Part B - Fire Safety

Publication title: Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments
Date published: July 2019
Updated: 1 December 2022

Summary

Approved Document B addresses fire safety precautions which must be adhered to, to ensure the safety of occupants, firefighters and those close to the building in the event of a fire.

The document covers all standards related to this, including means of escape, the ability to internally isolate a blaze to prevent a fire from spreading, external fire spread, firefighter access to the building and facilities, fire detection and warning systems in place within a building.

It also addresses the internal spread of a fire due to the structure or lining used within a building and safety measures related to this.  

Document B is separated into two volumes, this volume covers dwellings. 

Both volumes address the same issues, but the information has been adapted for each type of structure, for example different guidance on escape routes depending on building type. 

Download

Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments¹

March 2024 Amendments to Approved Document B, taking effect from 30 September 2026²

The Merged Approved Documents³

A consolidated version of the individual Approved Documents published by the government, now presented as a single, searchable PDF. Note: This consolidated version has not yet been updated by government to include the most recent Approved Document B.

Changes in this version

This volume of this approved document supports requirements B1 to B5 of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 as well as regulations 6(3), 7(2) and 38. It takes effect on 1 December 2022 for use in England.

Approved Document B has been redrafted to clarify its language and content in line with the Department’s style guide for approved documents. This edition of the approved document replaces the 2006 edition including all amendments. There are no changes from the previous edition to the technical guidance within Approved Document B.

Previous versions

• Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments⁴
• Approved Document B (Fire safety) – Volume 1: Dwellings (2019 edition)⁵ (PDF 2.75 Mb)
• May 2020 amendments to Approved Document B, volume 1 and volume 2⁶  (PDF 172KB) 

1. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1124733/Approved_Document_B__fire_safety__volume_1_-_Dwellings__2019_edition_incorporating_2020_and_2022_amendments.pdf
2. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66054cc0f9ab41001aeea490/AD_B_amendment_booklet.pdf
3. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/building-regulations-and-approved-documents-index#approved-documents
4. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/937931/ADB_Vol1_Dwellings_2019_edition_inc_2020_amendments.pdf
5. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/832631/Approved_Document_B__fire_safety__volume_1_-_2019_edition.pdf
6. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/887210/AD_B_2019_edition__May2020_amendments.pdf