Changes to Scottish high-rise building and fire standards confirmed

Changes to building and fire safety standards applicable to new high-rise buildings in Scotland will come into force on 1 October 2019, the Scottish government has confirmed.

The government has amended the 2004 Building (Scotland) Regulations to give effect to the changes. Updated Building Standards Technical Handbooks for both domestic and non-domestic buildings, which explain how to achieve the standards set out in the Building Regulations, also come into force on 1 October.

The changes include new fire resistance requirements for cladding materials used on external walls over 11 metres in height; and new requirements for second escape staircases, evacuation alert systems, storey identification signs and dwelling indicator signs in buildings over 18 metres in height.

The changes follow the recommendations of two independent reviews of the Scottish building standards system commissioned by the Scottish government in September 2017.

Katherine Metcalfe

Legal Director

In Scotland, the process of building warrants largely works. Here, the focus will be on making sure that buildings are constructed in accordance with approved plans.