2019 Technical Handbook Now Published

Building Standards DivisionDirectorate for Local Government and Communities
Scottish Government
 
The Consultation webpage is now updated with a summary of actions to date following the consultation, include the Final Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment for Fire Safety changes.
It also reports that our new 2019 Technical Handbooks are published.
The 2019 Technical Handbooks introduce measures including more stringent fire safety provisions for external wall cladding systems, an additional escape stair, evacuation alert system and storey identification signs to help fire and rescue services in the unlikely event of a partial or full-scale evacuation of a high rise domestic building. These provisions apply from 1 October 2019.
We have agreed to defer the introduction of automatic fire suppression systems (AFSS) in all new build flats, houses in multiple occupation with care 24/7 and large HMOs with more than 10 residents until 2021 to align with our commitment to introduce AFSS in new build social housing.