New Approved Document B changes

Key changes to Approved Document B for principal contractors

 

From 2 March 2025, several new amendments to Approved Document B will come into effect. These changes are set to help overhaul building fire safety, with important implications for principal contractors.

As a critical dutyholder under the Building Safety Act, the principal contractor is not only responsible for signing off the building, but making sure those who are designing and constructing it are suitably competent and qualified. The updates to Approved Document B are the latest in a line of new responsibilities that principal contractors need to get to grips with.

Here, we discuss what these changes to Approved Document B mean for principal contractors, how you can evidence these requirements, and other amendments on the horizon.

 

What is Approved Document B?

For those responsible for building fire safety, Approved Document B is a critical government document. It provides guidance on how to meet the building regulations for fire safety in England and Wales, focusing on imperatives such as how to:

	Limit the spread of fire within and between buildings
	Ensure escape routes are protected and accessible
	Provide access and facilities for firefighters
	Give fire safety information to building users

 

Approved Document B is separated into two distinct volumes.

Approved Document B Volume 1: Dwellings This applies to houses, flats and other residential buildings.

Approved Document B Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings This applies to offices, shops, factories and other non-residential buildings.

 

What key change comes into effect in March 2025?

For principal contractors, the most important amendment to Approved Document B surrounds building fire safety information. Essentially, you must provide the relevant dutyholder – whether a responsible person or accountable person – with detailed fire safety information for the building work undertaken, either when:

	The project has been completed, or
	The building is first occupied

Fire safety information must be provided by these deadlines – whichever one comes first.

Then, the relevant dutyholder must give you a notice, acknowledging receipt of the building fire safety information you have provided. This should confirm the information given is sufficient to understand, operate and maintain the building in question after the construction work has been completed.

Finally, the principal contractor must notify the relevant authority that they have:

1)	Provided the required fire safety information
2)	Received the required notice from the relevant dutyholder, or
3)	If they have not received the required notice, they must state the steps to obtain this notice and details the dates on which these steps were taken

 

Ultimately, these changes aim to hold all key parties responsible for taking charge of fire safety in our buildings, creating an indisputable chain of evidence that fire safety matters have been addressed

Read up on your responsibilities Unclear about your responsibilities as a dutyholder? Gain clarity with our blog.

 

What should fire safety information include?

Approved Document B asks that an ‘as-built plan of the building’ is provided, showing all of the following:

 

Principal contractors should also offer details on these three key areas:

1)	Fire safety equipment specifications – This should include routine maintenance schedules.
2)	Building management assumptions – These should be based on the design of the fire safety arrangements.
3)	Evacuation provisions – Specifically for those with disabilities, to help design personal emergency evacuation plans.

A detailed record of the building’s fire safety strategy should also be undertaken, and encompass procedures for operating and maintaining any fire protection measures.

Find out more about the full details of what the records should feature.

Give all this fire safety information to the relevant dutyholder, and you can feel confident you’ve done your due diligence when it comes to fire safety concerns.

Remember, these demands officially come into force in Approved Document B on 2 March 2025.

Get prepared now.

 

What other changes arrive in March 2025?

While the demands around fire safety information are the most important update principal contractors need to be aware of, there are two additional Approved Document B amendments that come into effect in March 2025.

The first is that the outdated National Classes for fire testing standards will be withdrawn. Instead, they will be replaced by the more rigorous, internationally-recognised European standard BS EN 13501.

There will be a transition period of five years for ‘fire resistance’ and six months for ‘reaction to fire’, giving manufacturers the time they need to re-test products.

In a statement from the Under Secretary of State for Building Safety and Homelessness, MP Rushanara Ali said that this has been put in place to “facilitate a smooth transition to the European standard that is not disruptive to supply chains”.

The other amendment arriving in March 2025 specifically concerns care homes. From this date, sprinkler systems will be required in all new care homes, regardless of building height. This provides enhanced fire safety protection for vulnerable people living in these homes – a move that should be welcomed by all.

Changes in March 2025:  Outdated National Classes for fire testing standards will be withdrawn and replaced by BS EN 13501. Care homes will require sprinkler systems.

 

What future amendments to Approved Document B are coming?

As principal contractors prepare for the fast-approaching Approved Document B changes coming in 2025, there are a number of other pivotal amendments further on the horizon too.

The most significant are set to arrive on 30 September 2026. These will specifically address improving fire safety in high-rise residential buildings, and are set to include new requirements for all buildings over 18 metres in height to have two staircases, as well as evacuation lifts.

Then, on 2 September 2029, the final amendment to Approved Document B will come into effect. This focuses on removing BS 476, which determines the appropriate fire tests for elements of structure and materials, from Approved Document B.

Instead, it will be replaced by the European Standard (BS EN), which is deemed more current and robust than the present National Classes. BS EN will then be the sole route for specification within Approved Document B for fire resistance classifications.

 

Overhauling fire safety

The upcoming changes to Approved Document B are set to have a big impact on how principal contractors evidence fire safety information. And with the onus on principal contractors and the relevant dutyholders to take responsibility for building safety, these changes are shining a spotlight on the issue of fire safety more than ever before.

For principal contractors, make sure you’re prepared to do your duty in raising fire safety standards, while fulfilling your dutyholder obligations. The new changes to Approved Document B are just around the corner, so make sure you’re thoroughly prepared for when 2 March 2025 rolls around.

Read the full details about the latest updates to Approved Document B.

 

Got more questions on the upcoming changes to Approved Document B? Get in touch, and we’ll be happy to help.