Approved Document B Fire Safety Dwellings Volume 1

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The Building Regulations 2010
B
Fire safety
APPROVED DOCUMENT
Volume 1: Dwellings
Requirement B1: Means of warning and escape
Requirement B2: Internal fire spread (linings)
Requirement B3: Internal fire spread (structure)
Requirement B4: External fire spread
Requirement B5: Access and facilities for the fire service
Regulations: 6(3), 7(2) and 38
2019 edition – for use in England

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The approved documents
What is an approved document?

The Secretary of State has approved a series of documents that give practical guidance about how
to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 for England. These approved documents
give guidance on each of the technical parts of the regulations and on regulation 7 (see the back of
this document). The approved documents provide guidance for common building situations.
It is the responsibility of those carrying out building works to meet the requirements of the
Buildings Regulations 2010. Although it is ultimately for the courts to determine whether those
requirements have been met, the approved documents provide practical guidance on potential
ways to achieve compliance with the requirements of the regulations in England.
Although approved documents cover common building situations, compliance with the guidance set
out in the approved documents does not provide a guarantee of compliance with the requirements
of the regulations because the approved documents cannot cater for all circumstances, variations and
innovations. Those with responsibility for meeting the requirements of the regulations will need to
consider for themselves whether following the guidance in the approved documents is likely to meet
those requirements in the particular circumstances of their case.
Note that there may be other ways to comply with the requirements than the methods described
in an approved document. If you prefer to meet a relevant requirement in some other way than
that described in an approved document, you should seek to agree this with the relevant building
control body at an early stage.
Where the guidance in the approved document has been followed, a court or inspector will tend
to find that there is no breach of the regulations. However, where the guidance in the approved
document has not been followed, this may be relied upon as tending to establish breach of the
regulations and, in such circumstances, the person carrying out building works should demonstrate
that the requirements of the regulations have been complied with by some other acceptable means
or method.
In addition to guidance, some approved documents include provisions that must be followed
exactly, as required by regulations or where methods of test or calculation have been prescribed by
the Secretary of State.
Each approved document relates only to the particular requirements of the Building Regulations
2010 that the document addresses. However, building work must also comply with all other
applicable requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 and all other applicable legislation.
How to use this approved document

This document uses the following conventions.
a. Text against a green background is an extract from the Building Regulations 2010 or the Building
(Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 2010 (both as amended). These extracts set out the legal
requirements of the regulations.
b. Key terms, printed in green, are defined in Appendix A.
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c. References are made to appropriate standards or other documents, which can provide further useful
guidance. When this approved document refers to a named standard or other reference document,
the standard or reference document has been clearly identified in this document. Standards are
highlighted in bold throughout. The full name and version of the document referred to is listed in
Appendix F (standards) or Appendix G (other documents). However, if the issuing body has revised or
updated the listed version of the standard or document, you may use the new version as guidance if
it continues to address the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations.
d. Standards and technical approvals also address aspects of performance or matters that are not
covered by the Building Regulations and may recommend higher standards than required by the
Building Regulations. Nothing in this approved document precludes you from adopting higher
standards.
User requirements
The approved documents provide technical guidance. Users of the approved documents should
have adequate knowledge and skills to understand and apply the guidance correctly to the building
work being undertaken.
Where you can get further help

If you are not confident that you possess adequate knowledge and skills to apply the guidance
correctly or if you do not understand the technical guidance or other information in this approved
document or the additional detailed technical references to which it directs you, you should seek
further help. Help can be obtained through a number of routes, some of which are listed below.
a. If you are the person undertaking the building work: either from your local authority building
control service or from an approved inspector.
b. If you are registered with a competent person scheme: from the scheme operator.
c. If your query is technical: from a specialist or an industry technical body for the relevant
subject.
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The Building Regulations
The following is a high level summary of the Building Regulations relevant to most types of
building work. Where there is any doubt you should consult the full text of the regulations,
available at www.legislation.gov.uk.
Building work
Regulation 3 of the Building Regulations defines ‘building work’. Building work includes:
a. the erection or extension of a building
b. the provision or extension of a controlled service or fitting
c. the material alteration of a building or a controlled service or fitting.
Regulation 4 states that building work should be carried out in such a way that, when work is
complete:
a. For new buildings or work on a building that complied with the applicable requirements of the
Building Regulations: the building complies with the applicable requirements of the Building
Regulations.
b. For work on an existing building that did not comply with the applicable requirements of the
Building Regulations:
i. the work itself must comply with the applicable requirements of the Building Regulations,
and
ii. the building must be no more unsatisfactory in relation to the requirements than before
the work was carried out.
Material change of use

Regulation 5 defines a ‘material change of use’ in which a building or part of a building that was
previously used for one purpose will be used for another.
The Building Regulations set out requirements that must be met before a building can be used for a
new purpose. To meet the requirements, the building may need to be altered in some way.
Materials and workmanship

In accordance with regulation 7, building work must be carried out in a workmanlike manner using
adequate and proper materials. Guidance on regulation 7(1) is given in Approved Document 7 and
guidance on regulation 7(2) is provided in Approved Document B.
Independent third party certification and accreditation

Independent schemes of certification and accreditation of installers can provide confidence that
the required level of performance for a system, product, component or structure can be achieved.
Building control bodies may accept certification under such schemes as evidence of compliance
with a relevant standard. However, a building control body should establish before the start of the
building work that a scheme is adequate for the purposes of the Building Regulations.
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Energy efficiency requirements

Part 6 of the Building Regulations imposes additional specific requirements for energy efficiency.
If a building is extended or renovated, the energy efficiency of the existing building or part of it
may need to be upgraded.
Notification of work
Most building work and material changes of use must be notified to a building control body unless
one of the following applies.
a. It is work that will be self-certified by a registered competent person or certified by a registered
third party.
b. It is work exempted from the need to notify by regulation 12(6A) of, or Schedule 4 to, the
Building Regulations.
Responsibility for compliance

People who are responsible for building work (e.g. agent, designer, builder or installer) must ensure
that the work complies with all applicable requirements of the Building Regulations. The building
owner may also be responsible for ensuring that work complies with the Building Regulations. If
building work does not comply with the Building Regulations, the building owner may be served
with an enforcement notice.
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Contents
The approved documents i

What is an approved document? i
How to use this approved document i
User requirements ii
Where you can get further help ii
The Building Regulations iii

Section 0: Approved Document B: Fire safety – dwellings 1
Summary 1
Arrangement of sections 1
Management of premises 2
Property protection 2
Inclusive design 2
Alternative approaches 3
Purpose groups 4
Mixed use buildings 7
Requirement B1: Means of warning and escape 8

Intention 8
Section 1: Fire detection and alarm systems 9

General provisions 9
Large dwellinghouses 9
Extensions and material alterations 9
Blocks of flats 10
Student accommodation 10
Sheltered housing 10
Design and installation of systems 10
Section 2: Means of escape – dwellinghouses 11

Escape from the ground storey 11
Escape from upper storeys a maximum of 4.5m above ground level 11
Escape from upper storeys more than 4.5m above ground level 11
Work on existing dwellinghouses 18
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Section 3: Means of escape – flats 19

Introduction 19
Flats with upper storeys a maximum of 4.5m above ground level 21
Flats with storeys more than 4.5m above ground level 22
Means of escape in the common parts of flats 26
Common stairs 33
Doors on escape routes 38
Lifts 40
Final exits 41
Requirement B2: Internal fire spread (linings) 42

Intention 42
Section 4: Wall and ceiling linings 43

Classification of linings 43
Thermoplastic materials 45
Requirement B3: Internal fire spread (structure) 49

Intention 49
Section 5: Internal fire spread – dwellinghouses 50

Loadbearing elements of structure 50
Compartmentation 51
Cavities 54
Section 6: Loadbearing elements of structures – flats 57

Fire resistance standard 57
Conversion to flats 58
Section 7: Compartmentation/sprinklers – flats 59

Provision of compartmentation 59
Sprinklers 59
Construction of compartment walls and compartment floors 59
Openings in compartmentation 61
Protected shafts 61
Section 8: Cavities – flats 65

Provision of cavity barriers 65
Pathways around fire-separating elements 65
Construction and fixings for cavity barriers 68
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Section 9: Protection of openings and fire‑stopping 69

Introduction 69
Openings for pipes 69
Mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning systems 71
Flues, etc. 74
Fire-stopping 75
Requirement B4: External fire spread 76

Intention 77
Section 10: Resisting fire spread over external walls 79

Introduction 79
Combustibility of external walls 79
Regulation 7(2) and requirement B4 81
Section 11: Resisting fire spread from one building to another 83

Introduction 83
Boundaries 83
Unprotected areas and fire resistance 86
Methods for calculating acceptable unprotected area 89
Section 12: Resisting fire spread over roof coverings 91

Introduction 91
Separation distances 91
Requirement B5: Access and facilities for the fire service 96

Intention 96
Section 13: Vehicle access 97

Provision and design of access routes and hardstandings 97
Blocks of flats fitted with fire mains 98
Section 14: Fire mains and hydrants – flats 99

Introduction 99
Provision of fire mains 99
Design and construction of fire mains 99
Provision of private hydrants 100
Section 15: Access to buildings for firefighting personnel – flats 101

Provision of firefighting shafts 101
Design and construction of firefighting shafts 104
Rolling shutters in compartment walls 105
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Section 16: Venting of heat and smoke from basements – flats 106
Provision of smoke outlets 106
Construction of outlet ducts or shafts 108
Regulation 38: Fire safety information 109

Intention 109
Section 17: Fire safety information 110

Essential information 110
Additional information for complex buildings 111
Appendix A: Key terms 113

Appendix B: Performance of materials, products and structures 119
Introduction 119
Reaction to fire 120
National classifications for reaction to fire 120
Thermoplastic materials 121
Roofs 122
Fire resistance 123
Application of the fire resistance standards in Table B4 131
Appendix C: Fire doorsets 134

Appendix D: Methods of measurement 138
Occupant number 138
Travel distance 140
Width 140
Building dimensions 141
Free area of smoke ventilators 144
Appendix E: Sprinklers 145

Sprinkler systems 145
Design of sprinkler systems 146
Water supplies and pumps 146
Appendix F: Standards referred to 147

European Standards 147
British Standards 148
Appendix G: Documents referred to 150

Legislation 150
Other documents 150
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Section 0: Approved Document B:

Fire safety – dwellings
Summary
0.1 This approved document has been published in two volumes. Volume 1 deals solely with dwellings,
including blocks of flats, while Volume 2 deals with all other types of building covered by the
Building Regulations.
Arrangement of sections
0.2 Requirements B1–B5 of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations are dealt with separately in one or
more sections. Each requirement is shown at the start of the relevant sections.
0.3 The provisions in this document have the following aims.
Requirement B1: When there is a fire, ensure both:
a. satisfactory means of sounding an alarm
b. satisfactory means of escape for people.
Requirement B2: Inhibit the spread of fire over internal linings of buildings.
Requirement B3: The building must be built such that all of the following are achieved in the event
of a fire:
a. the premature collapse of the building is avoided
b. sufficient fire separation is provided within buildings and between adjoining buildings
c. automatic fire suppression is provided where necessary
d. the unseen spread of fire and smoke in cavities is restricted.
Requirement B4: Restrict both:
a. the potential for fire to spread over external walls and roofs (including compliance with
regulations 6(4) and 7(2))
b. the spread of fire from one building to another.
Requirement B5: Ensure both:
a. satisfactory access for the fire service and its appliances
b. facilities in buildings to help firefighters save the lives of people in and around buildings.
Regulation 38: Provide fire safety information to building owners.
0.4 Guidance is given on each aspect separately, though many are closely interlinked. The document should
be considered as a whole. The relationship between different requirements and their interdependency
should be recognised. Particular attention should be given to the situation where one part of the
guidance is not fully followed, as this could have a negative effect on other provisions.
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Appendices: Information common to more than one requirement of Part B

0.5 Guidance on matters that refer to more than one section of this document can be found in the
following appendices.
Appendix A: Key terms
Appendix B: Performance of materials, products and structures
Appendix C: Fire doorsets
Appendix D: Methods of measurement
Appendix E: Sprinklers
Appendix F: Standards referred to
Appendix G: Documents referred to
Management of premises
0.6 The Building Regulations do not impose any requirements on the management of a building, but
do assume that it will be properly managed. This includes, for example, keeping protected escape
routes virtually ‘fire sterile’.
Appropriate fire safety design considers the way in which a building will be managed. Any reliance
on an unrealistic or unsustainable management regime cannot be considered to have met the
requirements of the regulations.
Once the building is in use, the management regime should be maintained and a suitable risk
assessment undertaken for any variation in that regime. Failure to take proper management
responsibility may result in the prosecution of an employer, building owner or occupier under
legislation such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Property protection
0.7 The Building Regulations are intended to ensure a reasonable standard of life safety in a fire.
The protection of property, including the building itself, often requires additional measures.
Insurers usually set higher standards before accepting the insurance risk.
Many insurers use the RISCAuthority Design Guide for the Fire Protection of Buildings by the
Fire Protection Association (FPA) as a basis for providing guidance to the building designer on what
they require.
Further information on the protection of property can be obtained from the FPA website:
www.thefpa.co.uk.
Inclusive design
0.8 The fire safety aspects of the Building Regulations aim to achieve reasonable standards of health
and safety for people in and around buildings.
People, regardless of ability, age or gender, should be able to access buildings and use their
facilities. The fire safety measures incorporated into a building should take account of the needs
of everyone who may access the building, both as visitors and as people who live or work in it. It is
not appropriate, except in exceptional circumstances, to assume that certain groups of people will
be excluded from a building because of its use.
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The provisions in this approved document are considered to be of a reasonable standard for most
buildings. However, some people’s specific needs might not be addressed. In some situations,
additional measures may be needed to accommodate these needs. This should be done on a case-
by-case basis.
Alternative approaches
0.9 The fire safety requirements of the Building Regulations will probably be satisfied by following the
relevant guidance in this approved document. However, approved documents provide guidance for
some common building situations, and there may be alternative methods of complying with the
Building Regulation requirements.
If alternative methods are adopted, the overall level of safety should not be lower than the
approved document provides. It is the responsibility of those undertaking the work to demonstrate
compliance.
If other standards or guidance documents are adopted, the relevant fire safety recommendations
in those publications should be followed in their entirety. However, in some circumstances it
may be necessary to use one publication to supplement another. Care must be taken when using
supplementary guidance to ensure that an integrated approach is used in any one building.
Guidance documents intended specifically for assessing fire safety in existing buildings often
include less onerous provisions than those for new buildings and are therefore unlikely to be
appropriate for building work that is controlled by the Building Regulations.
Buildings for industrial and commercial activities that present a special fire hazard, e.g. those that
sell fuels, may require additional fire precautions to those in this approved document.
Buildings of special architectural or historic interest

0.10 Where Part B applies to existing buildings, particularly buildings of special architectural or historic
interest for which the guidance in this document might prove too restrictive, some variation of the
provisions in this document may be appropriate. In such cases, it is appropriate to assess the hazard
and risk in the particular case and consider a range of fire safety features in that context.
Sheltered housing
0.11 While many of the provisions in this approved document for means of escape from flats are
applicable to sheltered housing, the nature of the occupancy may necessitate some additional fire
protection measures. The extent of such measures will depend on the form of the development.
For example, a group of specially adapted bungalows or two storey flats, with few communal
facilities, will not need to be treated differently from other single storey or two storey
dwellinghouses or flats.
Fire safety engineering

0.12 Fire safety engineering might provide an alternative approach to fire safety. Fire safety engineering
may be the only practical way to achieve a satisfactory standard of fire safety in some complex
buildings and in buildings that contain different uses.
Fire safety engineering may also be suitable for solving a specific problem with a design that
otherwise follows the provisions in this document.
0.13 BS 7974 and supporting published documents (PDs) provide a framework for and guidance on the
application of fire safety engineering principles to the design of buildings.

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Purpose groups
0.14 Building uses are classified within different purpose groups, which represent different levels of
hazard (see Table 0.1). A purpose group can apply to a whole building or a compartment within the
building, and should relate to the main use of the building or compartment.
0.15 Where a building or compartment has more than one use, it is appropriate to assign each different
use to its own purpose group in the following situations.
a. If the ancillary use is a flat.
b. If both of the following apply.
i. The building or compartment has an area of more than 280m2.
ii. The ancillary use relates to an area that is more than one-fifth of the total floor area of the
building or compartment.
c. In ‘shop and commercial’ (purpose group 4) buildings or compartments, if the ancillary use is
storage and both of the following apply.
i. The building or compartment has an area of more than 280m2.
ii. The storage area comprises more than one-third of the total floor area of the building or
compartment.
0.16 Where there are multiple main uses that are not ancillary to one another (for example, shops
with independent offices above), each use should be assigned to a purpose group in its own right.
Where there is doubt as to which purpose group is appropriate, the more onerous guidance should
be applied.
0.17 In sheltered housing, the guidance in Approved Document B Volume 2 should be consulted for the
design of communal facilities, such as a common lounge.

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Table 0.1 Classification of purpose groups
Volume 1 purpose groups

Title Group Purpose for which the building or compartment of a building is intended to be used
Residential 1(a)(1) Flat.
(dwellings)
1(b)(2) Dwellinghouse that contains a habitable storey with a floor level a minimum of 4.5m
above ground level up to a maximum of 18m.(3)
1(c)(2)(4) Dwellinghouse that does not contain a habitable storey with a floor level a minimum
of 4.5m above ground level.
Volume 2 purpose groups
Residential 2(a) Hospital, home, school or other similar establishment, where people sleep on the
(institutional) premises. The building may be either of the following.
• Living accommodation for, or accommodation for the treatment, care or
maintenance of, either:
– people suffering from disabilities due to illness or old age or other physical or
mental incapacity
- people under the age of 5 years.
• A place of lawful detention.
Residential 2(b) Hotel, boarding house, residential college, hall of residence, hostel or any other
(other) residential purpose not described above.
Office 3 Offices or premises used for any of the following and their control:
• administration
• clerical work (including writing, bookkeeping, sorting papers, filing, typing,
duplicating, machine calculating, drawing and the editorial preparation of matter
for publication, police and fire and rescue service work)
• handling money (including banking and building society work)
• communications (including postal, telegraph and radio communications)
• radio, television, film, audio or video recording
• performance (premises not open to the public).
Shop and 4 Shops or premises used for either of the following.
commercial • A retail trade or business (including selling food or drink to the public for
immediate consumption, retail by auction, self-selection and over-the-counter
wholesale trading, the business of lending books or periodicals for gain, the
business of a barber or hairdresser, and the rental of storage space to the public).
• Premises to which the public are invited either:
– to deliver or collect goods in connection with their hire, repair or other
treatment
– (except in the case of repair of motor vehicles) where the public themselves may
carry out such repairs or other treatments.

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Table 0.1 Continued
Title Group Purpose for which the building or compartment of a building is intended to be used
Assembly and 5 Place of assembly, entertainment or recreation, including any of the following:
recreation • bingo halls, broadcasting, recording and film studios open to the public, casinos,
dance halls
• entertainment, conference, exhibition and leisure centres
• funfairs and amusement arcades
• museums and art galleries, non-residential clubs, theatres, cinemas, concert halls
• educational establishments, dancing schools, gymnasia, swimming pool buildings,
riding schools, skating rinks, sports pavilions, sports stadia
• law courts
• churches and other buildings of worship, crematoria
• libraries open to the public, non-residential day centres, clinics, health centres and
surgeries
• passenger stations and termini for air, rail, road or sea travel
• public toilets
• zoos and menageries.
Industrial 6 Factories and other premises used for any of the following:
• manufacturing, altering, repairing, cleaning, washing, breaking up, adapting or
processing any article
• generating power
• slaughtering livestock.
Storage and 7(a) Either of the following:
other non-
residential(4) • place (other than described under 7(b)) for the storage or deposit of goods or materials
• any building not within purpose groups 1 to 6.
7(b) Car parks designed to admit and accommodate only cars, motorcycles and passenger
or light goods vehicles that weigh a maximum of 2500kg gross.
NOTES:
This table only applies to Part B.
See Approved Document B Volume 2 for guidance on buildings other than dwellings (purpose groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7).
1. Includes live/work units that meet the provisions of paragraph 3.24.
2. Includes any surgeries, consulting rooms, offices or other accommodation that meets all of the following conditions.
a. A maximum of 50m2 in total.
b. Part of a dwellinghouse.
c. Used by an occupant of the dwellinghouse in a professional or business capacity.
3. Where very large (over 18m in height or with a 10m deep basement) or unusual dwellinghouses are proposed,
some of the guidance for buildings other than dwellings may be needed.
4. All of the following are included in purpose group 1(c).
a. A detached garage a maximum of 40m2 in area.
b. A detached open carport a maximum 40m2 in area.
c. A detached building that consists of a garage and open carport, each a maximum of 40m2 in area.

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Mixed use buildings

0.18 This approved document includes reference to selected guidance for buildings other than
dwellings. For the design of mixed use buildings, Approved Document B Volume 2 should be
consulted in addition to the guidance contained in this approved document.
0.19 Where a complex mix of uses exists, the effect that one use may have on another in terms of
risk should be considered. It could be necessary to use guidance from both volumes, apply other
guidance (such as from HTM 05-02 or Building Bulletin 100), and/or apply special measures to
reduce the risk.

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Requirement B1: Means of warning and escape
These sections deal with the following requirement from Part B of Schedule 1 to the Building
Regulations 2010.
Requirement
Requirement Limits on application
Means of warning and escape
B1. The building shall be designed and constructed so that Requirement B1 does not apply to any prison provided
there are appropriate provisions for the early warning under section 33 of the Prison Act 1952(a) (power to
of fire, and appropriate means of escape in case of provide prisons, etc.).
fire from the building to a place of safety outside the
building capable of being safely and effectively used
at all material times.
(a) 1952 c. 52; section 33 was amended by section 100 of
the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33) and
by S.I. 1963/597.
Intention
In the Secretary of State’s view, requirement B1 is met by achieving all of the following.
a. There are sufficient means for giving early warning of fire to people in the building.
b. All people can escape to a place of safety without external assistance.
c. Escape routes are suitably located, sufficient in number and of adequate capacity.
d. Where necessary, escape routes are sufficiently protected from the effects of fire and smoke.
e. Escape routes are adequately lit and exits are suitably signed.
f. There are appropriate provisions to limit the ingress of smoke to the escape routes, or to
restrict the spread of fire and remove smoke.
g. For buildings containing flats, there are appropriate provisions to support a stay put evacuation
strategy.
The extent to which any of these measures are necessary is dependent on the use of the building,
its size and its height.
Building work and material changes of use subject to requirement B1 include both new and existing
buildings.

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B1
Section 1: Fire detection and alarm systems
General provisions
1.1 All dwellings should have a fire detection and alarm system, minimum Grade D2 Category LD3
standard, in accordance with the relevant recommendations of BS 5839-6.
A higher standard of protection should be considered where occupants of a proposed dwelling
would be at special risk from fire. Further advice on this is also given in BS 5839-6.
1.2 Smoke alarms should be mains operated and conform to BS EN 14604.
1.3 Heat alarms should be mains operated and conform to BS 5446-2.
1.4 Smoke and heat alarms should have a standby power supply, such as a battery (rechargeable
or non-rechargeable) or capacitor. More information on power supplies is given in clause 15 of
BS 5839-6.
NOTE: The term ‘fire alarm system’ describes the combination of components for giving an audible
and/or other perceptible warning of fire.
NOTE: In this document, the term ‘fire detection system’ describes any type of automatic sensor
network and associated control and indicating equipment. Sensors may be sensitive to smoke,
heat, gaseous combustion products or radiation. Automatic sprinkler systems can also be used to
operate a fire alarm system.
Large dwellinghouses
1.5 A large dwellinghouse has more than one storey, and at least one storey exceeds 200m2.
1.6 A large dwellinghouse of two storeys (excluding basement storeys) should be fitted with a Grade B
Category LD3 fire detection and alarm system, as described in BS 5839-6.
1.7 A large dwellinghouse of three or more storeys (excluding basement storeys) should be fitted with
a Grade A Category LD2 fire detection and alarm system as described in BS 5839-6.
Extensions and material alterations

1.8 Where new habitable rooms are provided, a fire detection and alarm system should be installed
where either of the following applies.
a. The room is provided above or below the ground storey.
b. The room is provided at the ground storey, without a final exit.
1.9 Smoke alarms should be provided in the circulation spaces of the dwelling in accordance with
paragraphs 1.1 to 1.4.
NOTE: This does not apply where inner rooms are provided (see paragraph 2.11 for inner room
requirements).

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Blocks of flats
1.10 Each flat in a block should have alarms as set out in paragraphs 1.1 to 1.4. With effective
compartmentation, a communal fire alarm system is not normally needed. In some buildings,
detectors in common parts of the building may need to operate smoke control or other fire
protection systems but do not usually sound an audible warning.
Student accommodation
1.11 In student residences that are designed and occupied as a block of flats, separate automatic
detection should be provided in each self-contained flat where all of the following apply.
a. A group of up to six students shares the flat.
b. Each flat has its own entrance door.
c. The compartmentation principles for flats in Section 7 have been followed.
Where a total evacuation strategy is adopted, the alarm system should follow the guidance for
buildings other than dwellings in Volume 2 of Approved Document B.
Sheltered housing
1.12 The fire detection and alarm systems in flats should connect to a central monitoring point or alarm
receiving centre. The systems should alert the warden or supervisor and identify the individual flat
where a fire has been detected.
1.13 These provisions do not apply to the following.
a. The common parts of a sheltered housing development, such as communal lounges.
b. Sheltered accommodation in the 'residential (institutional)' or 'residential (other)' purpose groups
(purpose group 2(a) or 2(b)).
In these parts, means of warning should follow the guidance for buildings other than dwellings in
Volume 2 of Approved Document B.
Design and installation of systems

1.14 Fire detection and alarm systems must be properly designed, installed and maintained. A design,
installation and commissioning certificate should be provided for fire detection and alarm systems.
Third party certification schemes for fire protection products and related services are an effective
means of providing assurances of quality, reliability and safety.
Interface between fire detection and alarm systems and other systems
1.15 Fire detection and alarm systems sometimes trigger other systems. The interface between systems
must be reliable. Particular care should be taken if the interface is facilitated via another system.
Where any part of BS 7273 applies to the triggering of other systems, the recommendations of that
part of BS 7273 should be followed.

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Section 2: Means of escape – dwellinghouses
Escape from the ground storey

2.1 See Diagram 2.1a. All habitable rooms (excluding kitchens) should have either of the following.
a. An opening directly onto a hall leading to a final exit.
b. An emergency escape window or door, as described in paragraph 2.10.
Escape from upper storeys a maximum of 4.5m above

ground level
2.2 See Diagram 2.1b. Where served by only one stair, all habitable rooms (excluding kitchens) should
have either of the following.
a. An emergency escape window or external door, as described in paragraph 2.10.
b. Direct access to a protected stairway, as described in paragraph 2.5a.
2.3 Two rooms may be served by a single window. A door between the rooms should provide access to
the window without passing through the stair enclosure. Both rooms should have their own access
to the internal stair.
Escape from upper storeys more than 4.5m above

ground level
2.4 Dwellinghouses with one internal stair should comply with paragraphs 2.5 and 2.6. In
dwellinghouses with more than one stair, the stairs should provide effective alternative means of
escape. The stairs should be physically separated by either of the following.
a. Fire resisting construction (minimum REI 30).
b. More than one room.
Dwellinghouses with one storey more than 4.5m above ground level
2.5 See Diagram 2.1c. The dwellinghouse should have either of the following.
a. Protected stairway – a stair separated by fire resisting construction (minimum REI 30) at all
storeys, that complies with one of the following.
i. Extends to a final exit (Diagram 2.2a).
ii. Gives access to a minimum of two ground level final exits that are separated from each
other by fire resisting construction (minimum REI 30) and fire doorsets (minimum E 20)
(Diagram 2.2b).
Cavity barriers or a fire resisting ceiling (minimum EI 30) should be provided above a protected
stairway enclosure (Diagram 2.3).

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b. Alternative escape route – a top storey separated from lower storeys by fire resisting
construction (minimum REI 30) and with an alternative escape route leading to its own final exit.
See paras 2.1 to 2.6
Unoccupied
a. b. space
Escape via stair

and escape windows.
Unoccupied Alternatively provide
space a protected stairway.
4.5m max.
Escape via entrance hall. Escape via entrance hall.
Inner rooms provided with Inner rooms provided with
escape windows or doors. escape windows or doors.
Single storey dwellinghouse Dwellinghouse with upper storeys

(see paragraph 2.1) a maximum of 4.5m above ground level
(see paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3)
Unoccupied
c. d. space
Escape via protected stairway.

Provide alternative escape
Unoccupied route or sprinklers.
space No inner rooms allowed.
Escape via protected stairway. Escape via protected stairway.

No inner rooms allowed. No inner rooms allowed.
Escape via protected stairway. Escape via protected stairway.

escape windows. escape windows.
7.5m
4.5m
4.5m
Escape via entrance hall. Escape via entrance hall.

escape windows or doors. escape windows or doors.
Dwellinghouse with one storey Dwellinghouse with two or more storeys

more than 4.5m above ground level more than 4.5m above ground level
(see paragraph 2.5) (see paragraph 2.6)
Direction of escape
Protected stairway (minimum REI 30)
Note: This diagram must be read in conjunction with all of the relevant guidance given in section 2.
Diagram 2.1 Means of escape from dwellinghouses

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See para 2.5
a. b.
Final exit
Protected Fire resisting
stairway Fd construction
Fd Fd minimum REI 30
Fd
Fd Protected Final exit Fd Fire doorset
Fd
stairway minimum E 20
Final exit
Diagram 2.2 Alternative arrangements for final exits
See para 2.5
Unoccupied Cavity barrier Unoccupied

a. b.
space E 30 and EI 15 space
Fire resisting
ceiling EI 30
Fire resisting Fire resisting

enclosure to enclosure to
protected protected
stairway stairway
REI 30 REI 30
4.5m
4.5m
Protected Protected
stairway stairway
With cavity barriers With fire resisting ceiling

Diagram 2.3 Alternative cavity barrier arrangements in roof space over protected stairway in a
house with a storey more than 4.5m above ground level
Dwellinghouses with two or more storeys more than 4.5m above ground level
2.6 See Diagram 2.1d. In addition to meeting the provisions in paragraph 2.5, the dwellinghouse should
comply with either of the following.
a. Provide an alternative escape route from each storey more than 7.5m above ground level. At the
first storey above 7.5m, the protected stairway should be separated from the lower storeys by
fire resisting construction (minimum REI 30) if the alternative escape route is accessed via either
of the following.
i. The protected stairway to an upper storey.
ii. A landing within the protected stairway enclosure to an alternative escape route on
the same storey. The protected stairway at or about 7.5m above ground level should be
separated from the lower storeys or levels by fire resisting construction (see Diagram 2.4).
b. Provide a sprinkler system throughout, designed and installed in accordance with BS 9251.

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See para 2.6
Example of
alternative exit Storey
in para 2.6(a) over 7.5m
(see definition in
Appendix A)
Fire resisting
construction
7.5m
minimum REI 30
4.5m
Fire door
Diagram 2.4 Fire separation in a dwellinghouse with two or more storeys more than 4.5m above
ground level
Passenger lifts
2.7 A passenger lift serving any storey more than 4.5m above ground level should be in either of the
following.
a. The enclosure to the protected stairway, as described in paragraph 2.5.
b. A fire resisting lift shaft (minimum REI 30).
Air circulation systems

2.8 Air circulation systems which circulate air within an individual dwellinghouse with a floor more than
4.5m above ground level should meet the guidance given in paragraph 2.9.
2.9 All of the following precautions should be taken to avoid the spread of smoke and fire to the
protected stairway.
a. Transfer grilles should not be fitted in any wall, door, floor or ceiling of the stair enclosure.
b. Any duct passing through the stair enclosure should be rigid steel. Joints between the ductwork
and stair enclosure should be fire-stopped.
c. Ventilation ducts supplying or extracting air directly to or from a protected stairway should not
serve other areas as well.
d. Any system of mechanical ventilation which recirculates air and which serves both the stair and
other areas should be designed to shut down on the detection of smoke within the system.
e. For ducted warm air heating systems, a room thermostat should be sited in the living room. It
should be mounted at a height between 1370mm and 1830mm above the floor. The maximum
setting should be 27°C.
NOTE: Ventilation ducts passing through compartment walls should comply with the guidance in
Section 9.

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General provisions
Emergency escape windows and external doors
2.10 Windows or external doors providing emergency escape should comply with all of the following.
a. Windows should have an unobstructed openable area that complies with all of the following.
i. A minimum area of 0.33m2.
ii. A minimum height of 450mm and a minimum width of 450mm (the route through the
window may be at an angle rather than straight through).
iii. The bottom of the openable area is a maximum of 1100mm above the floor.
b. People escaping should be able to reach a place free from danger from fire. Courtyards or
inaccessible back gardens should comply with Diagram 2.5.
c. Locks (with or without removable keys) and opening stays (with child-resistant release catches)
may be fitted to escape windows.
d. Windows should be capable of remaining open without being held.
See para 2.10

Where escape from a
dwellinghouse is to an
Equal Mean roof level Enclosure to enclosed space with exit
space e.g. a only possible through other
Equal wall, fence, buildings (e.g. a courtyard or
building back garden), the length of
x min.
the space should exceed
whichever is the greater
x of the following.
a. The height of the

y y min. dwellinghouse above
ground level (x).
b. Where a rear extension is

provided, the height of the
extension (y).
Diagram 2.5 Ground or basement storey exit into an enclosed space
Inner rooms
2.11 An inner room is permitted when it is one of the following.
a. A kitchen.
b. A laundry or utility room.
c. A dressing room.
d. A bathroom, WC or shower room.
e. Any room on a storey that is a maximum of 4.5m above ground level which is provided with an
emergency escape window as described in paragraph 2.10.
f. A gallery that complies with paragraph 2.15.

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2.12 A room accessed only via an inner room (an inner inner room) is acceptable when all of the
following apply.
a. It complies with paragraph 2.11.
b. The access rooms each have a smoke alarm (see Section 1).
c. None of the access rooms is a kitchen.
Balconies and flat roofs

2.13 Where a flat roof forms part of a means of escape, it should comply with all of the following.
a. It should be part of the same building from which escape is being made.
b. The route across the roof should lead to a storey exit or external escape route.
c. The part of the roof (including its supporting structure) forming the escape route, and any opening
within 3m of the escape route, should be of fire resisting construction (minimum REI 30).
2.14 A balcony or flat roof intended to form part of an escape route should be provided with guarding
etc. in accordance with Approved Document K.
Galleries
2.15 A gallery should comply with one of the following.
a. It should be provided with an alternative exit.
b. It should be provided with an emergency escape window, as described in paragraph 2.10, where
the gallery floor is a maximum of 4.5m above ground level.
c. It should meet all the conditions shown in Diagram 2.6.
See para 2.15
NOTES:
1. This diagram does not apply where the gallery is

provided with one of the following:
.
7.5 max i. An alternative escape route
ii. An emergency escape window (where the gallery
floor is not more than 4.5m above ground level).
2. Any cooking facilities within a room containing a gallery

should comply with one of the following conditions:
Visible area to 3m max. i. Be enclosed with fire resisting construction
be at least 50% ii. Be remote from the stair to the gallery and positioned
of floor area in such that they do not prejudice escape from the gallery.
lower room Exit
Diagram 2.6 Gallery floors with no alternative exit
Basements
2.16 Basement storeys containing habitable rooms should have one of the following.
a. An emergency escape window or external door providing escape from the basement
(paragraph 2.10).
b. A protected stairway (paragraph 2.5a) leading from the basement to a final exit.

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External escape stairs
2.17 Any external escape stair should meet all of the following conditions (Diagram 2.7).
a. Doors to the stair should be fire resisting (minimum E 30), except for a single exit door from the
building to the top landing of a downward-leading external stair.
b. Fire resisting construction (minimum RE 30) is required for the building envelope within the
following zones, measured from the flights and landings of the external stair.
i. 1800mm horizontally.
ii. 9m vertically below.
iii. 1100mm above the top landing of the stair (except where the stair leads from basement to
ground level).
c. Fire resisting construction (minimum RE 30) should be provided for any part of the building
(including doors) within 1800mm of the escape route from the foot of the stair to a place of
safety. This does not apply if there are alternative escape routes from the foot of the external
escape stair.
d. Stairs more than 6m in height should be protected from adverse weather. Protection should
prevent the build-up of snow or ice but does not require full enclosure.
e. Glazing in areas of fire resisting construction should be fixed shut and fire resisting (in terms of
integrity, but not insulation) (minimum E 30).
See para 2.17 No fire resistance

required for door
1100mm
zone 1800mm zone
above of fire resisting
top construction at
landing side of stairway
6m max.
height
without Fire doorset
weather (minimum E 30)
protection
Ground
level
Fire resisting window
(minimum RE 30)
Diagram 2.7 Fire resistance of areas near to external exits

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Work on existing dwellinghouses

Replacement windows
2.18 Work should comply with Parts K and L of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations. When complete,
the building should comply with other applicable parts of Schedule 1 to at least the same level as
before.
2.19 Where an existing window would be an escape window in a new dwellinghouse, and is big enough
to be used for escape purposes, then the replacement should comply with one of the following.
a. The replacement window should be sized to provide at least the same potential for escape.
b. If the existing window was larger than required for escape purposes, the opening can be
reduced to the minimum described in paragraph 2.10.
2.20 If windows are replaced, it may be necessary to provide cavity barriers around the opening in
accordance with Section 5.
Loft conversions
2.21 Where a new storey is added through conversion to create a storey above 4.5m, both of the
following should apply.
a. The full extent of the escape route should be addressed.
b. Fire resisting doors (minimum E 20) and partitions (minimum REI 30) should be provided,
including upgrading the existing doors where necessary.
NOTE: Where the layout is open plan, new partitions should be provided to enclose the escape
route (Diagram 2.2).
2.22 Where it is undesirable to replace existing doors because of historical or architectural merit, the
possibility of retaining, and where necessary upgrading, them should be investigated.
2.23 An alternative approach to that described in paragraph 2.21 would be to comply with all of the
following.
a. Provide sprinkler protection to the open-plan areas.
b. Provide a fire resisting partition (minimum REI 30) and door (minimum E 20) to separate the
ground storey from the upper storeys. The door should allow occupants of the loft room
access to a first storey escape window.
c. Separate cooking facilities from the open-plan area with fire resisting construction (minimum
REI 30).

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Section 3: Means of escape – flats
Introduction
3.1 Separate guidance applies to means of escape within the flat and within the common parts of the
building that lead to a place of safety. Flats at ground level are treated similarly to dwellinghouses.
With increasing height, more complex provisions are needed.
3.2 The provisions in this section make the following assumptions.
a. Any fire is likely to be in a flat.
b. There is no reliance on external rescue.
c. Simultaneous evacuation of all flats is unlikely to be necessary due to compartmentation.
d. Fires in common parts of the building should not spread beyond the fabric in the immediate
vicinity. In some cases, however, communal facilities exist that require additional measures to be
taken.
3.3 Provisions are recommended to support a stay put evacuation strategy for blocks of flats. It is
based on the principle that a fire is contained in the flat of origin and common escape routes are
maintained relatively free from smoke and heat. It allows occupants, some of whom may require
assistance to escape in the event of a fire, in other flats that are not affected to remain.
Sufficient protection to common means of escape is necessary to allow occupants to escape
should they choose to do so or are instructed/aided to by the fire service. A higher standard of
protection is therefore needed to ensure common escape routes remain available for a longer
period than is provided in other buildings.
3.4 Paragraphs 3.6 to 3.23 deal with the means of escape within each flat. Paragraphs 3.25 to 3.89
deal with the means of escape in common areas of the building (including mixed use buildings in
paragraphs 3.76 and 3.77). Guidance for live/work units is given in paragraph 3.24.
General provisions
Mixed use buildings
3.5 In mixed use buildings, separate means of escape should be provided from any storeys or parts
of storeys used for the ‘residential’ or ‘assembly and recreation’ purpose groups (purpose groups
1, 2 and 5), other than in the case of certain small buildings or buildings in which the residential
accommodation is ancillary (see paragraphs 3.76 and 3.77)
Emergency escape windows and external doors

3.6 Windows or external doors providing emergency escape should comply with all of the following.
a. Windows should have an unobstructed openable area that complies with all of the following.
i. A minimum area of 0.33m2.

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ii. A minimum height of 450mm and a minimum width of 450mm (the route through the window
may be at an angle rather than straight through).
iii. The bottom of the openable area is a maximum of 1100mm above the floor.
b. People escaping should be able to reach a place free from danger from fire.
c. Locks (with or without removable keys) and opening stays (with child-resistant release catches)
may be fitted to escape windows.
d. Windows should be capable of remaining open without being held.
Inner rooms
3.7 An inner room is permitted when it is one of the following.
a. A kitchen.
b. A laundry or utility room.
c. A dressing room.
d. A bathroom, WC or shower room.
e. Any room on a storey that is a maximum of 4.5m above ground level which is provided with
an emergency escape window as described in paragraph 3.6.
f. A gallery that complies with paragraph 3.13.
3.8 A room accessed only via an inner room (an inner inner room) is acceptable when all of the
following apply.
a. It complies with paragraph 3.7.
b. The access rooms each have a smoke alarm (see Section 1).
c. None of the access rooms is a kitchen.
Basements
3.9 Basement storeys containing habitable rooms should have one of the following.
a. An emergency escape window or external door providing escape from the basement (see
paragraph 3.6).
b. A protected stairway (minimum REI 30) leading from the basement to a final exit.
Balconies and flat roofs

3.10 Where a flat roof forms part of a means of escape, it should comply with all of the following.
c. The part of the roof (including its supporting structure) forming the escape route, and any
opening within 3m of the escape route, should be of fire resisting construction (minimum
REI 30).
3.11 A balcony or flat roof intended to form part of an escape route should be provided with guarding
etc. in accordance with Approved Document K.
3.12 For flats more than 4.5m above ground level, a balcony outside an alternative exit should be a
common balcony meeting the conditions described in paragraph 3.22.

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Galleries
3.13 A gallery should comply with one of the following.
a. It should be provided with an alternative exit.
b. It should be provided with an emergency escape window, as described in paragraph 3.6, where
the gallery floor is a maximum of 4.5m above ground level.
c. It should meet the conditions shown in Diagram 3.1.
See para 3.13
NOTES:
1. This diagram does not apply where the gallery is

provided with one of the following:
.
7.5 max i. An alternative escape route
ii. An emergency escape window (where the gallery
floor is not more than 4.5m above ground level).
2. Any cooking facilities within a room containing a gallery

should comply with one of the following conditions:
Visible area to 3m max. i. Be enclosed with fire resisting construction
be at least 50% ii. Be remote from the stair to the gallery and positioned
of floor area in such that they do not prejudice escape from the gallery.
lower room Exit
Diagram 3.1 Gallery floors with no alternative exit
Flats with upper storeys a maximum of 4.5m above

ground level
3.14 The internal arrangement of single storey or multi-storey flats should comply with paragraphs 3.15
to 3.17. Alternatively, the guidance in paragraphs 3.18 to 3.22 may be followed.
A flat accessed via the common parts of the building should also comply with the provisions for
small single stair buildings in paragraph 3.28 and Diagram 3.9. A protected entrance hall may be
required as a result.
Escape from the ground storey

3.15 All habitable rooms (excluding kitchens) should have either of the following.
a. An opening directly onto a hall leading to a final exit.
b. An emergency escape window or door, as described in paragraph 3.6.
Escape from upper storeys a maximum of 4.5m above ground level

3.16 All habitable rooms (excluding kitchens) should have either of the following.
a. An emergency escape window or external door, as described in paragraph 3.6.
b. In multi-storey flats, direct access to a protected internal stairway (minimum REI 30) leading to
an exit from the flat.
3.17 Two rooms may be served by a single escape window. A door between rooms should provide
access to the escape window without passing through the stair enclosure. Both rooms should have
their own access to the internal stair.

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Flats with storeys more than 4.5m above ground level

Internal planning of single storey flats
3.18 One of the following approaches should be adopted, observing the inner room restrictions
described in paragraphs 3.7 and 3.8.
a. Provide a protected entrance hall (minimum REI 30) serving all habitable rooms that meets the
conditions shown in Diagram 3.2.
b. Plan the flat to meet the conditions shown in Diagram 3.3, so that both of the following apply.
i. The travel distance from the flat entrance door to any point in any habitable room is a
maximum of 9m.
ii. Cooking facilities are remote from the main entrance door and do not impede the escape
route from anywhere in the flat.
c. Provide an alternative exit from the flat complying with paragraph 3.22.
See para 3.18
Fd
Fd
9m max.
Fd NOTE: Bathrooms do not need to have fire

doorsets provided that the bathroom is
Fd Fd separated by fire resisting construction
from the adjacent rooms.
Fd Fd Protected
entrance hall
Fd Fire doorset
Fire resisting construction
(minimum REI 30)
Flat entrance
Diagram 3.2 Flat where all habitable rooms have direct access to an entrance hall
See para 3.18

Bath
Kitchen
area Kitchen
x.
ma
9m
9m
.
ax
ma
m
9m
x.
Flat entrance Flat entrance
Diagram 3.3 Flat with restricted travel distance from furthest point to entrance

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Flats with an alternative exit
3.19 Where access from any habitable room to the entrance hall or flat entrance is impossible without
passing through another room, all of the following conditions should be met (Diagram 3.4).
a. Bedrooms should be separated from living accommodation by fire resisting construction
(minimum REI 30) and fire doorsets (minimum E 20).
b. The alternative exit should be in the part of the flat that contains the bedrooms.
See para 3.19
Bedroom Bedroom
Bedroom Bath
Fd
Kitchen
NOTE: The bedrooms are not classified as inner rooms

because escape is possible in two directions.
Living room
Fd Fire doorset
Fire resisting construction (minimum REI 30)
between living and bedroom accommodation
Alternative exit
Flat entrance
Diagram 3.4 Flat with an alternative exit, but where all habitable rooms have no direct access
to an entrance hall
Internal planning of multi-storey flats

3.20 A multi-storey flat with an independent external entrance at ground level is similar to a dwellinghouse
and means of escape should be planned on the basis of Section 2, depending on the height of the top
storey above ground level.
3.21 When multi-storey flats do not have their own external entrance at ground level, adopt one of the
following approaches.
a. Approach 1 – provide at least one alternative exit from each habitable room that is not on the
entrance storey of the flat (Diagram 3.5 and paragraph 3.22).
b. Approach 2 – provide at least one alternative exit from each storey that is not the entrance
storey of the flat. All habitable rooms should have direct access to a protected landing (Diagram
3.6 and paragraph 3.22).
c. Approach 3 – provide a protected stairway plus a sprinkler system in accordance with Appendix
E and provide smoke alarms in accordance with BS 5839-6.

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d. Approach 4 – if the vertical distance between the entrance storey of the flat and any of the
storeys above or below does not exceed 7.5m, provide all of the following.
i. A protected stairway.
ii. Additional smoke alarms in all habitable rooms.
iii. A heat alarm in any kitchen.
See para 3.21
9m max.
Bathroom
NOTE: This only applies where

at least one storey is more
than 4.5m above ground level.
LEVEL(S) ABOVE
OR BELOW
ENTRANCE LEVEL ENTRANCE LEVEL Alternative exit
Diagram 3.5 Multi-storey flat with alternative exits from each habitable room, except at
entrance level
See para 3.21
Fd
Protected Fd Fd
landing
Fd
NOTE: This only applies where

Fd
at least one storey is more than
Fd 4.5m above ground level.
9m max.
Protected
Fd entrance hall
Fd Fire doorset
NOT Fire resisting stair enclosure
ENTRANCE ENTRANCE (minimum REI 30)
WC
LEVEL LEVEL Alternative exit
Diagram 3.6 Multi-storey flat with protected entrance hall and landing

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Alternative exits
3.22 Any alternative exit from a flat should comply with all of the following.
a. It should be remote from the main entrance door to the flat.
b. It should lead to a final exit, via a common stair if necessary, through one of the following.
i. A door to an access corridor, access lobby or common balcony.
ii. An internal private stair leading to an access corridor, access lobby or common balcony at
another level.
iii. A door to a common stair.
iv. A door to an external stair.
v. A door to an escape route over a flat roof.
Any access route leading to a final exit or common stair should comply with the provisions for
means of escape in the common parts of a flat (see paragraph 3.25).
Air circulation systems in flats with a protected stairway or entrance hall

enclosure
3.23 For systems circulating air only within an individual flat, take all of the following precautions.
a. Transfer grilles should not be fitted in any wall, door, floor or ceiling of the enclosure.
b. Any duct passing through the enclosure should be rigid steel. Joints between the ductwork and
enclosure should be fire-stopped.
c. Ventilation ducts serving the enclosure should not serve any other areas.
d. Any system of mechanical ventilation which recirculates air and which serves both the stair and
other areas should be designed to shut down on the detection of smoke within the system.
e. For ducted warm air heating systems, a room thermostat should be sited in the living room. It
should be mounted at a height between 1370mm and 1830mm above the floor. The maximum
setting should be 27°C.
NOTE: Ventilation ducts passing through compartment walls should comply with the guidance in
Section 9.
Live/work units
3.24 For flats serving as a workplace for both occupants and people who do not live on the premises,
provide both of the following.
a. A maximum travel distance of 18m between any part of the working area and either of the
following.
i. The flat entrance door.
ii. An alternative means of escape that is not a window.
If the travel distance is over 18m, the assumptions in paragraph 3.2 may not be valid. The design
should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
b. Escape lighting to windowless accommodation in accordance with BS 5266-1.

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Means of escape in the common parts of flats

3.25 The following paragraphs deal with means of escape from the entrance doors of flats to a final
exit. They do not apply to flats with a top storey that is a maximum of 4.5m above ground level
(designed in accordance with paragraphs 3.16 and 3.17).
Reference should also be made to the following.
a. Requirement B3 regarding compartment walls and protected shafts.
b. Requirement B5 regarding access for the fire and rescue service.
Number of escape routes

3.26 A person escaping through the common area, if confronted by the effects of a fire in another flat,
should be able to turn away from it and make a safe escape via an alternative route.
3.27 From the flat entrance door, a single escape route is acceptable in either of the following cases.
a. The flat is on a storey served by a single common stair and both of the following apply.
i. Every flat is separated from the common stair by a protected lobby or common protected
corridor (see Diagram 3.7).
ii. The maximum travel distance in Table 3.1, for escape in one direction only, is not exceeded.
b. The flat is in a dead end of a common corridor served by two (or more) common stairs and the
maximum travel distance given in Table 3.1, for escape in one direction only, is not exceeded
(Diagram 3.8).
Table 3.1 Limitations on travel distance in common areas of blocks of flats

Maximum travel distance from flat entrance door to common stair or stair lobby(1)
Escape in one direction Escape in more than one direction
7.5m(2)(3)
30m(3)(4)
NOTES:
1. If travel distance is measured to a stair lobby, the lobby must not provide direct access to any storage room, flat or
other space containing a fire hazard.
2. In the case of a small single stair building in accordance with Diagram 3.9, this is reduced to 4.5m.
3. Does not apply if all flats on a storey have independent alternative means of escape.
4. Sheltered housing may require reduced maximum travel distances.

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See paras 3.27 and 3.36
a. CORRIDOR ACCESS FLATS
F F F F
7.5m max. 7.5m max.
F F F F
b. LOBBY ACCESS FLATS NOTES:

1. The arrangements shown also apply to the top storey.
2. See Diagram 3.9 for small single stair buildings.
3. All doors shown are fire doorsets.
F F
4. Where travel distance is measured to a stair lobby, the
lobby must not provide direct access to any storage
room, flat or other space containing a potential fire
hazard.
5. For further guidance on the fire rating of the fire doorsets
from the corridor to the flat and/or stairway refer to
7.5m max. Appendix C, Table C1.
F Flat
Shaded areas indicate zones where ventilation should be
F F provided in accordance with paragraphs 3.50 to 3.53
(An external wall vent or smoke shaft located anywhere
in the shaded area)
Diagram 3.7 Flats served by one common stair

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a. CORRIDOR ACCESS WITHOUT DEAD ENDS
F F F F F F F
Fd
F F F F F F F
30m max.
b. CORRIDOR ACCESS WITH DEAD ENDS

The central door may be omitted if maximum travel distance is not
more than 15m. 7.5m max.
F F F F F F F
Fd
F F F F F F F
7.5m max. 30m max.
c. ‘T’ JUNCTION WITH MAIN CORRIDOR
NOTES:
F F 1. The arrangements shown also apply to the top storey.
7.5m max. 2. For further guidance on the fire rating of the fire
doorsets from the corridor to the flat and/or stairway
refer to Appendix C, Table C1.
F Fd F F
F Flat
Fd Fire doorset
Shaded areas indicate zones where ventilation should be
F Fd F F provided in accordance with paragraphs 3.50 to 3.53
(An external wall vent or smoke shaft located anywhere
in the shaded area)
F F
Diagram 3.8 Flats served by more than one common stair
Small single stair buildings

3.28 For some low rise buildings, the provisions in paragraphs 3.26 and 3.27 may be modified and the
use of a single stair, protected in accordance with Diagram 3.9, may be permitted where all of the
following apply.
a. The top storey of the building is a maximum of 11m above ground level.
b. No more than three storeys are above the ground storey.
c. The stair does not connect to a covered car park, unless the car park is open sided (as defined
in Section 11 of Approved Document B Volume 2).

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d. The stair does not serve offices, stores or other ancillary accommodation. If it does, they
should be separated from the stair by a protected lobby or protected corridor (minimum REI 30)
with a minimum 0.4m2 of permanent ventilation, or be protected from the ingress of smoke by
a mechanical smoke control system.
NOTE: For refuse chutes and storage see paragraphs 3.55 to 3.58.
e. Either of the following is provided for the fire and rescue service.
i. A high-level openable vent with a free area of at least 1m2 at each storey.
ii. A single openable vent with a free area of at least 1m2 at the head of the stair, operable
remotely at the fire and rescue service access level.
See para 3.28
F F
Fd F
Fd
Fd
Fd
* OV
4.5m
Fd
Fd
F
F Fd
F
a. SMALL SINGLE STAIR BUILDING

*If smoke control is provided in the lobby, the
travel distance can be increased to 7.5m maximum
(see Diagram 3.7, example b).
NOTES:
F 1. The arrangements shown also apply to the top storey.
Fd 2. If the travel distance across the lobby in diagram (a) exceeds
4.5m, Diagram 3.7 applies.
Fd OV 3. Where, in Diagram (b), the lobby between the common stair and
the dwelling is omitted in small single stair buildings, an
automatic opening vent with a free area of at least 1m2 is required
Fd F at the top of the stair, which is operated automatically on
detection of smoke at any storey in the stair.
4. For further guidance on the fire rating of the fire doorsets from
b. SMALL SINGLE STAIR BUILDING the corridor to the flat and/or stairway refer to Appendix C,
WITH NO MORE THAN TWO FLATS Table C1.
PER STOREY
The door between stair and lobby should be
free from security fastenings. Fire resisting construction
OV Openable vent at high level for fire service use (1.0m2 minimum
If the flats have protected entrance halls, the free area); see paragraph 3.28e
lobby between the common stair and flat F Flat
entrance is not essential. Fd Fire doorset
Diagram 3.9 Common escape route in small single stair building
Flats with balcony or deck access

3.29 Paragraph 3.27 may be modified using the guidance in clause 7.3 of BS 9991.

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Escape routes over flat roofs

3.30 Where a storey or part of a building has multiple escape routes available, one may be over a flat
roof that complies with all of the following.
c. The part of the roof (including its supporting structure) forming the escape route, and any opening
within 3m of the escape route, should be of fire resisting construction (minimum REI 30).
d. The route should be clearly defined and guarded by walls and/or protective barriers to protect
against falling.
Common escape routes

3.31 The following paragraphs deal with means of escape from the entrance doors of flats to a final exit.
3.32 Escape route travel distances should comply with Table 3.1.
3.33 An escape route should not pass through one stair enclosure to reach another. It may pass through
a protected lobby (minimum REI 30) of one stair to reach another.
3.34 Common corridors should be protected corridors. The wall between each flat and the corridor
should be a compartment wall (minimum REI 30 where the top storey is up to 5m above ground
level, otherwise REI 60).
3.35 Divide a common corridor connecting two or more storey exits with a fire doorset fitted with a
self-closing device (minimum E 30 Sa). See Diagram 3.8. Associated screens should be fire resisting.
Site doors so that smoke does not affect access to more than one stair.
3.36 A fire doorset (minimum E 30 Sa) fitted with a self-closing device (and fire resisting screen, where
required) should separate the dead-end portion of a common corridor from the rest of the corridor
(Diagrams 3.7a, 3.8b and 3.8c).
3.37 Ancillary accommodation should not be located in, or entered from, a protected lobby or
protected corridor forming the only common escape route on that storey.
Headroom in common escape routes

3.38 Escape routes should have a minimum clear headroom of 2m. The only projections allowed below
this height are door frames.
Flooring of common escape routes

3.39 Escape route floor finishes should minimise their slipperiness when wet. Finishes include the treads
of steps and surfaces of ramps and landings.
Ramps and sloping floors

3.40 A ramp forming part of an escape route should meet the provisions in Approved Document M. Any
sloping floor or tier should have a pitch of not more than 35 degrees to the horizontal.
Lighting of common escape routes

3.41 All escape routes should have adequate artificial lighting. If the mains electricity power supply fails,
escape lighting should illuminate the route (including external escape routes).

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3.42 In addition, escape lighting should be provided to all of the following.
a. Toilet accommodation with a minimum floor area of 8m2.
b. Electricity and generator rooms.
c. Switch room/battery room for emergency lighting system.
d. Emergency control rooms.
3.43 Escape stair lighting should be on a separate circuit from the electricity supply to any other part of
the escape route.
3.44 Escape lighting should conform to BS 5266-1.
Exit signs on common escape routes

3.45 Every doorway or other exit providing access to a means of escape, other than exits in ordinary
use (e.g. main entrances), should be distinctively and conspicuously marked by an exit sign in
accordance with BS ISO 3864-1 and BS 5499-4. For this reason, blocks of flats with a single stair in
regular use would not usually require any fire exit signage.
Advice on fire safety signs, including emergency escape signs, is given in the HSE publication Safety
Signs and Signals: Guidance on Regulations.
Some buildings may require additional signs to comply with other legislation.
Protected power circuits

3.46 To limit potential damage to cables in protected circuits, all of the following should apply.
a. Cables should be sufficiently robust.
b. Cable routes should be carefully selected and/or physically protected in areas where cables
may be exposed to damage.
c. Methods of cable support should be class A1 rated and offer at least the same integrity as the
cable. They should maintain circuit integrity and hold cables in place when exposed to fire.
3.47 A protected circuit to operate equipment during a fire should achieve all of the following.
a. Cables should achieve PH 30 classification when tested in accordance with BS EN 50200
(incorporating Annex E) or an equivalent standard.
b. It should only pass through parts of the building in which the fire risk is negligible.
c. It should be separate from any circuit provided for another purpose.
3.48 Guidance on cables for large and complex buildings is given in BS 5839-1, BS 5266-1 and BS 8519.
Smoke control in common escape routes

3.49 Despite the provisions described, it is probable that some smoke will get into the common corridor
or lobby from a fire in a flat.
There should therefore be some means of ventilating the common corridors/lobbies to control smoke
and so protect the common stairs. This means of ventilation offers additional protection to that
provided by the fire doors to the stair, as well as some protection to the corridors/lobbies.
Ventilation can be natural (paragraphs 3.50 to 3.53) or mechanical (paragraph 3.54).

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Smoke control of common escape routes by natural smoke ventilation

3.50 Except in buildings that comply with Diagram 3.9, the corridor or lobby next to each stair should
have a smoke vent. The location of the vent should comply with both of the following.
a. Be as high as practicable.
b. Be positioned so the top edge is at least as high as the top of the door to the stair.
3.51 Smoke vents should comply with one of the following.
a. They should be located on an external wall with minimum free area of 1.5m2.
b. They should discharge into a vertical smoke shaft, closed at the base, that meets all of the
following criteria.
i. The shaft should conform to the following conditions.
• Have a minimum cross-sectional area of 1.5m2 (minimum dimension 0.85m in any direction).
• Open at roof level, minimum 0.5m above any surrounding structures within 2m of it
horizontally.
• Extend a minimum of 2.5m above the ceiling of the highest storey served by the shaft.
ii. The free area of all the following vents should be a minimum of 1m2 in the following
places.
• From the corridor or lobby into the shaft.
• At the opening at the head of the shaft.
• At all internal locations within the shaft (e.g. safety grilles).
iii. The smoke shaft should be constructed from a class A1 material. All vents should either
be a fire doorset (see Appendix C, Table C1, item 2.e for minimum fire resistance) or fitted
with a fire and smoke damper (see paragraph 9.21). The shaft should be vertical from base
to head, with a maximum of 4m at a maximum inclined angle of 30 degrees.
iv. If smoke is detected in the common corridor or lobby, both of the following should occur.
• Simultaneous opening of vents on the storey where the fire is located, at the top of the
smoke shaft and to the stair.
• Vents from the corridors or lobbies on all other storeys should remain closed, even if
smoke is subsequently detected on storeys other than where the fire is located.
3.52 A vent to the outside with a minimum free area of 1m2 should be provided from the top storey of
the stair.
3.53 In single stair buildings, smoke vents on the storey where the fire is initiated, and the vent at the
head of the stair, should be activated by smoke detectors in the common parts.
In buildings with more than one stair, smoke vents may be activated manually. The control system
should open the vent at the head of the stair before, or at the same time as, the vent on the storey
where the fire is located. Smoke detection is not required for ventilation purposes in this instance.
Smoke control of common escape routes by mechanical ventilation
3.54 Guidance on the design of smoke control systems that use pressure differentials is available in
BS EN 12101-6.

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Refuse chutes and storage
3.55 Refuse storage chambers, refuse chutes and refuse hoppers should be sited and constructed in
accordance with BS 5906.
3.56 Refuse chutes and rooms for storing refuse should meet both of the following conditions.
a. Be separated from other parts of the building by fire resisting construction (minimum REI 30 in
buildings with a top storey up to 5m above ground level; otherwise REI 60).
b. Not be situated within a protected stairway or protected lobby.
3.57 The approach to rooms containing refuse chutes or for storing refuse should comply with one of
the following conditions.
a. Be directly from the open air.
b. Be through a protected lobby with a minimum of 0.2m2 of permanent ventilation.
3.58 Access openings to refuse storage chambers should not be sited in the following areas.
a. Next to escape routes or final exits.
b. Near the windows of flats.
Common stairs
Number of common stairs
3.59 A building should provide access to more than one common stair if it does not meet the criteria
for a single common stair (see paragraph 3.26 and 3.27).
Width of common stairs

3.60 A stair of acceptable width for everyday use will be sufficient for escape purposes. If it is also a
firefighting stair, it should be at least 1100mm wide. The width is the clear width between the walls
or balustrades. Any handrails and strings intruding into that width by a maximum of 100mm on
each side may be ignored.
Protection of common stairs

3.61 Section 7 provides guidance on avoiding the spread of fire between storeys. For a stair that is also a
firefighting stair, guidance in Section 15 should be followed.
Enclosure of common stairs

3.62 Every common stair should be a protected stairway, within a fire resisting enclosure (minimum REI 30).
External walls adjacent to protected stairways

3.63 With some configurations of external wall, a fire in one part of a building could subject the
external wall of a protected stairway to heat (for example, where the two are adjacent at an
internal angle in the façade, as shown in Diagram 3.10).
3.64 If a protected stairway projects beyond, is recessed from or is in an internal angle of the adjoining
external wall of the building, then the minimum distance between an unprotected area of the
building enclosure and an unprotected area of the stair enclosure should be 1800mm.

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See para 3.63
Configurations of stairs and external wall
Accommodation Accommodation
1800mm min. Fire resisting construction
of adjacent building enclosure
Fire resisting construction
1800mm 1800mm of protected stairway
Stair min. Stair min.
Non-fire resisting construction
Accommodation Accommodation
Configuration A Configuration B
Diagram 3.10 External protection to protected stairways
External escape stairs

3.65 Flats may be served by an external stair if the provisions in paragraphs 3.66 to 3.69 are followed.
3.66 Where a storey (or part of a building) is served by a single access stair, that stair may be external
provided both of the following conditions are met.
a. The stair serves a floor not more than 6m above the ground level.
b. The stair meets the provisions in paragraph 3.62.
3.67 Where more than one escape route is available from a storey (or part of a building), then some
of the escape routes from that storey or part of the building may be by way of an external stair
provided all of the following conditions are met:
a. There is a at least one internal escape stair from every part of each storey (excluding plant
areas).
b. The stair serves a floor not more than 6m above either the ground level or a roof podium
which is itself served by an independent protected stairway.
c. The stair meets the provisions in paragraph 3.68.

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doorset
See para 3.68
No fire resistance
required for door
EXAMPLE a.
Fire resisting
window (minimum RE 30)
1100mm
zone above
top landing 1800mm zone
m
of fire resisting
1.8
construction at
side of stair
6m maximum Fire doorset (minimum E 30)

height of stair fitted with a self-closing device
Ground level or a roof

or podium served by an
independent stairway
EXAMPLE b.
1100mm
zone above
top landing
6m maximum
1.8m height of stair
without weather
protection
m
1.8
9m zone of
fire resisting
construction
below stair
Ground level or
a roof or podium
served by an
independent
stairway
SECTION A–A SECTION B–B
B B
1.8m
1.8m
PLAN A
Diagram 3.11 Fire resistance of areas near to external stairs
3.68 Any external escape stair should meet all of the following conditions (Diagram 3.11).
a. Doors to the stair should be fire resisting (minimum E 30) and be fitted with a self-closing
device, except for a single exit door from the building to the top landing of a downward-
leading external stair, provided it is the only door onto the landing.

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b. Fire resisting construction (minimum RE 30) is required for the building envelope within the
following zones, measured from the flights and landings of the external stair.
i. 1800mm above and horizontally.
ii. 9m vertically below.
iii. 1100mm above the top landing of the stair (except where the stair leads from basement to
ground level).
c. Fire resisting construction (minimum RE 30) should be provided for any part of the building
(including doors) within 1800mm of the escape route from the foot of the stair to a place of
safety. This does not apply if there are alternative escape routes from the foot of the external
escape stair.
d. Glazing in areas of fire resisting construction should be fixed shut and fire resisting (in terms of
integrity but not insulation) (minimum E 30).
e. Stairs more than 6m in height above ground level (e.g. where they are provided above a podium)
should be protected from adverse weather. Protection should prevent the build-up of snow or
ice but does not require full enclosure.
3.69 Access to an external escape stair may be via a flat roof, provided the flat roof meets the
requirements of paragraph 3.30.
Separation of adjoining protected stairways

3.70 The construction separating two adjacent protected stairways (or exit passageways leading to
different final exits) should be imperforate.
Basement stairs
3.71 If a building does not meet the criteria of paragraph 3.28, an escape stair forming part of the only
escape route from an upper storey should not continue down to serve a basement storey. The
basement storey should be served by a separate escape stair.
3.72 Where multiple escape stairs serve the upper storeys, only one needs to end at ground level. Other
stairs may connect with the basement storeys if there is a protected lobby or a protected corridor
between the stairs and accommodation at each basement level.
Stairs serving ancillary accommodation

3.73 Except in buildings described in paragraph 3.28, common stairs forming part of the only escape
route from a flat should not serve any of the following.
a. Covered car park.
b. Boiler room.
c. Fuel storage space.
d. Other ancillary accommodation of similar fire risk.
3.74 Where a common stair is not part of the only escape route from a flat, it may also serve ancillary
accommodation from which it is separated by a protected lobby or protected corridor (minimum
REI 30).
3.75 Where a stair serves an enclosed car park or place of special fire hazard, the lobby or corridor
should have a minimum 0.4m2 of permanent ventilation or be protected from the ingress of smoke
by a mechanical smoke control system.
NOTE: For refuse chutes and storage see paragraphs 3.55 to 3.58.

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Flats in mixed use buildings
3.76 In buildings with a maximum of three storeys above the ground storey, stairs may serve both flats
and other occupancies, provided that the stairs are separated from each occupancy by protected
lobbies (minimum REI 30) at each storey.
3.77 In buildings with more than three storeys above the ground storey, stairs may serve the flats and
other occupancies if all of the following apply.
a. The flat is ancillary to the main use of the building.
b. The flat has an independent alternative escape route.
c. The stair is separated from occupancies on lower storeys by a protected lobby (minimum REI
30) at each of those storeys.
d. The stair enclosure has at least the same standard of fire resistance as the structural elements
of the building (see Appendix B, Table B4); if the stair is a firefighting stair, it should comply with
the provisions in Section 15 (see also paragraph 3.60).
e. Any automatic fire detection and alarm system fitted in the main part of the building also
covers all flats.
f. Any security measures in any parts of the building do not prevent escape at all material times.
Use of space within protected stairways

3.78 A protected stairway should not be used for anything else, except a lift well or electricity meters.
Electricity meter(s) in protected stairways
3.79 In single stair buildings, electricity meters should be in securely locked cupboards. Cupboards
should be separated from the escape route by fire resisting construction.
Gas service and installation pipes in protected stairways
3.80 Gas service and installation pipes and meters should not be within a protected stairway, unless
installed in accordance with the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996 and the Gas Safety (Installation
and Use) Regulations 1998.
Exits from protected stairways

3.81 Every protected stairway should lead to a final exit, either directly or via a protected exit
passageway. Any protected exit corridor or stair should have the same standard of fire resistance
and lobby protection as the stair it serves.
Construction of escape stairs

3.82 The flights and landings of escape stairs should be constructed of materials achieving class A2-s3,
d2 or better in all of the following situations.
a. If the escape stair is the only stair in a building with more than three storeys.
b. If the escape stair is within a basement storey.
c. If the escape stair serves any storey that has a floor level more than 18m above ground or
access level.
d. If the escape stair is an external escape stair, except where the stair connects the ground storey
or ground level with a floor or flat roof a maximum of 6m above or below ground level.
e. If the escape stair is a firefighting stair.

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Materials achieving class B-s3, d2 or worse may be added to the top horizontal surface, except on
firefighting stairs.
3.83 Further guidance on the construction of firefighting stairs is given in Section 15 (see also paragraph
3.60). Dimensional constraints on the design of stairs are given in Approved Document K.
Single steps
3.84 Single steps on escape routes should be prominently marked. A single step on the line of a
doorway is acceptable, subject to paragraph 3.107.
Fixed ladders
3.85 Fixed ladders should not be provided as a means of escape for members of the public. They should
only be provided where a conventional stair is impractical, such as for access to plant rooms which
are not normally occupied.
Helical stairs and spiral stairs

3.86 Helical stairs and spiral stairs may form part of an escape route provided they are designed in
accordance with BS 5395-2. If they are intended to serve members of the public, stairs should be
type E (public) stairs.
Fire resistance of doors

3.87 Fire resistance test criteria are set out in Appendix C. Standards of performance are summarised in
Table C1.
Fire resistance of glazed elements

3.88 If glazed elements in fire resisting enclosures and doors can only meet the required integrity
performance, their use is limited. These limitations depend on whether the enclosure forms part of a
protected shaft (see Section 7) and the provisions set out in Appendix B, Table B5. If both integrity
and insulation performance can be met, there is no restriction in this document on the use or
amount of glass.
3.89 Glazed elements should also comply with the following, where necessary.
a. If the enclosure forms part of a protected shaft: Section 7.
b. Appendix B, Table B5.
c. Guidance on the safety of glazing: Approved Document K.
Doors on escape routes

3.90 Doors should be readily opened to avoid undue delay to people escaping. Doors on escape routes
(both within and from the building) should comply with paragraphs 3.91 to 3.98. Guidance on door
closing and ‘hold open’ devices for fire doorsets is set out in Appendix C.
NOTE: Paragraphs 3.91 to 3.98 do not apply to flat entrance doors.
Door fastenings
3.91 In general, doors on escape routes (whether or not the doors are fire doorsets) should be either of
the following.
a. Not fitted with a lock, latch or bolt fastenings.
b. Fitted only with simple fastenings that are all of the following.

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i. Easy to operate; it should be apparent how to undo the fastening.
ii. Operable from the side approached by people escaping.
iii. Operable without a key.
iv. Operable without requiring people to manipulate more than one mechanism.
Doors may be fitted with hardware to allow them to be locked when rooms are empty.
If a secure door is operated by code or combination keypad, swipe or proximity card, biometric
data, etc., a security mechanism override should be possible from the side approached by people
escaping.
3.92 Electrically powered locks should return to the unlocked position in all of the following situations.
a. If the fire detection and alarm system operates.
b. If there is loss of power or system error.
c. If the security mechanism override is activated.
Security mechanism overrides for electrically powered locks should be a Type A call point, as
described in BS 7273-4. The call point should be positioned on the side approached by people
escaping. If the door provides escape in either direction, a call point should be installed on both
sides of the door.
3.93 Guidance on door closing and ‘hold open’ devices for fire doorsets is set out in Appendix C.
Direction of opening
3.94 The door of any doorway or exit should be hung to open in the direction of escape whenever
reasonably practicable. It should always be hung to open in the direction of escape if more than 60
people might be expected to use it during a fire.
Amount of opening and effect on associated escape routes

3.95 All doors on escape routes should be hung to meet both of the following conditions.
a. Open by a minimum of 90 degrees.
b. Open with a swing that complies with both of the following.
i. Is clear of any change of floor level, other than a threshold or single step on the line of the
doorway.
ii. Does not reduce the effective width of any escape route across a landing.
3.96 Any door opening towards a corridor or a stair should be recessed to prevent its swing encroaching
on the effective width.
Vision panels in doors

3.97 Doors should contain vision panels in both of the following situations.
a. Where doors on escape routes divide corridors.
b. Where doors are hung to swing both ways.
Approved Document M contains guidance about vision panels in doors across accessible corridors
and Approved Document K contains guidance about the safety of glazing.

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Revolving and automatic doors

3.98 Where revolving doors, automatic doors and turnstiles are placed across escape routes they should
comply with one of the following.
a. They are automatic doors of the required width and comply with one of the following conditions.
i. Their failsafe system provides outward opening from any open position.
ii. They have a monitored failsafe system to open the doors if the mains electricity supply fails.
iii. They failsafe to the open position if the power fails.
b. Non-automatic swing doors of the required width are provided immediately adjacent to the
revolving or automatic door or turnstile.
Lifts
Fire protection of lift installations
3.99 Lift wells should comply with one of the following conditions.
a. Be sited within the enclosures of a protected stairway.
b. Be enclosed with fire resisting construction (minimum REI 30) when in a position that might
prejudice the means of escape.
3.100 A lift well connecting different compartments should form a protected shaft (see Section 7).
3.101 In buildings designed for phased evacuation or progressive horizontal evacuation, if the lift well is
not within the enclosures of a protected stairway, its entrance should be separated at every storey
by a protected lobby (minimum REI 30).
3.102 In basements and enclosed car parks, the lift should be within the enclosure of a protected
stairway. Otherwise, the lift should be approached only via a protected lobby or protected corridor
(minimum REI 30).
3.103 If a lift delivers into a protected corridor or protected lobby serving sleeping accommodation and
also serves a storey containing a high fire risk (such as a kitchen, communal areas, stores, etc.) then
the lift should be separated from the high fire risk area(s) by a protected lobby or protected corridor
(minimum REI 30).
3.104 A lift shaft serving storeys above ground level should not serve any basement, if either of the
following applies.
a. There is only one escape stair serving storeys above ground level and smoke from a basement
fire would adversely affect escape routes in the upper storeys.
b. The lift shaft is within the enclosure to an escape stair that terminates at ground level.
3.105 Lift machine rooms should be sited over the lift well where possible. Where buildings or part of a
building with only one stairway make this arrangement impractical, the lift machine room should
be sited outside the protected stairway.

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Final exits
3.106 People should be able to rapidly leave the area around the building. Direct access to a street,
passageway, walkway or open space should be available. The route away from the building should
comply with the following.
a. Be well defined.
b. If necessary, have suitable guarding.
3.107 Final exits should not present a barrier for disabled people. Where the route to a final exit does
not include stairs, a level threshold and, where necessary, a ramp should be provided.
3.108 Final exit locations should be clearly visible and recognisable.
3.109 Final exits should avoid outlets of basement smoke vents and openings to transformer chambers,
refuse chambers, boiler rooms and similar risks.

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Requirement B2: Internal fire spread (linings)
This section deals with the following requirement from Part B of Schedule 1 to the Building
Regulations 2010.
Requirement
Internal fire spread (linings)
B2. (1) To inhibit the spread of fire within the building,
the internal linings shall—
(a) adequately resist the spread of flame over
their surfaces; and
(b) have, if ignited, either a rate of heat release
or a rate of fire growth, which is reasonable in
the circumstances.
(2) In this paragraph “internal linings” means the
materials or products used in lining any partition,
wall, ceiling or other internal structure.
Intention
In the Secretary of State’s view, requirement B2 is met by achieving a restricted spread of flame
over internal linings. The building fabric should make a limited contribution to fire growth,
including a low rate of heat release.
It is particularly important in circulation spaces, where linings may offer the main means by which
fire spreads and where rapid spread is most likely to prevent occupants from escaping.
Requirement B2 does not include guidance on the following.
a. Generation of smoke and fumes.
b. The upper surfaces of floors and stairs.
c. Furniture and fittings.

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B2
Section 4: Wall and ceiling linings
Classification of linings
4.1 The surface linings of walls and ceilings should meet the classifications in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1 Classification of linings

Location Classification
Small rooms of maximum internal floor area of 4m2 D-s3, d2
Garages (as part of a dwellinghouse) of maximum internal floor area of 40m 2
Other rooms (including garages) C-s3, d2

Circulation spaces within a dwelling
Other circulation spaces (including the common areas of blocks of flats) B-s3, d2(1)
NOTE:
1. Wallcoverings which conform to BS EN 15102, achieving at least class C-s3, d2 and bonded to a class A2-s3, d2
substrate, will also be acceptable.
Walls
4.2 For the purposes of this requirement, a wall includes both of the following.
a. The internal surface of internal and external glazing (except glazing in doors).
b. Any part of a ceiling which slopes at an angle greater than 70 degrees to the horizontal.
4.3 For the purposes of this requirement, a wall does not include any of the following.
a. Doors and door frames.
b. Window frames and frames in which glazing is fitted.
c. Architraves, cover moulds, picture rails, skirtings and similar narrow members.
d. Fireplace surrounds, mantle shelves and fitted furniture.
4.4 Parts of walls in rooms may be of lower performance than stated in Table 4.1, but no worse than
class D-s3, d2. In any one room, the total area of lower performance wall lining should be less than
an area equivalent to half of the room’s floor area, up to a maximum of 20m2 of wall lining.
Ceilings
4.5 For the purposes of this requirement, a ceiling includes all of the following.
a. Glazed surfaces.
b. Any part of a wall at 70 degrees or less to the horizontal.
c. The underside of a gallery.
d. The underside of a roof exposed to the room below.

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4.6 For the purposes of this requirement, a ceiling does not include any of the following.
a. Trap doors and their frames.
b. The frames of windows or rooflights and frames in which glazing is fitted.
c. Architraves, cover moulds, picture rails, exposed beams and similar narrow members.
Rooflights
4.7 Rooflights should meet the following classifications, according to material. No guidance for
European fire test performance is currently available, because there is no generally accepted test
and classification procedure.
a. Non-plastic rooflights should meet the relevant classification in Table 4.1.
b. Plastic rooflights, if the limitations in Table 4.2 and Table 12.2 are observed, should be a
minimum class D-s3, d2 rating. Otherwise they should meet the relevant classification in
Table 4.1.
Special applications
4.8 Any flexible membrane covering a structure, other than an air-supported structure, should comply
with Appendix A of BS 7157.
4.9 Guidance on the use of PTFE-based materials for tension-membrane roofs and structures is given in
the BRE report BR 274.
Fire behaviour of insulating core panels used internally

4.10 Insulating core panels consist of an inner core of insulation sandwiched between, and bonded to, a
membrane, such as galvanised steel or aluminium.
Where they are used internally they can present particular problems with regard to fire spread and
should meet all of the following conditions.
a. Panels should be sealed to prevent exposure of the core to a fire. This includes at joints and
where services penetrate the panel.
b. In high fire risk areas, such as kitchens, places of special fire hazard, or in proximity to where hot
works occur, only class A1 cored panels should be used.
c. Fixing systems for all panels should be designed to take account of the potential for the panel
to delaminate. For instance, where panels are used to form a suspended ceiling, the fixing
should pass through the panel and support it from the lower face.
Other controls on internal surface properties

4.11 Guidance on the control of flame spread is given in the following sections.
a. Stairs and landings: Sections 2 and 3 (escape stairs) and Section 15 (firefighting shafts).
b. Exposed surfaces above fire-protecting suspended ceilings: Section 8.
c. Enclosures to above-ground drainage system pipes: Section 9.

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Thermoplastic materials
General provisions
4.12 Thermoplastic materials that do not meet the classifications in Table 4.1 can be used as described
in paragraphs 4.13 to 4.17. No guidance for European fire test performance is currently available,
because there is no generally accepted test and classification procedure.
Thermoplastic materials are defined in Appendix B, paragraph B11. Classifications used here are
explained in paragraph B13.
Windows
4.13 Thermoplastic material classified as a TP(a) rigid product may be used to glaze external windows to
rooms, but not external windows to circulation spaces. Approved Document K includes guidance
on the safety of glazing.
Rooflights
4.14 In rooms and circulation spaces other than protected stairways, rooflights may be constructed of
thermoplastic material if they comply with both of the following.
a. The lower surface is classified as TP(a) rigid or TP(b).
b. The size and location of the rooflights follow the limits in Table 4.2, Table 12.2 and Table 12.3.
Lighting diffusers
4.15 The following paragraphs apply to lighting diffusers forming part of a ceiling. Diffusers may be part
of a luminaire or used below sources of light. The following paragraphs do not apply to diffusers of
light fittings attached to the soffit of a ceiling or suspended beneath a ceiling (Diagram 4.1).
See para 4.15
a. DIFFUSER FORMING PART OF CEILING b. DIFFUSER IN FITTING BELOW AND NOT FORMING
PART OF CEILING
Ceiling
Ceiling
Diagram 4.1 Lighting diffuser in relation to ceiling
4.16 Diffusers constructed of thermoplastic material may be incorporated in ceilings to rooms and
circulation spaces, but not to protected stairways, if both the following conditions are met.
a. Except for the upper surfaces of the thermoplastic panels, wall and ceiling surfaces exposed in
the space above the suspended ceiling should comply with paragraph 4.1.
b. Diffusers should be classified as one of the following.
i. TP(a) rigid – no restrictions on their extent.
ii. TP(b) – limited in their extent (see Table 4.2 and Diagram 4.2).

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Suspended or stretched-skin ceilings

4.17 A ceiling constructed from TP(a) flexible panels should meet the following conditions.
a. Have a maximum area of 5m2.
b. Be supported on all sides.
See Table 4.2

5m maximum dimension of group 3m min. 5m maximum dimension of group
5m maximum dimension of group
5m max.
5m² is maximum area

of diffuser and rooflight in
any one 5m5m group
3m min.
5m maximum dimension of group
Rooflight or
diffuser
NOTES:
1. Upper and lower surfaces of suspended ceiling, Separated groups of

between plastic panels, to comply with paragraph 4.1. rooflights or diffusers
2. No restriction on class D-s3, d2 diffusers or rooflights

in small rooms.
3. See note 4 to Table 4.2.
Diagram 4.2 Layout restrictions on class D-s3, d2 plastic rooflights, TP(b) rooflights and TP(b)
lighting diffusers

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Table 4.2 Limitations applied to thermoplastic rooflights and lighting diffusers in
suspended ceilings and class D-s3, d2 plastic rooflights(1)
Minimum Use of space below Maximum area of Maximum total Minimum separation
classification of the diffusers or each diffuser or area of diffusers distance between
lower surface rooflights rooflight(2) (m2) and rooflights as a diffusers or
percentage of floor rooflights(2) (m)
area of the space in
which the ceiling is
located (%)
TP(a) Any except No limit(3) No limit No limit
protected stairways
Class D-s3, d2(4) or Rooms 5 50(5) 3
TP(b)
Circulation spaces 5 15(5) 3
except protected
stairways
NOTES:
1. This table does not apply to products that meet the provisions in Table 4.1.
2. Smaller rooflights and diffusers can be grouped together provided that both of the following satisfy the dimensions in
Diagram 4.2 or 4.3.
a. The overall size of the group.
b. The space between one group and any others.
3. Lighting diffusers of TP(a) flexible rating should be used only in panels of a maximum of 5m2 each. See paragraph 4.17.
4. There are no limits on the use of class D-s3, d2 materials in small rooms. See Table 4.1.
5. The minimum 3m separation given in Diagram 4.2 between each 5m2 group must be maintained. Therefore, in some
cases, it may not be possible to use the maximum percentage quoted.

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See Table 4.2
dimension x
x min.
y min.
x min. y min.
dimension x
dimension y
Ceiling plan
Materials within this zone – at plane of ceiling – should comply with Table 4.1
Rooflights
Diagram 4.3 Layout restrictions on small class D-s3, d2 plastic rooflights, TP(b) rooflights and
lighting diffusers

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B3
Requirement B3: Internal fire spread
(structure)
Regulations 2010.
Requirement
Internal fire spread (structure)
B3. (1) The building shall be designed and constructed
so that, in the event of fire, its stability will be
maintained for a reasonable period
(2) A wall common to two or more buildings shall be
designed and constructed so that it adequately
resists the spread of fire between those buildings.
For the purposes of this sub-paragraph a house in
a terrace and a semi-detached house are each to
be treated as a separate building.
(3) Where reasonably necessary to inhibit the spread Requirement B3(3) does not apply to material alterations
of fire within the building, measures shall be to any prison provided under section 33 of the Prison Act
taken, to an extent appropriate to the size and 1952.
intended use of the building, comprising either or
both of the following—
(a) sub-division of the building with fire-resisting
construction;
(b) installation of suitable automatic fire
suppression systems.
(4) The building shall be designed and constructed so that
the unseen spread of fire and smoke within concealed
spaces in its structure and fabric is inhibited.
Intention
In the Secretary of State’s view, requirement B3 is met by achieving all of the following.
a. For defined periods, loadbearing elements of structure withstand the effects of fire without
loss of stability.
b. Compartmentation of buildings by fire resisting construction elements.
c. Automatic fire suppression is provided where it is necessary.
d. Protection of openings in fire-separating elements to maintain continuity of the fire separation.
e. Inhibition of the unseen spread of fire and smoke in cavities, in order to reduce the risk of
structural failure and spread of fire and smoke, where they pose a threat to the safety of people
in and around the building.
The extent to which any of these measures are necessary is dependent on the use of the building
and, in some cases, its size, and on the location of the elements of construction.

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Section 5: Internal fire spread –

dwellinghouses
Loadbearing elements of structure

Fire resistance standard
5.1 Elements such as structural frames, beams, columns, loadbearing walls (internal and external), floor
structures and gallery structures should have, as a minimum, the fire resistance given in Appendix B,
Table B3.
5.2 If one element of structure supports or stabilises another, as a minimum the supporting element
should have the same fire resistance as the other element.
5.3 The following are excluded from the definition of ‘element of structure’.
a. A structure that supports only a roof, unless either of the following applies.
i. The roof performs the function of a floor, such as a roof terrace, or as a means of escape.
ii. The structure is essential for the stability of an external wall that needs to be fire resisting
(e.g. to achieve compartmentation or for the purposes of preventing fire spread between
buildings).
b. The lowest floor of the building.
c. External walls, such as curtain walls or other forms of cladding, which transmit only self weight
and wind loads and do not transmit floor load.
NOTE: In some cases, structural members within a roof may be essential for the structural stability
system of the building. In these cases, the structural members in the roof do not just support a
roof and must demonstrate the relevant fire resistance for the building as required by paragraph 5.2
above.
Floors in loft conversions

5.4 Where adding an additional storey to a two storey single family dwellinghouse, new floors should
have a minimum REI 30 fire resistance. Any floor forming part of the enclosure to the circulation
space between the loft conversion and the final exit should achieve a minimum rating of REI 30.
The existing first-storey construction should have a minimum rating of R 30. The fire performance
may be reduced for integrity and insulation, when both of the following conditions are met.
a. Only one storey is added, containing a maximum of two habitable rooms.
b. The new storey has a maximum total area of 50m2.

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Compartmentation
Provision of compartmentation
5.5 Dwellinghouses that are semi-detached or in terraces should be considered as separate buildings.
Every wall separating the dwellinghouses should be constructed as a compartment wall (see
paragraphs 5.8 to 5.12).
5.6 If a garage is attached to or forms an integral part of a dwellinghouse, the garage should be
separated from the rest of the dwellinghouse by fire resisting construction (minimum REI 30)
(Diagram 5.1).
5.7 Where a door is provided between a dwellinghouse and the garage (see Diagram 5.1), it should meet
one of the following conditions.
a. The garage floor should be laid such that it falls away from the door to the outside, to allow
fuel spills to flow away.
b. The door opening should be a minimum of 100mm above the level of the garage floor.
Fire doors between

the garage and dwellinghouse
to have a minimum fire resistance of
E 30 Sa and be fitted with a
self-closing device
The door opening threshold Wall and any floor between

should be a minimum of the garage and dwellinghouse
100mm above garage floor to have a minimum fire resistance of
REI 30 from the garage side
or
Fal
Floor to fall away from l
door to the outside
Diagram 5.1 Separation between garage and dwellinghouse
Construction of compartment walls and compartment floors

General provisions
5.8 All compartment walls and compartment floors should achieve both of the following.
a. Form a complete barrier to fire between the compartments they separate.
b. Have the appropriate fire resistance, as given in Appendix B, Table B3 and Table B4.
5.9 Timber beams, joists, purlins and rafters may be built into or carried through a masonry or concrete
compartment wall if the openings for them are both of the following.
a. As small as practicable.
b. Fire-stopped.

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If trussed rafters bridge the wall, failure of the truss due to a fire in one compartment should not
cause failure of the truss in another compartment.
Compartment walls between buildings
5.10 Adjoining buildings should only be separated by walls, not floors. Compartment walls common to
two or more buildings should comply with both of the following.
a. Run the full height of the building in a continuous vertical plane.
b. Be continued through any roof space to the underside of the roof (see Diagram 5.2).
Junction of compartment wall with roof
5.11 A compartment wall should achieve both of the following.
a. Meet the underside of the roof covering or deck, with fire-stopping to maintain the continuity
of fire resistance.
b. Be continued across any eaves.
5.12 To reduce the risk of fire spreading over the roof from one compartment to another, a 1500mm
wide zone of the roof, either side of the wall, should have a covering classified as BROOF(t4), on a
substrate or deck of a material rated class A2-s3, d2 or better, as set out in Diagram 5.2a.
Thermoplastic rooflights that, because of paragraph 12.7, are regarded as having a BROOF(t4)
classification are not suitable for use in that zone.
5.13 Materials achieving class B-s3, d2 or worse used as a substrate to the roof covering and any timber
tiling battens, fully bedded in mortar or other suitable material for the width of the wall (Diagram
5.2b), may extend over the compartment wall in buildings that are a maximum of 15m high.
5.14 Double-skinned insulated roof sheeting with a thermoplastic core should incorporate a band of
material rated class A2-s3, d2 or better, a minimum of 300mm in width, centred over the wall.
5.15 As an alternative to the provisions of paragraphs 5.12 to 5.14, the compartment wall may extend
through the roof for a minimum of either of the following (see Diagram 5.2c).
a. Where the height difference between the two roofs is less than 375mm, 375mm above the top
surface of the adjoining roof covering.
b. 200mm above the top surface of the adjoining roof covering where either of the following
applies.
i. The height difference between the two roofs is 375mm or more.
ii. The roof coverings either side of the wall are of a material classified as BROOF(t4).

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See paras 5.12 to 5.15
a. ANY BUILDING OR COMPARTMENT
Roof covering over this distance to be designated BROOF(t4) rated on deck of material
of class A2-s3, d2 or better. Roof covering and deck could be composite structure,
e.g. profiled steel cladding.
1500mm 1500mm
Double-skinned insulated roof sheeting with a thermoplastic core should
incorporate a band of material of class A2-s3, d2 or better at least 300mm wide
centred over the wall.
If roof support members pass through the wall, fire protection to these members
for a distance of 1500mm on either side of the wall may be needed to delay
distortion at the junction (see paragraph 5.9).
Wall
Fire-stopping to be carried up to underside of roof covering, e.g. roof tiles.
b. RESIDENTIAL (DWELLINGS) AND RESIDENTIAL (OTHER) A MAXIMUM OF 15M HIGH

Roof covering to be designated BROOF(t4) rated for at least this distance.
Boarding (used as a substrate) or timber tiling battens may be carried over the
wall provided that they are fully bedded in mortar (or other no less suitable
X
material) where over the wall.
Thermoplastic insulation materials should not be carried over the wall.
1500mm 1500mm Double-skinned insulated roof sheeting with a thermoplastic core should
incorporate a band of material of class A2-s3, d2 at least 300mm wide centred
over the wall.
Sarking felt may also be carried over the wall.
If roof support members pass through the wall, fire protection to these
members for a distance of 1500mm on either side of the wall may be needed to
Wall delay distortion at the junction (see paragraph 5.9).
Fire-stopping to be carried up to underside of roof covering, boarding or slab.

X
Section X–X
Roof covering to be designated BROOF(t4) rated for at least 1500mm either side of wall.
Roofing battens and sarking felt may be carried over the wall.
Fire-stopping to be carried up to underside of roof covering above and below

sarking felt.
NOTES:
1. Fire-stopping should be carried over the full thickness of the wall.
2. Fire-stopping should be extended into any eaves.
3. The compartment wall does not necessarily need to be constructed of masonry.
c. ANY BUILDING OR COMPARTMENT
At least The wall should be extended up through the roof for a height of at least
375mm At least
375mm 375mm above the top surface of the adjoining roof covering.
Roof
covering Where there is a height difference of at least 375 mm between two roofs or
Roof covering where the roof coverings on either side of the wall are BROOF(t4) rated, the
height of the upstand/parapet wall above the highest roof may be reduced to
Wall 200mm.
Diagram 5.2 Junction of compartment wall with roof

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Cavities
5.16 Cavities in the construction of a building provide a ready route for the spread of smoke and flame,
which can present a greater danger as any spread is concealed. For the purpose of this document, a
cavity is considered to be any concealed space.
Provision of cavity barriers

5.17 To reduce the potential for fire spread, cavity barriers should be provided for both of the following.
a. To divide cavities.
b. To close the edges of cavities.
Cavity barriers should not be confused with fire-stopping details (Section 9).
5.18 Cavity barriers should be provided at all of the following locations.
a. At the edges of cavities, including around openings (such as windows, doors and exit/entry
points for services).
b. At the junction between an external cavity wall and every compartment floor and
compartment wall.
c. At the junction between an internal cavity wall and every compartment floor, compartment
wall or other wall or door assembly forming a fire resisting barrier.
This does not apply where a wall meets the conditions of Diagram 5.3.
5.19 It is not appropriate to complete a line of compartment walls by fitting cavity barriers above them.
The compartment wall should be extended to the underside of the floor or roof above.
See para 5.18
Close cavity at top of wall NOTES:

(unless cavity is totally
filled with insulation) 1. Materials used to close the cavity in this arrangement
do not need to achieve a specific performance in
relation to fire resistance.
2. Domestic meter cupboards may be installed provided

Opening that the following conditions are met:
a. There are no more than two cupboards per dwelling
b. The openings in the outer wall leaf are not bigger than
800500mm for each cupboard
Close cavity around opening c. The inner leaf is not penetrated except by a sleeve not
more than 8080mm, which is fire-stopped.
Two leaves of brick or
concrete each at least 75mm 3. Materials achieving class B-s3, d2 or worse may be
thick placed within the cavity.
Diagram 5.3 Cavity walls excluded from provisions for cavity barriers

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Construction and fixings for cavity barriers
5.20 Cavity barriers, tested from each side separately, should provide a minimum of both of the
following:
a. 30 minutes’ integrity (E 30)
b. 15 minutes’ insulation (I 15).
They may be formed by a construction provided for another purpose if it achieves the same
performance.
5.21 Cavity barriers in a stud wall or partition, or provided around openings, may be formed of any of
the following.
a. Steel, a minimum of 0.5mm thick.
b. Timber, a minimum of 38mm thick.
c. Polythene-sleeved mineral wool, or mineral wool slab, under compression when installed in the
cavity.
d. Calcium silicate, cement-based or gypsum-based boards, a minimum of 12mm thick.
These do not necessarily achieve the performance specified in paragraph 5.20.
NOTE: Cavity barriers provided around openings may be formed by the window or door frame, if
the frame is constructed of steel or timber of the minimum thickness in (a) or (b), as appropriate.
5.22 Cavity barriers should be tightly fitted to a rigid construction and mechanically fixed in position.
If this is not possible (e.g. where a cavity barrier joins to slates, tiles, corrugated sheeting or similar
materials) the junction should be fire-stopped.
5.23 Cavity barriers should be fixed so their performance is unlikely to be made ineffective by any of
the following.
a. Movement of the building due to subsidence, shrinkage or temperature change, and movement
of the external envelope due to wind.
b. During a fire, collapse of services penetrating the cavity barriers, either by the failure of the
supporting system or through degradation of the service itself (e.g. by melting or burning).
c. During a fire, failure of the cavity barrier fixings. (In roof spaces, where cavity barriers are fixed
to roof members, there is no expectation of fire resistance from roof members provided for the
purpose of support.)
d. During a fire, failure of any material or construction to which cavity barriers abut. (For example,
a suspended ceiling that continues over a fire resisting wall or partition collapses, and the
cavity barrier fails prematurely because the ceiling was not designed to provide a minimum fire
resistance of EI 30.)
Openings in cavity barriers

5.24 Openings should be limited to the following.
a. Fire doorsets with a minimum E 30 rating, fitted in accordance with Appendix C.
b. The passage of pipes that follow the provisions in Section 9.
c. The passage of cables or conduits containing one or more cables.
d. Openings fitted with a suitably mounted and appropriate fire damper.

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e. Ducts that are either of the following.

i. Fire resisting (minimum E 30).
ii. Fitted with a suitably mounted and appropriate fire damper where they pass through the
cavity barrier.
NOTE: For further guidance on openings in cavity barriers see Section 9.

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Section 6: Loadbearing elements of
structures – flats
Fire resistance standard

6.1 Elements such as structural frames, beams, columns, loadbearing walls (internal and external), floor
structures and gallery structures should have, as a minimum, the fire resistance given in Appendix B,
Table B3.
NOTE: If one element of structure supports or stabilises another, as a minimum the supporting
element should have the same fire resistance as the other element.
6.2 The following are excluded from the definition of ‘element of structure’.
a. A structure that supports only a roof, unless either of the following applies.
i. The roof performs the function of a floor, such as for parking vehicles, or as a means of
escape.
ii. The structure is essential for the stability of an external wall that needs to be fire resisting
(e.g. to achieve compartmentation or for the purposes of preventing fire spread between
buildings).
b. The lowest floor of the building.
c. A platform floor.
d. External walls, such as curtain walls or other forms of cladding, which transmit only self weight
and wind loads and do not transmit floor load.
NOTE: In some cases, structural members within a roof may be essential for the structural stability
system of the building. In these cases, the structural members in the roof do not just support a
roof and must demonstrate the relevant fire resistance for the building as required by the note to
paragraph 6.1 above.
Additional guidance
6.3 If a loadbearing wall is any of the following, guidance in other sections may also apply.
a. A compartment wall (including a wall common to two buildings): Section 7.
b. Enclosing a place of special fire hazard: Section 7.
c. Protecting a means of escape: Sections 2 and 3.
d. An external wall: Sections 10 and 11.
e. Enclosing a firefighting shaft: Section 15.
6.4 If a floor is also a compartment floor, see Section 7.

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Conversion to flats
6.5 Where an existing dwellinghouse or other building is converted into flats, a review of the existing
construction should be carried out. Retained timber floors may make it difficult to meet the
relevant provisions for fire resistance.
6.6 In a converted building with a maximum of three storeys, a minimum REI 30 fire resistance could be
accepted for elements of structure if the means of escape conform to the provisions of Section 3.
6.7 In a converted building with four or more storeys, the full standard of fire resistance given in
Appendix B is necessary.

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Section 7: Compartmentation/sprinklers –
flats
Provision of compartmentation
7.1 All of the following should be provided as compartment walls and compartment floors and should
have, as a minimum, the fire resistance given in Appendix B, Table B3.
a. Any floor and wall separating a flat from another part of the building.
b. Any wall enclosing a refuse storage chamber.
c. Any wall common to two or more buildings.
Places of special fire hazard

7.2 Fire resisting construction enclosing these places should achieve minimum REI 30. These walls and
floors are not compartment walls and compartment floors.
7.3 Parts of a building occupied mainly for different purposes should be separated from one another
by compartment walls and/or compartment floors. Compartmentation is not needed if one of the
different purposes is ancillary to the other. See paragraphs 0.18 and 0.19.
Sprinklers
7.4 Blocks of flats with a floor more than 30m above ground level should be fitted with a sprinkler
system throughout the building in accordance with Appendix E.
NOTE: Sprinklers are not required in the common areas such as stairs, corridors or landings when
these areas are fire sterile.
Construction of compartment walls and compartment floors

General provisions
7.5 All compartment walls and compartment floors should achieve both of the following.
a. Form a complete barrier to fire between the compartments they separate.
b. Have the appropriate fire resistance, as given in Appendix B, Tables B3 and B4.
7.6 Timber beams, joists, purlins and rafters may be built into or carried through a masonry or concrete
compartment wall if the openings for them are both of the following.
a. As small as practicable.
b. Fire-stopped.
If trussed rafters bridge the wall, failure of the truss due to a fire in one compartment should not
cause failure of the truss in another compartment.
7.7 Where services could provide a source of ignition, the risk of fire developing and spreading into
adjacent compartments should be controlled.

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Compartment walls between buildings

7.8 Adjoining buildings should only be separated by walls, not floors. Compartment walls common to
two or more buildings should comply with both of the following.
a. Run the full height of the building in a continuous vertical plane.
b. Be continued through any roof space to the underside of the roof (see Diagram 5.2).
Separated parts of buildings

7.9 Compartment walls forming a separated part of a building should run the full height of the building
in a continuous vertical plane.
Separated parts can be assessed independently to determine the appropriate standard of fire
resistance in each. The two separated parts can have different standards of fire resistance.
Other compartment walls

7.10 Compartment walls not described in paragraphs 7.8 and 7.9 should run the full height of the storey
in which they are situated.
7.11 Compartment walls in a top storey beneath a roof should be continued through the roof space.
Junction of compartment wall or compartment floor with other walls

7.12 At the junction with another compartment wall or an external wall, the fire resistance of the
compartmentation should be maintained. Fire-stopping that meets the provisions in paragraphs 9.24
to 9.29 should be provided.
7.13 At the junction of a compartment floor and an external wall with no fire resistance, the external
wall should be restrained at floor level. The restraint should reduce movement of the wall away
from the floor if exposed to fire.
7.14 Compartment walls should be able to accommodate deflection of the floor, when exposed to fire,
by either of the following means.
a. Between the wall and floor, provide a head detail that is capable of maintaining its integrity
while deforming.
b. Design the wall so it maintains its integrity by resisting the additional vertical load from the
floor above.
Where compartment walls are located within the middle half of a floor between vertical supports,
the deflection may be assumed to be 40mm unless a smaller value can be justified by assessment.
Outside this area, the limit can be reduced linearly to zero at the supports.
For steel beams that do not have the required fire resistance, reference should be made to SCI
Publication P288.
Junction of compartment wall with roof

7.15 The requirements are the same as for dwellinghouses, detailed in paragraphs 5.11 and 5.12.
7.16 Materials achieving class B-s3, d2 or worse used as a substrate to the roof covering and any timber
tiling battens, fully bedded in mortar or other suitable material for the width of the wall (Diagram
5.2b), may extend over the compartment wall in buildings that are both of the following.
a. A maximum of 15m high.

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b. In one of the following purpose groups.
i. All residential purpose groups (purpose groups 1 and 2) other than ‘residential
(institutional)’ (purpose group 2(a)).
ii. ‘Office’ (purpose group 3).
iii. ‘Assembly and recreation’ (purpose group 5).
7.17 Double-skinned insulated roof sheeting with a thermoplastic core should incorporate a band of
material rated class A2-s3, d2 or better, a minimum of 300mm in width, centred over the wall.
7.18 As an alternative to the provisions of paragraph 7.16 or 7.17, the compartment wall may extend
through the roof for a minimum of either of the following (see Diagram 5.2c).
a. Where the height difference between the two roofs is less than 375mm, 375mm above the top
surface of the adjoining roof covering.
b. 200mm above the top surface of the adjoining roof covering where either of the following
applies.
i. The height difference between the two roofs is 375mm or more.
ii. The roof coverings either side of the wall are of a material classified as BROOF(t4).
Openings in compartmentation
Openings in compartment walls separating buildings or occupancies
7.19 Openings in a compartment wall common to two or more buildings should be limited to those for
either of the following.
a. A fire doorset providing a means of escape, which has the same fire resistance as the wall and is
fitted in accordance with the provisions in Appendix C.
b. The passage of a pipe that complies with the provisions in Section 9.
Openings in other compartment walls, or in compartment floors

7.20 Openings should be limited to those for any of the following.
a. Fire doorsets of the appropriate fire resistance, fitted in accordance with the provisions in
Appendix C.
b. Pipes, ventilation ducts, service cables, chimneys, appliance ventilation ducts or ducts encasing
one or more flue pipes, complying with the provisions in Section 9.
c. Refuse chutes of class A1 construction.
d. Atria designed in accordance with Annexes B and C of BS 9999.
e. Protected shafts that conform to the provisions in the following paragraphs.
Protected shafts
7.21 Stairs and service shafts connecting compartments should be protected to restrict the spread of
fire between the compartments. These are called protected shafts. Walls or floors surrounding a
protected shaft are considered to be compartment walls or compartment floors.

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7.22 Any stair or other shaft passing directly from one compartment to another should be enclosed
in a protected shaft. Protected shafts should be used for the following only, but may also include
sanitary accommodation and washrooms.
a. Stairs.
b. Lifts.
c. Escalators.
d. Chutes.
e. Ducts.
f. Pipes.
g. Additional provisions apply for both of the following.
i. Protected shafts that are protected stairways: Sections 2 to 4.
ii. Stairs that are also firefighting stairs: Section 15.
Construction of protected shafts

7.23 The construction enclosing a protected shaft (Diagram 7.1) should do all of the following.
a. Form a complete barrier to fire between the compartments connected by the shaft.
b. Have the appropriate fire resistance given in Appendix B, Table B3, except for uninsulated glazed
screens that meet the provisions of paragraph 7.24.
c. Satisfy the provisions for ventilation and the treatment of openings in paragraphs 7.28 and 7.29.
See para 7.23
The diagram shows three common examples which illustrate the principles. The elements enclosing the shaft (unless
formed by adjacent external walls) are compartment walls and floors.
Compartment wall
Fd Fd
External wall Fd Fd
Protected shaft A Protected shaft C

is bounded on three is a services duct
sides by compartment bounded on four sides
walls and on the fourth by compartment walls
Protected shaft B
side by an external wall
is bounded on four
sides by compartment
walls
Fd Fire doorset
The shaft structure (including any openings) should meet the relevant provisions for:
compartment walls (see paragraphs 7.5 to 7.19), external walls (see sections 10 and 11 and Diagram 3.10).
Diagram 7.1 Construction of protected shafts

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Uninsulated glazed screens to protected shafts
7.24 An uninsulated glazed screen may be incorporated in the enclosure to a protected shaft between a
stair and a lobby or corridor entered from the stair. The enclosure must conform to Diagram 7.2 and
meet all of the following conditions.
a. The standard of fire resistance required for the protected stairway is not more than REI 60.
b. The glazed screen complies with the following.
i. It achieves a minimum rating of E 30.
ii. It complies with the guidance on limits on areas of uninsulated glazing in Appendix B, Table B5.
c. The lobby or corridor is enclosed with fire resisting construction achieving a minimum rating
of REI 30.
7.25 Where the measures in Diagram 7.2 are not provided, then both of the following apply.
a. The enclosing walls should comply with Appendix B, Table B3.
b. The doors should comply with Appendix B, Table B5.
See para 7.25
a. WITH CORRIDOR b. WITH LOBBY
Protected Protected
shaft shaft
Corridor Lobby
Glazed Glazed
screen screen
Fire resistance to protected shaft

to be a maximum of REI 60
Fire resistance of construction to be a minimum of REI 30

(including fire doorsets that are a minimum of E 30 Sa)
Fire resistance of glazing to be a minimum of RE 30

(including fire doorsets that are a minimum of E 30 Sa)
Diagram 7.2 Uninsulated glazed screen separating protected shaft from lobby or corridor
Pipes for oil or gas and ventilation ducts in protected shafts

7.26 A protected shaft containing a protected stairway and/or a lift should not also contain either of
the following.
a. A pipe that conveys oil, other than in the mechanism of a hydraulic lift.
b. A ventilating duct. Two exceptions are as follows.
i. A duct provided for pressurising the protected stairway to keep it smoke free.

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ii. A duct provided only to ventilate the protected stairway.

A pipe that is completely separated from a protected shaft by fire resisting construction is not
considered to be contained within that shaft.
7.27 In a protected shaft, any pipe carrying natural gas or LPG should be both of the following.
a. Of screwed steel or all-welded steel construction.
b. Installed in accordance with both of the following.
i. The Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996.
ii. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Ventilation of protected shafts conveying gas

7.28 A protected shaft conveying piped flammable gas should be ventilated direct to the outside air, by
ventilation openings at high and low level in the shaft.
Any extension of the storey floor into the protected shaft should not compromise the free
movement of air throughout the entire length of the shaft.
Guidance on shafts conveying piped flammable gas, including the size of ventilation openings, is
given in BS 8313.
Openings into protected shafts

7.29 The external wall of a protected shaft does not normally need to have fire resistance. Situations
where there are provisions are given in paragraph 3.63 (external walls of protected stairways, which
may also be protected shafts) and paragraphs 15.8 to 15.11 (firefighting shafts).
Openings in other parts of the enclosure to a protected shaft should be limited to the following.
a. If a wall common to two or more buildings forms part of the enclosure, only the following
openings should be made in that wall.
i. A fire doorset providing a means of escape, which has the same fire resistance as the wall
and is fitted in accordance with the provisions in Appendix C.
ii. The passage of a pipe that meets the provisions in Section 9.
b. Other parts of the enclosure (other than an external wall) should only have openings for any of
the following.
i. Fire doorsets of the appropriate fire resistance, fitted in accordance with the provisions in
Appendix C.
ii. The passage of pipes which meet the provisions in Section 9.
iii. Inlets to, outlets from and openings for a ventilation duct (if the shaft contains or serves as
a ventilating duct), meeting the provisions in Section 9.
iv. The passage of lift cables into a lift machine room (if the shaft contains a lift). If
the machine room is at the bottom of the shaft, the openings should be as small as
practicable.

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Section 8: Cavities – flats
8.1 Cavities in the construction of a building provide a ready route for the spread of smoke and flame,
which can present a greater danger as any spread is concealed. For the purpose of this document, a
cavity is considered to be any concealed space.
Provision of cavity barriers

8.2 To reduce the potential for fire spread, cavity barriers should be provided for both of the following.
a. To divide cavities.
b. To close the edges of cavities.
See Diagram 8.1. Cavity barriers should not be confused with fire-stopping details (Section 9).
Pathways around fire-separating elements

Junctions and cavity closures
8.3 Cavity barriers should be provided at all of the following locations.
a. At the edges of cavities, including around openings (such as windows, doors and exit/entry
points for services).
b. At the junction between an external cavity wall and every compartment floor and
compartment wall.
c. At the junction between an internal cavity wall and every compartment floor, compartment
wall or other wall or door assembly forming a fire resisting barrier.
This does not apply where a wall meets the conditions of Diagram 8.2.
8.4 It is not appropriate to complete a line of compartment walls by fitting cavity barriers above them.
The compartment walls should extend to the underside of the floor or roof above.
Protected escape routes

8.5 If the fire resisting construction of a protected escape route is either of the following.
a. Not carried to full storey height.
b. At the top storey, not carried to the underside of the roof covering.
Then the cavity above or below the fire resisting construction should be either of the following.
i. Fitted with cavity barriers on the line of the enclosure.
ii. For cavities above the fire resisting construction, enclosed on the lower side by a fire resisting
ceiling (minimum EI 30) that extends throughout the building, compartment or separated part
(see Diagram 8.3).

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See para 8.2
Sub-divide Roof cavity

extensive cavities
Cavity barrier
at top of cavity
Cavity barrier Wall forming Compartment wall Accommodation

around openings protected
escape route(1) Sub-divide
extensive cavities
Cavity barrier at Floor cavity

compartment Compartment floor
floor Ceiling cavity
Wall forming
Cavity barrier
protected Accommodation
around edges
escape route(1)
Cavity barrier at Compartment wall

bottom of cavity Floor cavity
Compartment floor
Ceiling cavity
Sub-divide
extensive cavities
Accommodation
Compartment wall
Cavity barriers Fire-stopping NOTE:

(same resistance as compartment)
1. See paragraph 8.5.
Diagram 8.1 Provisions for cavity barriers
Cavities affecting alternative escape routes

8.6 In divided corridors (paragraph 3.25 and following) with cavities, fire-stopping should be provided
to prevent alternative escape routes being affected by fire and/or smoke.

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Double-skinned corrugated or profiled roof sheeting
8.7 Cavity barriers are not required between double-skinned corrugated or profiled insulated roof
sheeting, if the sheeting complies with all of the following.
a. The sheeting is rated class A2-s3, d2 or better.
b. Both surfaces of the insulating layer are rated class C-s3, d2 or better.
c. Both surfaces of the insulating layer make contact with the inner and outer skins of cladding
(Diagram 8.4).
See para 8.3
Close cavity at top of wall NOTES:

(unless cavity is totally
filled with insulation) 1. Materials used to close the cavity in this arrangement
do not need to achieve a specific performance in
relation to fire resistance.
2. Domestic meter cupboards may be installed provided

Opening that the following conditions are met:
a. There are no more than two cupboards per dwelling
b. The openings in the outer wall leaf are not bigger than
800500mm for each cupboard
Close cavity around opening c. The inner leaf is not penetrated except by a sleeve not
more than 8080mm, which is fire-stopped.
Two leaves of brick or
concrete each at least 75mm 3. Materials achieving class B-s3, d2 or worse may be
thick placed within the cavity.
Diagram 8.2 Cavity walls excluded from provisions for cavity barriers
See para 8.5
NOTE:
Roof or floor cavity The ceiling should meet the following conditions.
a. Provide a minimum fire resistance of EI 30.
b. Be imperforate, except for an opening described in paragraph 5.24.
Ceiling surface/product exposed to c. Extend throughout the building or compartment.
cavity – class C-s3, d2 or better d. Not be easily demountable.
Soffit of ceiling – class B-s3, d2 or better
Diagram 8.3 Fire resisting ceiling below concealed space

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See para 8.7 Arrangement A Arrangement B

Acceptable without cavity barriers Cavity barriers necessary
Cavity barrier
Insulation
The insulation should make contact with both skins of sheeting. See also Diagram 5.2a regarding the need for fire-stopping
where such roofs pass over the top of a compartment wall.
Diagram 8.4 Provisions for cavity barriers in double-skinned insulated roof sheeting
Construction and fixings for cavity barriers

8.8 Cavity barriers, tested from each side separately, should provide a minimum of both of the
following:
a. 30 minutes’ integrity (E 30)
b. 15 minutes’ insulation (I 15).
They may be formed by a construction provided for another purpose if it achieves the same
performance.
8.9 Cavity barriers should meet the requirements set out in paragraphs 5.21 to 5.23.

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Section 9: Protection of openings and
fire‑stopping
Introduction
9.1 The performance of a fire-separating element should not be impaired. Every joint, imperfect fit and
opening for services should be sealed. Fire-stopping delays the spread of fire and, generally, the
spread of smoke as well.
Openings for pipes

9.2 Pipes passing through a fire-separating element, unless in a protected shaft, should meet one of the
alternatives A, B or C below.
Alternative A: Proprietary seals (any pipe diameter)

9.3 Provide a proprietary, tested sealing system that will maintain the fire resistance of the wall, floor
or cavity barrier.
Alternative B: Pipes with a restricted diameter

9.4 Where a proprietary sealing system is not used, fire-stop around the pipe, keeping the opening for
the pipe as small as possible. The nominal internal diameter of the pipe should not exceed the
relevant dimension given in Table 9.1. The diameter given in Table 9.1 for pipes of specification (b)
used in situation 2 or 3 assumes that the pipes are part of an above-ground drainage system and are
enclosed as shown in Diagram 9.1. If they are not, the smaller diameter given for situation 5 should
be used.
Alternative C: Sleeving
9.5 A pipe with a maximum nominal internal diameter of 160mm may be used with a sleeve made out
of a high melting point metal, as shown in Diagram 9.2, if the pipe is made of one of the following.
a. Lead.
b. Aluminium.
c. Aluminium alloy.
d. Fibre-cement.
e. uPVC (pipes should also comply with either BS 4514 or BS 5255).
A high melting point metal means any metal (such as cast iron, copper or steel) which, if exposed
to a temperature of 800°C, will not soften or fracture to the extent that flame or hot gas will pass
through the wall of the pipe.

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See para 9.4 and Table 9.1

Stack pipe NOTES:
Casing Compartment wall
1. The enclosure should meet all of the following
Compartment floor conditions.
carried through to a. Be bounded by a compartment wall or floor, an
seal enclosure – outside wall, an intermediate floor or a casing
provide fire-stopping (see specification at 2 below).
between stack pipe Enclosure b. Have internal surfaces (except framing members)
and floor Branch pipe of class B-s3, d2 or better.
Note: when a classification includes ‘s3, d2’, this
means that there is no limit set for smoke
Intermediate floor production and/or flaming droplets/particles).
carried through to c. Not have an access panel which opens into a
seal enclosure – Enclosure
circulation space or bedroom.
provide fire-stopping d. Be used only for drainage or water supply or vent
between stack pipe pipes for a drainage system.
and floor Compartment
floor 2. The casing should meet all the following conditions.
a. Be imperforate except for an opening for a pipe
or an access panel.
b Not be of sheet metal.
c. Not have fire resistance less than E 30
Casing (including any access panel).
Enclosure
Fire-stopping around pipe 3. The opening for a pipe, in either the element of
structure or the casing, should be as small as
Compartment floor or wall possible and fire-stopped around the pipe.
Diagram 9.1 Enclosure for drainage or water supply pipes
See para 9.5
Structure
Not less than Not less than NOTES:

1000mm 1000mm
1. Make the opening in the structure as small
as possible and provide fire-stopping
between pipe and structure.
Pipe specification (b) Sleeve (or pipe) 2. See Table 9.1 for materials specification.
of specification (a)
to be in contact 3. The sleeve should be class A1 rated.
with pipe
Diagram 9.2 Pipes penetrating structure

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Table 9.1 Maximum nominal internal diameter of pipes passing through a compartment
wall/floor
Situation Pipe material and maximum nominal internal diameter (mm)
(a) (b) (c)
High melting point Lead, aluminium, Any other material
metal(1) aluminium alloy,
uPVC,(2) fibre cement
1. Structure (but not a wall separating 160 110 40
buildings) enclosing a protected shaft that
is not a stair or a lift shaft
2. Compartment wall or compartment floor 160 160 (stack pipe)(3) 40
between flats 110 (branch pipe)(3)
3. Wall separating dwellinghouses 160 160 (stack pipe)(3) 40
110 (branch pipe)(3)
4. Wall or floor separating a dwellinghouse 160 110 40
from an attached garage
5. Any other situation 160 40 40
NOTES:
1. Any metal (such as cast iron, copper or steel) which, if exposed to a temperature of 800°C, will not soften or
fracture to the extent that flame or hot gas will pass through the wall of the pipe.
2. uPVC pipes that comply with either BS 4514 or BS 5255.
3. These diameters are only in relation to pipes that form part of an above-ground drainage system and are enclosed
as shown in Diagram 9.1. In other cases, the maximum diameters given for situation 5 apply.
Mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning systems

General provisions
9.6 Ductwork should not help to transfer fire and smoke through the building. Terminals of exhaust
points should be sited away from final exits, cladding or roofing materials achieving class B-s3, d2
or worse and openings into the building.
9.7 Ventilation ducts supplying or extracting air directly to or from a protected stairway should not
also serve other areas. A separate ventilation system should be provided for each protected
stairway.
9.8 A fire and smoke damper should be provided where ductwork enters or leaves each section of
the protected escape route it serves. It should be operated by a smoke detector or suitable fire
detection system. Fire and smoke dampers should close when smoke is detected. Alternatively, the
methods set out in paragraphs 9.16 and 9.17 and Diagrams 9.3 and 9.4 may be followed.
9.9 In a system that recirculates air, smoke detectors should be fitted in the extract ductwork before
both of the following.
a. The point where recirculated air is separated from air to be discharged to the outside.
b. Any filters or other air cleaning equipment.
When smoke is detected, detectors should do one of the following.
i. Cause the system to immediately shut down.

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ii. Switch the ventilation system from recirculating mode to extraction to divert smoke to
outside the building.
9.10 In mixed use buildings, non-domestic kitchens, car parks and plant rooms should have separate and
independent extraction systems. Extracted air should not be recirculated.
9.11 Under fire conditions, ventilation and air-conditioning systems should be compatible with smoke
control systems and need to be considered in their respective design.
Ventilation ducts and flues passing through fire-separating elements

General provisions
9.12 If air handling ducts pass through fire-separating elements, the load-bearing capacity, integrity and
insulation of the elements should be maintained using one or more of the following four methods.
In most ductwork systems, a combination of the four methods is best to combat potential fire
dangers.
a. Method 1 – thermally activated fire dampers.
b. Method 2 – fire resisting enclosures.
c. Method 3 – protection using fire resisting ductwork.
d. Method 4 – automatically activated fire and smoke dampers triggered by smoke detectors.
9.13 Further information on fire resisting ductwork is given in the ASFP Blue Book.
Flats and dwellings
9.14 Where ducts pass between fire-separating elements to serve multiple flats or dwellings, fire
dampers or fire and smoke dampers should be actuated by both of the following.
a. Smoke detector-controlled automatic release mechanisms.
b. Thermally actuated devices.
Kitchen extract
9.15 Methods 1 and 4 should not be used for extract ductwork serving kitchens. The likely build-up of
grease within the duct can adversely affect dampers.
Ducts passing through protected escape routes
9.16 Method 1 should not be used for extract ductwork passing through the enclosures of protected
escape routes (Diagrams 9.3 and 9.4), as large volumes of smoke can pass thermal devices without
triggering them.
9.17 An ES classified fire and smoke damper which is activated by a suitable fire detection system
(method 4) may also be used for protected escape routes.

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See para 9.16
Ductwork enclosed in fire resisting

construction classified EI X in accordance
with BS EN 13501-2 (fire exposure from the
duct side), or fire resisting ductwork
Ductwork classified EIS X in accordance with
serving area BS EN 13501-3, where X is the fire
Fd resistance rating (in minutes) of the
walls of the protected escape route
Fd
Protected stairway
Protected lobby
Ductwork
serving area
Fd Fire doorset
Ductwork
serving area
Fd
NOTE: Ventilation ducts which serve other parts

of the building should not supply or extract air
directly to or from a protected escape route.
Diagram 9.3 Ductwork passing through protected escape routes – method 2 or method 3
See para 9.16
ES leakage rated fire and smoke damper

conforming to BS EN 13501-3/BS EN 1366-2
Protected stairway
Fd
Protected lobby
Fd
Smoke detection system in accordance with
SD
BS 5839-1 to activate ES damper
SD SD
Ductwork Ductwork Fd Fire doorset
serving area serving
area
Fd NOTE: Ventilation ducts which serve other

parts of the building should not supply or extract
air directly to or from a protected escape route.
Diagram 9.4 Ductwork passing through protected escape routes – method 4

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Installation and specification of fire dampers

9.18 Both fire dampers and fire and smoke dampers should be all of the following.
a. Sited within the thickness of the fire-separating elements.
b. Securely fixed.
c. Sited such that, in a fire, expansion of the ductwork would not push the fire damper through
the structure.
9.19 Access to the fire damper and its actuating mechanism should be provided for inspection, testing
and maintenance.
9.20 Fire dampers should meet both of the following conditions.
a. Conform to BS EN 15650.
b. Have a minimum E classification of 60 minutes or to match the integrity rating of the fire
resisting elements, whichever is higher.
9.21 Fire and smoke dampers should meet both of the following conditions.
a. Conform to BS EN 15650.
b. Have a minimum ES classification of 60 minutes or to match the integrity rating of the fire
resisting elements, whichever is higher.
9.22 Smoke detectors should be sited so as to prevent the spread of smoke as early as practicable by
activating the fire and smoke dampers. Smoke detectors and automatic release mechanisms used to
activate fire dampers and/or fire and smoke dampers should conform to BS EN 54-7 and BS 5839-3
respectively.
Further information on fire dampers and/or fire and smoke dampers is given in the ASFP Grey Book.
Flues, etc.
9.23 The wall of a flue, duct containing flues or appliance ventilation duct(s) should have a fire
resistance (REI) that is at least half of any compartment wall or compartment floor it passes
through or is built into (Diagram 9.5).
See para 9.23

a. Flue passing through compartment wall or floor b. Flue built into compartment wall
Compartment
wall or floor
Flue Compartment Compartment

wall wall
Flue wall
Flue walls should have a fire resistance of at least In each case flue walls should have a fire resistance of at least
one half of that required for the compartment wall one half of that required for the compartment wall and be of
or floor and be of class A1 construction. class A1 construction.
Diagram 9.5 Flues penetrating compartment walls or floors

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Fire-stopping
9.24 In addition to any other provisions in this section, both of the following conditions should be met.
a. Joints between fire-separating elements should be fire-stopped.
b. Openings through a fire resisting element for pipes, ducts, conduits or cable should be all of
the following.
i. As few as possible.
ii. As small as practicable.
iii. Fire-stopped (allowing thermal movement in the case of a pipe or duct).
NOTE: The fire-stopping around fire dampers, fire resisting ducts, fire and smoke dampers and
smoke control ducts should be in accordance with the manufacturer or supplier’s installation
instructions.
9.25 Materials used for fire-stopping should be reinforced with (or supported by) materials rated class
A2-s3, d2 or better to prevent displacement in both of the following cases.
a. Where the unsupported span is greater than 100mm.
b. Where non-rigid materials are used (unless subjected to appropriate fire resistance testing to
show their suitability).
9.26 Proprietary, tested fire-stopping and sealing systems are available and may be used. Different
materials suit different situations and not all are suitable in every situation.
9.27 Other fire-stopping materials include the following.
a. Cement mortar.
b. Gypsum-based plaster.
c. Cement-based or gypsum-based vermiculite/perlite mixes.
d. Glass fibre, crushed rock, blast furnace slag or ceramic-based products (with or without resin
binders).
e. Intumescent mastics.
These may be used in situations appropriate to the particular material. Not all materials will be
suitable in every situation.
9.28 Guidance on the design, installation and maintenance of measures to contain fires or slow their
spread is given in Ensuring Best Practice for Passive Fire Protection in Buildings produced by the
Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP).
9.29 Further information on generic systems, their suitability for different applications and guidance on
test methods, is given in the ASFP Red Book.

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Requirement B4: External fire spread
Regulations 2010. Section 10 also refers to regulation 7(2) of the Building Regulations 2010.
Guidance on regulation 7(1) can be found in Approved Document 7.
Requirement
External fire spread
B4. (1) The external walls of the building shall adequately
resist the spread of fire over the walls and from
one building to another, having regard to the
height, use and position of the building.
(2) The roof of the building shall adequately resist
the spread of fire over the roof and from one
building to another, having regard to the use and
position of the building.
Regulation
Regulation 7 – Materials and workmanship
(1) Building work shall be carried out—
(a) with adequate and proper materials which—
(i) are appropriate for the circumstances in which
they are used,
(ii) are adequately mixed or prepared, and
(iii) are applied, used or fixed so as adequately
to perform the functions for which they are
designed; and
(b) in a workmanlike manner.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), building work shall be
carried out so that materials which become part
of an external wall, or specified attachment, of a
relevant building are of European Classification
A2-s1, d0 or A1, classified in accordance with BS EN
13501-1:2007+A1:2009 entitled “Fire classification
of construction products and building elements.
Classification using test data from reaction to fire
tests” (ISBN 978 0 580 59861 6) published by the
British Standards Institution on 30th March 2007 and
amended in November 2009.

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Regulation continued
(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to—
(a) cavity trays when used between two leaves of
masonry;
(b) any part of a roof (other than any part of a roof
which falls within paragraph (iv) of regulation 2(6))
if that part is connected to an external wall;
(c) door frames and doors;
(d) electrical installations;
(e) insulation and water proofing materials used
below ground level;
(f) intumescent and fire stopping materials where the
inclusion of the materials is necessary to meet the
requirements of Part B of Schedule 1;
(g) membranes;
(h) seals, gaskets, fixings, sealants and backer rods;
(i) thermal break materials where the inclusion of
the materials is necessary to meet the thermal
bridging requirements of Part L of Schedule 1; or
(j) window frames and glass.
(4) In this regulation—
(a) a “relevant building” means a building with a
storey (not including roof-top plant areas or any
storey consisting exclusively of plant rooms) at
least 18 metres above ground level and which—
(i) contains one or more dwellings;
(ii) contains an institution; or
(iii) contains a room for residential purposes
(excluding any room in a hostel, hotel or
boarding house); and
(b) “above ground level” in relation to a storey means
above ground level when measured from the
lowest ground level adjoining the outside of a
building to the top of the floor surface of the
storey.
Intention
Resisting fire spread over external walls
The external envelope of a building should not contribute to undue fire spread from one part of a
building to another part. This intention can be met by constructing external walls so that both of
the following are satisfied.
a. The risk of ignition by an external source to the outside surface of the building and spread of
fire over the outside surface is restricted.
b. The materials used to construct external walls, and attachments to them, and how they are
assembled do not contribute to the rate of fire spread up the outside of the building.
The extent to which this is necessary depends on the height and use of the building.

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Resisting fire spread from one building to another

The external envelope of a building should not provide a medium for undue fire spread to
adjacent buildings or be readily ignited by fires in adjacent buildings. This intention can be met by
constructing external walls so that all of the following are satisfied.
a. The risk of ignition by an external source to the outside surface of the building is restricted.
b. The amount of thermal radiation that falls on a neighbouring building from window openings
and other unprotected areas in the building on fire is not enough to start a fire in the other
building.
c. Flame spread over the roof and/or fire penetration from external sources through the roof is
restricted.
The extent to which this is necessary depends on the use of the building and its position in relation
to adjacent buildings and therefore the site boundary.

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Section 10: Resisting fire spread over
external walls
Introduction
10.1 The external wall of a building should not provide a medium for fire spread if that is likely to be a
risk to health and safety. Combustible materials and cavities in external walls and attachments to
them can present such a risk, particularly in tall buildings. The guidance in this section is designed
to reduce the risk of vertical fire spread as well as the risk of ignition from flames coming from
adjacent buildings.
Fire resistance
10.2 This section does not deal with fire resistance for external walls. An external wall may need fire
resistance to meet the requirements of Section 3 (Means of escape – flats), Section 6 (Loadbearing
elements of structures – flats) or Section 11 (Resisting fire spread from one building to another).
Combustibility of external walls

10.3 The external walls of buildings other than those described in regulation 7(4) of the Building
Regulations should achieve either of the following.
a. Follow the provisions given in paragraphs 10.5 to 10.8, which provide guidance on all of the
following.
i. External surfaces.
ii. Materials and products.
iii. Cavities and cavity barriers.
b. Meet the performance criteria given in BRE report BR 135 for external walls using full-scale test
data from BS 8414-1 or BS 8414-2.
10.4 In relation to buildings of any height or use, consideration should be given to the choice of
materials (including their extent and arrangement) used for the external wall, or attachments to the
wall, to reduce the risk of fire spread over the wall.
External surfaces
10.5 The external surfaces (i.e. outermost external material) of external walls should comply with the
provisions in Table 10.1. The provisions in Table 10.1 apply to each wall individually in relation to its
proximity to the relevant boundary.

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Table 10.1 Reaction to fire performance of external surface of walls

Building type Building height Less than 1000mm from the 1000mm or more from the relevant
relevant boundary boundary
‘Relevant buildings’ as defined in Class A2-s1, d0(1) or better Class A2-s1, d0(1) or better
regulation 7(4) (see paragraph 10.10)
Assembly and More than 18m Class B-s3, d2(2) or better From ground level to 18m: class C‑s3, d2(3)
recreation or better
From 18m in height and above: class B-s3,
d2(2) or better
18m or less Class B-s3, d2(2) or better Up to 10m above ground level: class C-s3,
d2(3) or better
Up to 10m above a roof or any part of the
building to which the public have access:
class C-s3, d2(3) or better(4)
From 10m in height and above: no
minimum performance
Any other building More than 18m Class B-s3, d2(2) or better From ground level to 18m: class C‑s3, d2(3)
or better
From 18m in height and above: class B-s3,
d2(2) or better
18m or less Class B-s3, d2(2) or better No provisions
NOTES:
In addition to the requirements within this table, buildings with a top occupied storey above 18m should also meet
the provisions of paragraph 10.6.
In all cases, the advice in paragraph 10.4 should be followed.
1. The restrictions for these buildings apply to all the materials used in the external wall and specified attachments
(see paragraphs 10.9 to 10.12 for further guidance).
2. Profiled or flat steel sheet at least 0.5 mm thick with an organic coating of no more than 0.2mm thickness is also
acceptable.
3. Timber cladding at least 9mm thick is also acceptable.
4. 10m is measured from the top surface of the roof.
Materials and products

10.6 In a building with a storey 18m or more in height (see Diagram D6 in Appendix D) any insulation
product, filler material (such as the core materials of metal composite panels, sandwich panels
and window spandrel panels but not including gaskets, sealants and similar) etc. used in the
construction of an external wall should be class A2-s3, d2 or better (see Appendix B). This
restriction does not apply to masonry cavity wall construction which complies with Diagram 8.2
in Section 8. Where regulation 7(2) applies, that regulation prevails over all the provisions in
this paragraph.

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10.7 Best practice guidance for green walls (also called living walls) can be found in Fire Performance of
Green Roofs and Walls, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Cavities and cavity barriers

10.8 Cavity barriers should be provided in accordance with Section 5 in dwellinghouses and Section 8
in flats.
Regulation 7(2) and requirement B4

Materials
10.9 Regulation 7(1)(a) requires that materials used in building work are appropriate for the circumstances
in which they are used. Regulation 7(2) sets requirements in respect of external walls and specified
attachments in relevant buildings.
NOTE: Guidance on regulation 7(1) can be found in Approved Document 7.
10.10 Regulation 7(2) applies to any building with a storey at least 18m above ground level (as measured
in accordance with Diagram D6 in Appendix D) and which contains one or more dwellings; an
institution; or a room for residential purposes (excluding any room in a hostel, hotel or a boarding
house). It requires that all materials which become part of an external wall or specified attachment
achieve class A2-s1, d0 or class A1, other than those exempted by regulation 7(3).
NOTE: The above includes student accommodation, care homes, sheltered housing, hospitals and
dormitories in boarding schools. See regulation 7(4) for the definition of relevant buildings.
NOTE: The requirement in regulation 7(2) is limited to materials achieving class A2-s1, d0 or class A1.
10.11 External walls and specified attachments are defined in regulation 2 and these definitions include
any parts of the external wall as well as balconies, solar panels and sun shading.
10.12 Regulation 7(3) provides an exemption for certain components found in external walls and specified
attachments.
Material change of use

10.13 Regulations 5(k) and 6(3) provide that, where the use of a building is changed such that the building
becomes a building described in regulation 7(4), the construction of the external walls, and
specified attachments, must be investigated and, where necessary, work must be carried out to
ensure they only contain materials achieving class A2-s1, d0 or class A1, other than those exempted
by regulation 7(3).
Additional considerations
10.14 The provisions of regulation 7 apply in addition to requirement B4. Therefore, for buildings
described in regulation 7(4), the potential impact of any products incorporated into or onto the
external walls and specified attachments should be carefully considered with regard to their
number, size, orientation and position.

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10.15 Particular attention is drawn to the following points.

a. Membranes used as part of the external wall construction above ground level should achieve a
minimum of class B-s3, d0.
b. Internal linings should comply with the guidance provided in Section 4.
c. Any part of a roof should achieve the minimum performance as detailed in Section 12.
d. As per regulation 7(3), window frames and glass (including laminated glass) are exempted from
regulation 7(2). Window spandrel panels and infill panels must comply with regulation 7(2).
e. Thermal breaks are small elements used as part of the external wall construction to restrict
thermal bridging. There is no minimum performance for these materials. However, they should
not span two compartments and should be limited in size to the minimum required to restrict
the thermal bridging (the principal insulation layer is not to be regarded as a thermal break).
f. Regulation 7(2) only applies to specified attachments. Shop front signs and similar attachments are
not covered by the requirements of regulation 7(2), although attention is drawn to paragraph 10.15g.
g. While regulation 7(2) applies to materials which become part of an external wall or specified
attachment, consideration should be given to other attachments to the wall which could
impact on the risk of fire spread over the wall.

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Section 11: Resisting fire spread from one
building to another
Introduction
11.1 The following assumptions enable a reasonable standard of resistance to the spread of fire to
be specified.
a. The size of a fire depends on the compartmentation within the building. A fire may involve a
complete compartment, but will not spread to other compartments.
b. The intensity of a fire is related to the building use, but can be moderated by a sprinkler system.
c. Fires in ‘residential’ and ‘assembly and recreation’ buildings (purpose groups 1, 2 and 5) represent
a greater risk to life.
d. A building on the far side of the relevant boundary meets both of the following conditions.
i. Has a similar elevation to the one in question.
ii. Is the same distance as the one in question from the common boundary.
e. The radiated heat passing through any part of the fire resisting external wall may be discounted.
11.2 Where regulation 7(2) applies, that regulation prevails over the provisions within this section.
11.3 If a reduced separation distance between buildings, or increased amount of unprotected area, is
required, smaller compartments should be considered.
Boundaries
11.4 The fire resistance of a wall depends on its distance from the relevant boundary (see Diagram
11.1). Separation distances are measured to boundaries to ensure that the location and design of
buildings on adjoining sites have no influence on the building under consideration.
11.5 The boundary that a wall faces is the relevant boundary (Diagram 11.2). It may be one of the following.
a. The site boundary.
b. The centre line of a space where further development is unlikely, such as a road, railway, canal
or river.
c. An assumed notional boundary between two buildings on the same site (Diagram 11.3) where
either of the following conditions is met.
i. One or both of the buildings are in the ‘residential’ or ‘assembly and recreation’ purpose
groups (purpose group 1 or 5).
ii. The buildings will be operated/managed by different organisations.

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See para 11.4

Wall on or very close to the Wall not on, or not very close Wall sufficiently distant from
relevant boundary: very limited to, but not sufficiently far from relevant boundary to be a
amounts of unprotected area relevant boundary that it can be a 100% unprotected area
wholly unprotected area
Fire resisting from

Fire resisting No provision
inside: reduced
from both sides for fire resistance
insulation criterion
Relevant boundary
Amount of unprotected
area dependent on distance
from relevant boundary
Diagram 11.1 Principles of space separation
See para 11.5
NOTES:
This boundary is at less than
80 degrees to side C and is therefore This diagram sets out the rules
relevant to side C that apply in respect of a
boundary for it to be
considered as a relevant
boundary.
< 80°
For a boundary to be relevant
it should comply with one of
the following:
C
This boundary
This boundary coincides is parallel to a. Coincide with the side of
with and is therefore A Building B1 and therefore the building (A).
relevant to side A relevant to b. Be parallel to the side of the
side B1 building (B1 or B2).
B2 c. Be at an angle of maximum
80 degrees to the side
The boundary is of the building (C).
parallel to side B2
But the relevant boundary

may be the centre line of a
road, railway, canal or river
Diagram 11.2 Relevant boundary

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See para 11.5
Site
boundary
Building A Notional Building B

boundary
Compliance with the provisions for Compliance with the provisions for
space separation in respect of building A space separation in respect of building B
NOTES:
The notional boundary should be set in the area between the two buildings using the following rules:
1. The notional boundary is assumed to exist in the space between the buildings and is positioned so that one of the buildings would
comply with the provisions for space separation having regard to the amount of its unprotected area. In practice, if one of the
buildings is existing, the position of the boundary will be set by the space separation factors for that building.
2. The siting of the new building, or the second building if both are new, can then be checked to see that it also complies, using the
notional boundary as the relevant boundary for the second building.
Diagram 11.3 Notional boundary

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Unprotected areas and fire resistance

11.6 Parts of an external wall with less fire resistance than the appropriate amount given in Appendix B,
Table B4, are called unprotected areas.
11.7 Where a fire resisting external wall has a surface material that is worse than class B-s3, d2 and is
more than 1mm thick, that part of the wall should be classified as an unprotected area equating to
half its area (Diagram 11.4).
External walls on, and within 1000mm of, the relevant boundary
11.8 Unprotected areas should meet the conditions in Diagram 11.5, and the rest of the wall should be
fire resisting from both sides.
External surface materials facing the boundary should be class B-s3, d2 or better.
External walls 1000mm or more from the relevant boundary

11.9 Unprotected areas should not exceed the result given by one of the methods in paragraph 11.16, and
the rest of the wall (if any) should be fire resisting but only from the inside of the building.
External walls of protected stairways

11.10 Exclude external walls of protected stairways when assessing unprotected areas (see Diagram 3.10).
See para 11.7
Area of fire resisting wall with

materials more than 1mm thick and
with a reaction to fire performance
worse than class B-s3, d2 = ab
Area of wall counted as

unprotected area = 0.5ab
Area of fire resisting wall with

materials having a reaction to fire
performance better than class B-s3, d2
Diagram 11.4 Status of materials achieving class B-s3, d2 or worse as unprotected area

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Small unprotected areas
11.11 In an otherwise protected wall, small unprotected areas may be ignored where they meet the
conditions in Diagram 11.5.
See para 11.11
Roof Roofs pitched at an

angle of less than
70 degrees may be
disregarded for
separation distance
a a
purposes
b b
a
b b The unprotected area
b b
of the external wall
of a stairway forming
a protected shaft
b may be disregarded
a for separation
distance purposes
Compartment Compartment
floor wall
Dimensional restrictions
Represents an unprotected area of not
more than 1m2 which may consist of a 4000mm minimum distance
two or more smaller areas within an
b 1500mm minimum distance
area of 1000mm1000mm
Represents an area of not

more than 0.1m2
Diagram 11.5 Small unprotected areas that may be disregarded in assessing the separation
distance from the boundary
Canopies
11.12 Where both of the following apply, separation distances may be determined from the wall rather
than from the edge of the canopy (Diagram 11.6).
a. The canopy is attached to the side of a building.
b. The edges of the canopy are a minimum of 2m from the relevant boundary.
Canopies that fall within class 6 or class 7 of Schedule 2 to the regulations (Exempt Buildings and
Work) are exempt from the Building Regulations.
11.13 Space separation may be disregarded if a canopy is all of the following.
a. Free-standing.
b. Above a limited risk or controlled hazard.
c. A minimum of 1000mm from the relevant boundary.

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See para 11.12
Canopy arrangement Loading bay arrangement
2m min. Canopy 2m min.
Relevant Relevant Loading platform

boundary boundary
Building line Building line

Distance to Distance to
relevant boundary relevant boundary
measured from measured from
building line building line
NOTE: Projections from the building line, such as a canopy or a loading platform, can be ignored when
assessing separation distance. This does not apply where the canopy is enclosed by side walls.
Diagram 11.6 The effect of a canopy on separation distance
Roofs
11.14 Roofs with a pitch of more than 70 degrees to the horizontal should be assessed in accordance
with this section. Vertical parts of a pitched roof, such as dormer windows, should be included
only if the slope of the roof exceeds 70 degrees.
It is a matter of judgement whether a continuous run of dormer windows that occupies most of a
steeply pitched roof should be treated as a wall rather than a roof.
Portal frames
11.15 Portal frames are often used in single storey industrial and commercial buildings where there may
be no need for fire resistance of the structure (requirement B3). However, where a portal framed
building is near a relevant boundary, the external wall near the boundary may need fire resistance
to restrict the spread of fire between buildings. It is generally accepted that a portal frame acts
as a single structural element because of the moment-resisting connections used, especially at
the column/rafter joints. Thus, in cases where the external wall of the building cannot be wholly
unprotected, the rafter members of the frame, as well as the column members, may need to be fire
protected. The design method for this is set out in SCI Publication P313.
NOTE: The recommendations in the SCI publication for designing the foundation to resist
overturning do not need to be followed if the building is fitted with a sprinkler system in
accordance with Appendix E.
NOTE: Normally, portal frames of reinforced concrete can support external walls requiring a similar
degree of fire resistance without specific provision at the base to resist overturning.

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NOTE: Existing buildings may have been designed to comply with all of the following guidance,
which is also acceptable.
a. The column members are fixed rigidly to a base of sufficient size and depth to resist
overturning.
b. There is brick, block or concrete protection to the columns up to a protected ring beam
providing lateral support.
c. There is some form of roof venting to give early heat release. (The roof venting could be, for
example, PVC rooflights covering some 10% of the floor area and evenly spaced over the floor
area.)
Methods for calculating acceptable unprotected area

11.16 Two simple methods are given for calculating the acceptable amount of unprotected area in an
external wall that is a minimum of 1000mm from any point on the relevant boundary. More precise
methods are described in BRE report BR 187 and may be used instead.
Method 1
11.17 This method applies to small buildings intended to be used for blocks of flats or dwellinghouses.
11.18 The building should not exceed three storeys in height (excluding basements) or 24m in length.
Each side of the building should meet the limits stated in Diagram 11.7. Any small unprotected areas
falling within the limits shown in Diagram 11.5 can be ignored.
See para 11.18
24m max.
Minimum distance (a) Maximum total area of
between side of building unprotected areas (m2)
and relevant boundary (m)
1 5.6
2 12
3 18
a
4 24
5 30
6 No limit
Relevant boundary
Diagram 11.7 Permitted unprotected areas in small residential buildings
Method 2
11.19 This method may be used for buildings or compartments for which method 1 is not appropriate.
11.20 The building should not exceed 10m in height. Each side of the building should meet the limits
stated in Table 11.1. Any areas falling within the limits shown in Diagram 11.5 can be ignored.

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Table 11.1 Permitted unprotected areas in small buildings or compartments

Minimum distance between side of building and Maximum total percentage of unprotected area (%)(1)
relevant boundary (m)
Not applicable 4
1 8
2.5 20
5 40
7.5 60
10 80
12.5 100
NOTES:
Intermediate values may be obtained by interpolation.
1. The total percentage of unprotected area is found by dividing the total unprotected area by the area of a rectangle
that encloses all the unprotected areas, and multiplying the result by 100.
Sprinkler systems
11.21 If a building is fitted throughout with a sprinkler system in accordance with Appendix E, either of
the following is permitted.
a. The boundary distance can be halved, to a minimum distance of 1m.
b. The amount of unprotected area can be doubled.

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Section 12: Resisting fire spread over roof
coverings
Introduction
12.1 ‘Roof covering’ describes one or more layers of material, but not the roof structure as a whole.
12.2 Provisions for the fire properties of roofs are given in other parts of this document.
a. Requirement B1 – for roofs that are part of a means of escape.
b. Requirement B2 – for the internal surfaces of rooflights as part of internal linings.
c. Requirement B3 – for roofs that are used as a floor and for roofs passing over a compartment wall.
d. Section 11 – the circumstances in which a roof is subject to the provisions for space separation.
Separation distances
12.3 Separation distance is the minimum distance from the roof, or part of the roof, to the relevant
boundary (paragraph 11.4). Table 12.1 sets out separation distances by the type of roof covering and
the size and use of the building.
In addition, roof covering products (and/or materials) defined in Commission Decision 2000/553/
EC of 6 September 2000, implementing Council Directive 89/106/EEC, can be considered to fulfil
all of the requirements for the performance characteristic ‘external fire performance’ without the
need for testing, provided that any national provisions on the design and execution of works are
fulfilled, and can be used without restriction.
12.4 The performance of rooflights is specified in a similar way to the performance of roof coverings.
Plastic rooflights may also be used.
Plastic rooflights
12.5 Table 12.2 and Diagram 12.1 set the limitations for using plastic rooflights whose lower surface has a
minimum class D-s3, d2 rating.
12.6 Table 12.3 sets the limitations for using thermoplastic materials with a TP(a) rigid or TP(b) (see also
Diagram 12.1) classification. The method of classifying thermoplastic materials is given in Appendix B.
12.7 Other than for the purposes of Diagram 5.2, polycarbonate or uPVC rooflights achieving a minimum
rating of class C-s3, d2 can be regarded as having a BROOF(t4) classification.

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Unwired glass in rooflights

12.8 When used in rooflights, unwired glass a minimum of 4mm thick can be regarded as having a
BROOF(t4) classification.
Thatch and wood shingles

12.9 If the performance of thatch or wood shingles cannot be established, they should be regarded as
having an EROOF(t4) classification in Table 12.1.
NOTE: Consideration can be given to thatched roofs being closer to the relevant boundary than shown
in Table 12.1 if, for example, all of the following precautions (based on the LABC publication Thatched
Buildings (the Dorset Model): New Properties and Extensions) are incorporated in the design.
a. The rafters are overdrawn with construction having not less than 30 minutes’ fire resistance.
b. The guidance given in Approved Document J is followed.
c. The smoke alarm installation (see Section 1) extends to the roof spaces.
Rooflight*
max. area 5m2
3m minimum
between any * Or group of rooflights amounting to no more than 5m2
two rooflights
in any direction
NOTES:
1. There are restrictions on the use of plastic rooflights in the

guidance to requirement B2 in Section 4.
2. Surrounding roof covering to be a material of class A2-s3, d3

or better for at least 3m distance.
Rooflight*
max. area 5m2
3. Where Diagram 5.2a or 5.2b applies, rooflights should be at
least 1500mm from the compartment wall.
Diagram 12.1 Limitations on spacing and size of plastic rooflights that have a class D-s3, d2 or
TP(b) lower surface

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Table 12.1 Limitations on roof coverings
Designation(1) of covering of roof Distance from any point on relevant boundary
or part of roof
Less than 6m At least 6m At least 12m At least 20m
BROOF(t4) l l l l
CROOF(t4) l l l
DROOF(t4) (1)(2)
l (2)(3) (1)
l (2)
l
EROOF(t4) (1)(2)
l(2)(3) (1)
l(2) (1)
l(2)
FROOF(t4) (1)(2)
l(2)(3)
l Acceptable.
Not acceptable.
NOTES:
Separation distances do not apply to the boundary between roofs of a pair of semi-detached dwellinghouses and to
enclosed/covered walkways. However, see Diagram 5.2 if the roof passes over the top of a compartment wall.
Polycarbonate and uPVC rooflights that achieve a class C-s3, d2 rating by test may be regarded as having a BROOF(t4)
designation.
1. The designation of external roof surfaces is explained in Appendix B.
2. Not acceptable on any of the following buildings.
a. Dwellinghouses in terraces of three or more dwellinghouses.
b. Any other buildings with a cubic capacity of more than 1500m3.
3. Acceptable on buildings not listed in (1) if both of the following apply.
a. Part of the roof has a maximum area of 3m2 and is a minimum of 1500mm from any similar part.
b. The roof between the parts is covered with a material rated class A2-s3, d2 or better.

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Table 12.2 Class D-s3, d2 plastic rooflights: limitations on use and

boundary distance
Minimum Space that rooflight can serve Minimum distance from any point on relevant
classification boundary to rooflight with an external
on lower surface(1) designation(2) of:
EROOF(t4) or DROOF(t4) FROOF(t4)
Class D-s3, d2 a. Balcony, verandah, carport, covered way or 6m 20m
loading bay with at least one longer side
wholly or permanently open
b. Detached swimming pool
c. Conservatory, garage or outbuilding, with
a maximum floor area of 40m2
d. Circulation space(3) (except a protected 6m(4) 20m(4)
stairway)
e. Room(3)
NOTES:
None of the above designations are suitable for protected stairways.
Polycarbonate and uPVC rooflights that achieve a class C-s3, d2 rating by test (see paragraph 12.7) may be regarded as
having a BROOF(t4) classification.
Where Diagram 5.2a or 5.2b applies, rooflights should be a minimum of 1500mm from the compartment wall.
If double-skinned or laminate products have upper and lower surfaces of different materials, the greater distance
applies.
1. See also the guidance to requirement B2 in Section 4.
2. The designation of external roof surfaces is explained in Appendix B.
3. Single-skinned rooflight only, in the case of non-thermoplastic material.
4. The rooflight should also meet the provisions of Diagram 12.1.

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Table 12.3 TP(a) and TP(b) thermoplastic rooflights: limitations on use and boundary distance
Minimum Space that rooflight can serve Minimum distance from any point on relevant
classification boundary to rooflight with an external
on lower surface(1) designation(1) of:
TP(a) TP(b)
1. TP(a) rigid Any space except a protected stairway 6m (2)
Not applicable
2. TP(b) a. Balcony, verandah, carport, covered way Not applicable 6m
or loading bay with at least one longer
side wholly or permanently open
b. Detached swimming pool
c. Conservatory, garage or outbuilding, with
a maximum floor area of 40m2
d. Circulation space(3) (except a protected Not applicable 6m(4)
stairway)
e. Room(3)
NOTES:
None of the above designations are suitable for protected stairways.
Polycarbonate and uPVC rooflights that achieve a class C-s3, d2 rating by test (paragraph 12.7) may be regarded as
having a BROOF(t4) classification.
Where Diagram 5.2a or 5.2b applies, rooflights should be a minimum of 1500mm from the compartment wall.
If double-skinned or laminate products have upper and lower surfaces of different materials, the greater distance
applies.
1. See also the guidance to requirement B2 in section 4.
2. No limit in the case of any space described in 2a, b and c.
3. Single-skinned rooflight only, in the case of non-thermoplastic material.
4. The rooflight should also meet the provisions of diagram 12.1.

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Requirement B5: Access and facilities for the

fire service
Regulations 2010.
Requirement
Access and facilities for the fire service
B5. (1) The building shall be designed and constructed
so as to provide reasonable facilities to assist fire
fighters in the protection of life.
(2) Reasonable provision shall be made within the site
of the building to enable fire appliances to gain
access to the building.
Intention
Provisions covering access and facilities for the fire service are to safeguard the health and safety of
people in and around the building. Their extent depends on the size and use of the building. Most
firefighting is carried out within the building. In the Secretary of State’s view, requirement B5 is met
by achieving all of the following.
a. External access enabling fire appliances to be used near the building.
b. Access into and within the building for firefighting personnel to both:
i. search for and rescue people
ii. fight fire.
c. Provision for internal fire facilities for firefighters to complete their tasks.
d. Ventilation of heat and smoke from a fire in a basement.
If an alternative approach is taken to providing the means of escape, outside the scope of this
approved document, additional provisions for firefighting access may be required. Where deviating
from the general guidance, it is advisable to seek advice from the fire and rescue service as early as
possible (even if there is no statutory duty to consult).

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B5
Section 13: Vehicle access
Provision and design of access routes and hardstandings

13.1 For dwellinghouses, access for a pumping appliance should be provided to within 45m of all points
inside the dwellinghouse.
13.2 For flats, either of the following provisions should be made.
a. Provide access for a pumping appliance to within 45m of all points inside each flat of a block,
measured along the route of the hose.
b. Provide fire mains in accordance with paragraphs 13.5 and 13.6.
13.3 Access routes and hardstandings should comply with the guidance in Table 13.1.
13.4 Dead-end access routes longer than 20m require turning facilities, as in Diagram 13.1. Turning
facilities should comply with the guidance in Table 13.1.
See para 13.4

Fire and rescue service vehicles should not have to reverse more than 20m from the end of an access road.
Turning circle, hammerhead

or other point at which
vehicle can turn
Building Exit
20m max.
Diagram 13.1 Turning facilities

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Table 13.1 Typical fire and rescue service vehicle access route specification
Appliance Minimum Minimum Minimum Minimum Minimum Minimum
type width of road width of turning circle turning circle clearance carrying
between gateways between between height capacity
kerbs (m) (m) kerbs (m) walls (m) (m) (tonnes)
Pump 3.7 3.1 16.8 19.2 3.7 12.5
High reach 3.7 3.1 26.0 29.0 4.0 17.0
NOTES:
1. Fire appliances are not standardised. The building control body may, in consultation with the local fire and rescue
service, use other dimensions.
2. The roadbase can be designed to 12.5 tonne capacity. Structures such as bridges should have the full 17-tonne
capacity. The weight of high reach appliances is distributed over a number of axles, so infrequent use of a route
designed to accommodate 12.5 tonnes should not cause damage.
Blocks of flats fitted with fire mains

13.5 For buildings fitted with dry fire mains, both of the following apply.
a. Access should be provided for a pumping appliance to within 18m of each fire main inlet
connection point. Inlets should be on the face of the building.
b. The fire main inlet connection point should be visible from the parking position of the
appliance, and satisfy paragraph 14.10.
13.6 For buildings fitted with wet fire mains, access for a pumping appliance should comply with both
of the following.
a. Within 18m, and within sight, of an entrance giving access to the fire main.
b. Within sight of the inlet to replenish the suction tank for the fire main in an emergency.

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Section 14: Fire mains and hydrants – flats
Introduction
14.1 Fire mains are installed for the fire and rescue service to connect hoses for water. They may be
either of the following.
a. The ‘dry’ type, which are both of the following.
i. Normally kept empty.
ii. Supplied through a hose from a fire and rescue service pumping appliance.
b. The ‘wet’ type, which are both of the following.
i. Kept full of water.
ii. Supplied by pumps from tanks in the building.
There should be a facility to replenish a wet system from a pumping appliance in an emergency.
Provision of fire mains

14.2 Buildings with firefighting shafts should have fire mains provided in both of the following.
a. The firefighting stairs.
b. Where necessary, in protected stairways.
The criteria for providing firefighting shafts and fire mains are given in Section 15.
14.3 Buildings without firefighting shafts should be provided with fire mains where fire service vehicle
access is not provided in accordance with paragraph 13.2(a). In these cases, the fire mains should be
located within the protected stairway enclosure, with a maximum hose distance of 45m from the
fire main outlet to the furthest point inside each flat, measured on a route suitable for laying
a hose.
Design and construction of fire mains

14.4 The outlets from fire mains should be located within the protected stairway enclosure (see
Diagram 15.1).
14.5 Guidance on the design and construction of fire mains is given in BS 9990.
14.6 Buildings with a storey more than 50m above fire service vehicle access level should be provided
with wet fire mains. In all other buildings where fire mains are provided, either wet or dry fire mains
are suitable.
14.7 Fire service vehicle access to fire mains should be provided as described in paragraphs 13.5 and 13.6.

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Provision of private hydrants

14.8 A building requires additional fire hydrants if both of the following apply.
a. It has a compartment with an area of more than 280m2.
b. It is being erected more than 100m from an existing fire hydrant.
14.9 If additional hydrants are required, these should be provided in accordance with the following.
a. For buildings provided with fire mains – within 90m of dry fire main inlets.
b. For buildings not provided with fire mains – hydrants should be both of the following.
i. Within 90m of an entrance to the building.
ii. A maximum of 90m apart.
14.10 Each fire hydrant should be clearly indicated by a plate, fixed nearby in a conspicuous position,
in accordance with BS 3251.
14.11 Guidance on aspects of the provision and siting of private fire hydrants is given in BS 9990.
Alternative supply of water

14.12 An alternative source of water should be supplied where any of the following apply.
a. No piped water supply is available.
b. Pressure and flow in the water main are insufficient.
c. An alternative source of supply is proposed.
14.13 The alternative source of water supply should be one of the following, subject to consultation with
the local fire and rescue service.
a. A charged static water tank with a minimum capacity of 45,000 litres.
b. A spring, river, canal or pond that is capable of fulfilling both of the following conditions.
i. Providing or storing a minimum of 45,000 litres of water at all times.
ii. Providing access, space and a hardstanding for a pumping appliance.
c. Any other water supply that the local fire and rescue service considers appropriate.

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B5
Section 15: Access to buildings for firefighting
personnel – flats
Provision of firefighting shafts

15.1 In low rise buildings without deep basements, access for firefighting personnel is typically achieved
by providing measures for fire service vehicle access in Section 13 and means of escape.
15.2 A building with a storey more than 18m above the fire and rescue service vehicle access level should
have one or more firefighting shafts, each containing a firefighting lift (Diagram 15.1). The number and
location of firefighting shafts should comply with paragraphs 15.4 to 15.7. Firefighting shafts are not
required to serve a basement that is not large or deep enough to need one (see paragraph 15.3 and
Diagram 15.2).
See paras 15.2, 15.8 and 15.9
a. Any building b. Firefighting shafts serving flats

Fire main outlet Fire main outlet
Firefighting Firefighting Common Firefighting

lobby stairs corridor stairs
7.5m
max.
Firefighting Firefighting
lift in lift in
lift shaft lift shaft
Minimum fire resistance REI 120 from accommodation side and

REI 60 from inside the shaft with E 60 Sa fire doors
Minimum fire resistance REI 60 from both sides with E 30 Sa fire doors
NOTES:
1. Outlets from a fire main should be located in the firefighting 3. A firefighting lift is required if the building has a floor more
lobby or, in the case of a shaft serving flats, in the firefighting than 18m above, or more than 10m below, fire service vehicle
stairway (see Diagram b). access level.
2. Smoke control should be provided in accordance with BS 9999 4. This diagram is only to illustrate the basic components and is
or, where the firefighting shaft only serves flats, the provisions not meant to represent the only acceptable layout. The
for smoke control given in paragraph 3.49 may be followed firefighting shaft should be constructed generally in
instead. accordance with section 6 of BS 9999.
5. For the minimum fire resistance of lift doors see Table C1.
Diagram 15.1 Components of a firefighting shaft

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See para 15.2 Buildings in which firefighting shafts should be provided,

showing which storeys need to be served
a. Any building b. Any building c. Any building

The upper storeys in any The basement storeys in any The basement storey(s) in any
building with a storey building with a basement more building with two or more
more than 18m above than 10m below fire service vehicle basements each exceeding 900m2
fire service vehicle access level
access level
> 18m
Fire
service
vehicle
access
level
Two or more
basement storeys
each exceeding
900m2
> 10m
NOTES:
Extent of Extent of 1. Height excludes any top storey(s) consisting

firefighting firefighting exclusively of plant rooms.
stair lift
2. Firefighting shafts should serve all floors
through which they pass.
Diagram 15.2 Provision of firefighting shafts

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With sprinklers See para 15.7
a. b.
F F F
60
m
Without sprinklers
c.
Floor plan within 60m hose laying distance of fire main outlet
4 5m
Floor plan within 45m hose laying distance of fire main outlet
F Hose reach
F Fire main outlet in firefighting shaft
60 H Dry or wet fire main

m
Additional hose coverage required
d. e.
F H F F
45m
NOTES:
1. Hose laying distance should be measured from the fire main outlet along the route suitable for laying hose.
If this route is not known, the distance should be taken at two-thirds of the direct distance
2. The fire main outlet should be located according to Section 14.
Diagram 15.3 Location of firefighting shafts: hose laying distances

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15.3 A building with basement storeys should have firefighting shafts in accordance with the following.
a. There is a basement more than 10m below the fire and rescue service vehicle access level. The
firefighting shafts should contain firefighting lifts.
b. There are two or more basement storeys, each with a minimum area of 900m2. The firefighting
shafts do not need to include firefighting lifts.
The building’s height and size determine whether firefighting shafts also serve upper storeys.
15.4 Firefighting shafts should serve all storeys through which they pass.
15.5 A minimum of two firefighting shafts should be provided to buildings with a storey that has both
of the following.
a. A floor area of 900m2 or more.
b. A floor level 18m or more above the fire and rescue service vehicle access level.
15.6 Firefighting shafts and protected stairways should be positioned such that every part of each storey
more than 18m above the fire and rescue service vehicle access level complies with the maximum
distances given in paragraph 15.7. Distances should be measured from the fire main outlet on a
route suitable for laying a hose.
NOTE: If the internal layout is not known, the distance should be measured at two-thirds of the
direct distance.
15.7 In any building, the hose laying distance should meet all of the following conditions.
a. A maximum of 60m from the fire main outlet in a firefighting shaft (see Diagram 15.3).
b. Additionally, where sprinklers have not been provided in accordance with Appendix E, the hose
laying distance should be a maximum of 45m from a fire main outlet in a protected stairway
(although this does not imply that the protected stairway needs to be designed as a firefighting
shaft (see Diagram 15.3)).
Design and construction of firefighting shafts

15.8 Firefighting stairs and firefighting lifts should be approached from either of the following.
a. A firefighting lobby.
b. A protected corridor or protected lobby that complies with the following guidance.
i. Means of escape (Section 3).
ii. Compartmentation (Section 7).
Both the stair and lobby of the firefighting shaft should be provided with a means of venting
smoke and heat (see clause 27.1 of BS 9999).
Only services associated with the firefighting shaft, such as ventilation systems and lighting for the
firefighting shafts, should pass through or be contained within the firefighting shaft.
Doors of a firefighting lift landing should be a maximum of 7.5m from the door to the firefighting
stair (Diagram 15.1).

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15.9 Firefighting shafts should achieve a minimum fire resistance of REI 120. A minimum of REI 60 is
acceptable for either of the following (see Diagram 15.1).
a. Constructions separating the firefighting shaft from the rest of the building.
b. Constructions separating the firefighting stair, firefighting lift shaft and firefighting lobby.
15.10 All firefighting shafts should have fire mains with outlet connections and valves at every storey.
15.11 A firefighting lift installation includes all of the following.
a. Lift car.
b. Lift well.
c. Lift machinery space.
d. Lift control system.
e. Lift communications system.
The lift shaft should be constructed in accordance with Section 6 of BS 9999.
Firefighting lift installations should conform to BS EN 81-72 and BS EN 81-20.
Rolling shutters in compartment walls

15.12 The fire and rescue service should be able to manually open and close rolling shutters without the
use of a ladder.

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Section 16: Venting of heat and smoke from

basements – flats
Provision of smoke outlets

16.1 Heat and smoke from basement fires vented via stairs can inhibit access for firefighting personnel.
This may be reduced by providing smoke outlets, or smoke vents, which allow heat and smoke
to escape from the basement levels to the open air. They can also be used by the fire and rescue
service to let cooler air into the basements (Diagram 16.1).
16.2 Each basement space should have one or more smoke outlets.
Where this is not practicable (for example, the plan area is deep and the amount of external wall is
restricted by adjoining buildings), the perimeter basement spaces may be vented, with other spaces
vented indirectly by opening connecting doors. This does not apply for places of special fire hazard
(see paragraph 16.7).
If a basement is compartmented, each compartment should have one or more smoke outlets,
rather than indirect venting.
A basement storey or compartment containing rooms with doors or windows does not need
smoke outlets.
16.3 Smoke outlets connecting directly to the open air should be provided from every basement storey,
except for any basement storey that has both of the following.
a. A maximum floor area of 200m2.
b. A floor a maximum of 3m below the adjacent ground level.
16.4 Strong rooms do not need to be provided with smoke outlets.
Natural smoke outlets

16.5 Smoke outlets should be both of the following.
a. Sited at high level in either the ceiling or wall of the space they serve.
b. Evenly distributed around the perimeter, to discharge to the open air.
16.6 The combined clear cross-sectional area of all smoke outlets should be a minimum of 1/40 of the
area of the floor of the storey they serve.
16.7 Separate outlets should be provided from places of special fire hazard.
16.8 If the smoke outlet terminates at a point that is not readily accessible, it should be kept
unobstructed and covered only with a class A1 grille or louvre.
16.9 If the smoke outlet terminates in a readily accessible position, it may be covered by a panel,
stallboard or pavement light that can be broken out or opened. The position of covered smoke
outlets should be suitably indicated.
16.10 Outlets should not be placed where they prevent the use of escape routes from the building.

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Mechanical smoke extract
16.11 If basement storeys are fitted with a sprinkler system in accordance with Appendix E, a mechanical
smoke extraction system may be provided as an alternative to natural venting. Sprinklers do not
need to be installed on the other storeys unless needed for other reasons.
Car parks are not normally expected to be fitted with sprinklers (see Section 11 of Approved
Document B Volume 2).
16.12 The air extraction system should comply with all of the following.
a. It should give at least 10 air changes per hour.
b. It should be capable of handling gas temperatures of 300°C for not less than one hour.
c. It should do either of the following.
i. Be activated automatically if the sprinkler system activates.
ii. Be activated by an automatic fire detection system that conforms to BS 5839-1 (minimum
L3 standard).
Further information on equipment for removing hot smoke is given in BS EN 12101-3.
See para 16.1
External External
wall wall
Fire resisting Stallboard

construction outlet with
grille or
Basement outlet
removable
with break-out or
cover
openable cover
GROUND FLOOR GROUND FLOOR
Basement Basement
Diagram 16.1 Fire resisting construction for smoke outlet shafts

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Construction of outlet ducts or shafts

16.13 Outlet ducts or shafts, including any bulkheads over them (see Diagram 16.1), should be enclosed
in construction of class A1 rating and fire resistance at least equal to that of the element through
which they pass.
16.14 Natural smoke outlet shafts should be separated from each other using construction of class A1
rating and fire resistance at least equal to that of the storeys they serve, where the shafts are either
of the following.
a. From different compartments of the same basement storey.
b. From different basement storeys.

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R38
Regulation 38: Fire safety information
This section deals with the following regulation of the Building Regulations 2010.
Fire safety information

38. (1) This regulation applies where building work—
(a) consists of or includes the erection or
extension of a relevant building; or
(b) is carried out in connection with a relevant
change of use of a building,
and Part B of Schedule 1 imposes a requirement in
relation to the work.
(2) The person carrying out the work shall give fire
safety information to the responsible person not
later than the date of completion of the work,
or the date of occupation of the building or
extension, whichever is the earlier.
(3) In this regulation—
(a) “fire safety information” means information
relating to the design and construction of the
building or extension, and the services, fittings
and equipment provided in or in connection
with the building or extension which will assist
the responsible person to operate and maintain
the building or extension with reasonable
safety;
(b) a “relevant building” is a building to which the
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
applies, or will apply after the completion of
building work;
(c) a “relevant change of use” is a material change
of use where, after the change of use takes
place, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
Order 2005 will apply, or continue to apply, to
the building; and
(d) “responsible person” has the meaning given by
article 3 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
Order 2005.
Intention
The aim of this regulation is to ensure that the person responsible for the building has sufficient
information relating to fire safety to enable them to manage the building effectively. The aim of
regulation 38 will be achieved when the person responsible for the building has all the information
to enable them to do all of the following.
a. Understand and implement the fire safety strategy of the building.
b. Maintain any fire safety system provided in the building.
c. Carry out an effective fire risk assessment of the building.

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Section 17: Fire safety information
17.1 For building work involving the erection or extension of a relevant building (i.e. a building to which
the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies, or will apply), or the relevant change of
use of a building, fire safety information should be given to the responsible person at one of the
following times.
a. When the project is complete.
b. When the building or extension is first occupied.
17.2 This section is a guide to the information that should be provided. Guidance is in terms of essential
information and additional information for complex buildings; however, the level of detail required
should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Essential information
17.3 Basic information on the location of fire protection measures may be sufficient. An as-built plan of
the building should be provided showing all of the following.
a. Escape routes – this should include exit capacity (i.e. the maximum allowable number of people
for each storey and for the building).
b. Location of fire-separating elements (including cavity barriers in walk-in spaces).
c. Fire doorsets, fire doorsets fitted with a self-closing device and other doors equipped with
relevant hardware.
d. Locations of fire and/or smoke detector heads, alarm call points, detection/alarm control
boxes, alarm sounders, fire safety signage, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, dry or wet fire
mains and other firefighting equipment, and hydrants outside the building.
e. Any sprinkler systems, including isolating valves and control equipment.
f. Any smoke control systems, or ventilation systems with a smoke control function, including
mode of operation and control systems.
g. Any high risk areas (e.g. heating machinery).
17.4 Details should be provided of all of the following.
a. Specifications of fire safety equipment provided, including routine maintenance schedules.
b. Any assumptions regarding the management of the building in the design of the fire safety
arrangements.
c. Any provision enabling the evacuation of disabled people, which can be used when designing
personal emergency evacuation plans.

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Additional information for complex buildings
17.5 A detailed record should be provided of both of the following.
a. The fire safety strategy.
b. Procedures for operating and maintaining any fire protection measures. This should include an
outline cause and effect matrix/strategy for the building.
Further guidance is available in clause 9 and Annex H of BS 9999.
17.6 The records should include details of all of the following.
a. The fire safety strategy, including all assumptions in the design of the fire safety systems (such
as fire load). Any risk assessments or risk analysis.
b. All assumptions in the design of the fire safety arrangements for the management of the
building.
c. All of the following.
i. Escape routes (including occupant load and capacity of escape routes).
ii. Any provision to enable the evacuation of disabled people.
iii. Escape strategy (e.g. simultaneous or phased).
iv. Muster points.
d. All passive fire safety measures, including all of the following.
i. Compartmentation (i.e. location of fire-separating elements).
ii. Cavity barriers.
iii. Fire doorsets, including fire doorsets fitted with a self-closing device and other doors
equipped with relevant hardware (e.g. electronic security locks).
iv. Duct dampers.
v. Fire shutters.
e. All of the following.
i. Fire detector heads.
ii. Smoke detector heads.
iii. Alarm call points.
iv. Detection/alarm control boxes.
v. Alarm sounders.
vi. Emergency communications systems.
vii. CCTV.
viii. Fire safety signage.
ix. Emergency lighting.
x. Fire extinguishers.
xi. Dry or wet fire mains and other firefighting equipment.

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xii. Other interior facilities for the fire and rescue service.
xiii. Emergency control rooms.
xiv. Location of hydrants outside the building.
xv. Other exterior facilities for the fire and rescue service.
f. All active fire safety measures, including both of the following.
i. Sprinkler system(s) design, including isolating valves and control equipment.
ii. Smoke control system(s) (or heating, ventilation and air conditioning system with a smoke
control function) design, including mode of operation and control systems.
g. Any high risk areas (e.g. heating machinery) and particular hazards.
h. Plans of the building as built, showing the locations of the above.
i. Both of the following.
i. Specifications of any fire safety equipment provided, including all of the following.
• Operational details.
• Operators’ manuals.
• Software.
• System zoning.
• Routine inspection, testing and maintenance schedules.
ii. Records of any acceptance or commissioning tests.
j. Any other details appropriate for the specific building.

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A
Appendix A: Key terms
NOTE: Except for the items marked * (which Basement storey A storey with a floor that, at some
are from the Building Regulations 2010), these point, is more than 1200mm below the highest level
definitions apply only to Approved Document B. of ground beside the outside walls. (However, see
NOTE: The terms defined below are key terms Appendix B, paragraph B26c, for situations where
used in this document only. Refer to BS 4422 for the storey is considered to be a basement only
further guidance on the definitions of common because of a sloping site.)
terms used in the fire safety industry which are Boundary The boundary of the land that belongs to
not listed below. a building, or, where the land abuts a road, railway,
Access room A room that the only escape route canal or river, the centre line of that road, railway,
from an inner room passes through. canal or river.
Alternative escape routes Escape routes that are *Building Any permanent or temporary building
sufficiently separated by direction and space or by but not any other kind of structure or erection. A
fire resisting construction to ensure that one is still reference to a building includes a reference to part
available if the other is affected by fire. of a building.
NOTE: A second stair, balcony or flat roof which Building control body A term that includes both
enables a person to reach a place free from danger local authority building control and approved
from fire is considered an alternative escape route inspectors.
for the purposes of a dwellinghouse. Cavity A space enclosed by elements of a building
Alternative exit One of two or more exits, each of (including a suspended ceiling) or contained within
which is separate from the other. an element, but that is not a room, cupboard,
circulation space, protected shaft, or space within a
Appliance ventilation duct A duct to deliver flue, chute, duct, pipe or conduit.
combustion air to a gas appliance.
Cavity barrier A construction within a cavity, other
Atrium (plural atria) A continuous space that passes than a smoke curtain, to perform either of the
through one or more structural floors within a following functions.
building, not necessarily vertically.
• Close a cavity to stop smoke or flame entering.
NOTE: Enclosed lift wells, enclosed escalator wells,
building services ducts and stairs are not classified • Restrict the movement of smoke or flame
as atria. within a cavity.
Automatic release mechanism A device that Ceiling Part of a building that encloses a room,
normally holds a door open, but closes it protected shaft or circulation space and is exposed
automatically if any one of the following occurs. overhead.
• Smoke is detected by an automatic device of a NOTE: The soffit of a rooflight, but not the frame,
suitable nature and quality in a suitable location. is included as part of the surface of the ceiling. An
upstand below a rooflight is considered as a wall.
• A hand-operated switch, fitted in a suitable
position, is operated. Circulation space A space (including a protected
stairway) mainly used as a means of access
• The electricity supply to the device, apparatus between a room and an exit from the building or
or switch fails. compartment.
• The fire alarm system, if any, is operated.

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Common balcony A walkway, open to the air on Element of structure Any of the following.
one or more sides, that forms part of the escape • A member that forms part of the structural
route from more than one flat. frame of a building, or any other beam or
Common stair An escape stair that serves more column.
than one flat. • A loadbearing wall or loadbearing part of a wall.
Compartment (fire) A building or part of a building, • A floor.
comprising one or more rooms, spaces or storeys,
that is constructed to prevent the spread of fire • A gallery (but not a loading gallery, fly
to or from another part of the same building or an gallery, stage grid, lighting bridge, or any
adjoining building. gallery provided for similar purposes or for
maintenance and repair).
NOTE: A roof space above the top storey of a
compartment is included in that compartment. (See • An external wall.
also ‘Separated part’.) • A compartment wall (including a wall that is
Compartment wall or floor A fire resisting wall common to two or more buildings).
or floor to separate one fire compartment from NOTE: However, see the guidance to requirement
another. B3, paragraph 6.2, for a list of structures that are not
NOTE: Provisions relating to construction are given considered to be elements of structure.
in Section 7. Emergency lighting Lighting for use when the
Corridor access A design of a building containing power supply to the normal lighting fails.
flats, in which each flat is approached via a Escape lighting The part of the emergency lighting
common horizontal internal access or circulation that is provided to ensure that the escape route is
space, which may include a common entrance hall. illuminated at all material times.
Dead end An area from which escape is possible in Escape route The route along which people can
one direction only. escape from any point in a building to a final exit.
Direct distance The shortest distance from any Evacuation lift A lift that may be used to evacuate
point within the floor area to the nearest storey people in a fire.
exit, measured within the external enclosures of the
building, and ignoring walls, partitions and fittings Exit passageway A protected passageway that
other than the enclosing walls and partitions to connects a protected stairway to a final exit.
protected stairways. NOTE: Exit passageways should be protected to the
*Dwelling Includes a dwellinghouse and a flat. same standard as the stairway they serve.
NOTE: A dwelling is a unit where one or more *External wall The external wall of a building
people live (whether or not as a sole or main includes all of the following.
residence) in either of the following situations. • Anything located within any space forming
• A single person or people living together as a part of the wall.
family. • Any decoration or other finish applied to any
• A maximum of six people living together as external (but not internal) surface forming part
a single household, including where care is of the wall.
provided for residents. • Any windows and doors in the wall.
*Dwellinghouse Does not include a flat or a • Any part of a roof pitched at an angle of more
building containing a flat. than 70 degrees to the horizontal if that part
of the roof adjoins a space within the building
to which persons have access, but not access
only for the purpose of carrying out repairs or
maintenance.

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A
Final exit The end of an escape route from a Firefighting stair A protected stairway that
building that gives direct access to a street, connects to the accommodation area through
passageway, walkway or open space, and is sited to only a firefighting lobby.
ensure that people rapidly disperse away from the Fire resisting (Fire resistance) The ability of a
building so that they are no longer in danger from component or a building to satisfy, for a stated
fire and/or smoke. period of time, some or all of the appropriate
NOTE: Windows are not acceptable as final exits. criteria given in the relevant standard.
Fire alarm system Combination of components for Fire-separating element A compartment wall,
giving an audible and/or other perceptible warning compartment floor, cavity barrier and construction
of fire. that encloses a protected escape route and/or a
Fire damper A mechanical or intumescent device place of special fire hazard.
within a duct or ventilation opening that operates Fire-stop (Fire-stopping) A seal provided to close
automatically and is designed to resist the spread an imperfection of fit or design tolerance between
of fire. elements or components, to restrict the spread of
Fire and smoke damper A fire damper which, in fire and smoke.
addition to the performance of the fire damper, *Flat A flat is a separate and self-contained
resists the spread of smoke. premises constructed or adapted for use for
Fire doorset A door or shutter which, together residential purposes and forming part of a building
with its frame and furniture as installed in a from some other part of which it is divided
building, is intended (when closed) to resist horizontally.
the spread of fire and/or gaseous products of Gallery A floor or balcony that does not extend
combustion and meets specified performance across the full extent of a building’s footprint and
criteria to those ends. is open to the floor below.
NOTE: A fire doorset may have one or more Habitable room A room used, or intended to
leaves. The term includes a cover or other form of be used, for people to live in (including, for the
protection to an opening in a fire resisting wall or purposes of Approved Document B Volumes 1 and
floor, or in a structure that surrounds a protected 2, a kitchen, but not a bathroom).
shaft. A fire doorset is a complete door assembly, Height (of a building or storey for the purposes of
assembled on site or delivered as a completed Approved Document B Volumes 1 and 2)
assembly, consisting of the door frame, leaf or
leaves, essential hardware, edge seals and glazing, • Height of a building is measured as shown in
and any integral side panels or fanlight panels in Appendix D, Diagram D4.
an associated door screen. • Height of the floor of the top storey above
Firefighting lift A lift with additional protection ground level is measured as shown in Appendix
and with controls that enable it to be used by the D, Diagram D6.
fire and rescue service when fighting a fire. (See Inner room Room from which escape is possible
Section 15.) only by passing through another room (the access
Firefighting lobby A protected lobby that room).
provides access from a firefighting stair to the Live/work unit A flat that is a workplace for
accommodation area and to any associated people who live there, its occupants, and for
firefighting lift. people who do not live on the premises.
Firefighting shaft A protected enclosure that Means of escape Structural means that provide
contains a firefighting stair, firefighting lobbies one or more safe routes for people to go, during
and, if provided, a firefighting lift together with its a fire, from any point in the building to a place
machine room. of safety.

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A ONLINE VERSION
Measurement Protected corridor/lobby A corridor or lobby that

• Width of a doorway, cubic capacity, area, is adequately protected from fire in adjoining areas
height of a building and number of storeys are by fire resisting construction.
measured as shown in Appendix D, Diagrams D1 Protected entrance hall/landing A circulation
to D6. area, consisting of a hall or space in a flat, that
• Occupant number, travel distance, escape is enclosed with fire resisting construction other
route and stairs are measured as described in than an external wall of a building.
Appendix D, paragraphs D1 to D4. Protected shaft A shaft that enables people, air
Notional boundary A boundary presumed to exist or objects to pass from one compartment to
between two buildings on the same site. another, and which is enclosed with fire resisting
construction.
Open spatial planning The internal arrangement of
a building in which more than one storey or level Protected stairway A stair that leads to a final
is contained in one undivided volume, e.g. split- exit to a place of safety and that is adequately
level floors. For the purposes of this document enclosed with fire resisting construction. Included
there is a distinction between open spatial in the definition is any exit passageway between
planning and an atrium space. the foot of the stair and the final exit.
Perimeter (of a building) The maximum aggregate Purpose group A classification of a building
plan perimeter, found by vertical projection onto according to the purpose to which it is intended
a horizontal plane. (See Section 15 of Approved to be put. (See Table 0.1.)
Document B Volume 2.) Relevant boundary The boundary or notional
Pipe Includes pipe fittings and accessories. The boundary that one side of the building faces and/
definition of ‘pipe’ excludes a flue pipe and a or coincides with, and that is parallel or at an
pipe used for ventilating purposes, other than angle of a maximum of 80 degrees to that side of
a ventilating pipe for an above-ground drainage the building.
system. Rooflight A dome light, lantern light, skylight,
Place of special fire hazard A room such as any of ridge light, glazed barrel vault or other element to
the following. admit daylight through a roof.
• Oil-filled transformer room. Room An enclosed space within a building that is

not used solely as a circulation space. The term
• Switch gear room. includes not only conventional rooms, but also
• Boiler room. cupboards that are not fittings and large spaces
such as warehouses and auditoria. The term does
• Storage space for fuel or other highly not include cavities such as ducts, ceiling cavities
flammable substance(s). and roof spaces.
• Room that houses a fixed internal combustion School A place of education for children between
engine. 2 and 19 years old. The term includes nursery
Platform floor (also called an access or raised schools, primary schools and secondary schools as
floor) A floor that is supported by a structural defined in the Education Act 1996.
floor, but with an intervening cavity to house Self-closing device A device that closes a door,
services. when open at any angle, against a door frame.
Protected circuit An electrical circuit that is NOTE: If the door is in a cavity barrier, rising butt
protected against fire. hinges (which are different from the self-closing
device mentioned above) are acceptable.

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A
Separated part (of a building) Part of a building Storey exit A final exit, or a doorway that gives
that is separated from another part of the same direct access into a protected stairway, firefighting
building by a compartment wall. The wall runs the lobby or external escape route.
full height of the part and is in one vertical plane. NOTE: If an institutional building is planned to
(See Appendix D, Diagram D5.) enable progressive horizontal evacuation, a door in
Sheltered housing Includes two or more dwellings a compartment wall is considered a storey exit for
in the same building or on adjacent sites, designed the purposes of requirement B1.
and constructed as residential accommodation for Suspended ceiling (fire-protecting) A ceiling
vulnerable or elderly people who receive, or will suspended below a floor that adds to the fire
receive, a support service. resistance of the floor.
Single storey building A building that consists of a Thermoplastic material Any synthetic polymeric
ground storey only. Basements are not counted as material that has a softening point below 200°C if
storeys in a building (see Appendix D). A separated tested to BS EN ISO 306 Method A120. Specimens
part that consists of a ground storey only, with a for this test may be fabricated from the original
roof to which access is only provided for repair polymer where the thickness of material of the
or maintenance, may be treated as a single storey end product is less than 2.5mm.
building.
Travel distance (unless otherwise specified, e.g.
Site (of a building) The land occupied by the as in the case of flats) The distance that a person
building, up to the boundaries with land in other would travel from any point within the floor area
ownership. to the nearest storey exit, determined by the
*Specified attachment Includes any of the layout of walls, partitions and fittings.
following. Unprotected area (in relation to a side or external
• A balcony attached to an external wall. wall of a building) All of the following are classed
• A device for reducing heat gain within a as unprotected areas.
building by deflecting sunlight which is • Any part of the external wall that has less than
attached to an external wall. the relevant fire resistance set out in Section 11.
• A solar panel attached to an external wall. • Any part of the external wall constructed of
Storey Includes any of the following. material more than 1mm thick if that material
does not have a class B-s3, d2 rating or better,
• Any gallery in an assembly building (purpose which is attached or applied, whether for
group 5). cladding or any other purpose.
• Any gallery in any other type of building if its • Windows, doors or other openings. This does not
area is more than half that of the space into include windows that are designed and glazed to
which it projects. give the necessary level of fire resistance and that
• A roof, unless it is accessible only for are not openable.
maintenance and repair. NOTE: Recessed car parking areas as shown in
NOTE: The building is regarded as a multi-storey Diagram A1 should not be regarded as unprotected
building if both of the following apply. areas.
• There is more than one gallery.
• The total aggregate area of all the galleries in
one space is more than half the floor area of
that space.

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NOTE:
The parking area should be

both of the following:
a. Open fronted.
b. Separated from the remainder of
the building by a compartment
wall(s) and floor(s) having not less
than the period of fire resistance
specified in Table B4 in Appendix B.
Diagram A1 Recessed car parking areas

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B
Appendix B: Performance of materials,
products and structures
Introduction
B1 Much of the guidance in this document is given in terms of performance classifications in relation
to British or European Standards. In such cases, it will be necessary to demonstrate that a system
or product can meet the relevant performance classification. This will be achieved if the system or
product complies with one of the following.
a. They should be in accordance with a specification or design that has been shown by a specific
test to be capable of meeting that performance classification.
b. They should have been designed by using relevant design standards in order to meet that
performance classification.
c. They should have been assessed by applying relevant test evidence, in lieu of carrying out a
specific test, as being capable of meeting that performance classification.
NOTE: Some products are subject to Classification Without Further Testing (CWFT). For the
purposes of this approved document, such products can be considered to have been shown to be
capable of meeting a performance specification as per paragraph B1a.
B2 Any test evidence used to demonstrate the fire performance classification of a product or system
should be carefully checked to ensure that it is applicable to the intended use. Small differences
in detail, such as fixing method, joints, dimensions, the introduction of insulation materials and air
gaps (ventilated or not), can significantly affect the performance.
B3 Assessments should not be regarded as a way to avoid a test where one is necessary. Assessments
should only be carried out where sufficient relevant test evidence is available. Relevant test
evidence is unlikely to be provided by test standards which have different classification criteria.
B4 Where it is proposed to assess the classification of a product or system in lieu of carrying out a
specific test (as in paragraph B1b), this should be done in accordance with the relevant standard for
extended application for the test in question and should include details of the test evidence that
has been used to support the assessment.
For performance classifications where there is no specific standard for extended application,
assessment reports should be produced in accordance with the principles of BS EN 15725 and
should include details of the test evidence that has been used to support the assessment. Further
information on best practice is provided in the Passive Fire Protection Federation’s Guide to
Undertaking Assessments in Lieu of Fire Tests.
NOTE: Regulation 7(2) limits components used in or on the external walls of certain buildings to
materials achieving class A2-s1, d0 or class A1 (see Section 10). Assessments cannot be used to
demonstrate compliance with this requirement.
B5 Tests and assessments should be carried out by organisations with the necessary expertise. For
example, organisations listed as ‘notified bodies’ in accordance with the European Construction

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B ONLINE VERSION
Products Regulation or laboratories accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)
for the relevant test standard can be assumed to have the necessary expertise.
NOTE: Standard fire tests do not directly measure fire hazard. They measure or assess the response
of a material or system to exposure to one or more aspects of fire conditions. Performance in fire
tests is only one of a number of factors that should be taken into account.
Reaction to fire
B6 Reaction to fire relates to the degree to which a product will contribute, by its own
decomposition, to a fire under specified conditions. Products, other than floorings, are classified
as A1, A2, B, C, D, E or F (with class A1 being the highest performance and F being the lowest) in
accordance with BS EN 13501-1. Class F is assigned when a product fails to attain class E. Untested
products cannot be classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-1.
Materials covered by the Classification Without Further Testing (CWFT) process can be found by
accessing the European Commission’s website https://eur-lex.europa.eu/.
B7 The classes of reaction to fire performance of A2, B, C, D and E are accompanied by additional
classifications related to the production of smoke (s1, s2, s3), with s1 indicating the lowest
production, and/or flaming droplets/particles (d0, d1, d2), with d0 indicating the lowest
production.
NOTE: When a classification includes s3, d2 this means that there is no limit set for smoke
production and/or flaming droplets/particles.
B8 To reduce the testing burden on manufacturers, BS EN 13238 defines a number of standard
substrates that produce test results representative of different end use applications. The
classification for reaction to fire achieved during testing is only valid when the product is used
within this field of application, i.e. when the product is fixed to a substrate of that class in its
end use. The standard substrate selected for testing should take account of the intended end use
applications (field of application) of the product and represent end use substrates that have a
density of a minimum of 75% of the standard substrate’s nominal density.
B9 Standard substrates include gypsum plasterboard (BS EN 520) with a density of 700+/-100kg/m3,
calcium silicate board (BS EN 14306) 870+/-50kg/m3 and fibre-cement board 1800+/-200kg/m3.
NOTE: Standard calcium silicate board is not representative of gypsum plasterboard end use (due
to the paper layer), but would be representative of most gypsum plasters (with densities of more
than 650kg/m3).
NOTE: Classifications based on tests using a plasterboard substrate would also be acceptable for
products bonded to a gypsum plaster end use substrate.
National classifications for reaction to fire

B10 This document uses the European classification system for reaction to fire set out in BS EN 13501-1;
however, there may be some products lawfully on the market using the classification system set
out in previous editions. Where this is the case, Table B1 can be used for the purposes of this
document.

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B
Table B1 Reaction to fire classifications: transposition to national class
BS EN 13501-1 classification Transposition
A1 Material that, when tested to BS 476-11, does not either:
a. flame
b. cause a rise in temperature on either the thermocouple at the centre of the
specimen or in the furnaces
A2-s1, d0 None
A2-s3, d2 Material that meets either of the following.
a. Any material of density 300kg/m3 or more, which, when tested to BS 476-11,
complies with both of the following:
i. does not flame
ii. causes a rise in temperature on the furnace thermocouple not exceeding 20°C
b. Any material of density less than 300kg/m3, which, when tested to BS 476-11,
complies with both of the following:
i. does not flame for more than 10 seconds
ii. causes a rise in temperature on the thermocouple at the centre of the specimen
or in the furnace that is a maximum of 35°C and on the furnace thermocouple
that is a maximum of 25°C
B-s3, d2 Any material that meets both of the following criteria.
a. Class 1 in accordance with BS 476-7.
b. Has a fire propagation index (I) of a maximum of 12 and sub-index (i1) of a
maximum of 6, determined by using the method given in BS 476-6. Index of
performance (I) relates to the overall test performance, whereas sub-index (i1) is
derived from the first three minutes of the test
C-s3, d2 Class 1 in accordance with BS 476-7
D-s3, d2 Class 3 in accordance with BS 476-7
NOTE: The national classifications do not automatically equate with the transposed classifications
in the ‘BS EN 13501-1 classification’ column, therefore products cannot typically assume a European
class unless they have been tested accordingly.
NOTE: A classification of s3, d2 indicates that no limit is set for production of smoke and/or
flaming droplets/particles. If a performance for production of smoke and/or flaming droplets/
particles is specified, then only the European classes can be used. For example, a national class may
not be used as an alternative to a classification which includes s1, d0.
Thermoplastic materials
B11 Thermoplastic material is any synthetic polymeric material that has a softening point below 200°C
if tested to BS EN ISO 306 Method A120. Products formed from these materials cannot always be
classified in the normal way. In those circumstances the following approach can be followed.
B12 Thermoplastic materials used for window glazing, rooflights and lighting diffusers within suspended
ceilings do not need to meet the criteria within paragraph B19 onwards, if the guidance to
requirements B2 and B4 is followed.

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B13 For the purposes of requirements B2 and B4, thermoplastic materials should be classified as TP(a)
rigid, TP(a) flexible or TP(b), as follows:
a. TP(a) rigid
i. rigid solid uPVC sheet
ii. solid (as distinct from double- or multi-skinned) polycarbonate sheet a minimum of 3mm
thick
iii. multi-skinned rigid sheet made from uPVC or polycarbonate that has a class 1 rating when
tested to BS 476-7
iv. any other rigid thermoplastic product, a specimen of which (at the thickness of the
product as put on the market), when tested to BS 2782-0 Method 508A, performs so that
both:
• the test flame extinguishes before the first mark
• the duration of flaming or afterglow does not exceed 5 seconds following removal of
the burner.
b. TP(a) flexible
Flexible products a maximum of 1mm thick that comply with the Type C requirements
of BS 5867-2 when tested to BS 5438 Test 2 with the flame applied to the surface of the
specimens for 5, 15, 20 and 30 seconds respectively, but excluding the cleansing procedure; and
c. TP(b)
i. rigid solid polycarbonate sheet products a maximum of 3mm thick, or multi-skinned
polycarbonate sheet products that do not qualify as TP(a) by test
ii. other products which, when a specimen of the material between 1.5 and 3mm thick is
tested in accordance with BS 2782-0 Method 508A, have a maximum rate of burning of
50mm/minute.
NOTE: If it is not possible to cut or machine a 3mm thick specimen from the product, then a 3mm
test specimen can be moulded from the same material as that used to manufacture the product.
B14 A thermoplastic material alone when used as a lining to a wall or ceiling cannot be assumed to
protect a substrate. The surface rating of both thermoplastic material and substrate must therefore
meet the required classification.
If, however, the thermoplastic material is fully bonded to a non-thermoplastic substrate, then only
the surface rating of the composite needs to meet the required classification.
Roofs
B15 Performance of the resistance of roofs to external fire exposure is measured in terms of
penetration through the roof construction and the spread of flame over its surface.
B16 Roof constructions are classified within the European system as BROOF(t4), CROOF(t4), DROOF(t4),
EROOF(t4) or FROOF(t4) in accordance with BS EN 13501-5. BROOF(t4) indicates the highest performance
and FROOF(t4) the lowest.
B17 BS EN 13501-5 refers to four separate roof tests. The suffix (t4) used in paragraph B16 indicates that
Test 4 is to be used for the purposes of this approved document.

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B
B18 This document uses the European classification system for roof covering set out in
BS EN 13501-5; however, there may be some products lawfully on the market using the classification
system set out in previous editions. Where this is the case, Table B2 can be used for the purposes
of this document.
Table B2 Roof covering classifications: transposition to national class

BS EN 13501-5 classification Transposition to BS 476-3 classification
BROOF (t4) AA, AB or AC
CROOF(t4) BA, BB or BC
DROOF(t4) CA, CB or CC
EROOF(t4) AD, BD or CD
FROOF(t4) DA, DB, DC or DD
NOTE: The national classifications do not automatically equate with the transposed classifications
in the European column, therefore products cannot typically assume a European class unless they
have been tested accordingly.
Fire resistance
B19 Common to all of the provisions of Part B of the Building Regulations is the property of fire
resistance. Fire resistance is a measure of one or more of the following.
a. Resistance to collapse (loadbearing capacity), which applies to loadbearing elements only,
denoted R in the European classification of the resistance to fire performance.
b. Resistance to fire penetration (integrity), denoted E in the European classification of the
resistance to fire performance.
c. Resistance to the transfer of excessive heat (insulation), denoted I in the European
classification of the resistance to fire performance.
B20 The standards of fire resistance necessary for a particular building are based on assumptions about
the severity of fires and the consequences should an element fail. Fire severity is estimated in very
broad terms from the use of the building (its purpose group), on the assumption that the building
contents (which constitute the fire load) are similar for buildings with the same use.
B21 Because the use of buildings may change, a precise estimate of fire severity based on the fire load
due to a particular use may be misleading. Therefore if a fire engineering approach of this kind is
adopted, the likelihood that the fire load may change in the future needs to be considered.
B22 Performance in terms of the fire resistance to be achieved by elements of structure, doors and
other forms of construction is classified in accordance with one of the following.
a. BS EN 13501-2.
b. BS EN 13501-3.
c. BS EN 13501-4.
B23 Fire resistance is measured in minutes. This relates to time elapsed in a standard test and should
not be confused with real time.
B24 The fire resistance necessary for different circumstances is set out in the following tables.

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a. Table B3 gives the specific requirements for each element of structure.

b. Table B4 sets out the minimum periods of fire resistance for elements of structure.
c. Table B5 sets out limitations on the use of uninsulated fire resisting glazed elements.
B25 This document uses the European classification system for fire resistance set out in BS EN 13501-2
to 4; however, there may be some products lawfully on the market using the classification system
set out in previous editions. In those situations the equivalent classifications given in Table B1 can
be used.
Table B3 Specific provisions of the test for fire resistance of elements of structure, etc.
Part of building Minimum Alternative minimum provisions when tested to Type of
provisions when the relevant part of BS 476(2) (minutes) exposure
tested to the Loadbearing Integrity Insulation
relevant European capacity(3)
standard
(minutes)(1)
1. Structural frame, R see Table B4 See Table B4 Not applicable Not applicable Exposed faces
beam or column.
2. Loadbearing wall R see Table B4 See Table B4 Not applicable Not applicable Each side
(which is not also separately
a wall described in
any of the following
items).
3. Floors(4)
a. between a shop and REI 60 or 60 min or 60 min or 60 min or From
flat above see Table B4 see Table B4 see Table B4 see Table B4 underside(5)
(whichever is (whichever is (whichever is (whichever is
greater) greater) greater) greater)
b. in upper storey R 30 and REI 15 30 min 15 min 15 min From
of two storey underside(5)
dwellinghouse (but
not over garage or
basement)
c. any other floor REI see Table B4 See Table B4 See Table B4 See Table B4 From
– including underside(5)
compartment floors.
4. Roofs
a. any part forming an REI 30 30 min 30 min 30 min From
escape route underside(5)
b. any roof that REI see Table B4 See Table B4 See Table B4 See Table B4 From
performs the underside(5)
function of a floor.

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B
Table B3 Continued
standard
(minutes)(1)
5. External walls
a. any part a maximum REI see Table B4 See Table B4 See Table B4 See Table B4 Each side
of 1000mm from any separately
point on the relevant
boundary(6)
b. any part a minimum RE see Table B4 See Table B4 See Table B4 15 min From inside
of 1000mm from the and REI 15 the building
relevant boundary(6)
c. any part beside an RE 30 30 min 30 min No From inside
external escape provision(7) (8) the building
route (Section 2,
Diagram 2.7 and
Section 3, Diagram
3.11).
6. Compartment walls
Separating either:
a. a flat from any other REI 60 or 60 min or 60 min or 60 min or Each side
part of the building see Table B4 see Table B4 see Table B4 see Table B4 separately
(see paragraph 7.1) (whichever is less) (whichever is (whichever is (whichever is
less) less) less)
b. occupancies. REI 60 or 60 min or 60 min or 60 min or Each side
see Table B4 see Table B4 see Table B4 see Table B4 separately
(whichever is less) (whichever is (whichever is (whichever is
less) less) less)
7. Compartment walls REI see Table B4 See Table B4 See Table B4 See Table B4 Each side
(other than in item 6 separately
or item 10).
8. Protected shafts
Excluding any
firefighting shaft:
a. any glazing E 30 Not applicable 30 min No provision(8) Each side
separately
b. any other part REI 30 30 min 30 min 30 min Each side
between the shaft separately
and a protected
lobby/corridor
c. any part not REI see Table B4 See Table B4 See Table B4 See Table B4 Each side
described in (a) or (b) separately
above.

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Table B3 Continued

standard
(minutes)(1)
9. Enclosure (that does
not form part of a
compartment wall or
a protected shaft)
to a:
a. protected stairway REI 30(8) 30 min 30 min 30 min(8) Each side
separately
b. lift shaft. REI 30 30 min 30 min 30 min Each side
separately
10. Wall or floor REI 30(8) 30 min 30 min 30 min(8) From garage
separating an side
attached or integral
garage from a
dwellinghouse
11. Fire resisting REI 30(8) 30 min 30 min 30 min(8) Each side
construction in separately
dwellinghouses not
described elsewhere
12. Firefighting shafts REI 120 120 min 120 min 120 min From side
remote from
shaft
a. construction that REI 60 60 min 60 min 60 min From shaft
separates firefighting side
shaft from rest of
building
b. construction that REI 60 60 min 60 min 60 min Each side
separates firefighting separately
stair, firefighting lift
shaft and firefighting
lobby.
13. Enclosure (that is not
a compartment wall
or described in item
8) to a:
a. protected lobby REI 30(8) 30 min 30 min 30 min(8) Each side
separately
b. protected corridor. REI 30(8) 30 min 30 min 30 min(8) Each side
separately
14. Sub-division of a REI 30(8) 30 min 30 min 30 min(8) Each side
corridor separately

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B
Table B3 Continued
standard
(minutes)(1)
15. Fire resisting
construction
a. construction that REI 30 30 min 30 min 30 min Each side
encloses places of separately
special fire hazard
b. construction REI 30 30 min 30 min 30 min Each side
between store rooms separately
and sales area in
shops
c. fire resisting REI 30 30 min 30 min 30 min Each side
sub-division separately
d. construction that REI 30 30 min 30 min 30 min Each side
encloses bedrooms separately
and ancillary
accommodation in
care homes.
16. Enclosure in a flat REI 30(8) 30 min 30 min 30 min(8) Each side
to a protected separately
entrance hall, or to a
protected landing.
17. Cavity barrier E 30 and EI 15 Not applicable 30 min 15 min Each side
separately
18. Ceiling see paragraph EI 30 Not applicable 30 min 30 min From
2.5 and Diagram 2.3; underside
paragraph 8.5 and
Diagram 8.3.
19. Duct described in E 30 Not applicable 30 min No provision From outside
paragraph 5.24e.
20. Casing around a E 30 Not applicable 30 min No provision From outside
drainage system
described in Diagram
9.1.
21. Flue walls described EI half the Not applicable Half the period Half the period From outside
in Diagram 9.5. period given in given in Table given in Table
Table B4 for the B4 for the B4 for the
compartment compartment compartment
wall/floor wall/floor wall/floor

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B ONLINE VERSION
Table B3 Continued

standard
(minutes)(1)
22. Construction EI 30 Not applicable 30 min 30 min From
described in note (a) underside
to paragraph 12.9.
23. Fire doorsets See Table C1 See Table C1 See
Appendix C
NOTES:
1. BS EN 13501-2 Classification using data from fire resistance tests, excluding ventilation services. BS EN 13501-3
Classification using data from fire resistance tests on products and elements used in building service installations:
fire resisting ducts and fire dampers. BS EN 13501-4 Classification using data from fire resistance tests on
components of smoke control systems.
In the European classification:
‘R’ is the resistance to fire in terms of loadbearing capacity.
‘E’ is the resistance to fire in terms of integrity.
‘I’ is the resistance to fire in terms of insulation.
The national classifications do not automatically equate with the alternative classifications in the European
column, therefore products cannot typically assume a European class unless they have been tested accordingly.
2. BS 476-20 for general principles, BS 476-21 for loadbearing elements, BS 476-22 for non-loadbearing elements,
BS 476-23 for fire-protecting suspended ceilings and BS 476-24 for ventilation ducts.
3. Applies to loadbearing elements only (see paragraph B19).
4. Guidance on increasing the fire resistance of existing timber floors is given in BRE Digest 208.
5. Only if a suspended ceiling meets the appropriate provisions should it be relied on to add to the fire resistance of
the floor.
6. Such walls may contain areas that do not need to be fire resisting (unprotected areas). See Section 11.
7. Unless needed as part of a wall in item 5a or 5b.
8. Except for any limitations on uninsulated glazed elements given in Table B5.

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B
Table B4 Minimum periods of fire resistance
Purpose group of building Minimum periods of fire resistance(1) (minutes) in a:
Basement storey* Ground or upper storey
including floor over
Depth (m) of the lowest Height (m) of top floor above ground, in a building or
basement separated part of a building
More than 10 Up to 10 Up to 5 Up to 18 Up to 30 More than 30
1. Residential:
a. Block of flats
– without sprinkler 90 min 60 min 30 min† 60 min+§ 90 min+ Not
system permitted(2)
– with sprinkler system(3) 90 min 60 min 30 min† 60 min+§ 90 min+ 120 min+
b. and c. Dwellinghouse Not 30 min*† 30 min† 60 min(5) Not Not
applicable(4) applicable(4) applicable(4)
2. Residential:
a. Institutional 90 min 60 min 30 min† 60 min 90 min 120 min‡
b. Other residential 90 min 60 min 30 min† 60 min 90 min 120 min‡
3. Office:
– without sprinkler 90 min 60 min 30 min† 60 min 90 min Not
system permitted(6)
– with sprinkler system(3) 60 min 60 min 30 min† 30 min† 60 min 120 min‡
4. Shop and commercial:
– without sprinkler 90 min 60 min 60 min 60 min 90 min Not
system permitted
– with sprinkler system(3) 60 min 60 min 30 min† 60 min 60 min 120 min‡
5. Assembly and
recreation:

system permitted
6. Industrial:
system permitted
7. Storage and other non-
residential:
a. any building or part not
described elsewhere:
system permitted

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Table B4 Continued

Purpose group of building Minimum periods of fire resistance(1) (minutes) in a:
Basement storey* Ground or upper storey
including floor over
Depth (m) of the lowest Height (m) of top floor above ground, in a building or
basement separated part of a building
More than 10 Up to 10 Up to 5 Up to 18 Up to 30 More than 30
b. car park for light
vehicles:
i. open sided car park(7) Not Not 15 min†# 15 min†#(8) 15 min†#(8) 60 min
applicable applicable
ii. any other car park 90 min 60 min 30 min† 60 min 90 min 120 min‡
NOTES:
For single storey buildings, the periods under the heading ‘Up to 5’ apply. If single storey buildings have basements,
for the basement storeys the period appropriate to their depth applies.
* For the floor over a basement or, if there is more than one basement, the floor over the topmost basement, the
higher of the period for the basement storey and the period for the ground or upper storey applies.
† For compartment walls that separate buildings, the period is increased to a minimum of 60 minutes.
+ For any floor that does not contribute to the support of the building within a flat of more than one storey, the
period is reduced to 30 minutes.
§ For flat conversions, refer to paragraphs 6.5 to 6.7 regarding the acceptability of 30 minutes.
‡ For elements that do not form part of the structural frame, the period is reduced to 90 minutes.
# For elements that protect the means of escape, the period is increased to 30 minutes.
1. Refer to note 1, Table B3 for the specific provisions of test.
2. Blocks of flats with a floor more than 30m above ground level should be fitted with a sprinkler system in
NOTE: Sprinklers only need to be provided within the individual flats, they are not required in the common areas
such as stairs, corridors or landings when these areas are fire sterile.
3. ‘With sprinkler system’ means that the building is fitted throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in
4. Very large (over 18m in height or with a 10m deep basement) or unusual dwellinghouses are outside the scope of
the guidance provided with regard to dwellinghouses.
5. A minimum of 30 minutes in the case of three storey dwellinghouses, increased to 60 minutes minimum for
compartment walls separating buildings.
6. Buildings within the ‘office’, ‘shop and commercial’, ‘assembly and recreation’, ‘industrial’ and ‘storage and other
non-residential’ (except car parks for light vehicles) purpose groups (purpose groups 3 to 7(a)) require sprinklers
where there is a top storey above 30m. The sprinkler system should be provided in accordance with Appendix E.
7. The car park should comply with the relevant provisions in the guidance on requirement B3, Section 11 of
Approved Document B Volume 2.
8. For the purposes of meeting the Building Regulations, the following types of steel elements are deemed to have
satisfied the minimum period of fire resistance of 15 minutes when tested to the European test method.
i. Beams supporting concrete floors, maximum Hp/A=230m-1 operating under full design load.
ii. Free-standing columns, maximum Hp/A=180m-1 operating under full design load.
iii. Wind bracing and struts, maximum Hp/A=210m-1 operating under full design load.
Guidance is also available in BS EN 1993-1-2.

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B
Application of the fire resistance standards in Table B4
B26 The following guidance should be used when applying the fire resistance standards in Table B4.
a. If one element of structure supports or carries or gives stability to another, the fire resistance
of the supporting element should be no less than the minimum period of fire resistance for the
other element (whether that other element is loadbearing or not). In some circumstances, it
may be reasonable to vary this principle, for example:
i. if the supporting structure is in the open air and is not likely to be affected by the fire in
the building
ii. if the supporting structure is in a different compartment, with a fire-separating element
(that has the higher standard of fire resistance) between the supporting and the separated
structure
iii. if a plant room on the roof needs greater fire resistance than the elements of structure
that support it.
b. If an element of structure forms part of more than one building or compartment, that element
should be constructed to the standard of the higher of the relevant provisions.
c. If, due to the slope of the ground, one side of a basement is open at ground level (allowing
smoke to vent and providing access for firefighting) for elements of structure in that storey
it may be appropriate to adopt the standard of fire resistance that applies to above-ground
structures.
d. Although most elements of structure in a single storey building may not need fire resistance,
fire resistance is needed if one of the following applies to the element.
i. It is part of, or supports, an external wall, and there is provision in the guidance on
requirement B4 to limit the extent of openings and other unprotected areas in the wall.
ii. It is part of, or supports, a compartment wall, including a wall that is common to two or
more buildings.
iii. It supports a gallery.
B27 For the purposes of this paragraph, the ground storey of a building that has one or more basement
storeys and no upper storeys may be considered as a single storey building. The fire resistance of
the basement storeys should be that specified for basements.

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Table B5 Limitations on the use of uninsulated glazed elements on escape routes. These
limitations do not apply to glazed elements that satisfy the relevant insulation
criterion, see Table B3
Position of glazed element Maximum total glazed area in parts of a building with access to:
A single stair More than one stair
Walls Door leaf Walls Door leaf
Flats
1. Within the enclosures of a protected Fixed fanlights Unlimited Fixed fanlights Unlimited
entrance hall or protected landing, or only above 1100mm only above 1100mm
within fire resisting separation shown in from floor from floor
Section 3, Diagram 3.4.
Dwellinghouses
2. Within either: Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
a. the enclosures of a protected stairway above 1100mm above 1100mm
from floor or from floor or
b. fire resisting separation shown in pitch of the pitch of the
Diagram 2.2. stair stair
3. Within fire resisting separation either: Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
a. shown in Diagram 2.4 above 100mm above 100mm above 100mm above 100mm
from floor from floor from floor from floor
b. described in paragraph 2.16b.
4. Existing window between an attached/ Unlimited Not applicable Unlimited Not applicable
integral garage and the dwellinghouse.
5. Adjacent to an external escape stair (see Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
paragraph 2.17 and Diagram 2.7) or roof
escape route (see paragraph 2.13).
General (except dwellinghouses)
6. Between residential/sleeping Nil Nil Nil Nil
accommodation and a common escape
route (corridor, lobby or stair).
7. Between a protected stairway(1) and either: Nil 25% of door Unlimited 50% of door
a. the accommodation area above area
1100mm(2)
b. a corridor that is not a protected
corridor other than in item 6 above.
8. Between either: Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
a. a protected stairway and a protected
(1) above 1100mm above 100mm above 100mm above 100mm
lobby or protected corridor from floor from floor from floor from floor
b. accommodation and a protected lobby
other than in item 6 above.
9. Between the accommodation and a Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
protected corridor that forms a dead end, above 1100mm above 100mm above 1100mm above 100mm
other than in item 6 above. from floor from floor from floor from floor
10. Between accommodation and any other Not applicable Not applicable Unlimited Unlimited
corridor, or sub-dividing corridors, other above 100mm above 100mm
than in item 6 above. from floor from floor
11. Beside an external escape route. Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
above 1100mm above 1100mm above 1100mm above 1100mm
from floor from floor from floor from floor

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B
Table B5 Continued
Position of glazed element Maximum total glazed area in parts of a building with access to:
A single stair More than one stair
Walls Door leaf Walls Door leaf
12. Beside an external escape stair (see Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
paragraph 3.68 and Diagram 3.11) or roof
escape route (see paragraph 3.30).
NOTES:
Items 1 and 8 apply also to single storey buildings.
Fire resisting glass should be marked with the name of the manufacturer and the name of the product.
Further guidance can be found in A Guide to Best Practice in the Specification and Use of Fire-resistant Glazed
Systems published by the Glass and Glazing Federation.
1. If the protected stairway is also a protected shaft or a firefighting stair (see Section 15), there may be further
restrictions on the use of glazed elements.
2. Measured vertically from the landing floor level or the stair pitch line.
3. The 100mm limit is intended to reduce the risk of fire spreading from a floor covering.

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Appendix C: Fire doorsets
C1 All fire doorsets should have the performance shown in Table C1, based on one of the following.
a. Fire resistance in terms of integrity, for a period of minutes, when tested to BS 476-22, e.g. FD 30.
A suffix (S) is added for doorsets where restricted smoke leakage at ambient temperatures is
needed.
b. As determined with reference to Commission Decision 2000/367/EC regarding the
classification of the resistance to fire performance of construction products, construction
works and parts thereof. All fire doorsets should be classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-2,
tested to the relevant European method from the following.
i. BS EN 1634-1.
ii. BS EN 1634-2.
iii. BS EN 1634-3.
c. As determined with reference to European Parliament and Council Directive 95/16/EC (which
applies to lifts that permanently serve buildings and constructions and specified safety
components) on the approximation of laws of Member States relating to lifts (‘Lifts Directive’)
implementing the Lifts Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/831) and calling upon the harmonised standard
BS EN 81-58.
C2 The performance requirement is in terms of integrity (E) for a period of minutes. An additional
classification of Sa is used for all doors where restricted smoke leakage at ambient temperatures is
needed.
C3 The requirement is for test exposure from each side of the doorset separately. The exception is lift
doors, which are tested from the landing side only.
C4 Any test evidence used to verify the fire resistance rating of a doorset or shutter should be
checked to ensure both of the following.
a. It adequately demonstrates compliance.
b. It is applicable to the complete installed assembly. Small differences in detail may significantly
affect the rating.
Until relevant harmonised product standards are published, for the purposes of meeting the
Building Regulations, products tested in accordance with BS EN 1634-1 (with or without pre-fire test
mechanical conditioning) that achieve the minimum performance in Table C1 will be deemed to
satisfy the provisions.
C5 All fire doorsets, including to flat entrances and between a dwellinghouse and an integral garage,
should be fitted with a self-closing device, except for all of the following.
a. Fire doorsets to cupboards.
b. Fire doorsets to service ducts normally locked shut.
c. Fire doorsets within flats and dwellinghouses.

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C6 If a self-closing device would be considered to interfere with the normal approved use of the
building, self-closing fire doors may be held open by one of the following.
a. A fusible link, but not if the doorset is in an opening provided as a means of escape unless it
complies with paragraph C7.
b. An automatic release mechanism activated by an automatic fire detection and alarm system.
c. A door closer delay device.
C7 Two fire doorsets may be fitted in the same opening if each door is capable of closing the opening,
so the total fire resistance is the sum of their individual resistances. If the opening is provided as a
means of escape, both fire doorsets should be self-closing.
If one fire doorset is capable of being easily opened by hand and has a minimum of 30 minutes’ fire
resistance, the other fire doorset should comply with both of the following.
a. Be fitted with an automatic self-closing device.
b. Be held open by a fusible link.
C8 Fire doorsets often do not provide any significant insulation. Unless providing both integrity
and insulation in accordance with Appendix B, Table B3, a maximum of 25% of the length of a
compartment wall should consist of door openings.
Where it is practicable to maintain a clear space on both sides of the doorway, the above
percentage may be greater.
C9 Rolling shutters should be capable of manual opening and closing for firefighting purposes (see
Section 15). Rolling shutters across a means of escape should only be released by a heat sensor,
such as a fusible link or electric heat detector, in the immediate vicinity of the door.
Unless a shutter is also intended to partially descend as part of a boundary to a smoke reservoir,
shutters across a means of escape should not be closed by smoke detectors or a fire alarm system.
C10 Unless shown to be satisfactory when tested as part of a fire doorset assembly, the essential
components of any hinge on which a fire door is hung should be made entirely from materials that
have a minimum melting point of 800°C.
C11 Except for doorsets listed in paragraph C12, all fire doorsets should be marked with one of the
following fire safety signs, complying with BS 5499-5, as appropriate.
a. To be kept closed when not in use – mark ‘Fire door keep shut’.
b. To be kept locked when not in use – mark ‘Fire door keep locked shut’.
c. Held open by an automatic release mechanism or free swing device – mark ‘Automatic fire door
keep clear’.
All fire doorsets should be marked on both sides, except fire doorsets to cupboards and service
ducts, which should be marked on the outside.
C12 The following fire doorsets are not required to comply with paragraph C11.
a. Doors to and within flats and dwellinghouses.
b. Bedroom doors in ‘residential (other)’ (purpose group 2(b)) premises.
c. Lift entrance/landing doors.

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C13 The performance of some doorsets set out in Table C1 is linked to the minimum periods of fire
resistance for elements of structure given in Tables B3 and B4. Limitations on the use of uninsulated
glazing in fire doorsets are given in Table B5.
C14 Recommendations for the specification, design, construction, installation and maintenance of fire
doorsets constructed with non-metallic door leaves are given in BS 8214.
Guidance on timber fire resisting doorsets, in relation to the new European test standard, may be
found in Timber Fire Resisting Doorsets: Maintaining Performance Under the New European Test
Standard published by the Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA).
Guidance for metal doors is given in Code of Practice for Fire Resisting Metal Doorsets published by
the Door and Shutter Manufacturers’ Association (DSMA).
C15 Hardware used on fire doors can significantly affect their performance in a fire. Notwithstanding
the guidance in this approved document, guidance is available in Hardware for Fire and Escape
Doors published by the Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) and Guild of Architectural
Ironmongers (GAI).
Table C1 Provisions for fire doorsets

Position of door Minimum fire resistance of door Minimum fire resistance of
in terms of integrity (minutes) door in terms of integrity
when tested to the relevant (minutes) when tested to
European standard(1) BS 476-22
1. In a compartment wall separating buildings Same as for the wall in which Same as for the wall in which
the door is fitted, but a the door is fitted, but a
minimum of 60 minutes minimum of 60 minutes
2. In a compartment wall:
a. if it separates a flat from a space in E 30 Sa(2) FD 30 S(2)
common use
b. enclosing a protected shaft forming E 30 Sa(2) FD 30 S(2)
a stairway wholly or partly above the
adjoining ground in a building used for
flats, other residential, assembly and
recreation, or office purposes
c. enclosing a protected shaft forming a Half the period of fire Half the period of fire
stairway not described in (b) above resistance of the wall in which resistance of the wall in
it is fitted, but 30 minutes which it is fitted, but 30
minimum and with suffix Sa(2) minutes minimum and with
suffix S(2)
d. enclosing a protected shaft forming a lift Half the period of fire Half the period of fire
or service shaft resistance of the wall in which resistance of the wall in
it is fitted, but 30 minutes which it is fitted, but 30
minimum minutes minimum
e. not described in (a), (b), (c) or (d) above. Same as for the wall in which Same as for the wall in which
it is fitted, but add Sa(2) if the it is fitted, but add S(2) if the
door is used for progressive door is used for progressive
horizontal evacuation under the horizontal evacuation under
guidance to requirement B1 the guidance to requirement
B1
3. In a compartment floor Same as for the floor in which Same as for the floor in
it is fitted which it is fitted

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Table C1 Continued
Position of door Minimum fire resistance of door Minimum fire resistance of
in terms of integrity (minutes) door in terms of integrity
when tested to the relevant (minutes) when tested to
European standard(1) BS 476-22
4. Forming part of the enclosures of:
a. a protected stairway (except as described E 30 Sa(2) FD 30 S(2)
in item 9 or 11(b) below)
b. a lift shaft (see paragraph 3.99b) that does E 30 FD 30
not form a protected shaft in 2(b), (c) or (d)
above.
5. Forming part of the enclosure of:
a. a protected lobby approach (or protected E 30 Sa(2) FD 30 S(2)
corridor) to a stairway
b. any other protected corridor E 20 Sa(2) FD 20 S(2)
c. a protected lobby approach to a lift shaft E 30 Sa(2) FD 30 S(2)
(paragraphs 3.102 to 3.104).
6. Giving access to an external escape route E 30 FD 30
7. Sub-dividing:
a. corridors connecting alternative exits E 20 Sa(2) FD 20 S(2)
b. dead-end portions of corridors from the E 20 Sa(2) FD 20 S(2)
remainder of the corridor.
8. Any door within a cavity barrier E 30 FD 30
9. Any door that forms part of the enclosure E 20 FD 20
to a protected entrance hall or protected
landing in a flat
10. Any door that forms part of the enclosure:
a. to a place of special fire hazard E 30 FD 30
b. to ancillary accommodation in care homes E 30 FD 30
(see paragraph 2.44 in Approved Document
B Volume 2).
11. In a dwellinghouse:
a. between a dwellinghouse and a garage E 30 Sa(2) FD 30 S(2)
b. forming part of the enclosures to a E 20 FD 20
protected stairway in a single family
dwellinghouse
c. within any fire resisting construction in a E 20 FD 20
dwellinghouse not described elsewhere in
this table.
NOTES:
1. Classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-2. National classifications do not necessarily equate with European
classifications, therefore products cannot typically assume a European class unless they have been tested accordingly.
2. Unless pressurisation techniques that comply with BS EN 12101-6 are used, these doors should also comply with
one of the following conditions.
a. Have a leakage rate not exceeding 3m3/m/hour (from head and jambs only) when tested at 25Pa under BS 476-31.1.
b. Meet the additional Sa classification when tested to BS EN 1634-3.

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Appendix D: Methods of measurement
Occupant number
D1 The number of occupants of a room, storey, building or part of a building is either of the following.
a. The maximum number of people it is designed to hold.
b. In buildings other than dwellings, the number of people calculated by dividing the area of
a room or storey(s) (m2) by a floor space factor (m2 per person) such as given in Table D1 for
guidance.
D2 Counters and display units should be included when measuring area. All of the following should
be excluded.
a. Stair enclosures.
b. Lifts.
c. Sanitary accommodation.
d. Any other fixed part of the building structure.

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D
Table D1 Floor space factors(1)
Type of accommodation(2)(3) Floor space factor (m2/person)
1. Standing spectator areas, bar areas (within 2m of serving point), similar 0.3
refreshment areas
2. Amusement arcade, assembly hall (including a general purpose place of 0.5
assembly), bingo hall, club, crush hall, dance floor or hall, venue for pop
concerts and similar events and bar areas without fixed seating
3. Concourse or queuing area(4) 0.7
4. Committee room, common room, conference room, dining room, licensed 1.0
betting office (public area), lounge or bar (other than in (1) above), meeting
room, reading room, restaurant, staff room or waiting room(5)
5. Exhibition hall or studio (film, radio, television, recording) 1.5
6. Skating rink 2.0
7. Shop sales area(6) 2.0
8. Art gallery, dormitory, factory production area, museum or workshop 5.0
9. Office 6.0
10. Shop sales area(7) 7.0
11. Kitchen or library 7.0
12. Bedroom or study-bedroom 8.0
13. Bed-sitting room, billiards or snooker room or hall 10.0
14. Storage and warehousing 30.0
15. Car park Two persons per parking space
NOTES:
s an alternative to using the values in the table, the floor space factor may be determined by reference to actual
1. A
data taken from similar premises. Where appropriate, the data should reflect the average occupant density at a
peak trading time of year.
2. Where accommodation is not directly covered by the descriptions given, a reasonable value based on a similar use
may be selected.
3. Where any part of the building is to be used for more than one type of accommodation, the most onerous
factor(s) should be applied. Where the building contains different types of accommodation, the occupancy of
each different area should be calculated using the relevant space factor.
4. F or detailed guidance on appropriate floor space factors for concourses in sports grounds refer to Concourses
published by the Football Licensing Authority.
5. Alternatively the occupant number may be taken as the number of fixed seats provided, if the occupants will
normally be seated.
6. S hops excluding those under item 10, but including: supermarkets and department stores (main sales areas), shops
for personal services, such as hairdressing, and shops for the delivery or collection of goods for cleaning, repair or
other treatment or for members of the public themselves carrying out such cleaning, repair or other treatment.
7. Shops (excluding those in covered shopping complexes but including department stores) trading predominantly
in furniture, floor coverings, cycles, prams, large domestic appliances or other bulky goods, or trading on a
wholesale self-selection basis (cash and carry).

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Travel distance
D3 Travel distance is measured as the shortest route. Both of the following should be observed.
a. If there is fixed seating or other fixed obstructions, the shortest route is along the centre line of
the seatways and gangways.
b. If the route includes a stair, the shortest route is along the pitch line on the centre line of travel.
Width
D4 Width is measured according to the following.
a. For a door (or doorway), the clear width when the door is open (Diagram D1).
b. For an escape route, either of the following.
i. When the route is defined by walls: the width at 1500mm above finished floor level.
ii. Elsewhere: the minimum width of passage available between any fixed obstructions.
c. For a stair, the clear width between the walls or balustrades. On escape routes and stairs,
handrails and strings intruding into the width by a maximum of 100mm on each side may be
ignored. Rails used for guiding a stair-lift may be ignored, but it should be possible to park the
lift’s chair or carriage in a position that does not obstruct the stair or landing.
Effective clear Effective clear

width (door stop width (door stop to
to projecting door leaf)
ironmongery)
Diagram D1 Measurement of door width

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D
Building dimensions
In every case measure the
volume contained by
all of the following.
a. Under surface of roof.

Internal wall Internal wall
or partition or partition b. Upper surface of
Enclosing wall Enclosing wall lowest floor.
Compartment floor c. Inner surface of
Compartment wall enclosing walls.
When there is not an
outer enclosing wall,
measure to the
outermost edge of the
a. Cubic capacity of a building b. Cubic capacity of compartments floor slab.
or separated part of a building
The measured volume
should include internal
walls and partitions.
Diagram D2 Cubic capacity
a. Surface area: roofs and rooflights

In each case measure the visible area
Measure from Lowest point If a hipped roof, Roof sheeting

outermost point of of roof slope measure to outermost
roof at eaves or verge at eaves point of roof at base area
If a lean-to roof, Outermost
measure from the Highest point point Rooflight
face of wall to the of roof slope of roof
outermost point of roof
Section Section Elevation Section
i. Flat or monopitch roof ii. Double pitch roof iii. Rooflight
b. Floor area: c. Floor area:

Room, garage, conservatory or outbuilding, Storey, part or compartment,
measure to inner surface of enclosing walls measure to inner surface of enclosing walls
and include internal walls and partitions
When there is not

an outer enclosing
wall, measure to
the outermost edge
of the floor slab
Diagram D3 Area

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Highest point Highest point of

Highest point
of roof slope parapet (including
of roof slope
coping)
Equal Mean roof
level Mean roof
Equal
Lowest point level
of roof slope Height of
building a b
Highest level Top level
of ground of gutter
adjacent to Mean ground Mean ground
outside walls level level
Use height a or b, whichever is greater
Lowest level a. Double pitch roof b. Mansard type roof
of ground
adjacent to
outside walls
Highest point
of roof slope
Equal Mean roof
level
Lowest point
of roof slope Height of
building
Highest level
of ground
adjacent to Mean ground
outside walls level
Lowest level c. Flat or monopitch roof

of ground
adjacent to
outside walls
Diagram D4 Height of building

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D
Building three storeys
Second
floor To count the number of storeys in a building,
or in a separated part of a building, count only at
the position which gives the greatest number and
First exclude any basement storeys.
floor
Ground
floor
Basement
Separated part three storeys

Separated part two storeys
Second
floor
Compartment NOTES:
wall
First
floor 1. In assembly buildings (purpose group 5), a gallery
is included as a storey, but not if it is a loading gallery,
fly gallery, stage grid, lighting bridge, or any gallery
Ground provided for similar purposes, or for maintenance and
floor repair.
2. In other purpose group buildings, galleries are not

Basement counted as a storey.
3. For the definition of basement, see Appendix A.
Diagram D5 Number of storeys
Plant Roof
Height of top storey excludes

roof-top plant areas and any
Height of top top storeys consisting exclusively
storey measured of plant rooms
from upper floor
surface of top
floor to ground
level on lowest
side of building
Diagram D6 Height of top storey in building

ONLINE VERSION
D ONLINE VERSION
Free area of smoke ventilators

D5 The free area of a smoke ventilator should be measured by either of the following.
a. The declared aerodynamic free area in accordance with BS EN 12101-2.
b. The total unobstructed cross-sectional area (geometric free area), measured in the plane where
the area is at a minimum and at right angles to the direction of air flow (Diagram D7).
a. b.
Free area Free area for louvred

measured at vent = a1+a2+a3+a4+a5
right angles to
air flow
a1 a2 a3 a4 a5
90°
Diagram D7 Free area of smoke ventilators

ONLINE VERSION
ONLINE VERSION
E
Appendix E: Sprinklers
Sprinkler systems
E1 Sprinkler systems installed in buildings can reduce the risk to life and significantly reduce the
degree of damage caused by fire within a building.
E2 Further recommendations for the provision of sprinklers are provided in the following sections:
Volume 1 – Dwellings
Functional Paragraph Title
requirement
B1 2.6 Dwellinghouses with two or more storeys more than 4.5m above ground level
B1 2.23 Loft conversions
B1 3.21 Internal planning of multi-storey flats
B3 Table B4 Minimum periods of fire resistance
B3 7.4 Sprinklers
B4 11.15 Unprotected areas and fire resistance – portal frames
B4 11.21 Methods for calculating acceptable unprotected area – sprinkler systems
B5 15.7 Provision of firefighting shafts
Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellings

Functional Paragraph Title
requirement
B1 2.46 Residential care homes – sprinkler systems
B1 3.21 Width of escape stairs – phased evacuation
B1 5.46 Shop store rooms
B3 7.7 Raised storage areas
B3 Table 8.1 Maximum dimensions of building or compartment
B3 Table B4 Minimum periods of fire resistance
B3 8.14 Sprinklers
B4 13.16 Unprotected areas and fire resistance – portal frames
B4 13.22 Methods for calculating acceptable unprotected area – sprinkler systems
B5 17.8 Location of firefighting shafts
B5 18.11 Provision of smoke outlets – mechanical smoke extract

ONLINE VERSION
E ONLINE VERSION
Design of sprinkler systems

E3 Where required, sprinkler systems should be provided throughout the building or separated part,
unless acting as a compensatory feature to address a specific risk. They should be designed and
installed in accordance with the following.
a. For residential buildings, the requirements of BS 9251.
b. For non-residential buildings, or residential buildings outside the scope of BS 9251, the
requirements of BS EN 12845, including the relevant hazard classification together with
additional measures to improve system reliability and availability as described in Annex F of the
standard.
NOTE: Any sprinkler system installed to satisfy the requirements of Part B of the Building
Regulations should be provided with additional measures to improve system reliability and
availability and is therefore to be regarded as a life safety system. However, there may be some
circumstances in which additional measures to improve system reliability and availability specified
in Annex F of BS EN 12845 are inappropriate or unnecessary.
E4 If the provisions in a building vary from those in this document, sprinkler protection can also
sometimes be used as a compensatory feature.
BS 9251 makes additional recommendations when sprinklers are proposed as compensatory features.
Water supplies and pumps

E5 For non-residential sprinkler systems designed and installed to BS EN 12845, water supplies should
consist of either of the following.
a. Two single water supplies complying with clause 9.6.1, independent of each other.
b. Two stored water supplies meeting all of the following conditions.
i. Gravity or suction tanks should satisfy all the requirements of clause 9.6.2(b), other than
capacity.
ii. Any pump arrangements should comply with clause 10.2.
iii. In addition to meeting the requirements for inflow, either of the following should apply.
• The capacity of each tank should be at least half the specified minimum water volume
of a single full capacity tank, appropriate to the hazard.
• One tank should be at least equivalent to half the specified water volume of a single
full capacity tank, and the other shall not be less than the minimum volume of a
reduced capacity tank (see clause 9.3.4) appropriate to the hazard.
The total capacity of the water supply in (iii), including any inflow for a reduced capacity
tank, should be at least that of a single full holding capacity tank that complies with Table
9, Table 10 or clause 9.3.2.3, as appropriate to the hazard and pipework design.
E6 For the systems described in paragraph E5, both of the following apply if pumps are used to draw
water from two tanks.
a. Each pump should be able to draw water from either tank.
b. Any one pump, or either tank, should be able to be isolated.
The sprinkler water supplies should not be used as connections for other services or other fixed
firefighting systems.

ONLINE VERSION
ONLINE VERSION
F
Appendix F: Standards referred to
European Standards BS EN 1634 Fire resistance and smoke control tests

for door and shutter assemblies, openable windows
NOTE: All the British and European Standards can and elements of building hardware
be purchased at the following address: https:// BS EN 1634-1 Fire resistance test for door and
shop.bsigroup.com/. Alternatively access to the shutter assemblies and openable windows [2014
British and European Standards may be gained at + A1 2018]
public reference libraries.
BS EN 1634-2 Fire resistance characterisation test
BS EN 54 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for elements of building hardware [2008]
BS EN 54-7 Smoke detectors. Point smoke BS EN 1634-3 Smoke control test for door and
detectors that operate using scattered light, shutter assemblies [2004]
transmitted light or ionization [2018]
BS EN 1993-1-2 Eurocode 3. Design of steel
BS EN 54-11 Manual call points [2001] structures. General rules. Structural fire design
BS EN 81 Safety rules for the construction and [2005]
installation of lifts BS ISO 3864-1 Graphical symbols. Safety colours
BS EN 81-20 Lifts for the transport of persons and safety signs. Design principles for safety signs
and goods. Passenger and goods passenger lifts and safety markings [2011]
[2014] BS EN 12101 Smoke and heat control systems
BS EN 81-58 Examination and tests. Landing BS EN 12101-2 Natural smoke and heat exhaust
doors fire resistance test [2018] ventilators [2017]
BS EN 81-72 Particular applications for passenger BS EN 12101-3 Specification for powered smoke
and goods passenger lifts. Firefighters lifts [2015] and heat control ventilators (Fans) [2015]
BS EN ISO 306 Plastics. Thermoplastic materials. BS EN 12101-6 Specification for pressure
Determination of Vicat softening temperature (VST) differential systems. Kits [2005]
[2013]
BS EN 12845 Fixed firefighting systems. Automatic
BS EN 520 Gypsum plasterboards. Definitions, sprinkler systems. Design, installation and
requirements and test methods [2004 + A1 2009] maintenance [2015]
BS EN 1125 Building hardware. Panic exit devices BS EN 13238 Reaction to fire tests for building
operated by a horizontal bar, for use on escape products. Conditioning procedures and general
routes. Requirements and test methods [2008] rules for selection of substrates [2010]
BS EN 1155 Building hardware. Electrically powered BS EN 13501 Fire classification of construction
hold-open devices for swing doors. Requirements products and building elements
and test methods [1997]
BS EN 13501-1 Classification using data from
BS EN 1366 Fire resistance tests for service reaction to fire tests [2018]
installations
BS EN 13501-2 Classification using data from fire
BS EN 1366-2 Fire dampers [2015] resistance tests, excluding ventilation services
BS EN 1366-8 Smoke extraction ducts [2004] [2016]

ONLINE VERSION
F ONLINE VERSION
BS EN 13501-3 Classification using data from fire

resistance tests on products and elements used
British Standards
in building service installations: fire resisting BS 476 Fire tests on building materials and
ducts and fire dampers [2005 + A1 2009] structures
BS EN 13501-4 Classification using data from BS 476-3 Classification and method of test for
fire resistance tests on components of smoke external fire exposure to roofs [2004]
control systems [2016]
BS 476-6 Method of test for fire propagation for
BS EN 13501-5 Classification using data from products [1989 + A1 2009]
external fire exposure to roof tests [2016]
BS 476-7 Method of test to determine the
BS EN 14306 Thermal insulation products for classification of the surface spread of flame of
building equipment and industrial installations. products [1997]
Factory made calcium silicate (CS) products.
BS 476-8 Test methods and criteria for the fire
Specification [2015]
resistance of elements of building construction
BS EN 14604 Smoke alarm devices [2005] [1972]
BS EN 15102 Decorative wall coverings. Roll and BS 476-11 Method for assessing the heat
panel form [2007 + A1 2011] emission from building materials [1982]
BS EN 15650 Ventilation for buildings. Fire dampers BS 476-20 Method for determination of the fire
[2010] resistance of elements of construction (general
BS EN 15725 Extended application reports on the principles) [1987]
fire performance of construction products and BS 476-21 Methods for determination of the
building elements [2010] fire resistance of loadbearing elements of
BS EN 50200 Method of test for resistance to fire construction [1987]
of unprotected small cables for use in emergency BS 476-22 Methods for determination of the
circuits [2015] fire resistance of non-loadbearing elements of
construction [1987]
BS 476-23 Methods for determination of
the contribution of components to the fire
resistance of a structure [1987]
BS 476-24 Method for determination of the fire
resistance of ventilation ducts [1987]
BS 476-31.1 Methods for measuring smoke
penetration through doorsets and shutter
assemblies. Method of measurement under
ambient temperature conditions [1983]
BS 2782-0 Methods of testing. Plastics. Introduction
[2011]
BS 3251 Specification. Indicator plates for fire
hydrants and emergency water supplies [1976]
BS 4422 Fire. Vocabulary [2005]
BS 4514 Unplasticized PVC soil and ventilating pipes
of 82.4mm minimum mean outside diameter, and
fittings and accessories of 82.4mm and of other
sizes. Specification [2001]

ONLINE VERSION
ONLINE VERSION
F
BS 5255 Specification for thermoplastics waste pipe BS 7157 Method of test for ignitability of fabrics
and fittings [1989] used in the construction of large tented structures
BS 5266-1 Emergency lighting. Code of practice for [1989]
the emergency lighting of premises [2016] BS 7273 Code of practice for the operation of fire
BS 5395-2 Stairs, ladders and walkways. Code of protection measures
practice for the design of helical and spiral stairs BS 7273-4 Actuation of release mechanisms for
[1984] doors [2015]
BS 5438 Methods of test for flammability of textile BS 7346-7 Components for smoke and heat
fabrics when subjected to a small igniting flame control systems. Code of practice on functional
applied to the face or bottom edge of vertically recommendations and calculation methods for
oriented specimens [1989] smoke and heat control systems for covered car
BS 5446-2 Fire detection and fire alarm devices for parks [2013]
dwellings. Specification for heat alarms [2003] BS 7974 Application of fire safety engineering
BS 5499 Graphical symbols and signs principles to the design of buildings. Code of
practice [2019]
BS 5499-4 Safety signs. Code of practice for
escape route signing [2013] BS 8214 Timber-based fire door assemblies. Code of
practice [2016]
BS 5499-5 Safety signs, including fire safety
signs. Signs with specific safety meanings [2002] BS 8313 Code of practice for accommodation of
building services in ducts [1997]
BS 5839 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for
buildings BS 8414 Fire performance of external cladding systems
BS 5839-1 Code of practice for system design, BS 8414-1 Test method for non-loadbearing
installation, commissioning and maintenance of external cladding systems applied to the
systems in non-domestic premises [2017] masonry face of a building [2015 + A1 2017]
BS 5839-2 Specification for manual call points BS 8414-2 Test method for non-loadbearing
[1983] external cladding systems fixed to and
supported by a structural steel frame [2015 + A1
BS 5839-3 Specification for automatic release 2017]
mechanisms for certain fire protection
equipment [1988] BS 8519 Selection and installation of fire-resistant
power and control cable systems for life safety and
BS 5839-6 Code of practice for the design, fire-fighting applications. Code of practice [2010]
installation, commissioning and maintenance
of fire detection and fire alarm systems in BS 9251 Fire sprinkler systems for domestic and
domestic premises [2018] residential occupancies. Code of practice [2014]
BS 5839-8 Code of practice for the design, BS 9252 Components for residential sprinkler
installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems. Specification and test methods for
voice alarm systems [2013] residential sprinklers [2011]
BS 5839-9 Code of practice for the design, BS 9990 Non automatic fire-fighting systems in
installation, commissioning and maintenance of buildings. Code of practice [2015]
emergency voice communication systems [2011] BS 9991 Fire safety in the design, management and
BS 5867-2 Fabrics for curtains and drapes. use of residential buildings. Code of practice [2015]
Flammability requirements. Specification [2008] BS 9999 Fire safety in the design, management and
BS 5906 Waste management in buildings. Code of use of buildings. Code of practice [2017]
practice [2005]

ONLINE VERSION
G ONLINE VERSION
Appendix G: Documents referred to
Legislation Other documents

(available via www.legislation.gov.uk)
Publications
Education Act 1996
Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP)
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (www.asfp.org.uk)
(SI 1998/2451)
ASFP Red Book – Fire-Stopping: Linear Joint Seals,
Lifts Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/831) Penetration Seals and Cavity Barriers,
Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/825) Fourth Edition
Prison Act 1952 ASFP Grey Book – Volume 1: Fire Dampers
(European Standards), Second Edition
Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975
ASFP Blue Book British Standard version – Fire
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Resisting Ductwork, Tested to BS 476 Part 24,
(SI 2005/1541) Third Edition
Commission Decision 2000/367/EC of 3 May 2000 ASFP Blue Book European version – Fire Resisting
implementing Council Directive 89/106/EEC Ductwork, Classified to BS EN 13501 Parts 3 and 4,
Commission Decision 2000/553/EC of 6 September First Edition
2000 implementing Council Directive 89/106/EEC Ensuring Best Practice for Passive Fire Protection in
European Parliament and Council Directive 95/16/ Buildings, Second Edition [2014]
EC
Building Research Establishment Limited (BRE)
(www.bre.co.uk)
BRE report (BR 135) Fire Performance of External
Thermal Insulation for Walls of Multi-storey
Buildings, Third Edition [2013]
BRE report (BR 187) External Fire Spread: Building
Separation and Boundary Distances, Second
Edition [2014]
BRE Digest 208 Increasing the Fire Resistance of
Existing Timber Floors [1988]
BRE report (BR 274) Fire Safety of PTFE-based
Materials Used in Buildings [1994]

ONLINE VERSION
ONLINE VERSION
G
Department for Communities and Local Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Government (www.hse.gov.uk)
(www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire- Safety Signs and Signals: The Health and Safety
performance-of-green-roofs-and-walls) Regulations 1996. Guidance on Regulations, L64
Fire Performance of Green Roofs and Walls [2013] [2015]
Department for Education HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)
(www.dfes.gov.uk) (www.hmppsintranet.org.uk/uploads/
Building Bulletin (BB) 100: Design for Fire Safety in HMPPSFireSafetyDesignGuide.pdf)
Schools [2007] Custodial Premises Fire Safety Design Guide
Department of Health Passive Fire Protection Federation (PFPF)
(www.dh.gov.uk) (http://pfpf.org/pdf/publications/guide_to_
Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 05-02: uailoft.pdf)
Firecode. Guidance in Support of Functional Guide to Undertaking Assessments in Lieu of Fire
Provisions (Fire Safety in the Design of Healthcare Tests [2000]
Premises) [2015]
Sports Grounds Safety Authority
HTM 88: Guide to Fire Precautions in NHS Housing (https://sgsa.org.uk/)
in the Community for Mentally Handicapped (or
Mentally Ill) People Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds [2007]
Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) and Guild Steel Construction Institute (SCI)
of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) (https://steel-sci.com)
(www.firecode.org.uk) SCI Publication P288 Fire Safe Design: A New
Hardware for Fire and Escape Doors [2012] Approach to Multi-storey Steel-framed Buildings,
Second Edition [2006]
Door and Shutter Manufacturers’ Association
(DSMA) SCI Publication P313 Single Storey Steel Framed
(www.dhfonline.org.uk) Buildings in Fire Boundary Conditions [2002]
Code of Practice for Fire Resisting Metal Doorsets Timber Research and Development Associations
[2010] (TRADA)
(www.trada.co.uk)
Fire Protection Association (FPA)
(www.thefpa.co.uk) Timber Fire Resisting Doorsets: Maintaining
Performance under the New European Test Standard
RISCAuthority Design Guide for the Fire Protection [2002]
of Buildings [2005]
Football Licensing Authority
(www.flaweb.org.uk/home.php)
Concourses [2006]
Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF)
(www.ggf.org.uk)
A Guide to Best Practice in the Specification and
Use of Fire-resistant Glazed Systems [2011]

ONLINE VERSION
ONLINE VERSION
ONLINE VERSION
ONLINE VERSION
List of approved documents

The following documents have been published to give guidance on how to meet the Building
Regulations. You can find the date of the edition approved by the Secretary of State at
www.gov.uk.
Approved Document A Approved Document L2B

Structure Conservation of fuel and power in existing
buildings other than dwellings
Approved Document B
Fire safety Approved Document M
Volume 1: Dwellings Access to and use of buildings
Volume 1: Dwellings
Approved Document B
Fire safety Approved Document M
Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings Access to and use of buildings
Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings
Approved Document C
Site preparation and resistance to Approved Document P
contaminants and moisture Electrical safety – Dwellings
Approved Document D Approved Document Q
Toxic substances Security – Dwellings
Approved Document E Approved Document 7
Resistance to the passage of sound Materials and workmanship
Approved Document F
Ventilation
Approved Document G
Sanitation, hot water safety and water
efficiency
Approved Document H
Drainage and waste disposal
Approved Document J
Combustion appliances and fuel storage
systems
Approved Document K
Protection from falling, collision and impact
Approved Document L1A
Conservation of fuel and power in new
dwellings
Approved Document L1B
Conservation of fuel and power in existing
dwellings
Approved Document L2A
Conservation of fuel and power in new
buildings other than dwellings
ONLINE VERSION
ONLINE VERSION
The Building Regulations 2010, Approved Documents are available from:
RIBA Books
Online: www.architecture.com/ribabooks
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7496 8383
Email: [email protected]
ISBN 978 1 85946 915 6
© Crown Copyright 2019

The content of this publication, excluding logos, may be If you require this publication in an alternative format,
reproduced free of charge in any format or medium for please email: [email protected].
research, private study or for internal circulation within
Copyright in the typographical arrangement, excluding
an organisation. This is subject to it being reproduced
logos, of the cover and internal page layouts of this
accurately and not used in a misleading context. The
publication rests with the Publisher.
material must be acknowledged as Crown copyright and
the title and edition of the publication specified. This
document/publication is value added. You may re-use the
content (not including logos) free of charge in any format
or medium, under the terms of the Open Government
Licence. To view this licence, visit:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-
government-licence/ or write to the Information Policy
Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or
e-mail: [email protected].
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The Building Regulations 2010

2019 edition – for use in England

The approved documents

What is an approved document?

How to use this approved document

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document B Volume 1, 2019 edition i

Where you can get further help

ii Approved Document B Volume 1, 2019 edition Building Regulations 2010

The Building Regulations

Material change of use

Materials and workmanship

Independent third party certification and accreditation

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document B Volume 1, 2019 edition iii

Energy efficiency requirements

Responsibility for compliance

iv Approved Document B Volume 1, 2019 edition Building Regulations 2010

The approved documents i

The Building Regulations iii

Requirement B1: Means of warning and escape 8

Section 1: Fire detection and alarm systems 9

Section 2: Means of escape – dwellinghouses 11

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document B Volume 1, 2019 edition v

Section 3: Means of escape – flats 19

Requirement B2: Internal fire spread (linings) 42

Section 4: Wall and ceiling linings 43

Requirement B3: Internal fire spread (structure) 49

Section 5: Internal fire spread – dwellinghouses 50

Section 6: Loadbearing elements of structures – flats 57

Section 7: Compartmentation/sprinklers – flats 59

Section 8: Cavities – flats 65

vi Approved Document B Volume 1, 2019 edition Building Regulations 2010

Section 9: Protection of openings and fire‑stopping 69

Requirement B4: External fire spread 76

Section 10: Resisting fire spread over external walls 79

Section 11: Resisting fire spread from one building to another 83

Section 12: Resisting fire spread over roof coverings 91

Requirement B5: Access and facilities for the fire service 96

Section 13: Vehicle access 97

Section 14: Fire mains and hydrants – flats 99

Section 15: Access to buildings for firefighting personnel – flats 101

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document B Volume 1, 2019 edition vii

Regulation 38: Fire safety information 109

Section 17: Fire safety information 110

Appendix A: Key terms 113

Appendix C: Fire doorsets 134

Appendix E: Sprinklers 145

Appendix F: Standards referred to 147

Appendix G: Documents referred to 150

viii Approved Document B Volume 1, 2019 edition Building Regulations 2010

Section 0: Approved Document B:

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document B Volume 1, 2019 edition 1

Appendices: Information common to more than one requirement of Part B

2 Approved Document B Volume 1, 2019 edition Building Regulations 2010

Buildings of special architectural or historic interest

Fire safety engineering

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document B Volume 1, 2019 edition 3

4 Approved Document B Volume 1, 2019 edition Building Regulations 2010

Table 0.1 Classification of purpose groups