Building Regulations Fire Safety (Part B) - General/Procedural FAQs

This web page covers general Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) relating to Approved Document Part B. Further FAQs relating to Volume 1 and Volume 2 can be accessed by using the links in the panel on the left.

What is needed to demonstrate compliance with Regulation 16B?

Where a building is erected or extended, or has undergone a material change of use, and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order applies to that building or extension, Regulation 16B of the Building Regulations requires that, a package of fire safety information - ‘as built’ information which records the fire safety design of the building or extension - must be assembled and given to the person responsible for the premises.

The fire safety information provided should include all fire safety design measures in appropriate detail and with sufficient accuracy to assist the responsible person to operate and maintain the building in reasonable safety. Where a fire safety strategy or a preliminary fire risk assessment has been prepared these should also be included.

The exact amount of information and level of detail necessary will vary depending on the nature and complexity of the building’s design (further guidance on what information should be provided is given in Appendix G of Approved Document B – Volume 2).

• Does the inclusion of fire suppression systems in Requirement B3(3) now mean that all buildings should have a sprinkler system fitted? 

No. Requirement B3(3) requires, where reasonably necessary, subdivision of the building with fire resisting construction and/or the installation of a suitable automatic fire suppression system.

What is considered reasonable in any particular case will depend on the size and intended use of the building. In some cases either sprinklers or compartment walls and floors will be necessary and other cases it may be necessary to provide both or neither. Guidance on where sprinklers should be provided is given the Approved Document. 

• What role does the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RR(FS)O) play in the design process?

The RR(FS)O does not regulate the building design process. However, there may be circumstances where building work is found to be necessary once the building is occupied to meet the requirements of the Order which would not have been required by Building Regulations...

This can be avoided if proper consideration of how the building will be used and how fire risks will be managed is made at design stage. The Building Control Body is required to consult the enforcement authority for the RR(FS)O (in most instances the Fire and Rescue Service) and any comments and advice they provide can help with this consideration process.

Guidance on the interaction between the building control process and fire safety is given in the Procedural Guidance, a fourth edition of which was published in July 2007.

• Will the Local Acts be repealed?

The subject of local acts is currently being considered as part of a wider review.  No decisions have yet been taken. However, any action that the Department does eventually propose would be subject to consultation.