Information Classification: CONTROLLED #

Building Regulations - Approved Document B 1992

ADB 1992 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R

Common Escape Routes What is the Fire Evacuation Alternative MOE within Do limits on the Internal Travel Distance Common Stair Lobbied? Protected Entrance Hall Required Limits on Travel Distance within the Smoke Ventilation Required in Stair Protection (AOV Required) Stair Protection (OV Required) Storage and Hazard Rooms Ancillary Accommodation Automatic Fire Detection Emergency Lighting of Common Signs Firefighting Equipment Structural Fire Resistance Fire Service B5 Requirements
Small Single Stair Building
Strategy? the Flat? within the Flat Apply? with the Flat? Common MOE? Corridor/Lobby (AOV)? Escape Routes (extinguishers)

If the stair also serves offices, stores or other ancillary accommodation it

FLATS should be separated from the stair by a protected lobby/corridor (REI 30) Floor height not more than 5m - 30 minutes
Max 3 storeys above the ground Single protected stair Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Not a requirement Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023
with a min. 0.4m2 of permanent ventilation, or be protected from the Floor height 5-20m - 60 minutes
Top storey height not more than 11m ingress of smoke by a mechanical smoke control system.
LIMITED - 2 flats per floor
2.12, Dia.5, 6 (p.20), Dia. 7, 8 (p.21) Dia. 12 (p.24) Dia. 12 (p.24) Dia. 3.9 (p.29) Dia. 10 (p.23) 2.27 (p.25) 2.27 (p.25) 2.7 (p.19) Table 9 (p.43) 3.45 (p.31) Table A2 (p.98) 16.2 (p.85)

If the stair also serves offices, stores or other ancillary accommodation it

FLATS should be separated from the stair by a protected lobby/corridor (REI 30) Floor height not more than 5m - 30 minutes
Max 3 storeys above the ground Single protected stair Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Not a requirement Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 2 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023 Same as ADB 2023
with a min. 0.4m of permanent ventilation, or be protected from the Floor height 5-20m - 60 minutes
Top storey height not more than 11m ingress of smoke by a mechanical smoke control system.
MORE THAN 2 flats per floor
2.12, Dia.5, 6 (p.20), Dia. 7, 8 (p.21) Dia. 12 (p.24) Dia. 12 (p.24) Dia. 3.9 (p.29) Dia. 10 (p.23) 2.27 (p.25) 2.27 (p.25) 2.7 (p.19) Table 9 (p.43) 3.45 (p.31) Table A2 (p.98) 16.2 (p.85)

Building Regulations - Approved Document B 2023

ADB 2023 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R

Common Escape Routes What is the Fire Evacuation Alternative MOE within Do limits on the Internal Travel Distance Common Stair Lobbied? Protected Entrance Hall Required Limits on Travel Distance within the Smoke Ventilation Required in Stair Protection (AOV Required) Stair Protection (OV Required) Storage and Hazard Rooms Ancillary Accommodation Automatic Fire Detection Emergency Lighting of Common Signs Firefighting Equipment Structural Fire Resistance Fire Service B5 Requirements
Small Single Stair Building
Strategy? the Flat? within the Flat Apply? with the Flat? Common MOE? Corridor/Lobby (AOV)? Escape Routes (extinguishers)

If column E = Yes, Provide a single opening vent BS 5499-4

If column E = Yes, If column E = No, provide an automatic opening
If column C = No, Travel distance limited to 9m from any If column E = No, provide a protected If column E = Yes and the travel Where travel distance is measured to a stair lobby, If the stair also serves offices, stores or other ancillary accommodation it Building Safety (England)
FLATS Has an escape windows been Is every flat separated from the Travel distance limited to 4.5m from vent (AOV) with a free area of at least 1m2 is 1.0m2 at the head of the stair, operable remotely Pump appliance access within 45m of all points OR
point within the flat to the entrance door OR provide a entrance hall serving all habitable distance is extended to 7.5m provide the lobby must not provide direct access to any should be separated from the stair by a protected lobby/corridor (REI 30) Smoke detection ONLY (no warning) Installed to Regulations 2022 - Floor height up to 5m - 30 minutes
Max 3 storeys above the ground Single protected stair Stay-put provided for all habitable rooms OR common escape stair by a flat door to the storey exit, this can 2 required at the top of the stair, which is operated at the fire and rescue service access level OR A 2 BS 5266:2016 Not a requirement provide a fire main and hydrant within 18m
protected entrance hall serving all habitable rooms within rooms within a smoke vent 1.5m or storage room, flat or other space containing a with a min. 0.4m of permanent ventilation, or be protected from the BS 5839-1 category M/L5 Evacuation strategy, Floor height up to 11m - 60 minutes
Top storey height not more than 11m an alternative MOE? protected lobby/corridor? be extended to 7.5m automatically on detection of smoke at any storey high-level openable vent with a free area of at (consider BS 9991)
the flat (limit 9m). EACH flat smoke shaft (AOV) potential fire hazard. ingress of smoke by a mechanical smoke control system. procedures, other
LIMITED - 2 flats per floor (see column H) in the stair. least 1m2 at each storey (OV).
important info
3.28, Dia. 3.7, Dia. 3.9 (p.28-29) 3.3 (p.19) 3.15 (p.21) to 3.19 (p.23) Dia. 3.9 (p.29), Dia. 3.2 (p.22) Dia. 3.7 (p.27) Dia. 3.9 (p.29) 3.28e (p.29) Table 3.1 (p.26), 3.37 (p.30) 3.37 (p.30), 3.28d (p.29) 1.10 (p.10), Dia. 9.4 (p.73) 3.44 (p.31) 3.45 (p.31) Table A2 (p.98) 13.2 (p.98)
BS 5499-4
If the travel distance is extended to Provide a single opening vent 1.0m2 at the head of
If column C = No, Travel distance limited to 9m from any The travel distance limited to 4.5m Where travel distance is measured to a stair lobby, If the stair also serves offices, stores or other ancillary accommodation it Building Safety (England)
FLATS Has an escape windows been Every flat should be separated 7.5m within the common MOE a the stair, operable remotely at the fire and rescue Pump appliance access within 45m of all points OR
point within the flat to the entrance door OR provide a from flat door to the storey exit, this 2 the lobby must not provide direct access to any should be separated from the stair by a protected lobby/corridor (REI 30) Smoke detection ONLY (no warning) Installed to Regulations 2022 - Floor height up to 5m - 30 minutes
Max 3 storeys above the ground Single protected stair Stay-put provided for all habitable rooms OR from the common escape stair Not a requirement smoke vent 1.5m to an external wall Not a requirement service access level OR A high-level openable vent 2 BS 5266:2016 Not a requirement provide a fire main and hydrant within 18m
protected entrance hall serving all habitable rooms within can be extended to 7.5m storage room, flat or other space containing a with a min. 0.4m of permanent ventilation, or be protected from the BS 5839-1 category M/L5 Evacuation strategy, Floor height up to 11m - 60 minutes
Top storey height not more than 11m an alternative MOE? by a protected lobby/corridor or smoke shaft (AOV) with a free area of at least 1m2 at each storey (consider BS 9991)
the flat (limit 9m). (see column H) potential fire hazard. ingress of smoke by a mechanical smoke control system. procedures, other
MORE THAN 2 flats per floor must be provided (OV). important info
3.28, Dia. 3.7, Dia. 3.9 (p.28-29) 3.3 (p.19) 3.15 (p.21) to 3.19 (p.23) Dia. 3.9 (p.29), Dia. 3.2 (p.22) Dia. 3.7 (p.27) Dia. 3.9 (p.29) 3.28e (p.29) Table 3.1 (p.26), 3.37 (p.30) 3.37 (p.30), 3.28d (p.29) 1.10 (p.10), Dia. 9.4 (p.73) 3.44 (p.31) 3.45 (p.31) Table A2 (p.98) 13.2 (p.98)

Existing Buildings - Purpose Built Blocks of Flats

Purpose Built Blocks of Flats A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R

Small Single Stair Building Common Escape Routes What is the Fire Evacuation Alternative MOE within Limits on the Internal Travel Distance Common Stair Lobbied? Protected Entrance Hall Required Limits on Travel Distance within the Smoke Ventilation Required in Stair Protection (AOV Required) Stair Protection (OV Required) Storage and Hazard Rooms Ancillary Accommodation Automatic Fire Detection Emergency Lighting of Common Signs Firefighting Equipment Structural Fire Resistance Fire Service B5 Requirements
Strategy? the Flat? within the Flat with the Flat? Common MOE? Corridor/Lobby (AOV)? Escape Routes (extinguishers)

If column E = Yes, If column E = Yes and the travel If column E = No, provide an automatic opening If column E = Yes, Provide a single opening vent 2 storeys - emergency lighting
If column C = No, Travel distance limited to 9m from any If column E = No, provide a protected 2 Where travel distance is measured to a stair lobby, If the stair also serves offices, stores or other ancillary accommodation it
FLATS Stay-put Has an escape windows been Is every flat separated from the Travel distance limited to 4.5m - 6m distance can be extended to 7.5m - vent (AOV) with a free area of at least 1m2 is 1.0m at the head of the stair, operable remotely required if route is long or complex or Pump appliance access within 45m of all points OR
point within the flat to the entrance door OR provide a entrance hall serving all habitable the lobby must not provide direct access to any should be separated from the stair by a protected lobby/corridor (REI 30) Smoke detection ONLY (no warning) Installed to Up to two storeys - 30 minutes
Max 3 storeys above the ground Single protected stair (REI30) (does the fire compartmentation provided for all habitable rooms or an common escape stair by a from flat door to the storey exit, this 10m providing a smoke vent 1.5m2 OR required at the top of the stair, which is operated at the fire and rescue service access level OR A where no effective borrowed light is Not a requirement Not a requirement provide a fire main and hydrant within 18m
protected entrance hall serving all habitable rooms within rooms within storage room, flat or other space containing a with a min. 0.4m2 of permanent ventilation, or be protected from the BS 5839-1 category M/L5 Three or more storeys - 60 minutes
Top storey height not more than 11m support the fire strategy?) alternative MOE? protected lobby/corridor? can be extended to 7.5m smoke shaft is provided (natural or automatically on detection of smoke at any storey high-level openable vent with a free area of at available or reliable. (consider BS 9991)
the flat (limit 9m - 12m). EACH flat 2 potential fire hazard. ingress of smoke by a mechanical smoke control system.
LIMITED - 2 flats per floor (see column G) mechanical) in the stair. least 1m at each storey (OV). 3 storey required.

58.25 (p.89), Fig 8 (p.88) 56.11, Fig.3 (p.77), 56.17, Fig.4 (p.78), Fig.5 (p.80), 56.18 (p.78) 56.24 (p.79), 58.24, 58.25, 58.26 (p.89), 62.6-62.7 (p.95) 58.13, 58.26 (p.87), 62.9 (p.96) 58.14 (p.86) 58.14 (p.86) Fig.8 (88)
3.2 (p.12) 58.25 (p.89), 69.3, 69.4 (p.106) 66.5 (p.104), A6.25, A6.28 (p.159) 64.2 (p.102) 63.2 (p.101) 67.1 (p.104) A1.66 (p.144) 71.5, 71.7 (p.110)
2
If column E = Yes, Provide a single opening vent 1.0m at the head of 2 storeys - emergency lighting
If column C = No, Travel distance limited to 9m from any If the travel distance is extended to Where travel distance is measured to a stair lobby, If the stair also serves offices, stores or other ancillary accommodation it
FLATS Stay-put Has an escape windows been Every flat should be separated Travel distance limited to 4.5m - 6m the stair, operable remotely at the fire and rescue required if route is long or complex or Pump appliance access within 45m of all points OR
point within the flat to the entrance door OR provide a 7.5m -10m within the common MOE the lobby must not provide direct access to any should be separated from the stair by a protected lobby/corridor (REI 30) Smoke detection ONLY (no warning) Installed to Up to two storeys - 30 minutes
Max 3 storeys above the ground Single protected stair (REI30) (does the fire compartmentation provided for all habitable rooms or an from the common escape stair N/A from flat door to the storey exit, this Not a requirement service access level OR A high-level openable vent where no effective borrowed light is Not a requirement Not a requirement provide a fire main and hydrant within 18m
protected entrance hall serving all habitable rooms within a smoke vent 1.5m2 OR smoke shaft 2 storage room, flat or other space containing a with a min. 0.4m2 of permanent ventilation, or be protected from the BS 5839-1 category M/L5 Three or more storeys - 60 minutes
Top storey height not more than 11m support the fire strategy?) alternative MOE? by a protected lobby/corridor can be extended to 7.5m with a free area of at least 1m at each storey available or reliable. (consider BS 9991)
the flat (limit 9m - 12m). must be provided potential fire hazard. ingress of smoke by a mechanical smoke control system.
MORE THAN 2 flats per floor (see column G) (OV). 3 storey required.

58.24 (p.87), Fig 8 (p.88) 56.8, 56.11, Fig.3 (p.77), 56.17, Fig.4 (p.78), Fig.5 (p.80), 56.18 (p.78) 56.24 (p.79), 58.24, 58.25, 58.26 (p.89), 62.6-62.7 (p.95) 58.13, 58.26 (p.87), 62.9 (p.96) 58.14 (p.86) 58.14 (p.86) Fig.8 (88)
3.2 (p.12) 58.25 (p.89), 69.3, 69.4 (p.106) 66.5 (p.104), A6.25, A6.28 (p.159) 64.2 (p.102) 63.2 (p.101) 67.1 (p.104) A1.66 (p.144) 71.5, 71.7 (p.110)

Buildings converted into flats that as a result of the conversion and compartmentation, a ‘stay put policy’ is appropriate.
Compartment walls and floors that separate different occupancies should provide 60 minutes fire resistance.
It applies to existing blocks only.
It applies to blocks of flats located above commercial premises.
Flats that are a HMO (s257) are outside the scope of the guidance.

Existing Buildings - LACORS

LACORS A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R

Small Single Stair Building Common Escape Routes What is the Fire Evacuation Alternative MOE within Limits on the Internal Travel Distance Common Stair Lobbied? Protected Entrance Hall Required Limits on Travel Distance within the Smoke Ventilation Required in Stair Protection (AOV Required) Stair Protection (OV Required) Storage and Hazard Rooms Ancillary Accommodation Automatic Fire Detection Emergency Lighting of Common Signs Firefighting Equipment Structural Fire Resistance Fire Service B5 Requirements
Strategy? the Flat? within the Flat with the Flat? Common MOE? Corridor/Lobby (AOV)? Escape Routes (extinguishers)

If column B = No, 9m is a reference which should be Mixed system

Storage cupboards should not be located in
Buildings Converted into FLATS Simultaneous evacuation Has an escape windows been decreased or increased based on risk. BS 5839-6 Category LD2 Grade D1 (with no floor more than Emergency lighting required if route is Multi-purpose Walls and ceilings separating individual units of
protected routes unless they are fire resisting and 2 2
Conversion prior to 1st June 1992 Single protected stair (on activation of the common fire provided for all habitable rooms or an Consideration to the length of the hallway in flats, Not a requirement See column C Not a requirement Not a requirement Not a requirement Not a requirement No recommendations 200m , if over 200m Grade A) in the common areas and a heat long or complex or where no Not a requirement extinguisher on each accommodation should be constructed to provide No recommendations
kept locked shut and smoke alarms/detectors are
ONE OR TWO STOREYS (1 storey above ground) alarm system) alternative MOE? (consider - protected hallway or alternative exit or detector in each flat. effective borrowed light is available floor (recommended) a minimum of 30 minutes fire resistance
fitted within them (as appropriate).
enhanced AFD or AWFSS). Category LD2 Grade D1 in each flat (rented)

9.11, 9.14 (p.13) D10 (p.47) 15.4 (p.17) D10 (p.47), BS 5839-6:2019 Table 1 (p.23) D10 (p.47) D10 (p.47) D10 (p.47) 19.4 (p.20)
If column B = No, 9m is a reference which should be
Storage cupboards should not be located in Mixed system
Has an escape windows been decreased or increased based on risk. Emergency lighting required if route is Multi-purpose Walls and ceilings separating individual units of
Buildings Converted into FLATS Single protected stair Simultaneous evacuation of the protected routes unless they are fire resisting and BS 5839-6 Category LD2 Grade A in the common areas and a If route is long or
provided for all habitable rooms or an Consideration to the length of the hallway in flats, Not a requirement See column C Not a requirement Not a requirement Not a requirement Not a requirement No recommendations long or complex or where no extinguisher on each accommodation should be constructed to provide No recommendations
Conversion prior to 1st June 1992 common fire alarm kept locked shut and smoke alarms/detectors are heat detector in each flat. complex
alternative MOE? (consider - protected hallway or alternative exit or effective borrowed light is available floor (recommended) a minimum of 30 minutes fire resistance
THREE OR FOUR STOREYS (3 storeys above ground) fitted within them (as appropriate). Category LD2 Grade D1 in each flat (rented)
enhanced AFD or AWFSS).

9.11, 9.14 (p.13) D10 (p.47) 15.4 (p.17) D11 (p.47), BS 5839-6:2019 Table 1 (p.23) D11 (p.48) D11 (p.48) D11 (p.48) 19.4 (p.20)

Buildings converted into flats that as a result of the conversion and due to compartmentation, a ‘stay put policy’ is NOT appropriate.
Compartment walls and floors that separate different occupancies provide ONLY 30 minutes fire resistance.
Section 257 - Converted self-contained flats that does not meet as a minimum standard the requirements of the 1991 Building Regulations (buildings completed before 1st June 1992), and more than one third are rented, this is an HMO.

Updates to Legislation
Fire Safety (England) The Building Safety Act 2022 The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (as amended)
Regulations 2022 (from 1 October 2023)

1) In buildings with two or more domestic premises from which
residents would need to evacuate via common parts, the responsible
person must provide information on the fire procedures to all
residents, specifically how to report a fire, the evacuation Strategy for
the building, and any other information that tells residents what they
must do once a fire has occurred.
2) Risks identified in the FRA
3) Name and UK Address of RP and risk assessor
4) How to report a fire
5) Evacuation strategy
6) Importance of maintain the fire doors
1) Requirement to record your FRA in full. Amendments
2) Multi-occupied premises increased requirements. Article 9(1) - Fire Risk Assessment
3) Premises with two or more dwellings, provide info (emergency procedures, Article 6(1A) - Application to Premises
fire doors). Article 6(1B) - Application to Premises
4) The RRO now applies to the fire doors between the domestic premises and
the common parts, structure, external walls including cladding and balconies. New Articles
Article 21(A) - Provision of information to residents of domestic premises
Article 22(A1) - Co-operation and co-ordination (between responsible persons)
Article 22A - Provision of information to new responsible person
Article 22B - Co-operation with accountable persons

By Joe Garcia EngTech MIFireE

Version 08/03/2024