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
New video issues safety reminders as restrictions are relaxed
The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum of which FIS is a key member, has issued another in its series of engaging advice videos, reminding workers how to keep themselves and others safe as the COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed. The 90-second animation is...
Government launches consultation on Building Safety Levy
The Government has launched a consultation on proposals for the new Building Safety Levy, which is expected to come into force in 2023. The levy will apply to new high‐rise residential buildings, care homes, and hospitals which are 18 metres or more in height or at...
Changes to self-isolation rules and increasing vaccine take-up
From Monday 16 August, people who have received two doses of a covid vaccine or who are aged under 18 will no longer be legally required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive case. This means that fully vaccinated contacts will...