Consultation Launched on Mandatory Sprinklers in Care Homes and Second Staircases in Residential Buildings

The Government has launched an open consultation on proposed amendments to Approved Document B: Fire Safety of the building regulations as they apply in England.

The main topics of the consultation include requiring sprinklers to be installed in all new care homes regardless of building height and to require new residential buildings above a specified height to be built with at least 2 staircases to help in evacuations. The consultation also encompasses the intention to fully remove national classifications in favour of British Standards European Norm (BSEN) within Approved Document B.

If approved the changes will only affect new care homes and residential buildings, retrofitting sprinklers in existing care homes is not part of the consultation as it is recognised a more bespoke approach may be required.

The consultation runs until 17^th March 2023 and includes opportunities to consider alternative options for when sprinklers would be required e.g. all care homes or those with 10 or more beds and the building height at which second staircases would be required.

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