Statutory guidance

Fire safety: Approved Document B

Building regulation in England covering fire safety matters within and around buildings.

Applies to England

Documents

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

June 2022 amendments to Approved Document B, volume 1 and volume 2

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

May 2020 amendments to Approved Document B, volume 1 and volume 2

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: dwellinghouses, 2006 edition incorporating amendments up to December 2018

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: buildings other than dwellinghouses, 2006 edition incorporating amendments up to April 2019

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

November 2018 to April 2019 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

December 2018 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

November 2018 amendment to Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: buildings other than dwellinghouses

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

2013 amendments to Approved Documents

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Building regulations fire safety procedural guidance (2015 – 5th edition)

Approved Document B: Fire safety - frequently asked questions

Approved Document B: frequently asked questions (No longer current)

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: dwellinghouses, 2006 edition incorporating the 2010 and 2013 amendments (No longer current)

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: buildings other than dwellinghouses, 2006 edition incorporating 2010 and 2013 amendments (No longer current)

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@levellingup.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

Building regulations for fire safety in residential homes, including new and existing dwellings, flats, residential accommodation, schools, colleges and offices.

On 2 April 2020, as a response to the call for evidence: a technical review of Approved Document B of the building regulations, ​a workplan was released showing upcoming research to inform updates to fire safety guidance provided in Approved Document B.

The announcement of the new clarified Approved Document B is provided in the Circular. A government response to the consultation has been published.

We have also published frequently asked questions following the ban on combustible materials in external walls: Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018: frequently asked questions

Archived versions of Approved Document B are available at the National Archives

Order printed copies

Online: RIBA books
Telephone: 020 7496 8383
Email: sales@ribabookshops.com

Published 7 December 2010
Last updated 1 December 2022 + show all updates
  1. Added: Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments; and Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments.

  2. Added link to Approved Document B: Fire safety - frequently asked questions

  3. Added June 2022 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2.

  4. Added: Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments; and Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments

  5. Added May 2020 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2.

  6. Added a link to Technical review of Approved Document B workplan.

  7. Replaced: Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition; and Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition

  8. The department has become aware of a potential error in Approved Document B volume 1 2019 edition which details the provision of dampers fitted to the vents of smoke shafts. The department is investigating with industry experts the use of the defined term “fire and smoke dampers” in paragraph 3.51 iii. In addition to this, the guidance in relation to double-skinned insulated roof sheeting will be updated. Diagram 5.2a (volume 1) diagram 8.2a (volume 2) with the associated text in paragraph 5.14 (volume 1) and 8.28 (volume 2) will be updated to remove “with a thermoplastic core”. This brings the text in line with the previous edition of ADB and ensures there is no technical change to the new clarified document. Both volumes of Approved Document B have been removed from sale and from GOV.UK. The potential future corrections will be limited to the paragraphs and diagrams referenced above only.

  9. Added: 'Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition' and 'Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition'.

  10. Added November 2018 to April 2019 amendments to Approved Document B, Volume 1 and Volume 2.

  11. Added 2018 amendments to Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1 and volume 2.

  12. Added 2018 amendment to Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2: buildings other than dwellinghouses - amendments to statutory guidance covering fire safety matters within and around buildings in England.

  13. First published.