Building Regulations: contributing to fire safety

The Building Regulations seek to ensure reasonable standards of health and safety for people, including firefighters, in or around buildings. They provide functional requirements for building design and construction in terms of what is; appropriate, reasonable or adequate.  Fire safety is covered in Part B, the requirements are:

B1 - to provide appropriate means for an early warning of fire (through provision of smoke detectors ect) and means of escape to a place of safety in case of fire (through provision of fire exit routes and emergency egress windows ect)

B2 - to attempt to inhibit the spread of fire within the building by controlling the lining materials used for partitions, walls and ceilings (by specifying appropriate classifications to be met by materials/products ect)

B3 - to reasonably inhibit the spread of fire within the building by controlling the internal structure in terms of; stability, walls common to more than one building (if in a terrace), compartmentation and concealed spaces (through identifying maximum compartment sizes, requiring cavity barriers etc)

B4 - to ensure that the external walls and roof of the building can adequately resist the spread of fire over them (through setting standards for cladding and roof materials, minimum space separation etc)

B5 - to provide reasonable access and facilities for the Fire and Rescue Service (road access for FRS vehicles, provision of fire mains/firefighting shafts etc) 

The interpretation of the Building Regulations is a matter for the relevant Building Control Body, and ultimately for the Courts.  However, Approved Document B (AD B) gives practical guidance on some of the ways of meeting the functional requirements of the Building Regulations with respect to Part B.   

The current substantive version of AD B was published in 2000.  A fundamental review is now underway as foreshadowed in the White Paper - 'Our Fire and Rescue Service' (June 2003).  The review is taking account of recent fire experiences, developments in construction, research findings and comprehensive stakeholder engagement.  It is considering fire safety in all types of premises including dwellings, residential homes, schools and warehouses.  It also considers the important role that sprinklers, and other types of fire protection measures may have, particularly in buildings where the occupants are considered to be vulnerable to fire. 

A draft AD B, incorporating proposed changes was published for public consultation in July, together with a supporting RIA.  It is intended that a revised AD B will be published during 2006, and will come into force in early 2007. 

Fire and rescue authorities help to ensure that a reasonable level of fire safety is provided to buildings through liaison with Building Control Bodies and their role in ongoing control and community fire safety.  They are also contributing to the development of AD B through representation on statutory advisory committees, and as stakeholder consultees.