Review of Approved Document B: Fire safety guidance

Proposals to amend Approved Document B to: 

• implement important clarifications and technical changes to the guidance
• consolidate guidance for designing building work on existing buildings
• introduce a threshold on the use of combustible elements of structure, over which Approved Document B guidance should not be applied
• revise and update guidance on external wall systems and balconies and review the scope of the ban on combustible materials in, and on, external walls and specified attachments
• recommend providing evacuation lifts in residential buildings above 18m and clarify the guidance for non-residential buildings
• update terminology on ‘sheltered housing’, introducing the new term ‘specialised housing’ in its place and including provisions for extended alarm coverage in these premises
• introduce updated guidance on roofs, including new provisions for incorporating solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
• increase the structural fire resistance rating of open-sided car parks