Building Regulations
The Building Regulations provide guidance as to the minimum building standards to be achieved. They reference the relevant British and European Standards defining the test requirements and performance of the fire door assembly or fire doorset.
A building designer or owner may choose to fit fire doors in other locations than specified in the regulations to further protect life and property and reduce risk.
There are regional variations of the Building Regulations.
England = Approved Documents
Wales = Approved Documents
Scotland =Technical Handbooks
Northern Ireland = Technical Booklets
Ireland = Technical Booklets
| ENGLAND | WALES | SCOTLAND | N IRELAND | IRELAND | |
| FIRE SAFETY | Approved Document B | Approved Document B | Technical Handbook 2 | Technical Booklet E | Technical Guidance Document B |
| SOUND | Approved Document E | Approved Document E | Technical Handbook 5 | Technical Booklet G | Technical Guidance Document E |
| VENTILATION | Approved Document F | Approved Document F | Technical Handbook 3 | Technical Booklet K | Technical Guidance Document F |
| THERMAL | Approved Document L | Approved Document L | Technical Handbook 6 | Technical Booklet F | Technical Guidance Document L |
| ACCESSIBILITY | Approved Document M | Approved Document M | Technical Handbook 3 | Technical Booklet R | Technical Guidance Document M |
| SECURITY | Approved Document Q | Approved Document Q | Technical Handbook 4 | - | - |
REGULATION 38 + HANDOVER
Regulation 38 applies in England and Wales and states that fire safety information must be handed to the ‘responsible person’ at the completion of a project, or when the building or extension is first occupied.
It places the responsibility of fire safety onto the ‘responsible person’. In order for the responsible person to carry out future inspections and maintenance of fire doors, it is important that the correct information such as installation and maintenance instructions and traceability to the Fire Certificate is handed to them.
This regulation applies where building work—
- (a) consists of or includes the erection or extension of a relevant building; or
- (b) is carried out in connection with a relevant change of use of a building, and Part B of Schedule 1 imposes a requirement in relation to the work.
The person carrying out the work shall give fire safety information to the responsible person not later than the date of completion of the work, or the date of occupation of the building or extension, whichever is the earlier.
In this regulation—
- (a) “fire safety information” means information relating to the design and construction of the building or extension, and the services, fittings and equipment provided in or in connection with the building or extension which will assist the responsible person to operate and maintain the building or extension with reasonable safety;
- (b) a “relevant building” is a building to which the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies, or will apply after the completion of building work;
- (c) a “relevant change of use” is a material change of use where, after the change of use takes place, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 will apply, or continue to apply, to the building; and
- (d) “responsible person” has the meaning given by article 3 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.