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
Fit-out firms on alert for £900m opportunities
Government is planning a major industry briefing day to set out its plans to reorganise its sprawling office estate into a series of regional hub buildings. Its ambitious office closure and relocation plan is expected to generate up to £900m of fit-out work over the...
CPA Weekly Notes
This week's Notes include information on the Construction Market Report on the UK Healthcare Sector, the Paris Climate Agreement and the CLC Report on Innovation Workstream. Read the Notes here.
Invitation to Architects Hub at London Build
FIS members are invited to get involved in the Architects Hub at London Build. This free to attend event is taking place at Olympia, London on 26 and 27 October. Come along for the opportunity to network with thousands of architects, contractors and developers; the...