Part B - Fire Safety

Publication title: Approved Document B (Fire safety) – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings (2019 edition)
Date published: July 2019
Date valid from: 30 August 2019

Summary

Approved Document B addresses fire safety precautions which must be adhered to, to ensure the safety of occupants, firefighters and those close to the building in the event of a fire.

The document covers all standards related to this, including means of escape, the ability to internally isolate a blaze to prevent a fire from spreading, external fire spread, firefighter access to the building and facilities, fire detection and warning systems in place within a building.

It also addresses the internal spread of a fire due to the structure or lining used within a building and safety measures related to this.  

Document B is separated into two volumes, this volume covers buildings other than dwellings

Both volumes address the same issues, but the information has been adapted for each type of structure, for example different guidance on escape routes depending on building type. 

Download

The Merged Approved Documents¹

A consolidated version of the individual Approved Documents published by the government, now presented as a single, searchable PDF.

Previous version

• Approved Document B (Fire safety) – Volume 2 - Buildings other than dwellings (2019 edition)² (PDF 2.94 Mb)
• May 2020 amendments to Approved Document B, volume 1 and volume 2³  (PDF 172KB)
  Note: The changes highlighted in this amendment booklet take effect on 26 November 2020 for use in England

Changes in this version

This volume of this approved document supports requirements B1 to B5 of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 as well as regulations 6(3), 7(2) and 38. It takes effect on 30 August 2019 for use in England.

Approved Document B has been redrafted to clarify its language and content in line with the Department’s style guide for approved documents. This edition of the approved document replaces the 2006 edition including all amendments. There are no changes  from the previous edition to the technical guidance within Approved Document B.

1. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/building-regulations-and-approved-documents-index#approved-documents
2. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/832633/Approved_Document_B__fire_safety__volume_2_-_2019_edition.pdf
3. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/887210/AD_B_2019_edition__May2020_amendments.pdf