§ Mr. Ken HargreavesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in specifying minimum fire resistance periods for certain building groups in the proposed amendments to approved document B of the Building 151W Regulations (England and Wales), what account he has taken of the need to provide adequate protection for fire fighters in low rise buildings and basements.
§ Mr. YeoThe primary purpose of part B of the Building Regulations 1985 is the protection of life in the event of fire, and the consultation proposals on amendments to these provisions took account of the safety of firefighters as well as of other persons. In the light of comments received, the Fire Advisory Panel and the Building Regulations Advisory Committee are now considering whether the original proposals, including those relating to fire resistance periods, require to be modified to provide a greater degree of protection for fire fighters, particularly in low-rise buildings and basements.