This revised edition of Approved Document B2 incorporates the March 2025 amendment booklet which came into force on 2nd March 2025. The 2025 changes focus on the following fire safety provisions:

• Regulation 38 and fire safety information

• Removal of national classes for reaction to fire and roofs

• Introductions of new provisions for sprinklers in care homes

The revised edition of ADB2 also includes details of the forthcoming September 2026 and September 2029 amendments. These amendments are highlighted in the text so that users can clearly see what changes are due to come into force in the future.

Approved Document B of the Building Regulations covers fire safety matters within and around buildings. Published in two volumes, Volume 1 deals solely with dwellings, including blocks of flats, while this volume – Volume 2 – deals with all other types of building cover by the Building Regulations.

The aim of each volume is to set out the guidelines that need to be followed in order to prevent the spread of fire over linings, such as walls and ceilings. Each volume also states what materials can be used and what British Standards each should conform to, to ensure that they provide the required level of protection.