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
FIS writes to MPs to express concerns over behaviours in House Building Sector
Vistry’s announcement this week raises further concerns for FIS related to procurement in the Housing Sector. In their latest update, Vistry (whose business model has pivoted to focus on the delivery of affordable homes (mostly commissioned by public sector and...
Mental health awareness- Building a healthier happier team
Prioritising mental health can be hard and is often forgot about, but it not only impacts your team, your business can also suffer. Your employees deserve a safe working environment and learning how to take care of your people will make a significant difference to...
Toilet accommodation: Approved Document T
Building regulation in England to provide guidance on the design and layout of universal toilets, ambulant toilets and toilet cubicles. The regulations set out in Part T of the Building Regulations are crucial in ensuring that toilets are accessible to all...