Be prepared for further Fire Safety Legislation changes - Effective from 26th November 2020

This article focuses on the amendments made to both volumes of the approved document B; Fire Safety, Volume 1 – Dwellings and Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellings and how this might affect the management of apartment blocks and flats in England & Wales.

Photo by Josh Sorenson from Pexels

The approved documents were approved and issued on 26th May 2020, but do not take effect until 26th November 2020.

The first change includes a trigger height for the provision of sprinklers within blocks of flats, reducing the threshold from 30m to 11m. It means that any block of flats with a storey over 11m above the lowest ground level must be provided with a sprinkler system.

The second change includes recommendations for floor indicator and flat signage which again applied to blocks of flats over 11m above the lowest ground level.

While the legislation does not appear to cater retrospectively for blocks of flats with a storey over 11m, in a hypothetical scenario where a ten storey building is approved to erecting a further two storeys on the top, and in the process is required to deposit those plans with Local Authority. The new legislation will apply, and a sprinkler system including floor and flat indictor signage would therefore apply.

A link to further information on the changes can be found at;

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/approved-document-b-volume-1-and-2-circular-012020

If you are looking for advice or would like to enquire about our Management service options for your Apartment Block or Estate. Please visit our website www.bawtrys.co.uk, Email info@bawtrys.co.uk or call 020 8004 2474.

We are specialists in residential Block & Estate Management with offices located in the heart of Hertfordshire right at the northern gateway to London. We offer bespoke, local and unrivalled support with nearly two decades of property experience. We are proud to offer a green sustainable service, which means NO to posted communication*, NO to hidden charges, and YES to modern management. Be part of the property revolution.

* Unless otherwise required in certain circumstances.