Approved Document B: Fire safety Volume 1: Dwellings (2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments)

This new, revised edition of Approved Document B incorporates the June 2022 amendment booklet which takes effect on 1st December 2022.

Approved Document B of the Building Regulations covers fire safety matters within and around buildings. Published in two volumes, this volume Volume 1 deals solely with dwellings, including blocks of flats, while Volume 2 deals with all other types of building cover by the Building Regulations.

The aim of each volume is to set out the guidelines that need to be followed in order to prevent the spread of fire over linings, such as walls and ceilings. Each volume also states what materials can be used and what British Standards each should conform to, to ensure that they provide the required level of protection.

Main changes made by the 2022 amendments

The changes focus on the following fire safety provisions:

a.      Ban of combustible materials in and on the external walls of buildings: Consequential amendments following the laying of the Building (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022. Updated provisions in Section 10 for residential buildings (purpose groups 1 and 2) with a storey 11m or more in height.

b.      Secure information boxes: A new recommendation for secure information boxes in blocks of flats with storeys over 11m.

c.      Evacuation alert systems: A new recommendation for evacuation alert systems in blocks of flats with storeys over 18m.