Approved Document B of the Building Regulations covers fire safety matters within and around buildings. Published in two volumes, Volume 1 deals solely with dwellings, including blocks of flats, while this volume - Volume 2 - deals with all other types of building cover by the Building Regulations and comes into effect on 30 August 2019.

The aim of each volume is to set out the guidelines that need to be followed in order to prevent the spread of fire over linings, such as walls and ceilings. Each volume also states what materials can be used and what British Standards each should conform to, to ensure that they provide the required level of protection.

This new edition of Approved Document B incorporates the following amendments:

*November 2018 which took effect on 21 December 2018
*December 2018 which took effect on 21 January 2019
Full details on the above amendment booklets can be found at - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/795931/AD_B_Apr2019_amend.pdf

Main changes in the 2019 edition are:

*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.
*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.
*As well as furthering the use of plain English, the document has been significantly restructured:
- the design of blocks of flats has moved from volume 2 to volume 1

- guidance on the design of sprinkler systems has been consolidated to a new Appendix

- European fire classifications are provided within the main body of the document with transposition to a national classification provided in Appendix B

- the guidance on external stairs has been consolidated

- fire safety information (under regulation 38) has been moved from an appendix into a new section

- the guidance on insulating core panels has moved from an appendix into the Wall and Ceiling Linings section

- the guidance on fire dampers and ventilation systems has been consolidated.