Part B - Fire Safety

Frequently Asked Questions

• FAQs in regard to Approved Document B: Fire safety¹

Building Regulations and Fire Safety Procedural Guidance 2015

This guide explains the steps involved in approving the fire safety aspects of building work, and the interaction between Building Regulations and other statutory fire safety requirements in England and Wales.

This fifth edition of the Procedural Guide explains the steps involved in approving the fire safety aspects of building work.

• Building Regulations and Fire Safety Procedural Guidance² (2015) (External link to LABC)

Building Regulation Circulars and Circular Letters

The changes made by these regulations apply in England. These amendment regulations come into effect on the 1 December 2022.

• Approved Document B 2022 amendments: circular 02/2022³
• Circular letter: The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2022⁴

Banning the use of combustible materials in the external walls of high-rise residential buildings

Following the Secretary of State’s commitment in Parliament (17 May 2018) to consult on banning the use of combustible materials in cladding systems on high-rise residential buildings, the consultation paper (consultation now closed), consultation outcome and impact assessment documents can be found below:

• Banning the use of combustible materials in the external walls of high-rise residential buildings: a consultation paper⁵
• Consultation response: banning the use of combustible materials in the external walls of high-rise residential buildings⁶
• Ban on combustible materials in external wall systems: impact assessment⁷

1. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/approved-document-b-fire-safety-frequently-asked-questions
2. https://www.labc.co.uk/business/resources/technical-guide-building-regulations-fire-safety-procedural-guidance
3. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1080381/Circular_02_2022.pdf
4. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1080437/Circular_letter_02_2022.pdf
5. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717216/Combustible_Cladding_Consultation.pdf
6. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/760302/Government_response_to_banning_combustible_materials.pdf
7. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/760536/Ban_on_combustible_materials_in_external_wall_systems_impact_assessment.pdf