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UK Building Regulations — Part B: Fire Safety

Updated Mar 26, 2026
Fire safety requirements for England and Wales: means of warning, escape routes, fire spread, access for fire service.

UK Approved Document B: B1 means of warning and escape: smoke alarms on every storey, escape routes with protected stairways, max travel distances (18m single direction, 45m alternative routes). B2 internal fire spread (linings): surface classifications 0/1/2/3 per BS 476. B3 internal fire spread (structure): fire resistance periods 30/60/90/120 min based on building height and purpose group. Compartmentation: residential units, stairways, between buildings. B4 external fire spread: spacing from boundary, unprotected areas calculation. B5 access and facilities for fire service: vehicle access, fire mains, firefighting shafts for buildings >18m. Post-Grenfell: Building Safety Act 2022 added gateway process for higher-risk buildings (>18m/7 stories residential). Combustible cladding ban on buildings >18m.

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UKBuilding-RegulationsPart-Bfire-safetyGrenfellcladding-ban
DETAILS
year
2024
code system
UK Building Regulations
code section
Part B
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