Approved Document B (fire safety) Volume 1 (Dwellings) and Volume 2 (Buildings other than dwellings) has been updated by The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) to incorporate future amendments.
The recently issued consolidated document sees the 2019 edition, which incorporates the 2020 and 2022 amendments, now updated to include the forthcoming 2025, 2026, and 2029 amends.
The document, which can be viewed here, highlights the forthcoming changes as follows:
The 2025 amends, highlighted in blue, will take effect on the 2nd of March 2025 for use in England. These amends include for the removal of national classes for reaction to fire and roofs.
The 2026 amends, highlighted in purple, will take effect on the 30th of September 2026 for use in England.
The 2029 amends, highlighted in orange, will take effect on the 2nd of September 2029. These amends include the removal of the national classes for fire resistance.
These updates to Approved Document B were announced in a parliamentary statement on the 2nd of September 2024, allowing for a transition period of 6 months for reaction to fire and 5 years for fire resistance.
The removal of the national classes (BS 476 fire tests) ends “the dual classification system that has operated since the early 2000s in favour of the more rigorous, internationally recognised European standard (BS EN 13501).” as detailed in the 2nd September statement.
If you want to know more about the transition to BS EN 13501 and how it will impact your future tests, contact our team by clicking here.
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