Approved Document B: Understanding Fire Safety Changes

Following the recent release of the new Approved Document B Fire Safety, which incorporates the recent consultation on sprinkler provision and wayfinding signage. Bureau Veritas is hosting a webinar to support the industry in understanding the changes.

Andy Lowe, technical and training director for Bureau Veritas Building Control, will be running the free webinar on Thursday 25 June 2020 at 11:30 am which is the latest in a series of fire safety updates from our expert Construction Consultancy team. Topics to be covered include:

• Combustible cladding ban
• Assessments in lieu of testing
• Government cladding guidance
• Mortgage lenders’ requirements
• Sprinkler and fire safety measures consultation
• Grenfell Tower Phase 1 report recommendations
• Other changes in Approved Documents

Andy Lowe said: “These changes to Approved Document B follow on from the Government’s call for evidence, launched in November 2019. Whilst acknowledging that some issues of fire safety need careful consideration based on wider research, the Government has introduced others in the shorter term where there is a clear case for improved fire safety.

“One such example the provision of sprinklers to flat complexes at a lower threshold height from 30 metres to 11 metres (typically four storey), for new build residential flats. Existing Buildings are subject to a wider debate as there are more complex issues in retrofitting which will be subject to safety case reviews in the future.

“The consultation also included the provision for storey identification signage in staircases to assist wayfinding for fire fighters The provisions have already been adopted in Scotland and in Wales all new residential buildings are provided with sprinkler protection.

“All of this is a welcome step forward in the uplift in safety standards and we will be looking at how the changes will impact the industry, as well as covering off some of the critical issues including combustible cladding and mortgage lenders’ requirements.”

Join Andy Lowe at 11:30 am on Thursday 25 June 2020.