MHCLG Building Safety Programme – May policy updates

The latest package of policy updates and reports includes an update to Approved Document B.

The Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick, has provided a further update on measures that will ensure residents are safe, and feel safe, in their homes – now and in the future.

This latest package of policy updates and reports includes:

• The Prospectus for the Building Safety Fund for the Remediation of Non-ACM Cladding Systems
• An update to Approved Document B

The announcements by Jenrick cover two areas:

1. The Prospectus for the Building Safety Fund for the Remediation of Non-ACM Cladding Systems – In the 2020 Budget, the Government announced that it will provide £1 billion in 2020/21 to support the remediation of unsafe non-ACM cladding systems on residential buildings in both the private and social housing sectors that are 18 metres and over.
   Building owners, freeholders or other responsible entities are urged to register their buildings. The registration process will open in the first week of June, ahead of full guidance and the application process being made available by 31 July 2020 for buildings that meet the technical criteria.
2. Response to Consultation on sprinklers and other fire safety measures in new high-rise blocks of flats – An update to the guidance to the building regulations (Approved Document B, or ADB). This update to ABD includes provisions of sprinkler systems and consistent wayfinding signage in new blocks of flats over 11 metres tall.
   These amendments will take effect on 26 November 2020, the full transitional arrangements are detailed in this circular letter.