The Royal Institute
of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the Government’s consultation on
Approved Document B.
The aim of the
consultation from Government was to clarify the official guidance by improving
usability and reducing the risk of misinterpretation by those carrying out and
inspecting building work.
The RIBA is
disappointed that the limited scope of ‘clarification’ has not yet been met.
The latest draft has gone some way towards providing a more navigable and
useable document but there are significant areas in the guidance that remain
fairly impenetrable, such as the section on unprotected areas.
It is expected that
a much-called for further comprehensive review will take place with a lengthy
consultation and evidence gathering process, but in the meantime leaving
designers without clear prescriptive guidance and putting projects and future
building users at risk.
Jane Duncan, Chair
of the Expert Group on Fire Safety says: “It has been sixteen months since the
devasting tragedy at Grenfell Tower and the public are still waiting for
answers that will guide the industry.
"Although the consultation seeks to partially address a lack of clarity,
it falls short of making any significant changes. A review of Approved
Document B has been necessary for years and this simply isn’t enough to
ensure that buildings are safe for the public.
"We are deeply
concerned however that the further, more adequate review will be a lengthy
process. We urge the government to resource this review sufficiently to enable
a swift and thorough update so that the guidance includes the recommendations
that we and others have been calling for.”
The RIBA Expert
Group on Fire Safety set out four key recommendations for baseline prescriptive
requirements:
- Non-combustible cladding –
significant products in external wall construction for existing or new
buildings over 18m in height must be certified ‘non-combustible’ (European
classification A1) products only.*
- More than one means of escape
– in all new multiple occupancy residential buildings, a requirement for
at least two staircases, offering alternative means of escape, where the
top floor is more than 11m above ground level or the top floor is more
than three storeys above the ground level storey (as required for
commercial buildings).
- Sprinklers – retro-fitting of
sprinklers / automatic fire suppression systems and centrally addressable
fire alarm systems to existing residential buildings above 18m from ground
level as ‘consequential improvements’ where a building is subject to
'material alterations'.
- Mandatory requirement for
sprinklers/automatic fire suppression systems and addressable central fire
alarms in all new and converted residential buildings, as already required
in Wales.
