Update to Approved Document B, Fire Safety in Buildings and GRP rooflights

GRP rooflights have always been tested to the reaction to fire National Class test standards of BS476-3 for external penetration and spread, and BS476-7 for internal spread. For external penetration they will meet the less onerous requirements of EN13501-5. However, for internal reaction to fire they are not currently capable of achieving the necessary equivalent classification to EN 13501-1, although R&D to achieve this is ongoing at pace. Unfortunately, MHCLG were not aware of this when the decision to withdraw BS 476 with a 6-month timeframe was made, despite this being included in several responses to the public consultation on the proposed changes to Approved Document B.

The Rooflight Association (RA) working closely with the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) consulted with MHCLG and the BSR and reached an agreement that GRP rooflights can still be utilised in industrial and storage buildings (Purpose Groups 6 and 7(a)) if they have been tested to BS 2782-0, Method 508A and classified ‘TP(a) rigid’. This information can be found in a new Frequently Asked Question (FAQ 8) which sits alongside Approved Document B in the following link Approved Document B: Fire safety - frequently asked questions - GOV.UK

If you are approving, supplying or installing GRP rooflights within these building types please ensure that they have been tested to this alternative criterion. Further information can be found within the Rooflight Association Quickguide 10E