Following extensive deliberation and recommendations from officials and professionals across the built environment and fire safety sector, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities (DLUHC) has launched a new consultation that seeks to amend certain aspects of Approved Document B (ADB) of the Building Regulations.
The consultation, published on 23 December 2022, takes into consideration concerns that were flagged by the sector following a call for evidence in December 2018. Following its promised technical review of ADB, the government has proposed the following:
- Recommending sprinklers are fitted in new care homes, regardless of building height.
- Removing the national classification system for construction products (BS 476 series) – including Class 0 – and requiring all relevant construction products to be tested to the British Standard version of the European Standard.
- Introducing a threshold whereby residential buildings above 30 metres in height should be designed and built with two staircases.
The ADB sets out statutory guidance on meeting certain requirements of the Building Regulations, relating to England only.
In addition to the above recommendations, the consultation also calls for evidence on revisions to paragraphs 10.6 and 10.7 of ADB, which cover materials and products used in the construction of external walls.
Second staircases in buildings over 30 metres
Managing Director of the FPA, Jonathan O’Neill says: “Whilst we welcome the proposal to abolish the regulations which allowed for the provision on single staircases in residential buildings over 30 metres, this change is as ever, too little, too late.
“Changes to these outdated regulations were recommended by the majority of fire professionals long before the tragedy of Grenfell. Many are, therefore, asking why it has taken the government over five years to adopt this simple change and having taken so long to decide, why have they opted for 30 metres rather than 18, which would bring us into line with Scotland and much of the rest of the world, and is the recommendation of most including the FPA and NFCC.”
Sprinklers in new care homes
In response to the government recommendation, the Commercial Director of the FPA, Chris Miles, notes the obvious benefit of having sprinklers within new care homes, adding that it is a step in the right direction for increased fire safety.
However, he reiterates that “the proposal (to include sprinklers in only new care homes) is missing the need to address the thousands of existing care homes, which is where the bigger need already exists. Taking this approach, it will take multiple years for the existing stock of care homes to be brought into line with the higher level of fire safety, if ever.”
“Furthermore, it is hoped that the installation of any sprinkler system is conducted by competent installers who are able to demonstrate their ability via certification to an accredited third-party scheme.”
Removal of national classes
Technical Consultant for the FPA, Ian Abley, notes that this government proposal poses serious technical, commercial, and political consequences: “The National BS 476 series of fire tests has co-existed with the European BS EN 13501 series for two decades. Transition involves fifteen standards as BS 476 Parts 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 31.1, 32, and 33. Their applicability is in BS 476-10 Guide to the principles, selection, role and application of fire testing and their outputs. Transition is more significant than ending the discredited transposition of “Class 0” through BS 476 Parts 6 and 7 to Class B in BS EN 13501 Part 1, disclosed in 2022 by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.”
Undoubtedly, each of these recommendations highlights the ongoing changes being done by the government and industry professionals to successfully implement the lessons learned from the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. It also indicates that further work is still needed in securing fire safety measures across residential buildings in England.
