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
Business evictions ban extended until March 2021
Business owners affected by the pandemic will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021. This final extension to protections from the threat of eviction will give landlords and tenants three months to come to an agreement on unpaid rent. Further guidance...
Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the drivers’ hours rules
Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the drivers’ hours rules: delivery of essential items to retailers In response to pressures on local and national supply chains, the Department for Transport has introduced a temporary and limited urgent relaxation of the...
Tight timber and panel products supply conditions continuing into 2020
The Timber Trade Federation is advising all timber users and buyers to strengthen their purchasing strategies in dialogue with their suppliers, as a lack of stock on the ground and tight supply conditions are set to continue well into 2021. The very challenging...