Blog

2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for fire safety in the UK. With confirmed changes to key regulations coming up, building owners, dutyholders and safety professionals will need to ensure their fire strategies are compliant and well-documented.

For many, that means rethinking not only what needs to be done to comply, but how compliance is managed day to day. Let’s explore what’s changing, and how digital tools can help you stay ahead.

Key Legislative Changes Coming in 2026

Approved Document B Amendments – Effective 30 September 2026

The latest amendments to Approved Document B (ADB) come into force at the end of September 2026. These will include:

• Second staircases in all new residential buildings above 18m

• Evacuation lifts designed to support safe egress in tall buildings

• Transitional arrangements allowing certain projects to proceed under previous rules, though all new applications will need to comply with the updated version

These updates mark a significant shift in how building design supports evacuation and occupant safety, with compliance documentation set to become more detailed and auditable.

Residential Evacuation Planning Regulations – From 6 April 2026

New legislation will introduce mandatory Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for residents requiring assistance in buildings between 11–18m. Responsible Persons will need to record, maintain and demonstrate how these plans are coordinated and communicated.

Transition to European Standards

By 2026, the UK will continue its move toward European testing standards, including BS EN 13501 (reaction to fire) and BS EN 1634-1 (fire resistance of doors and shutters). Facilities teams must ensure that materials, installations and inspections are certified accordingly, with full traceability of testing and maintenance documentation.

Why Preparation Needs to Start Now

Waiting until the legislation takes effect risks a rushed, reactive approach to compliance. The upcoming regulations raise both the operational and legal expectations placed on dutyholders, meaning preparation should begin now.

Those responsible for buildings should already be:

• Reviewing fire strategies and FRA templates to reflect the new ADB requirements

• Preparing or updating evacuation plans, including for vulnerable residents

• Verifying that fire doors and other passive systems meet EN standards

• Ensuring evidence of inspections and remedial work is digitally recorded

It seems that fire safety compliance will increasingly depend on having clear, accessible records that show not just what has been done, but when, by whom and how it meets legal requirements.

Staying Ahead with Aurora

Modernising fire safety management has become a necessity. Aurora gives organisations the ability to stay ahead of evolving regulations by transforming how compliance data is recorded, tracked and shared.

With Aurora, you can:

• Digitally manage all fire risk assessment, fire door inspection and compartmentation findings across your portfolio

• Assign, prioritise and monitor actions through live dashboards filtered by risk and site

• Integrate evacuation planning records, inspection data and certificates in one secure place

• Use interactive floorplans to locate defects and remedial actions instantly

• Build an auditable evidence pack that satisfies both current and future legislation

This proactive, data-led approach helps organisations prepare for audits, respond quickly to new requirements and demonstrate compliance with confidence. Those who embrace digital systems now will not only meet the upcoming standards but will also be better equipped to manage change in the years ahead.

If you’re ready to future-proof your fire safety strategy, book a free demo of Aurora today and see how digital tools can help you stay ahead of the curve. And stay tuned - our new compartmentation app is launching soon to streamline your fire risk management even further.