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
Government propose to introduce a VAT reverse charge in construction
Government has issued a consultation proposing to introduce a VAT reverse charge in construction. This will affect many firms within FIS membership and we should respond as soon as possible; it is likely that legislation will be enacted quickly due to the Government’s...
CMA’s crackdown on price-fixing
As part of a major crackdown by the Competition and Markets Authority, whistleblowers are being offered up to £100,000 for exposing price-fixing in construction. The reward is being highlighted as the CMA launches its first-ever advertising campaign to stamp out...
Supplier engagement event on 29 March
Contractor Durkan is holding a free supplier engagement event on 29 March between 10am to 12pm. They are looking to place deals worth £4m with subcontractors and suppliers on its latest mixed use scheme in Aylesbury. After signing a deal with Aylesbury Vale District...