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
March edition of SpecFinish
In the March edition of SpecFinish, Helen Yeulet, FIS Skills Delivery Director looks at the need for specialist contractors to demonstrate competence in the sector and how the CSCS card has an essential role to play. Technical Director Joe Cilia meets up with interior...
Welcome to our new members in February
During February, we welcomed three new companies to the FIS membership; MP Drywall and SBR Refurbishment are contractor members and Building Additions Ltd is a supplier member. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with our new and existing members...
Lobbying (Scotland) Bill to come into force from 12 March 2018
After the Lobbying (Scotland) Bill received Royal Assent in April 2016, the Lobbying Register website was launched in October 2017. It was also announced that the Act would come into force from 12 March 2018, impacting any individual or business who engages in...