Statutory guidance

Fire safety: Approved Document B

Building regulation in England covering fire safety matters within and around buildings.

From:
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Published
7 December 2010
Last updated
129 DecemberMarch 20222024 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

March 2024 amendments to Approved Document B, volume 1 and volume 2

PDF, 252 KB, 13 pages

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Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments

PDF, 4.186.02 MB, 180 pages

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Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments

PDF, 4.544.37 MB, 204 pages

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June 2022 amendments to Approved Document B, volume 1 and volume 2

PDF, 1.06 MB, 54 pages

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Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments

PDF, 3.01 MB

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Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments

PDF, 3.26 MB

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May 2020 amendments to Approved Document B, volume 1 and volume 2

PDF, 172 KB, 12 pages

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Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition

Ref: ISBN 978-1-85946-915-6

PDF, 2.75 MB, 180 pages

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Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition

Ref: ISBN 978-1-85946-916-3

PDF, 2.94 MB, 204 pages

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Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: dwellinghouses, 2006 edition incorporating amendments up to December 2018

PDF, 2.22 MB, 84 pages

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Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: buildings other than dwellinghouses, 2006 edition incorporating amendments up to April 2019

PDF, 4.54 MB, 172 pages

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November 2018 to April 2019 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2

PDF, 360 KB, 20 pages

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December 2018 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2

PDF, 146 KB, 12 pages

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November 2018 amendment to Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: buildings other than dwellinghouses

PDF, 314 KB, 12 pages

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2013 amendments to Approved Documents

PDF, 479 KB, 51 pages

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Building regulations fire safety procedural guidance (2015 – 5th edition)

https://www.labc.co.uk/guidance/resource-library/technical-guide-building-regulations-fire-safety-procedural-guidance

Approved Document B: Fire safety - frequently asked questions

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/approved-document-b-fire-safety-frequently-asked-questions

Approved Document B: frequently asked questions (No longer current)

PDF, 1.26 MB, 12 pages

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Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: dwellinghouses, 2006 edition incorporating the 2010 and 2013 amendments (No longer current)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-85946-488-5

PDF, 2.88 MB

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Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: buildings other than dwellinghouses, 2006 edition incorporating 2010 and 2013 amendments (No longer current)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-85946-489-2

PDF, 4.91 MB

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Details

Building regulations for fire safety in residential homes, including new and existing dwellings, flats, residential accommodation, schools, colleges and offices.

On 2 April 2020, as a response to the call for evidence: a technical review of Approved Document B of the building regulations, ​a workplan was released showing upcoming research to inform updates to fire safety guidance provided in Approved Document B.

The announcement of the new clarified Approved Document B is provided in the Circular. A government response to the consultation has been published.

We have also published frequently asked questions following the ban on combustible materials in external walls: Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018: frequently asked questions

Archived versions of Approved Document B are available at the National Archives

Order printed copies

Online: RIBA books
Telephone: 020 7496 8383
Email: sales@ribabookshops.com

Published 7 December 2010
Last updated 129 DecemberMarch 20222024 + show all updates

  1. Added March 2024 amendments to Approved Document B, volume 1 and volume 2.

  2. Added: Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments; and Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments.

  3. Added link to Approved Document B: Fire safety - frequently asked questions

  4. Added June 2022 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2.

  5. Added: Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments; and Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments

  6. Added May 2020 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2.

  7. Added a link to Technical review of Approved Document B workplan.

  8. Replaced: Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition; and Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition

  9. The department has become aware of a potential error in Approved Document B volume 1 2019 edition which details the provision of dampers fitted to the vents of smoke shafts. The department is investigating with industry experts the use of the defined term “fire and smoke dampers” in paragraph 3.51 iii. In addition to this, the guidance in relation to double-skinned insulated roof sheeting will be updated. Diagram 5.2a (volume 1) diagram 8.2a (volume 2) with the associated text in paragraph 5.14 (volume 1) and 8.28 (volume 2) will be updated to remove “with a thermoplastic core”. This brings the text in line with the previous edition of ADB and ensures there is no technical change to the new clarified document. Both volumes of Approved Document B have been removed from sale and from GOV.UK. The potential future corrections will be limited to the paragraphs and diagrams referenced above only.

  10. Added: 'Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition' and 'Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition'.

  11. Added November 2018 to April 2019 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2.

  12. Added 2018 amendments to Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1 and volume 2.

  13. Added 2018 amendment to Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: buildings other than dwellinghouses - amendments to statutory guidance covering fire safety matters within and around buildings in England.

  14. First published.