Firms Urged to Remember Part B Changes on Combustible Cladding in December 2022

Following the latest changes to Approved Document B of the Building Regulations, bringing in new laws on combustible cladding and ‘relevant buildings’, Bureau Veritas is reminding construction firms to take heed of the changes ahead of their 1 December 2022 deadline.

The amended Approved Document B extends the combustible materials ban introduced in 2018, to include external walls of hotels, hostels and boarding houses with a floor over 18m high.

It also tightens the law on existing relevant buildings (including residential property and institutions such as hospitals, schools and student accommodation) to now encompass those with a storey over 11 metres. This is down from 18 metres, to which the ban had formerly applied. Balconies and solar shading on these buildings are subject to the same rules.

Part B Changes

The latest amendment also introduces a ban on metal composite material panels with unmodified polyethylene core (known as MCM PE), on all new buildings at any height. The Grenfell Tower inquiry uncovered serious fire safety risks associated with this commonly used material.

Approved Document B also includes some new exemptions of fibre optic cables, water proofing and insulation materials in the external wall, below and up to 300mm from ground level. Cavity trays have also been temporarily excluded.

With just one month left until the 1 December deadline for the amended Approved Document B coming into effect, Andy Lowe, Technical and Training Director – Building Control said: “This second amendment to Part B of the Building Regulations is a welcome step in the right direction for the improved safety of buildings.

“Construction companies should be well-versed in the former versions of Part B of the regulations and the ban on combustible materials in external walls. What’s important now is that these rules have become much stricter, with new buildings such as hotels and hostels brought into the ‘relevant buildings’ criteria, and the height for existing ‘relevant buildings’ reduced to 11 metres.

“Construction contractors must ensure that any new plans following 1 December comply with the new rules. The former version of the Building Regulations will still apply where a building or initial notice has been given, or full plans submitted to a local authority, as long as the work commences within six months; otherwise, the new 2022 amendment must be used as guidance.”

Watch the ‘Approved Document B – Fire Safety Update’ webinar.

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