The construction and built environment sectors are entering a period of significant regulatory change, particularly around fire safety and how buildings are regulated. Two key developments are shaping this landscape: the continuous review of Approved Document B (Fire Safety) and the government’s consultation on a Single Construction Regulator. Both are responses to lessons learned from past incidents, including the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and reflect a push toward a more accountable, evidence-based, and forward-looking approach to building safety.
Continuous Review of Approved Document B
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has placed Approved Document B under a continuous review process. This marks a shift from periodic updates to an approach that ensures guidance evolves alongside changes in building design, construction methods, and materials.
For buildings over 11 metres, this is particularly significant. Fire safety guidance will now more closely reflect real-world practices, innovations such as modern methods of construction (MMC), and emerging risks from new materials. Dutyholders can expect more adaptive, risk-informed guidance that helps them meet their obligations while keeping residents and occupants safe.
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Key benefits of this continuous review include:
- Guidance that stays current with technological and construction advances
- Improved clarity on how innovation impacts fire safety
- Reduced risk of outdated guidance being applied in complex or high-rise projects
The Single Construction Regulator Prospectus
Alongside this, the UK Government has launched a consultation on the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus, seeking views on creating a unified regulator for the construction sector. This initiative stems from the Phase 2 recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and aims to tackle fragmentation in regulation, improve oversight, and drive a stronger safety culture across the industry.
The consultation proposes a regulator that would oversee:
- Building regulation – ensuring consistency and enforcement across the sector
- Professional competence – setting and monitoring standards for key roles
- Product regulation – ensuring building products meet safety and performance requirements
The consultation is open until March 2026, giving construction professionals a real opportunity to shape the future regulatory framework.
Why This Matters
These changes are more than regulatory tweaks—they signal a shift in how construction projects are designed, built, and maintained. For professionals in the sector, the implications include:
- Staying up-to-date with guidance that reflects current construction practices and risks
- Potential changes in compliance expectations and oversight
- Greater emphasis on competence, accountability, and safety culture
- Opportunities to contribute to shaping future policy through the consultation
Next Steps for Construction Professionals
It’s important to review how these developments might affect your projects, fire strategies, and compliance documentation. Keeping ahead of these changes will help ensure your projects meet regulatory expectations and maintain high standards of safety.
Read the consultation and have your say: GOV.UK – Single Construction Regulator Prospectus
If you need guidance on how these regulatory changes could impact your work or want support reviewing fire strategies and compliance processes, our team can provide expert advice tailored to your projects.