The present day Building Regulations apply the concept of functional requirements other than mandatory requirements relating to fire safety. That is to say that if it can be demonstrated that a proposal for a development is no less satisfactory than that illustrated in a prescriptive code, then it is acceptable. Approved document B provides guidance for fire safety matters concerning buildings in the form of a prescriptive code. A prescriptive code gives examples and provides a framework as to how the Building Regulations, functional requirements can be met. It explains what needs to be done but does not necessarily explain how to do it. Requirement B1 relates to the means of escape in case of fire. This tends to be the main contentious issue as it sometimes does under the Fire Safety Order.
The Approved documents are intended to provide guidance to some of the more common building situations. However, there may well be alternative ways of achieving compliance with the requirements. Thus there is no obligation to adopt a particular solution if you prefer to meet the requirement in some other way. Reference is also made to fire engineered solutions. This may include the use of more comprehensive fire alarm systems, smoke ventilation systems and sprinkler systems. It may be possible to consider the geometry of the building when addressing means of escape provisions such as travel distances and exit widths relating to occupant numbers. This can sometimes be enough on its own without any further measures. If a building or an aspect of a building in question complies with the building regulations, there would be no need to carry out additional measures to the building so as to comply with the Fire Safety Order as long as the building is still put to the same use and the fire safety provisions stipulated on any plans and reports are still maintained. There is an assumption under the Building Regulations that after a building has been constructed it will be properly managed. This management regime falls within the scope of the Fire Safety Order.
