In the UK construction industry, few areas of the Building Regulations demand as much scrutiny as Part B (Fire Safety) and Part M (Access to and Use of Buildings). Together, these two parts underpin the principles of safety, inclusivity, and usability that define modern, compliant buildings.

For developers, understanding these requirements is essential not only for achieving Building Control approval but also for ensuring legal, ethical, and operational accountability under the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Equality Act 2010.

While both documents serve different objectives, they often intersect in critical ways. For example, balancing safe evacuation routes with accessible circulation. Too often, these considerations are treated independently, leading to design conflicts, late-stage redesigns, and regulatory delays.

At Salus, our work with developers, architects, and contractors focuses on achieving a coordinated compliance strategy. This article explains what developers need to know about Approved Document B and Approved Document M, how to interpret their key requirements, and how to reconcile them within the broader regulatory framework.

Understanding Part B (Fire Safety)

The Role of Part B in Building Design

Approved Document B provides practical guidance for complying with the fire safety requirements of the Building Regulations 2010. It addresses means of warning and escape, containment and resistance to fire, protection of building structure, and access for firefighting.

The document is split into two volumes:

• Volume 1: Dwellings
• Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings

Both volumes aim to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed to protect life, property, and emergency responders.

Definition: Approved Document B (Fire Safety)
Government-issued guidance that sets out methods of demonstrating compliance with Building Regulations requirements B1–B5: means of escape, internal and external fire spread, and access for firefighting.

Early Fire Strategy and Design Planning

The fire strategy is the foundation of regulatory compliance for any project. It defines how fire safety objectives will be achieved and evidenced throughout design, construction, and operation.

Developers should ensure that fire safety considerations are integrated as early as RIBA Stage 2 or 3, when building layouts and core arrangements are still flexible. This is particularly critical for higher-risk buildings subject to Gateway 1 of the Building Safety Act process, which requires submission of a fire statement during planning.

Early consultation with Building Control and fire engineers enables design teams to clarify:

• Evacuation strategies (stay put, phased, or simultaneous).
• Fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems.
• Compartmentation and fire-resisting construction.
• Smoke ventilation and firefighting shaft design.
• Access for fire and rescue appliances.

By addressing these aspects early, developers avoid downstream conflicts with accessibility, sustainability, and energy performance goals.

Common Part B Design Pitfalls

Late or fragmented consideration of fire safety can result in:

• Over-reliance on active systems (sprinklers or alarms) to offset inadequate compartmentation.
• Non-compliant escape route distances or dead ends.
• Unverified fire door performance data.
• Insufficient fire service access to façades or plantrooms.

Salus regularly discusses with developers in mitigating these issues through proactive fire strategy reviews and performance-based design validation, using recognised standards such as BS 9999 (fire safety in the design, management, and use of buildings) or BS 9991 (residential buildings).

Recent Developments and Regulatory Updates

Part B continues to evolve. Key recent changes include:

• 2022 Amendments: Restrictions on combustible materials for external walls and balconies.
• Regulation 38: Mandatory handover of fire safety information to the responsible person.
• BS 8644-1:2022: Digital management of fire safety information, supporting the Golden Thread of data.

Definition: Golden Thread of Information
A secure, digital record of building information (from design through operation) ensuring accountability, traceability, and evidence-based decision-making throughout a building’s lifecycle.

Understanding Part M (Accessibility and Inclusive Design)

Scope and Purpose

Approved Document M addresses access to and use of buildings, ensuring that all users, regardless of age or ability,  can approach, enter, and use facilities safely and independently.

It is divided into two volumes:

• Volume 1: Dwellings
• Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings

Definition: Approved Document M (Access to and Use of Buildings)
Government-issued guidance detailing the minimum standards of accessibility and usability for buildings, supporting compliance with Regulation 4(1) of the Building Regulations 2010 and aligning with the Equality Act 2010.

Inclusive Design and Key Requirements

Accessibility is more than physical dimensions; it is about user experience, dignity, and independence.

Core design standards under Part M include:

• Step-free access routes from the boundary to principal entrances.
• Level thresholds and maximum gradients on approach routes.
• Adequate circulation spaces (minimum corridor and door widths).
• Accessible sanitary facilities, including unisex WCs and shower provision.
• Visual and tactile wayfinding aids.
• Lift provision in multi-storey buildings.

For residential developments, developers must also meet one of the three M4 categories:

• M4(1): Visitable dwellings.
• M4(2): Accessible and adaptable dwellings.
• M4(3): Wheelchair user dwellings.

These standards increasingly influence local planning policy and housing typology requirements.

The Relationship with the Equality Act 2010

Compliance with Part M does not automatically guarantee compliance with the Equality Act 2010. Developers and owners have a continuing duty to ensure that environments are not discriminatory and that reasonable adjustments are made where necessary.

Salus Building Regulation Consultancy provides design advice* that integrates Building Regulations and Equality Act principles, helping clients deliver lawful, inclusive environments that extend beyond minimum compliance.

*Where we are not the registered building control approver.

Typical Accessibility Design Challenges

Developers frequently encounter conflicts between accessibility and other performance criteria, such as:

• Fire door closing forces versus ease of use for wheelchair users.
• Refuge location and communication systems on escape routes.
• Ramp gradients affecting available fire escape widths.
• Lift provision and firefighting shaft requirements.

These conflicts demonstrate why Part M and Part B must be considered together from the outset.

Integrating Part B and Part M: Achieving Balanced Compliance

Why Coordination Matters

Part B and Part M are often addressed by separate consultants, yet the decisions made in one domain inevitably affect the other. For example:

• Increasing fire resistance can lead to heavier, less accessible doors.
• Refuge design must satisfy both fire safety and accessibility guidance.
• Stair and ramp geometry can influence both evacuation safety and mobility access.

Salus promotes a holistic compliance approach, ensuring that safety and accessibility are designed in harmony rather than competition.

Case Example: Mixed-Use High-Rise Development

On a recent high-rise mixed-use project, early collaboration between Salus’s fire safety and accessibility teams resolved potential conflicts between protected escape routes and accessible circulation.

Key actions included:

• Aligning compartment layouts with accessible refuge points.
• Reviewing lift strategy to incorporate both evacuation and accessibility functions.
• Using BIM coordination to visualise and resolve spatial conflicts.
• Documenting compliance pathways for submission at Gateway 2.

This proactive approach reduced design rework, secured early approval from the regulator, and simplified the final Gateway 3 submission.

The Role of Digital Tools and the Golden Thread

Digital modelling and compliance tracking now underpin Building Safety Act procedures. Salus uses BIM-linked compliance models to map Part B and Part M requirements against design data, ensuring traceability and consistency across the project lifecycle.

These digital tools support the Golden Thread principle, enabling dutyholders to demonstrate not only compliance but also competence and control.

The Salus Approach: Coordinated Compliance Through Expertise

At Salus, we recognise that achieving Building Regulation compliance involves much more than technical checking. It requires strategic design integration, continuous communication, and a detailed understanding of evolving legislation.

Our multidisciplinary teams work alongside architects, developers, and contractors from concept through to completion, offering:

• Early-stage design reviews to identify regulatory risks.
• Fire strategy and accessibility coordination workshops.
• Digital compliance tracking and documentation.
• Support for Gateway submissions under the Building Safety Act.

Whether the project involves a high-rise residential tower, a healthcare facility, or a mixed-use commercial scheme, Salus delivers solutions that balance safety, inclusivity, and practicality.

Final thoughts

Compliance with Part B and Part M is not an administrative exercise but a fundamental component of safe, inclusive, and sustainable design.

For developers, the key to success lies in early engagement, informed decision-making, and multidisciplinary collaboration. By addressing fire safety and accessibility from the earliest design stages, projects can achieve regulatory approval efficiently while enhancing user experience and long-term value.

Salus provides the expertise, insight, and digital capability to help you meet the highest standards of compliance under the modern Building Safety framework.

Contact our team today to discuss how Salus can support your next project with integrated fire safety and accessibility compliance solutions.