| The Approved Documents |
| |
| Part B: Fire Safety |
| B1. Means
of Escape All buildings have to be designed and constructed
so that occupants can get out by their own means, without being
overcome by fire and smoke and get to a place of safety outside
the building. The design and positioning of doors, stairs corridors
and windows constitutes the means of escape. In hospitals, nursing
homes and other similar places where the occupants are not able
to escape by their own unaided efforts special provisions are required. |
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| B2. Internal
Fire Spread (Linings) To inhibit the speed of which a fire
accelerates through a building, the surfaces of ceilings and walls
should be formed in materials which do not themselves burn easily
and cause the rapid spread of flame. |
| |
| B3. Internal
Fire Spread (Structure) In the event of a fire a building
should be designed and constructed so that its stability will be
maintained for a reasonable period. The resistance to failure is
increased by providing fire resistant construction. The length of
time a building should resist collapse or contain a fire is specified
according to the size and risk of the type of building. All building
contain cavities that act like chimneys - if a fire gets inside
concealed spaces it can spread undetected. Fire breaks need to be
provided in these cavities to reduce the risk of fire spread. |
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| B4. External
Fire Spread Fire should not be able to spread or transfer
from one building to another. By ensuring the stability of the external
walls under fire conditions, reducing radiated heat by limiting
window areas and preventing the use of materials that will allow
the outside fabric of the building to burn. |
| |
| B5. Access
and Facilities for the Fire Service All buildings should
be designed and constructed to ensure that in the event of a fire
emergency the Fire Service can get to and operate their equipment
within the building. |
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| Click here for a downloadable
version of the Approved Document Part B |
| Approved
Document B (Fire safety) – Volume 1: Dwellinghouses (2006 Edition)
(PDF 2217 Kb) |
| Approved
Document B (Fire safety) – Volume 2 - Buildings other than dwellinghouses
(2006 Edition, Amended 2007) (PDF 4876 Kb) |
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| Archived Copies |
| |
| Approved Document B - 2000
edition incorporating 2000 and 2002 amendments |
| Valid: 1st March 2003 - 6th April
2007 |
 |
The requirements in this edition
was: |
| 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 |
| Approved
Document B - Fire Safety (2000 Edition) (PDF 6.54Mb) |
| |
| Approved Document
B - 2002 amendments |
| Valid: 1st March 2003 - 6th April
2007 |
 |
The requirements in this edition
was: |
| B1 - Means of Warning and Escape |
| B2 - Internal fire spread (linings) |
| B3 - Internal Fire spread (structure) |
| B4 - External Fire
spread |
| |
| Approved
Document B - Fire Safety (2000 Amendments) (PDF 342Kb) |
| |
| Approved Document
B - 2000 edition |
| Valid: 1st July 2000- 1st March 2003 |
 |
The requirements in this edition
was: |
| 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 |
| Approved
Document B - Fire Safety (2000 Edition) (PDF 1.72Mb) |
| |
| Approved Document
B - 1992 edition |
| Valid: 1st June 1992 - 1st July 2000 |
 |
The requirements in this edition
was: |
| 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 |
| |
| |
| Mandatory rules for means
of escape in case of fire - 1985 edition |
| Valid: 11th November 1985 - 1st June
1992 |
 |
The requirements in this edition
was: |
| B1 - Means of Warning and Escape |
| |
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| |
| Mandatory
Rules for Means of escape (1985 Edition) (PDF 1.3Mb) |
| |
| Approved Document
B - 1985 edition |
| Valid: 11th November 1985 - 1st June
1992 |
 |
The requirements in this edition
was: |
| B2/3/4 - Fire spread |
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