If you work with fire doors, compartmentation, or escape routes, you’ll have come across Approved Document B. Often. Sometimes mid-project. Occasionally at the point where something doesn’t quite line up.
But, what is Approved Document B, and why does it carry so much weight in UK construction? Approved Document B is the section of the Building Regulations that sets out how buildings should be designed and constructed to limit the spread of fire and protect life.
It underpins decisions on fire resistance, means of escape, and the performance of elements such as fire doorsets. Get it right, and your project moves forward with confidence. Get it wrong, and the consequences can range from redesigns and delays to serious safety risks.
Our guide explains what Approved Document B covers, how it’s applied in practice, and what it means for fire-rated doors and building compliance.
What does Approved Document B cover?
Approved Document B provides statutory guidance on fire safety matters within and around buildings in England.
The document covers residential homes, i.e. “new and existing dwellings, flats, residential accommodation, schools, colleges and offices”. It addresses critical aspects of fire safety, including:
- Fire spread prevention
- Escape routes and emergency egress
- Fire detection and alarm systems
- Access and facilities for firefighting
- Compartmentation requirements
Since April 2023, the Building Safety Regulator has been responsible for keeping building safety and standards under review. This includes “advising the government on updates to the Approved Documents”, ensuring they remain fit for purpose.
How is Approved Document B structured?
The guidance is divided into two distinct volumes. Each volume addresses different building types:
Volume 1
Volume 1 focuses on dwellings, covering houses, flats, and other residential buildings where people live. This volume provides detailed guidance on everything from escape window sizing to staircase protection.
Volume 2
Volume 2 addresses buildings other than dwellings. This includes commercial premises, educational facilities, and institutional buildings. The requirements often differ from residential structures due to varying occupancy patterns and risk profiles.
What amendments are coming to Approved Document B?
Approved Document B is being updated in stages, with amendments taking effect in March 2025, September 2026, and September 2029. These changes follow the government’s consultation on sprinklers in care homes, the withdrawal of national fire test classifications, and fire safety provisions in higher-risk residential buildings.
Each amendment introduces specific changes, alongside transition periods to support compliance across live and future projects.
March 2025 amendments
The March 2025 update introduces three key changes to Approved Document B:
- Sprinkler systems are now required in all new care homes. This reflects the higher risk profile of these buildings and the need for early fire suppression to support safe evacuation.
- The amendments complete the withdrawal of national fire test classifications, including BS 476. For several years, the UK operated under a dual system that allowed national and European standards. From March 2025, BS EN 13501 is the sole recognised classification system for reaction to fire and roof performance.
- The update strengthens requirements around Regulation 38 fire safety information. It reinforces the need for clear, accurate fire safety details to be provided at handover so buildings can be operated safely throughout their life.
Together, these changes remove ambiguity and raise consistency across projects.
Amendments taking effect in 2026
The 2026 amendments are effective from 30 September 2026. They focus on fire safety in residential buildings, particularly blocks of flats.
The amendments introduce:
- A new recommendation for more than one common stair in residential buildings with a storey 18 metres or more in height.
- Design provisions to support evacuation lifts. This improves accessibility and evacuation capability for residents who cannot use stairs.
These changes are meant to improve resilience and evacuation strategy in higher-rise residential buildings.
Amendments taking effect in 2029
The 2029 amendments are effective from 2 September 2029. They complete further changes to fire safety provisions, including the removal of national classes for fire resistance where they may still apply under earlier guidance.
As with previous updates, the government has set out clear transitional arrangements. Where building control applications are submitted before the relevant cut-off dates, and work is sufficiently progressed, earlier editions of Approved Document B may continue to apply for a defined period.
This phased approach should strengthen fire safety standards while giving designers, contractors, and manufacturers the clarity needed to plan, specify, and deliver compliant buildings.
Why were these amendments necessary?
The amendments to Approved Document B follow a formal review process triggered by the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. The event exposed serious weaknesses in fire safety regulation, testing, and compliance.
In response, the government launched a call for evidence in December 2018 to assess whether Approved Document B was still effective. This work fed into a published workplan in April 2020, setting out the technical studies needed to support future updates to the guidance.
Regulatory change: Combustible materials
Alongside this review, the government introduced direct regulatory action.
The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018, effective from December 2018, banned combustible materials in the external walls of new buildings over 18 metres in height. This included:
- Dwellings and flats
- Care homes and hospitals
- Student accommodation
The regulation marked a shift in how external wall systems are specified. While the ban sits outside Approved Document B, it aligns with the broader move towards evidence-led fire safety requirements.
Together, these steps reflect a reset of the UK’s fire safety framework – moving away from ambiguous guidance towards standards that prioritise consistency, accountability, and life safety.
How do these changes affect different building types?
The impact of the Approved Document B updates depends on building type and use.
Care homes
- Sprinkler systems are now mandatory in all new care homes.
- Developers must account for sprinkler design and installation from the earliest stages of planning.
- Existing care homes are not affected by this requirement.
Manufacturers and suppliers
- The withdrawal of BS 476 national classes means all product testing and certification must now comply with BS EN 13501.
- Companies still operating under BS 476 standards need to transition to the European classification to ensure compliance.
Residential buildings
- Requirements for escape routes, fire spread prevention, and compartmentation continue to evolve.
- The government consultation on second staircases in taller residential blocks highlights upcoming changes for buildings above certain heights or occupancy thresholds.
What role do fire doors play in compliance?
Fire doors are a core component of Approved Document B compliance. They provide essential fire resistance, helping to contain fire within compartments and keeping escape routes safe. Correct specification, installation, and maintenance are critical. Doors must meet the required fire integrity rating (FD30–FD240) and be fitted with suitable hardware.
At Bradbury Group, our steel fire doors meet these stringent standards. The M2MFD range offers fire integrity ratings from FD30 to FD240, all independently certified, giving you confidence that your doors support safety and regulatory compliance.
Staying compliant with evolving regulations
Building regulations aren’t static. And as the amendments to Approved Document B show, the government is focusing more on stronger, evidence-based fire safety standards. Staying informed is essential. Transition periods in 2025, 2026, and 2029 give you time to plan, but only if you keep ahead of the changes.
With over 30 years of experience designing and manufacturing steel doors, Bradbury Group works closely with specifiers and contractors to ensure our products meet current and emerging fire safety standards. From our 135,000 sq ft North Lincolnshire facility, we deliver certified fire doors engineered for safety, durability, and compliance.
Get in Touch with Our Team
To ensure your building meets Approved Document B requirements with confidence, contact us today.
Sources:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b