Non-combustible materials in external walls – summary of changes to Building Act legislation

The GGF Technical department provides a summary of recent changes to Building Act legislation concerning non-combustible materials in external walls.

Following the consultation issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) earlier this year, the Secretary of State for MHCLG, Kit Malthouse, issued a Statutory Instrument, 2018 No. 1230, that was made on 28^th November 2018, laid before Parliament on 29^th November 2018 and comes into force on 21^st December 2018.

The Statutory Instrument is titled ‘The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018’ and amends Schedule 1 to, the Building Act 1984. This amendment applies to buildings in England only. The requirements of the amendment to Part B of the Building Regulations are detailed in Amendment to the Approved Documents dated November 2018.

Full details of the changes made to the Building Regulations are provided in the GGF PowerPoint summary Non-combustibility update December 2018.

A brief summary in relation to Glass, Glazing and Fenestration materials is that there is no change to most materials except where these are used in Window Spandrel Panels and Infill (opaque) panels. Window Spandrel Panels and Infill panels must all meet the requirements of non-combustible, i.e. A1 or A2-s1, d0.

Membranes used as part of the external wall construction should achieve a minimum classification of European Class B-s3, d0.