Amendments to Approved Document B (fire safety) took effect on 30 September 2026. The headline change introduced guidance for a second common staircase in new blocks of flats with a top storey 18 metres or more in height, aligning broadly with the threshold applied to the higher-risk building regime. The amendments revise the guidance on horizontal and vertical escape routes and introduce provisions for evacuation shafts to support the use of evacuation lifts. Transitional arrangements apply to projects that already have a building notice, initial notice, or full plans application submitted either before that date and are sufficiently progressed, or within the following 18 months. The amended Document B will apply to new applications submitted after 30 September 2026.
What this means for you: If you develop or carry out building work on relevant buildings, check which projects fall under the amended guidance, and whether the transitional provisions apply.
If any of the above raises a question about your organisation’s governance responsibilities or regulatory compliance, get in touch.
Shared for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. Please contact us for specific advice on your circumstances.