There is no published 'ADB 2026 Edition'. The current statutory guidance is the 2019 edition with 2020/2022/2025 amendments, plus an amendment booklet taking effect 30 September 2026. Here is a clause-level walkthrough of what actually changes.. Setting the Record Straight There is no 'Approved Document B 2026 Edition' published by MHCLG. The currently in force statutory guidance is the 2019 edition incorporating the 2020, 2022 and 2025 amendments (Circular 01/2025, 2 March 2025). MHCLG has also published an amendment booklet with provisions taking effect on 30 September 2026 . This article walks through the most material changes practitioners should plan for. The Second Staircase Provision (≥18 m residential) The amendment booklet effective 30 September 2026 formalises a second staircase threshold for new residential buildings with a top occupied storey at or above 18 m. The change addresses single stair egress concerns in tall residential and aligns Approved Document B with stakeholder consensus following extensive consultation. Designers should consider the strategic placement, separation, and smoke control provisions for both staircases, working alongside the Building Safety Regulator's HRB regime under SI 2023/909. External Wall Systems The statutory ban on combustible materials in external walls of relevant high rise residential buildings (originally 2018, refined 2022) remains in force. Designers should check the 2025 amendments for clarifications and the 2026 amendment booklet for any drafting refinements affecting cavity barriers, insulation classifications and fixings (Class A2 s1, d0 or A1 to BS EN 13501 1 where required). Fire Doors and Compartmentation ADB continues to reference BS 9991:2024 (residential) and BS 9999:2017 (non residential). Designers and Responsible Persons under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (as amended by the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022) must ensure fire door assemblies are specified, installed and maintained as a complete, tested unit, with verifiable third party certification. Sprinkler Provisions Sprinkler requirements in Approved Document B (England) for new residential buildings remain at the 11 m threshold introduced in 2020. Designs should reference BS 9251 (residential) or BS EN 12845 (commercial), and any compensatory features should be clearly justified in the fire strategy. The 30 September 2026 amendment booklet does not introduce a new sprinkler threshold below 11 m. Action Points for Practitioners Cite the correct title in fire strategies and Gateway 2 packs: "ADB 2019 incorporating the 2020, 2022 and 2025 amendments" plus the relevant amendment booklet effective 30 September 2026. Check Building Safety Regulator transitional arrangements (BSR/HSE guidance, April 2024) for HRB projects in flight under SI 2023/909. Review designs against the new second staircase provision for residential buildings ≥18 m due in scope after 30 September 2026. Ensure competence and Golden Thread documentation references current BS standards (BS 9991:2024, BS 9999:2017, BS 7974:2019, BS 5839 series). Sources GOV.UK — Fire safety: Approved Document B (last updated 11 March 2025); Circular 01/2025 (2 March 2025); ADB amendment booklet effective 30 September 2026; BSR/HSE Transitional Building Control Approval guidance (2 April 2024); legislation.gov.uk — SI 2023/909, SI 2025/1017. Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD — UK's Leading Fire Safety & Fire Engineering Consultancy 🌐 magnus opifex.co.uk 📞 +44 7486 691724 ✉️ office@magnus opifex.co.uk Founders: Nicoleta Vasile, Baroness of Brattleby — CEO, Lawyer and Barrister, Legal & Administrative Director Alina — Technical Director & Expert Fire Engineer (BEng) Head Office: Ealing Cross, 85 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5BW Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD delivers engineering led fire engineering, fire risk assessments, CFD modelling, and building safety consultancy across the United Kingdom and internationally. With over 20 years of combined experience and a UK portfolio spanning healthcare, residential and infrastructure, we bring truly engineered solutions with a personal touch. © 2026 Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD. All rights reserved.