<p><span>The government has proposed that new residential buildings of more than 30 metres feature a second staircase as part of a consultation released just before Christmas.</span></p> <p><span>The consultation, published on December 23, seeks views on future updates to Building Regulation Part B (fire safety). The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ (DLUHC) proposals mean that new tower blocks of more than 30m will need to have more than one staircase built for safety purposes.</span></p> <p><span>Other measures under consideration include removing references to national classifications (BS 476) from Approved Document B, with the current dual system for products ending and construction product manufacturers required to test their products to the British Standard version of the European Standards.</span></p> <p><span>DLUHC also said it would issue a call for evidence on revisions to Part B that cover materials and products used in external walls. This call for evidence will invite views on the materials that should be covered and how to improve the clarity of the guidance in these paragraphs within Part B.</span></p> <p><span>Lee Rowley, minister for local government and building safety, said: “There are undoubtedly lessons still to be learnt from the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the Department for Housing is committed …