Approved Document B: 2 March 2025 Changes
In response to growing concerns about fire safety in high-risk settings, the UK government has introduced several updates to Approved Document B (AD: B), specifically targeting fire suppression requirements in care homes. Care homes are particularly vulnerable environments, where residents often have limited mobility and may rely on assistance to evacuate safely. As such, the recent updates aim to enhance fire protection and safety standards, with fire suppression playing a pivotal role in safeguarding lives. This blog outlines the key changes to AD: B that impact care home facilities, detailing the requirements and implications for stakeholders in the sector.
With the looming changes to Approved Document B coming into effect in March 2025, it’s important to know how these changes will affect you.
Description of changes to Approved Document B (AD: B) for fire suppression in care homes
Irrespective of current requirements, the government have made the decision to extend the requirements of fire suppression in AD:B as of 2 March 2025.
Whilst certain deviations from building regulations would already trigger the requirement for AWFSS in care homes, such as the removal of self-closing devices from fire doors, this new amendment removes the current allowances associated with the requirement of fire suppression in care homes. This amendment is welcomed by many, including the NFCC, as it makes it a mandatory requirement for all new build care homes regardless of height or other deviations.
This change will also mean that care homes will be expected to limit their compartment sizes to 10 beds and ensure that each door is fitted with a self-closing device.
The recent changes to Approved Document B affect the requirement for sprinklers/fire suppression in care homes across several key areas:
- Mandatory Installation of Sprinklers in New Care Homes: Previously, sprinkler systems were only required in new buildings over a certain height (usually 11 meters). Now, all new care homes, regardless of height, must be equipped with sprinklers/fire suppression. This ensures that every resident in a newly built care home will benefit from an active fire suppression system, offering immediate intervention in the event of a fire.
- Guidance for Existing Care Homes: While not all existing care homes are mandated to retrofit fire suppression systems, the government strongly recommends that care home operators consider installing them during any major refurbishment. The update provides a framework for evaluating when and where to incorporate these systems in existing buildings to enhance safety standards without enforcing mandatory retrofitting.
- Improved Clarity in Guidance: The new ADB amendments offer more detailed guidance on system installation, maintenance, and performance standards for fire suppression in care homes. This clarity should help developers, architects, and care home operators implement the required systems more effectively, reducing the likelihood of interpretation issues and ensuring consistency in fire safety measures across the sector.
Why Were These Changes Made?
The updated requirements reflect an evolving understanding of fire risks and safety needs in care homes. This change follows recommendations from fire safety reviews, the work of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and public consultations seeking feedback from stakeholders, including fire services, care providers, and building professionals. The key motivations behind these updates include:
- Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Many care home residents have limited mobility and may rely on staff for evacuation, making rapid suppression crucial. Fire Suppression systems provide an essential layer of protection, buying valuable time for evacuation and reducing the risk of injury or death.
- Consistency Across Sectors: By applying these requirements to all new care homes regardless of height, the government is ensuring that safety standards are consistently high across the sector, giving residents and families peace of mind.
What does this mean for me if I have a project ongoing?
The 2019 edition incorporating the 2020 and 2022 amendments will remain applicable where a building notice or an initial notice has been given to, or a building control approval application with full plans made to, the relevant authority before 2 March 2025 and either the building work to which it relates:
- has started and is sufficiently progressed before that day; or
- has started and is sufficiently progressed within the period of six months beginning on that day.
Implications for Care Home Operators and Developers
For care home operators, developers, and architects, the new requirements present both a responsibility and an opportunity to prioritise fire safety. These changes may affect planning, design, and budget considerations, especially for new builds. For existing care homes, while retrofitting is not mandatory, operators are encouraged to plan for upgrades as part of refurbishment or improvement projects.
Compliance will require working with experienced fire safety professionals to design and install compliant fire suppression systems that integrate seamlessly into the building’s overall fire safety strategy. The updated Approved Document B guidance outlines specific requirements for system design and maintenance, making it critical for stakeholders to stay informed and adopt best practices.
Conclusion: A Step Forward for Fire Safety in Care Homes
The changes to Approved Document B represent a positive step towards improving fire safety for some of the UK’s most vulnerable residents. By mandating AWFSS in all new care homes and recommending them in existing facilities, the government is setting higher standards for care home fire safety. These updates will likely save lives, prevent injuries, and help build a culture of safety within the care sector.
Understanding these changes is crucial for those involved in the construction, management, and maintenance of care homes. Embracing these new standards not only ensures compliance with building regulations but also demonstrates a commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for those who need it most.
For more information about how these changes could affect your future projects, get in touch with a member of our team today at sales@imist.co.uk, or book a CPD at www.imist.co.uk/cpd.
