Approved Document B

172 Pages·2013·4.91 MB·English

O N L I N E V E R S I O N
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1 The Building Regulations 2010
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Fire safety
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B1 Means of warning and escape
B2 Internal fire spread (linings)
B3 Internal fire spread (structure)
B4 External fire spread
B5 Access and facilities for the fire service
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O N L I N E V E R S I O N
O N L I N E V E R S I O N
MAiN ChANgEs ii. BB100 should be used for the design of schools.
B1
VOLUME 2
g. Fire Alarms in Flats: The guidance on smoke alarms
Main changes made by the 2013 in flats has been amended such that alarms should
be installed in accordance with BS 5839-6:2004.
amendments
Simple guidance has been retained, in the form of a
commentary on this standard, so that most users of
The general guidance on materials and workmanship and
the Approved Document will necessarily not need to
the Construction Products Directive has been edited and a
obtain a copy of the standard.
reference to Approved Document 7 put in its place.
i. All smoke alarms should have a standby power
Table 10 (Classification of linings) has been changed
supply.
in relation to wallcoverings which conform to BS EN
15102:2007 Decorative wallcoverings – roll and panel form h. Fire Alarms: The guidance for buildings other than
products. dwellings has been updated to take account of the
2002 edition of BS 5839-1.
Table 11 (Limitations applied to thermoplastic rooflights
and lighting diffusers in suspended ceilings and Class 3 i. Means of Escape:
plastic rooflights) has been changed to incorporate more i. Locks and child resistant safety stays may be
flexible guidance for small diffusers and rooflights. provided on escape windows.
Appendix A (Performance of materials, products and ii. New guidance has been provided on the
structures) includes new guidance on the standard provision of galleries and inner inner rooms.
substrates set out in BS EN 13238 Reaction to fire tests for
iii. Additional options of providing sprinkler protection
building products – conditioning procedures and general
and/or a protected stairway instead of alternative
rules for the selection of standard substrates.
escape routes has been included for flats with
Main changes made by the 2010 more than one storey.
iv. Guidance on the use of air circulation systems in
amendments
flats with protected entrance halls or stairways is
given.
The amendment in March 2010 updated a number of
v. The provisions for smoke control in the common
references to European Standards. In particular, the
areas of flats have been changed.
guidance in Appendix B (Fire doors) was updated to
take account of BS EN 81-58:2003 Safety rules for the vi. Guidance on means of escape in buildings with
construction and installation of lifts – Examination and open spatial planning has been included.
tests. Landing doors fire resistance test. vii. A method has been provided for calculating
The amendment in October 2010 reflected the changes acceptable final exit widths for merging escape
made as a result of the Building Regulations 2010, Building routes at ground floor level.
Approved Inspector etc. Regulations 2010. The changes viii. Guidance on the provision of cavity barriers
mainly reflected regulation number changes as a result of associated with subdivided corridors has been
re-ordering. moved to Section 3 and clarified.
Main changes in the 2006 edition ix. Guidance applicable to small premises, previously
in BS 5588-11, has been incorporated into the text.
This is the second impression of the 2006 Edition of x. New guidance on the design of residential care
Approved Document B which incorporates the typographical homes has been given including the use of
and proofing corrections issued in April 2007. sprinklers and/or free swing door closing devices.
This edition of Approved Document B, Fire safety, replaces Greater flexibility is also given where sprinkler
the 2000 edition. The main changes are: systems are provided.
xi. Guidance on means of escape for disabled
general
people has been incorporated in the general
a. Approved Document B: The Approved Document guidance on means of escape.
has been split into two volumes. Volume 1 deals with
xii. In tall building with phased evacuation
dwellinghouses, Volume 2 deals with buildings other
consideration needs to be given to the interaction
than dwellinghouses.
of firefighters with people attempting to evacuate
b. Fire safety information: A new Regulation 38 has the building.
been introduced to ensure that sufficient information
xiii. More detailed guidance has been provided on the
is recorded to assist the eventual owner/occupier/
protection of ventilation systems.
employer to meet their statutory duties under the
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. B3
introduction j. Compartment Walls: The predicted deflection of a
floor, in the event of a fire, should be accommodated
c. Management of Premises: New guidance is given
in the design of compartment walls.
on the need to ensure that management regimes are
k. sprinkler Protection in Flats: Sprinkler systems
realistic.
should be provided in blocks of flats exceeding 30m
d. Certification schemes: Suitable schemes may be
in height.
accepted by Building Control Bodies as evidence of
l. Warehouses: A maximum compartment size has
compliance.
been introduced for unsprinklered singlestorey
e. Residential sprinklers: The use of sprinkler systems
warehouse buildings.
in accordance with BS 9251:2005 is recognised.
m. Concealed spaces: This section has been
f. Alternative Approaches
completely restructured. Table 13 (AD B 2000) has now
i. HTM 05 “Firecode” should be used for used for been incorporated into the text to reduce confusion.
the design of hospitals and similar health care
premises. Main changes are continued on the inside back cover
* This approved document gives guidance for compliance with the Building Regulations for building work carried out in England. It also applies to building
work carried out on excepted energy buildings in Wales as defined in the Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) (No. 2) Order 2009.
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B

Contents
PAGE PAGE
Use of guidance 5 B1 Section 4: Design for vertical escape 43
The Approved Documents 5 Introduction 43
Limitation on requirements 5 Number of escape stairs 43
Materials and workmanship 5 Provision of refuges 43
Interaction with other legislation 6 Width of escape stairs 45
Calculation of minimum stair width 45
General introduction 8
Protection of escape stairs 49
Scope 8
Basement stairs 51
Arrangement of sections 8
External escape stairs 52
Management of premises 9
Property protection 9 B1 Section 5: General provisions 53
Independent schemes of certification and Introduction 53
accreditation 9
Protection of escape routes 53
Sprinkler systems 10
Doors on escape routes 53
Inclusive design 11
Stairs 54
Material alteration 11
General 57
Alternative approaches 11
Lifts 58
B1 Means of warning and escape Mechanical ventilation and
– The Requirement 14 air-conditioning systems 59
Refuse chutes and storage 59
B1 Guidance 15
Shop store rooms 60
Performance 15
Introduction 15 B2 Internal fire spread (linings)
– The Requirement 61
B1 Section 1: Fire alarm and fire
detection systems 17 B2 Guidance 62
Introduction 17 Performance 62
Flats 17 Introduction 62
Buildings other than flats 18
B2 Section 6: Wall and ceiling linings 63
B1 Section 2: Means of escape from flats 21 Classification of linings 63
Introduction 21 Variations and special provisions 63
General provisions 21 Thermoplastic materials 64
Provisions for escape from flats where the floor
B3 Internal fire spread (structure)
is not more than 4.5m above ground level 22
– The Requirement 67
Provisions for flats with a floor more
than 4.5m above ground level 22 B3 Guidance 68
Means of escape in the common parts of flats 25 Performance 68
Common stairs 29 Introduction 68
Live/work units 31
B3 Section 7: Loadbearing elements
of structure 69
B1 Section 3: Design for horizontal escape
in buildings other than flats 32 Introduction 69
Introduction 32 Fire resistance standard 69
Escape route design 32 Raised storage areas 69
Small premises 39 Conversion to flats 70
Residential care homes 41
Approved Document B (Fire safety) Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellinghouses
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CONTENTS
PAGE PAGE
B3 Section 8: Compartmentation 71 B4 Section 14: Roof coverings 102
Introduction 71 Introduction 102
Provision of compartmentation 71 Classification of performance 102
Construction of compartment walls and Separation distances 102
compartment floors 74
B5 Access and facilities for
Openings in compartmentation 76
the Fire and Rescue Service
Protected shafts 76 – The Requirement 105
B3 Section 9: Concealed spaces (cavities) 80 B5 Guidance 106
Introduction 80 Performance 106
Provision of cavity barriers 80 Introduction 106
Pathways around fire separating elements 81
B5 Section 15: Fire Mains and hydrants 107
Extensive cavities 81
Introduction 107
Construction and fixings for cavity barriers 84
Provision of fire mains 107
B3 Section 10: Protection of openings Number and location of fire mains 107
and fire-stopping 85
Design and construction of fire mains 107
Introduction 85
Provision of private hydrants 107
Openings for pipes 85
B5 Section 16: Vehicle access 108
Ventilation ducts, flues, etc. 86
Introduction 108
Fire-stopping 87
Buildings not fitted with fire mains 108
B3 Section 11: Special provisions for car
Buildings fitted with fire mains 111
parks and shopping complexes 89
Design of access routes and hard-standings 111
lntroduction 89
Car parks 89 B5 Section 17: Access to buildings for
firefighting personnel 112
Shopping complexes 90
Introduction 112
B4 External fire spread
Provision of firefighting shafts 112
– The Requirement 91
Number and location of firefighting shafts 112
B4 Guidance 92
Design and construction of firefighting shafts 112
Performance 92
Rolling shutters in compartment walls 114
Introduction 92
B5 Section 18: Venting of heat and
B4 Section 12: Construction of smoke from basements 115
external walls 93
Introduction 115
Introduction 93
Provision of smoke outlets 115
Fire resistance standard 93
Construction of outlet ducts or shafts 116
Portal frames 93
Basement car parks 116
External wall construction 93
Appendices
External surfaces 93
Appendix A: Performance of
B4 Section 13: Space separation 96
materials, products and structures 117
Introduction 96
Introduction 117
Boundaries 97
Fire resistance 117
Unprotected areas and fire resistance 98
Roofs 118
Methods for calculating acceptable
Reaction to fire 119
unprotected area 100
Non-combustible materials 119
Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellinghouses Approved Document B (Fire safety)
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CONTENTS
PAGE PAGE
Materials of limited combustibility 119 19. Progressive horizontal evacuation
in care homes 41
Internal linings 119
20. Refuge formed by compartmentation 44
Thermoplastic materials 120
21. Refuge formed in a stairway 44
Fire test methods 121
22. Maximum travel distance in a two-storey
Appendix B: Fire doors 132 premises with a single open stair 50
23. Maximum travel distance in a
Appendix C: Methods of measurement 135
small three-storey premises with
a single stair to each storey 50
Appendix D: Purpose groups 139
24. External protection to protected stairways 55
Appendix E: Definitions 141
25. Fire resistance of areas adjacent to
external stairs 56
Appendix F: Fire behaviour of insulating
core panels used for internal structures 145
B2
Appendix G: Fire safety information 147 26. Lighting diffuser in relation to ceiling 64
27. Layout restrictions on Class 3 plastic
Appendix H: Standards and other
rooflights, TP(b) rooflights and TP(b)
publications referred to 149
lighting diffusers 65
Diagrams 27A. Layout restrictions on small Class 3
plastic rooflights, TP(b) rooflights and
B1 lighting diffusers 66
1. Gallery floors with no alternative exit 22
B3
2. Flat where all habitable rooms have
28. Compartment floors: illustration of
direct access to an entrance hall 23
guidance in paragraph 8.18 73
3. Flat with restricted travel distance
29. Compartment walls and compartment
from furthest point to entrance 23
floors with reference to relevant
4. Flat with an alternative exit, but paragraphs in Section 8 75
where all habitable rooms have no
30. Junction of compartment wall with roof 77
direct access to an entrance hall 24
31. Protected shafts 78
5. Multi-storey flat with alternative exits
from each habitable room, except at 32. Uninsulated glazed screen separating
entrance level 24 protected shaft from lobby or corridor 79
6. Multi-storey flat with protected 33. Provisions for cavity barriers 80
entrance hall and landing 25
34. Cavity walls excluded from provisions
7. Flats served by one common stair 26 for cavity barriers 82
8. Flats served by more than one 35. Fire-resisting ceiling below
common stair 27 concealed space 83
9. Common escape route in small single 36. Provisions for cavity barriers in
stair building 28 double-skinned insulated roof sheeting 83
10. Travel distance in dead-end condition 34 37. Pipes penetrating structure 86
11. Alternative escape routes 34 38. Enclosure for drainage or water
supply pipes 87
12. Inner room and access room 35
39. Flues penetrating compartment
13. Exits in a central core 35
walls or floors 88
14. Open connections 35
B4
15. Merging flows at final exit 37
40. Provisions for external surfaces or walls 95
16. Subdivision of corridors 38
41. Relevant boundary 96
17. Dead-end corridors 39
42. Notional boundary 97
18. Maximum travel distances in a small two
or three storey premises with a single 43. Status of combustible surface material
protected stairway to each storey 40 as unprotected area 98
Approved Document B (Fire safety) Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellinghouses
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CONTENTS
PAGE PAGE
44. Unprotected areas which may be B2
disregarded in assessing the separation
10. Classification of linings 63
distance from the boundary 99
11. Limitations applied to thermoplastic
45. The effect of a canopy on
rooflights and lighting diffusers in
separation distance 99
suspended ceilings and Class 3
46. Permitted unprotected areas in small plastic rooflights 65
residential buildings 101
B3
47. Limitations on spacing and size of plastic
rooflights having a Class 3 (National 12. Maximum dimensions of building
class) or Class D-s3, d2 (European or compartment (non-residential
class) or TP(b) lower surface 102 buildings) 74
13. Maximum dimensions of cavities in
B5
non-domestic buildings (Purpose
48. Example of building footprint and Groups 2-7) 82
perimeter 109
14. Maximum nominal internal diameter of
49. Relationship between building and pipes passing through a compartment
hard-standing/access roads for high wall/floor 85
reach fire appliances 110
B4
50. Turning facilities 111
15. Permitted unprotected areas in small
51. Provision of firefighting shafts 113
buildings or compartments 101
52. Components of a firefighting shaft 114
16. Limitations on roof coverings 103
53. Fire-resisting construction for smoke
17. Class 3 (National class) or Class
outlet shafts 115
D-s3,d2 plastic rooflights: limitations
on use and boundary distance 104
Appendices
18. TP(a) and TP(b) plastic rooflights:
C1. Measurement of door width 136
limitations on useand boundary
C2. Cubic capacity 136 distance 104
C3. Area 137
B5
C4. Height of building 137
19. Fire and rescue service vehicle access
C5. Number of storeys 138 to buildings (excluding blocks of flats)
not fitted with fire mains 108
C6. Height of top storey in building 138
20. Typical fire and rescue service vehicle
C7. Free area of smoke ventilators 138
access route specification 111
E1. Recessed car parking areas 144
Appendices
Tables
A1. Specific provisions of test for fire
resistance of elements of structure etc. 122
B1
A2. Minimum periods of fire resistance 124
1. Limitations on distance of travel
in common areas of block of flats 28 A3. Limitations on fire-protecting
suspended ceilings 126
2. Limitations on travel distance 33
A4. Limitations on the use of uninsulated
3. Minimum number of escape routes
glazed elements on escape routes 127
and exits from a room, tier or storey 34
A5. Notional designations of roof coverings 128
4. Widths of escape routes and exits 36
A6. Use and definitions of non-combustible
5. Maximum distances of travel in
materials 129
small premises with a protected stair 40
A7. Use and definitions of materials of
6. Minimum widths of escape stairs 45
limited combustibility 130
7. Capacity of a stair for basements
A8. Typical performance ratings of some
and for simultaneous evacuation of
generic materials and products 131
the building 46
B1. Provisions for fire doors 134
8. Minimum width of stairs designed
for phased evacuation 48 C1. Floor space factors 135
9. Provisions for escape lighting 58 D1. Classification of purpose groups 140
Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellinghouses Approved Document B (Fire safety)
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B

Use of guidance
THE APPROVED DOCUMENTS MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP
This document is one of a series that has been Any building work which is subject to the
approved and issued by the Secretary of State requirements imposed by schedule 1 to the
for the purpose of providing practical guidance Building Regulations shall be carried out in
with respect to the requirements of Schedule 1 accordance with regulation 7. Guidance on
to and Regulation 7 of the Building Regulations meeting these requirements on materials and
2010 (SI 2000/2214) for England and Wales. workmanship is contained in the Approved
Document to support regulation 7.
At the back of this document is a list of all the
documents that have been approved and issued Building Regulations are made for specific
by the Secretary of State for this purpose. purposes, primarily the health and safety, welfare
and convenience of people and for energy
The Approved Documents are intended to
conservation. Standards and other technical
provide guidance for some of the more common
specifications may provide relevant guidance to
building situations. However, there may well be
the extent that they relate to these considerations.
alternative ways of achieving compliance with
However, they may also address other aspects
the requirements.
of performance or matters which, although they
Thus there is no obligation to adopt any relate to health and safety etc., are not covered
particular solution contained in an Approved by the Building Regulations.
Document if you prefer to meet the relevant
When an Approved Document makes reference
requirement in some other way.
to a named standard, the relevant version of the
standard to which it refers is the one listed at the
Other requirements
end of the publication. However, if this version
The guidance contained in an Approved Document has been revised or updated by the issuing
relates only to the particular requirements of the standards body, the new version may be used
Regulations which that document addresses. The as a source of guidance provided it continues
building work will also have to comply with the to address the relevant requirements of the
Requirements of any other relevant paragraphs Regulations.
in Schedule 1 to the Regulations.
Independent certification schemes
There are Approved Documents which give
guidance on each of the other requirements in There are many UK product certification schemes.
Schedule 1 and on Regulation 7. Such schemes certify compliance with the
requirements of a recognised document which is
appropriate to the purpose for which the product
LIMITATION ON REQUIREMENTS
is to be used. Products which are not so certified
In accordance with Regulation 8, the requirements may still conform to a relevant standard.
in Parts A to D, F to K, N and P (except for
Many certification bodies which approve such
paragraphs H2 and J7) of Schedule 1 to the
schemes are accredited by the United Kingdom
Building Regulations do not require anything
Accreditation Service (UKAS).
to be done except for the purpose of securing
reasonable standards of health and safety for Since the fire performance of a product,
persons in or about buildings (and any others component or structure is dependent upon
who may be affected by buildings or matters satisfactory site installation and maintenance,
connected with buildings). This is one of the independent schemes of certification and
categories of purpose for which Building Regulations accreditation of installers and maintenance firms
may be made. of such will provide confidence in the appropriate
standard of workmanship being provided.
Paragraphs H2 and J7 are excluded from
Regulation 8 because they deal directly with Building Control Bodies may accept the certification
prevention of the contamination of water. Parts E of products, components, materials or structures
and M (which deal, respectively, with resistance under such schemes as evidence of compliance
to the passage of sound and access to and use of with the relevant standard. Similarly, Building
buildings) are excluded from Regulation 8 because Control Bodies may accept the certification
they address the welfare and convenience of of the installation or maintenance of products,
building users. Part L is excluded from Regulation 8 components, materials or structures under such
because it addresses the conservation of fuel schemes as evidence of compliance with the
and power. All these matters are amongst the relevant standard. Nonetheless, a Building Control
purposes other than health and safety that may Body will wish to establish, in advance of the
be addressed by Building Regulations. work, that any such scheme is adequate for the
purposes of the Building Regulations.
Approved Document B (Fire safety) Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellinghouses
O N L I N E V E R S I O N 5
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B
USE OF GUIDANCE
Technical specifications at an early stage as to what, if any, additional
provisions may be necessary when the building
Building Regulations are made for specific
is first occupied.
purposes including: health and safety, energy
conservation and the welfare and convenience Article 6 of the Order does exclude some premises
of people. Standards and technical approvals are such as certain mines, vehicles and land forming
relevant guidance to the extent that they relate part of an agricultural or forestry undertaking.
to these considerations. However, they may also The Order applies to all non-domestic premises,
address other aspects of performance such as which includes the common parts of block of
serviceability, or aspects which, although they flats and HMOs.
relate to health and safety, are not covered by
Guidance on the consultation procedures that
the Regulations.
should be adopted to ensure that the requirements
When an Approved Document makes reference of all enforcing authorities are addressed at
to a named standard, the relevant version of Building Regulation Approval stage is contained in
the standard is the one listed at the end of Building Regulation and Fire Safety – Procedural
the publication. However, if this version of the Guidance, published jointly by CLG and the
standard has been revised or updated by the Welsh Assembly Government.
issuing standards body, the new version may
There may be other Statutes enforced by the
be used as a source of guidance provided it
local authority or the fire and rescue authority
continues to address the relevant requirements
that may be applied to premises of specific uses
of the Regulations.
once they are occupied.
The appropriate use of a product which complies
with a European Technical Approval as defined in Houses in multiple occupation
the Construction Products Directive should meet
This guidance may also be applicable to the
the relevant requirements.
design and construction of dwellings which are
The Department intends to issue periodic considered to be ‘houses in multiple occupation’
amendments to its Approved Documents (HMOs), as defined in the Housing Act 2004,
to reflect emerging harmonised European providing there are no more than six residents
Standards. Where a national standard is to be in any self-contained dwelling. The licensing
replaced by a European harmonised standard, of HMOs is typically overseen by the Local
there will be a co-existence period during which Authority who may require additional precautions
either standard may be referred to. At the end over and above this guidance. Technical
of the co-existence period the national standard guidance on the assessment of hazards from fire
will be withdrawn. and preventive measures for HMOs is contained
in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System
Operating Guidance issued in February 2006
INTERACTION WITH OTHER
(ISBN: 978 1 85112 846 4).
LEGISLATION
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare)
Regulations 1992
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare)
The Fire Safety Order reforms the law relating to
Regulations 1992 contain some requirements which
fire safety in non-domestic premises. Specifically
affect building design. The main requirements are
it replaces the Fire Precautions (Workplace)
now covered by the Building Regulations, but for
Regulations 1997 and the Fire Precautions Act
further information see: Workplace health, safety
1971. It imposes a general duty to take such fire
and welfare, The Workplace (Health, Safety and
precautions as may be reasonably required to
Welfare) Regulations 1992, Approved Code of
ensure that premises are safe for the occupants
Practice and Guidance; The Health and Safety
and those in the immediate vicinity.
Commission, L24; published by HMSO 1992
By virtue of the Order, the responsible person is (ISBN: 0 11886 333 9).
required to carry out a fire risk assessment of their
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare)
premises. This must be a suitable and sufficient
Regulations 1992 apply to the common parts
assessment of the risks to which relevant persons
of flats and similar buildings if people such as
are exposed for the purpose of identifying the
cleaners, wardens and caretakers are employed
general fire precautions they need to take to
to work in these common parts. Where the
comply with the requirements under the Order.
requirements of the Building Regulations that are
Although these requirements are applicable to covered by this Part do not apply to dwellings,
premises whilst in operation, it would be useful the provisions may still be required in the
for the designers of a building to carry out a situations described above in order to satisfy
preliminary fire risk assessment as part of the the Workplace Regulations.
design process. If a preliminary risk assessment
is produced, it can be used as part of the Building
Regulations submission and can assist the fire
safety enforcing authority in providing advice
Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellinghouses Approved Document B (Fire safety)
6 O N L I N E V E R S I O N
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B
USE OF GUIDANCE
The Construction (Design and Management)
Regulations 2006
The purpose of this Approved Document is to
provide guidance on the fire safety requirements
for the completed building. It does not address
the risk of fire during the construction work which
is covered by the Construction (Design and
Management) Regulations 2006 and the Regulatory
Reform (Fire Safety) Order. HSE has issued the
following guidance on fire safety in construction:
Construction Information Sheet No 51 Construction
fire safety; and HSG 168 Fire safety in construction
work (ISBN: 0 71761 332 1).
When the construction work is being carried out
on a building which, apart from the construction
site part of the building, is occupied, the Fire and
Rescue Authority is responsible for the enforcement
of the 2006 Regulations in respect of fire. Where
the building is unoccupied, the Health and Safety
Executive is responsible for enforcement on the
construction site.
Environmental Protection
Requirements under Part B of the Building
Regulations and the guidance in this
Approved Document are made for the
purpose of ensuring the health and safety
of people in and around buildings.
The Environment Agency publishes guidance
on the design and construction of buildings for
the purpose of protecting the environment. This
includes Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPG18)
on Managing Fire Water and Major Spillages,
which seeks to minimise the effects of water
run-off from fire-fighting. It is aimed at medium
to large (and small, high-risk) commercial and
industrial sites and sets out requirements for the
construction of containment areas for contaminated
water and such other measures.
It should be noted that compliance with the
Building Regulations does not depend upon
compliance with other such guidance.
Approved Document B (Fire safety) Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellinghouses
O N L I N E V E R S I O N 7
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B

General introduction
FIRE SAFETY VOLUME 2 provisions for controlling external fire spread (B4)
and between B3 and B5. Interaction between
– BUILDINGS OTHER THAN
these different requirements should be recognised
DWELLINGHOUSES where variations in the standard of provision are
being considered. A higher standard under one
Scope of the requirements may be of benefit in respect
of one or more of the other requirements. The
0.1 Approved Document B (Fire safety) has
guidance in the document as a whole should be
been published in two volumes. Volume 1 deals
considered as a package aimed at achieving an
solely with dwellinghouses (see Appendix E and
acceptable standard of fire safety.
Building Regulation 2(1)), while Volume 2 deals
with all other types of building covered by the 0.5 In the guidance on B1 the provisions for
Building Regulations. flats are separated from those for all other types of
building because there are important differences
Where very large (over 18m in height) or unusual
in the approach that has been adopted.
dwellinghouses are proposed, some of the
guidance in Volume 2 may be needed to Appendices: provisions common to more than
supplement that given by Volume 1. one of Part B’s requirements
0.6 Guidance on matters that refer to more than
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
one of the Sections is in a series of Appendices,
covering the following subjects:
0.2 The functional requirements B1 to B5 of
Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations are dealt Appendix A: Performance of materials,
with separately in one or more Sections. The products and structures
requirement is reproduced at the start of the
Appendix B: Fire doors
relevant Sections, followed by an introduction
to the subject. Appendix C: Methods of measurement
0.3 The provisions set out in this document Appendix D: Purpose groups
deal with different aspects of fire safety, with the
Appendix E: Definitions
following aims.
Appendix F: Fire behaviour of insulating core
B1: To ensure satisfactory provision of
panels used for internal structures
means of giving an alarm of fire and a
satisfactory standard of means of escape Appendix G: Fire safety information
for persons in the event of fire in a building.
Appendix H: S tandards and other
B2: To ensure fire spread over the internal publications referred to.
linings of buildings is inhibited.
Fire performance of materials, products
B3: To ensure the stability of buildings in
and structures
the event of fire; to ensure that there is a
sufficient degree of fire separation within 0.7 Much of the guidance throughout this
buildings and between adjoining buildings; document is given in terms of performance in
to provide automatic fire suppression relation to standard fire test methods. Details are
where necessary; and to inhibit the unseen drawn together in Appendix A to which reference
spread of fire and smoke in concealed is made where appropriate. In the case of fire
spaces in buildings. protection systems, reference is made to standards
for systems design and installation. Standards
B4: To ensure external walls and roofs have
referred to are listed in Appendix H.
adequate resistance to the spread of fire
over the external envelope and that spread of Fire doors
fire from one building to another is restricted.
0.8 Guidance in respect of fire doors is set out
B5: To ensure satisfactory access for fire in Appendix B.
appliances to buildings and the provision
of facilities in buildings to assist firefighters Methods of measurement
in the saving of life of people in and
0.9 Some form of measurement is an integral
around buildings.
part of much of the guidance in this document
0.4 Whilst guidance appropriate to each of and methods are set out in Appendix C.
these aspects is set out separately in this document,
Purpose groups
many of the provisions are closely interlinked.
For example, there is a close link between the 0.10 Much of the guidance in this document
provisions for means of escape (B1) and those for is related to the use of the building. The use
the control of fire growth (B2), fire containment classifications are termed purpose groups and
(B3) and facilities for the fire and rescue service they are described in Appendix D.
(B5). Similarly there are links between B3 and the
Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellinghouses Approved Document B (Fire safety)
8 O N L I N E V E R S I O N