Amendments to building regulations approved document B (fire safety) (WG 008/2015) (Wales)

Building Regulations Wales

Source page 1

Circular

Circular number:

WGC 008/2015

Date issued:

26 DD /

08 MM /

2015 YYYY

Status:	For information
Title:	Amendments to Approved Document B - Fire Safety - Volumes 1 and 2

Issued by:

Francois Samuel, Head of Building Regulations

Addressed to:	Please forward to:
Local Authority Chief Executives Welsh Local Government Association Association of Corporate Approved Inspectors Construction Industry Council Competent Persons Forum	Local Authority Building Control Officers Assembly Members

Summary:

This circular provides information on the amendments to Approved Document B - Fire Safety - Volume 1 (Dwellinghouses) and Approved Document B – Volume 2 – (Buildings other than dwellinghouses) which will come into effect on the 1 January 2016.

For further information contact:
Colin Blick Building Regulations Welsh Government - Rhyd Y Car Merthyr Tydfil	Direct Line: 03000 628144 E-mail: enquiries.brconstruction@wales.gsi.gov.uk Website: wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/buildfingregs/

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Amendments to Approved Document B (Fire Safety) Volumes 1 (Dwellinghouses) and 2 (Buildings other than dwellinghouses)

INTRODUCTION

1.I am directed by Welsh Ministers to draw your attention to the revision to Approved Document B - Fire Safety - Volume 1 (Dwellinghouses) and Approved Document B – Volume 2 – (Buildings other than dwellinghouses) which will come into effect on the 1 January 2016.

AMENDMENTS TO THE APPROVED DOCUMENTS

2.The amended version of Approved Document B - Volume 1 (Dwellinghouses) includes a new Section 2 in relation to automatic fire suppression systems for buildings covered within the regulations 37A (1) (a) and 37A (1) (b) of the Building Regulations 2010 (provision of automatic fire suppression systems). The amended version is also in a new format for Wales.

3.The amended Approved Document B - Volume 2 (Buildings other than dwellinghouses) includes changes to Section 3 (Means of escape from flats) to incorporate the requirements for fire suppression systems required by regulations 37A (1) (a) and 37A (1) (b) of the Building Regulations 2010 (provision of automatic fire suppression systems) which come into force on the 1 January 2016.

4.Annex A of this circular provides guidance on the approval of the amendment to Approved Document B - Volumes 1 and Volume 2.

ENQUIRIES

5.Any enquiries on this Circular Letter should be addressed to:

Colin Blick, Building Regulations, Welsh Government, Rhydycar, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ.

Telephone: 03000 628144.

E mail Colin.Blick@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

Yours faithfully

Francois Samuel

Head of Building Regulations

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Annex A

Building Act 1984

NOTICE OF APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT OF A DOCUMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF GIVING PRACTICAL GUIDANCE WITH RESPECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BUILDING REGULATIONS 2010
Welsh Ministers hereby give notice under section 6 of the Building Act 1984 that, in exercise of the said powers under section 6, they have approved the amendments to the Approved Document listed below for the purposes of giving practical guidance with respect to the specified requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 (as amended) in Wales only.
Approved Document	Requirements of the Building Regulations in respect of which the document is approved	Date from which the revision takes effect
Amendments to Approved Document B Fire Safety Volume 1 Dwellinghouses (2006)	Part 7A and Schedule 1, Part B	1 January 2016
Amendments to Approved Document B Fire Safety Volume 2 Buildings other than dwellinghouses (2006)	Part 7A and Schedule 1, Part B	1 January 2016 (In relation flats)