Skip to content
Advertisement
Log in 
  • Do you need permission?
  • Planning
  • Building control
  • Services and information
  • England
  1. Welcome to Planning Portal
  2. Do you need permission?
  3. Common projects
  4. Additional storeys/Extending upwards
  5. Building regulations: fire safety

Additional storeys/Extending upwards

Building regulations: fire safety
  1. Planning permission
  2. Is building regulations approval needed for additional storeys/extending upwards?
  3. Building regulations: existing walls & foundations
  4. Building regulations: new internal elements
  5. Building regulations: fire safety
  6. Building regulations: stairs
  7. Building regulations: ventilation
  8. Building regulations: energy efficiency
Advertisement

Building regulations: fire safety

When adding additional storeys the provisions for escape need to be considered throughout the full extent of the escape route. This often means that additional fire protection will be necessary in the existing parts of the house.

For example, a typical upwards extension to a two-storey house will result in the need to provide new fire-resisting doors and sometimes partitions to protect the stairway. This is because it is too dangerous to escape via windows from floors above first floor level.


Mains powered, interlinked smoke alarms will also need to be provided within the stairway at each level.

It may also be necessary to upgrade the fire protection to some parts of the structure of the house such as the floors.

You may also wish to consult 'Approved Document B (Fire safety) - Volume 1: Dwellinghouses1'.


Find a Trade Professional

Use our partner directories to find a planning or building professional to help with your project or development.

Find a professional (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/find-a-trade-professional)

Find a professional


Useful links

Make an application (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app/applications)

Make an application

Speak to an expert (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/planning-guidance-service)

Speak to an expert

Studio Charrette consultancy calculator (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/home-improvement/planning-consultancy-calculator)

Studio Charrette consultancy calculator

Sell your site with Land Match (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/sell-your-site)

Sell your site with Land Match
    1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications/building-control-applications/building-control/approved-documents/part-b-fire-safety

    Disclaimer

    This is an introductory guide and is not a definitive source of legal information. Guidance is based on national rules, but additional local rules may also affect what permissions are needed. You should check if this is the case before applying or starting work.
    Guidance here relates to the planning regime for England, the policy in Wales may differ. If in doubt contact your local planning authority. Please note, local authorities may charge a fee for pre-application advice.
    Read our full disclaimer1.

    1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/terms-and-disclaimer/terms-and-conditions

    • About the Planning Portal
    • Services and information
    • Help
    • Accessibility statement
    • Cookie notice
    • Website Terms and Conditions

      The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2025 Planning Portal.

      The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2025 Planning Portal.