{"id":763590,"date":"2024-11-19T07:11:26","date_gmt":"2024-11-19T07:11:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=763590"},"modified":"2024-11-19T08:48:46","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T08:48:46","slug":"the-regs-beware-the-ides-of-march","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/opinion\/the-regs-beware-the-ides-of-march","title":{"rendered":"The Regs: Beware the Ides of March"},"content":{"rendered":"

The clock is ticking in the countdown for the latest amendments to Approved Document B (ADB) to take effect in England. These focus on three primary areas:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Regulation 38 and fire safety information<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Elimination of national classes for reaction to fire and roofing standards<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Mandatory sprinklers in care homes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    First up, Regulation 38 is reinforced to ensure that comprehensive fire safety information is passed from the construction phase to the operational phase. The wording has changed to reflect updates in ADB regarding the responsible parties and the dates when the information must be provided. Remember this should be as accurate as built plans and must be handed over prior to the project\u2019s completion or occupancy, whichever comes first.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    This transfer now includes a requirement for the responsible party to acknowledge receipt and confirm the information\u2019s sufficiency for understanding, operating and maintaining fire safety systems within the building. Failure to secure this acknowledgment could delay project completion, making it essential that all documentation is not only prepared in advance but clearly communicated between contractors and end-users, and that the architect is retained to the end of the project.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Next up is the first in a planned series of changes to remove national classes for fire reaction and roof standards. This means projects can no longer rely on British Standard (BS) classifications alone. Instead, all materials and systems must now meet the European classification system (EN) standards. This change will initially affect reaction-to-fire performance and roof materials, mandating that only products tested and certified under EN standards be used, and will be gradually rolled out to other fire safety systems and components.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The revisions also tighten the fire performance classifications and standards for materials. Testing or relevant evidence must demonstrate that materials will meet the desired performance, particularly for fire resistance, under updated EN guidelines. Notably, they affect the use of \u2018Classification Without Further Testing\u2019 (CWFT) for certain materials, which will mean that many products will need to undergo new tests. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Any test evidence used to demonstrate the fire performance classification of a product or system should be carefully checked to ensure it is applicable to the intended use. Small differences in detail, such as fixing method, joints, dimensions, the introduction of insulation materials and air gaps (ventilated or not), might significantly affect the performance and should be tested, rather than assessed as CWFT.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Product assessments should not be regarded as a way to avoid a test. Assessments should only be carried out where sufficient relevant test evidence is available. Importantly, test evidence is unlikely to be provided by test standards which have different classification criteria. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Where it is proposed to assess the classification of a product or system in lieu of carrying out a specific test, this should only be done in accordance with the relevant standard for extended application for the test in question and should include details of the test evidence that has been used to support the assessment. Tests and assessments should be carried out by organisations with the necessary expertise, and not simply provided by a \u2018fire engineer\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    We expect this to have significant implications which may impact procurement and delay projects if materials are found to be non-compliant. Architects should review project start dates and specifications immediately to confirm specified materials will still comply. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Products specified under BS standards may need to be substituted with EN-compliant alternatives if the target dates will be missed. It\u2019s worth reaching out to manufacturers now, as the current range of products may be significantly more limited until the industry catches up with test capacity.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Perhaps the most impactful change is the requirement for sprinkler systems to be installed in all care homes, regardless of building height. The language in the amendment does not differentiate between new and existing care homes, meaning any refurbishment or upgrade project could trigger the need for sprinklers.<\/span><\/p>\n

    All these amendments take effect on 2 March, 2025, and apply unless a building notice, initial notice, or a building control application with full plans was submitted before this date. Additionally, work must be sufficiently progressed by this deadline or within six months afterwards to qualify under the transitional arrangements. The criteria for \u2018sufficiently progressed\u2019 depends on the project scope and differs from both the \u2018start on site date\u2019 and the \u2018commenced date\u2019 you are hopefully now getting used to supplying to building control. The criteria are:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. In a new building: concrete foundation work or piling must have started.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. For work on existing buildings: renovations or related works must be under way.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. For material change of use: work to facilitate the change must have begun.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      With only months remaining, the March 2025 updates call for immediate attention. Fire safety consultants and material suppliers may need to be brought into discussions early and the approach agreed with building control before tenders are completed and prices agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Geoff Wilkinson is managing director of Wilkinson Constructions Consultants<\/a> and a Class 3G and 3H Registered Building Inspector<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      The clock is ticking in the countdown for the latest amendments to Approved Document B (ADB) to take effect in England. These focus on three primary areas: Regulation 38 and fire safety information Elimination of national classes for reaction to fire and roofing standards Mandatory sprinklers in care homes. First up, Regulation 38 is reinforced …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80389,"featured_media":688249,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[745],"tags":[5732,2746,3147,69959],"yoast_head":"\nThe Regs: Beware the Ides of March<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Important changes to Approved Document B, the guidance relating to fire safety, come into effect in March 2025, warns Geoff Wilkinson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/opinion\/the-regs-beware-the-ides-of-march\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Regs: Beware the Ides of March\" 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