Further changes proposed for the regulations governing fire resistant building materials in the UK

Proposal to update BS 476 making construction product manufacturers responsible for testing their products to the British Standard version of the European Standards.

The Government has set-out new measures to make residential buildings safer in the event of a fire.

The new rules proposed by the government in December 2022 include removing references to the national classifications (BS 476) from Approved Document B. This means the dual system currently in place will end. Under these proposals construction product manufacturers will be required to test their products to the British Standard version of the European Standards.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will consult on its plans over the next 12 weeks. Plans also include rules on staircases, which would mean new tower blocks over 30 metres will need to have more than one staircase and making fires sprinkler systems mandatory for all new care homes, regardless of height.

Lee Rowley the Minister for Local Government and Building Safety said:

“There are undoubtedly lessons still to be learnt from the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the Department for Housing is committed to working with the sector and residents to explore what more needs to be done to make new homes across the country safe.”

He went on to explain that:

“This consultation is the next step in the Department’s work to improve building regulations and make sure they are as clear and effective as possible.”

Following the Grenfell Tower fire, the government has been updating and improving fire safety guidance. Several significant changes to the Building Regulations and its guidance have been made since 2017. Including

• A ban of combustible materials for residential buildings, hospitals and student accommodation above 18m.
• New guidance provided for residential buildings between 11m-18m.
• Ban on the use of Metal Composite Materials of the type used on Grenfell on all buildings.

To read more about the new measures proposed see the press release from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Lee Rowley MP here.

All the fire resistant materials sold by Quietstone are rigorously tested and fully compliant to all the latest relevant standards and regulations.

For more information please do not hesitate to get in touch.