16 Apr Key Legislative Changes Impacting BGS Clients in 2025
Key Legislative Changes Impacting BGS Clients in 2025
Several recent and upcoming regulatory changes in the UK directly impact our services and clients, particularly in the areas of fire safety, building compliance, and automated access systems. Staying informed about these developments is crucial for ensuring compliance and maintaining high safety standards.
Fire Safety Regulations
1. Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 – Effective from January 2023
These regulations introduced mandatory fire door inspections in multi-occupied residential buildings over 11 metres in height:
- Quarterly checks of all fire doors in communal areas.
- Annual inspections of flat entrance doors leading to communal areas.
- Emphasis on proper maintenance, certification, and functionality of self-closing devices.
These measures aim to enhance occupant safety by ensuring fire doors function correctly during emergencies.
2. BS 9991:2024 – Residential Fire Safety Standard
The 2024 revision of BS 9991 incorporates significant updates to address modern building complexities and advancements in fire safety research:
- Expanded scope to include residential care homes.
- Changes to timber usage, removing restrictions on reaction-to-fire classifications for load-bearing timber elements.
- Revised guidance on sprinklers and single-stair buildings.
- Adoption of European fire door classifications for greater consistency.
- Enhanced recommendations for smoke control and evacuation lifts in tall buildings.
These updates ensure that BS 9991:2024 remains a robust and practical framework for modern residential fire safety.
Powered Doors and Gates
1. EN 16005:2023 – Safety of Powered Pedestrian Doors
The revised EN 16005 standard, effective from 30 June 2024, introduces:
- Amendments to risk assessments for vulnerable users.
- Additional safety dimension drawings to highlight typical hazard prevention measures.
- Revisions to finger protection requirements.
- Detailed construction requirements for barriers.
- Enhanced safeguarding and testing protocols for revolving doors.
Companies involved in specifying, supplying, installing, or servicing powered pedestrian door systems should adhere to the new standard upon its publication.
2. BS EN 12453:2017 – Safety Requirements for Powered Doors
This standard outlines safety requirements for powered doors, gates, and barriers, focusing on minimizing risks associated with their operation. Key aspects include:
- Risk assessments covering the unique environment and type of user.
- Implementation of appropriate design measures.
- Ensuring effective measures are in place to detect any means of failure in the suspension systems of vertically moving doors.
Compliance with this standard is essential for ensuring the safety of powered door systems in various settings.
Building Regulations
1. Approved Document B – Fire Safety Updates
The UK government has introduced amendments to Approved Document B to enhance fire safety:
- From 2 March 2025, new care homes will be required to install sprinklers, irrespective of height.
- From 30 September 2026, new residential buildings over 18 metres will need to include a second staircase.
- From 2 September 2029, references to BS 476 for fire resistance will be removed, with European standards becoming the sole specification route.
These changes aim to improve fire safety measures in new building projects.
2. Part L – Conservation of Fuel and Power
Updates to Part L of the Building Regulations focus on enhancing energy efficiency:
- Reduced U-value requirements for doors and windows to improve thermal performance.
- Emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and improving insulation in new buildings.
These changes impact the design and specification of doors and windows in both residential and commercial buildings.
How BGS Can Help
BGS provides comprehensive compliance support to help clients navigate evolving UK regulations in fire safety, building standards, and automated access systems. Our services include:
- Fire Safety Compliance: We conduct thorough inspections and maintenance of fire doors and shutters to ensure they meet the latest safety standards.
- Automated Access Systems: Our team ensures that automatic doors and gates are installed and maintained in accordance with current safety regulations.
- Building Standards Advisory: We offer guidance on meeting building regulations, including energy efficiency and accessibility requirements.
By partnering with BGS, clients can be confident that their equipment and facilities are compliant with current UK legislation and industry best practices. Please contact our knowledgeable and friendly team today for more information or to schedule a free on-site assessment.
