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
Qualification route for maintenance of operable walls
FIS is working working with the developed governments regulatory authorities to add a qualification route for the maintenance of operable partitions. Support from employers is needed to complete this work, if you agree a qualification is needed for this activity,...
Are you FIR Real? Why I am not really worthy to be a FIR Ambassador, but will try
Last month I completed the training to become a Fairness, Inclusivity and Respect (FIR) Ambassador, I don’t feel worthy of the title yet, but I have completed my training and made my commitment. So why now? Every now and again something jolts us outside of our...
Next steps for construction as we move to Step 4 of the COVID-19 roadmap
As England moves to Step 4 of the COVID‐19 Roadmap on Monday 19 July, the majority of restrictions will end, however the SOP will remain available and businesses may want to maintain elements of social distancing for the time-being. The Scottish Government has...