Tall Timber Buildings in the UK: The Regulatory Position in 2025

Where does UK regulation stand on combustible structural materials in tall buildings? A definitive guide.. The UK Combustible Materials Ban Regulation 7(2) of the Building Regulations prohibits the use of combustible materials in the external walls of buildings over 18m. What's Banned Materials achieving worse than European class A2 s1,d0 Applies to external walls of residential buildings, hospitals, and care homes over 18m Includes insulation, cladding panels, balcony decking Exemptions: gaskets, sealants, membranes <2mm thick Structural Timber Position The ban applies to external wall materials, NOT internal structure CLT/glulam structural frames are technically permitted above 18m However, ADB guidance strongly discourages combustible structures in HRBs BSR Gateway 2 subjects timber HRB proposals to intense scrutiny Very few tall timber proposals have progressed through Gateway 2 For mass timber fire engineering, contact us.