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
Ofqual Summer 2021 Qualifications Explainer Tool
This Summer 2021 Qualification Explainer Tool (ofqual.gov.uk) shows what's happening with vocational, technical, and other general qualifications this year. Ofqual have identified it is not viable for some exams and assessments to take place this year due to the...
Level 3 qualifications now free for some adults
On 1 April nearly 400 Level 3 qualifications became free to access for over-24s without A-levels, an advanced technical diploma or equivalent. This is part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, and includes qualifications in construction trades like...
Sunday 11 April is the Levy proposals consultation deadline
This is another reminder to you that CITB’s consultation on the Levy Proposals 2022-25 closes on Sunday 11 April. CITB registered employers can have their say on the way they raise the Construction Industry Levy for the next three years, and give feedback on their...