 and despite...