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TGD B 2024 Volume 1 Reprinted Edition

Author

Paddy McDonnell

Date Published

Healthcare evacuation plan drawings and escape route design - Phoenix STS Ireland

The TGD B 2024 Volume 1 Reprinted Edition is now available. Published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in January 2026, this corrected version of TGD B 2024 Volume 1 incorporates 37 amendments addressing errors, omissions, and clarifications discovered since the original publication.

This guide provides a complete breakdown of every correction, with practical checks and validation steps to help you assess the impact on live projects.

Immediate Action Required

If you have projects currently in design or certification that reference the original TGD B 2024 Volume 1, review them against the high-priority changes below. Several corrections can materially affect compliance outcomes.

Highest-Impact TGD B 2024 Volume 1 Changes

If you need to triage rather than review every amendment, these are the corrections most likely to alter compliance outcomes in live projects:

TGD B 2024 Volume 1 Priority Review List

  1. Table 3: Single-direction travel for offices/shops now 18m (p.54) - This value was completely missing from the original. Can trigger extra exits or layout changes. Next step: Re-measure worst-case single-direction routes and record pass/fail against 18m.
  2. Diagram 58: Atrium height corrected to 18m max for flats (p.204) - Original diagram showed 30m; text always said 18m. This is the most material diagram correction. Next step: Confirm any atrium design route remains within the corrected 18m limit.
  3. Para 1.9.3.2(a): Panic hardware threshold changes (p.133) - Now >60 people for PG 4(a), 4(b), 5(a)(ii); retained at >50 for other PG 5. Next step: Reconcile occupancy calculations with door schedules; document which doors require panic hardware.
  4. Para 1.6.6.3.2(d): New corridor measurement rules for flats (p.111) - Adds travel distance measurement point and lobby direct access constraints. Next step: Check corridor lengths from furthest flat entrance to protected stair or lobby door.
  5. Table 31: Scope expanded to protected corridors for electrical DBs (p.319) - Enclosure requirements now explicitly apply to protected corridors, not just protected stairways. Next step: Audit DB locations in protected corridors; confirm enclosure FR and access arrangements.
  6. Appendix H: Purpose Group narrowed to 2(a)(ii) (p.355) - Summary table triggers now apply specifically to sub-type 2(a)(ii), not all 2(a). Next step: Confirm building's purpose group sub-classification before applying Appendix H triggers.

TGD B 2024 Volume 1 Means of Escape Amendments

Amendment 2: Table 3 Travel Distance

PDF Page 54 | Section: Para 1.4.2.2 - Limitations on Travel Distances

Original: 3, 4(a) Offices, Shop [blank] 45 - also showed: 2(a) for care facilities. Reprinted Edition: 3, 4(a) Offices, Shop 18 45 - now shows: 2(a)(ii) for care facilities.

Practical check: Re-run travel distance compliance for office/shop layouts where a single-direction condition exists.

Amendment 5: Compartment Wall Exception

PDF Page 47 | Section: Para 1.4.5.6 - Bedrooms in Residential Care Facilities

Original: "…sprinkler system in accordance with Section 8." Reprinted Edition: "…Section 8, however, this exception does not apply to a compartment wall."

Practical check: Where you relied on that exception at a compartment wall, it is now explicitly disallowed.

Amendment 6: Protected Lobby Logic

PDF Page 50 | Section: Para 1.4.8.1.1 - Means of Escape from Stage Areas. Original: "Protected lobbies should be provided between: (a)… or (b)… or…" Reprinted Edition: "Protected lobbies should be provided in each of the following situations; between:…" Practical check: Avoid treating (a)-(d) as mutually exclusive options.

Amendments 11 & 12: "Or" to "And"

PDF Pages 90-92 | Sections: Para 1.5.8.3(b) and Para 1.5.9(b). Both amendments change "or" to "and" between subclauses, making conditions cumulative rather than alternative. Practical check: Review designs where you justified compliance by meeting only one of multiple conditions.

Amendment 17: New Corridor Rules

PDF Page 111 | Section: Para 1.6.6.3.2 - Single direction of travel (Flats). New Text Added: "(d) Travel distance within any common corridor should be measured from the furthest entrance door to a flat to the protected stair, or lobby door…" Practical check: Re-check blocks of flats where long common corridors exist.

Amendment 20: Panic Hardware

PDF Page 133 | Section: Para 1.9.3.2(a) - Doors in Buildings with Large Numbers of People. Original: "…more than 50 people…" Reprinted Edition: "…more than 60 people for PG 4(a), 4(b), 5(a)(ii); 50 people for other PG 5…" Practical check: Review occupancy loads and document which doors require panic hardware.

TGD B 2024 Volume 1 Internal Fire Spread Amendments

Amendment 25: Diagram 58 Atrium Correction

PDF Page 204 | Section: Section 3 - Atria in Buildings Containing Flats. Original: Diagram 58 showed 30m (max.) for atrium height in flats. Reprinted Edition: Diagram 58 now shows 18m (max.) for atrium height in flats.

Major Correction: This is the most material diagram correction in the TGD B 2024 Volume 1 Reprinted Edition. The original diagram conflicted with the text, which always stated "up to 18m". If an atrium design route was based on the 30m depiction, it may be non-compliant.

Complete TGD B 2024 Volume 1 Amendment Register

The following table provides a complete reference for all 37 amendments with their locations and risk classifications.

  • Amd 1 | Part B12, p.26 | "system(s)" â†â€â„¢ "active fire safety systems" | Medium
  • Amd 2 | Table 3, p.54 | 18m single-direction added for offices/shops; 2(a)â†â€â„¢2(a)(ii) | High
  • Amd 3 | Para 1.4.5.1, p.46 | "shopping centres" â†â€â„¢ "residential (care facility)" | Medium
  • Amd 4 | Para 1.4.5.6(b), p.47 | Removes stray "(a)" reference | Low
  • Amd 5 | Para 1.4.5.6, p.47 | Adds compartment wall exception exclusion | High
  • Amd 6 | Para 1.4.8.1.1, p.50 | Removes "or" making protected lobby list cumulative | High
  • Amd 7 | Para 1.4.8.1.3, p.51 | Adds I.S. EN 13501-1 classification reference | Low
  • Amd 8 | Para 1.4.9, p.58 | Removes reference to Para 1.6.7.1 | Medium
  • Amd 9 | Para 1.4.9(i), p.58 | Inserts "most remote" before "dead end" | Medium
  • Amd 10 | Para 1.5.6.5, p.75 | Adds "or in a circulation space" for battery storage | Medium
  • Amd 11 | Para 1.5.8.3(b), p.92 | "or" â†â€â„¢ "and" (cumulative door clearance conditions) | High
  • Amd 12 | Para 1.5.9(b), p.90 | "or" â†â€â„¢ "and" (cumulative external wall conditions) | High
  • Amd 13 | Para 1.6.2.2.1(d), p.102 | Corrects diagram references to 8(a), 8(b), 8(c) | Low
  • Amd 14 | Diagrams 18 & 20 | Graphics updated and clarified | Low
  • Amd 15 | Para 1.6.2.3.5, p.99 | "corridor" â†â€â„¢ "hallway" terminology | Low
  • Amd 16 | Para 1.6.2.4(b), p.102 | Removes "or rescue" from escape window reference | Medium
  • Amd 17 | Para 1.6.6.3.2, p.111 | New clause (d) for corridor measurement and lobby rules | High
  • Amd 18 | Para 1.7.5.1, p.126 | "Subsection 1.5" â†â€â„¢ "Subsection 1.4" | Low
  • Amd 19 | Paras 1.9.3.1.2/1.9.3.1.3, p.133 | Adds "(see Appendix B, B5.2)" after I.S. EN 13637 | Low
  • Amd 20 | Para 1.9.3.2(a), p.133 | Panic hardware: 50â†â€â„¢60 for PG 4/5(a)(ii), 50 retained for other PG 5 | High
  • Amd 21 | Para 1.9.14.5, p.148 | "where one exists" â†â€â„¢ "where one has been provided" | Low
  • Amd 22 | Table 15 Note (1), p.169 | "Para 3.5.4" â†â€â„¢ "Para 3.4.4" | Low
  • Amd 23 | Para 3.4.4.7(e), p.172 | Adds "in a building containing flats (Purpose Group 1(c))" | Medium
  • Amd 24 | Para 3.5.10, p.176 | Subclause references: "(a) and (b)" â†â€â„¢ "(b) and (c)" | Medium
  • Amd 25 | Diagrams 45-49, 58, 59 | Multiple diagrams updated; Diagram 58: 30mâ†â€â„¢18m for flats atria | High
  • Amd 26 | Table 19, p.215 | Deletes Note (6) references | Medium
  • Amd 27 | Diagram 66, p.222 | "Para 4.4.5.1" â†â€â„¢ "Para 4.4.3.1" | Low
  • Amd 28 | Para 4.4.6.1, p.225 | Adds "or protractor method" for BR 187 | Low
  • Amd 29 | Table 21, p.227 | Adds "7(c)" to Column (b) purpose groups | Medium
  • Amd 30 | Para 5.4.2.1, p.240 | "Table 25" â†â€â„¢ "Table 24" | Low
  • Amd 31 | Para 5.5.6.3(f), p.248 | "openable" â†â€â„¢ "operated" | Medium
  • Amd 32 | Para 6.10.2, p.278 | Renumbers subparagraphs: (b)(iii) becomes (c) | Low
  • Amd 33 | Subsection 8.2, p.302 | "Provision for" â†â€â„¢ "Provision of" Sprinkler Systems | Low
  • Amd 34 | Table 31 Item 11(d), p.319 | Adds "or protected corridor" for electrical DBs | High
  • Amd 35 | Appendix H, p.355 | Adds "(ii)" to PG 2(a) in Rows 2 and 7 | High
  • Amd 36 | Multiple pages | "Class" prefix standardisation for reaction-to-fire refs | Low
  • Amd 37 | Global | Editorial: spelling, spacing, punctuation, citations | Low

Recommended Actions for TGD B 2024 Volume 1 Compliance

  1. Immediate project review - Check any current projects designed using the original TGD B 2024 Volume 1 against Amendments 2, 5, 6, 11, 12, 17, 20, 25, 34, and 35.
  2. Travel distance verification - Re-measure worst-case single-direction routes in offices and shops against the 18m limit. Record pass/fail for each route.
  3. Atrium design review - If any flat building atrium design relied on the 30m diagram depiction, re-evaluate against the corrected 18m limit.
  4. Door hardware audit - Reconcile occupancy calculations with door schedules. Document which doors require panic hardware under the revised thresholds.
  5. Document control update - Replace original TGD B 2024 Volume 1 copies with the Reprinted Edition. Cite by paragraph/table/diagram rather than page number to avoid citation drift.

What Is TGD-B and Why Does It Matter?

TGD-B stands for Technical Guidance Document B - Fire Safety. It is published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Building Regulations 1997 - 2024, made under the Building Control Act 1990. TGD-B provides guidance on how to comply with Part B of the Building Regulations, which addresses fire safety in buildings.

Part B covers five functional requirements: B1 (means of escape), B2 (internal fire spread - linings), B3 (internal fire spread - structure and compartmentation), B4 (external fire spread), and B5 (access and facilities for the fire service).

TGD-B is not the law itself but compliance with its guidance is generally accepted as evidence of compliance with the Building Regulations. It is relied upon by building control officers, architects, fire engineers, assigned certifiers, and fire risk assessors.

The January 2026 reprinted edition corrected errors and ambiguities in the 2024 original publication. All professionals working with TGD-B should ensure they are using this version.

Impact on Existing Buildings

TGD-B applies to new buildings and material alterations, not retrospectively to existing buildings. An existing building constructed in compliance with the edition in force at the time does not automatically need upgrading.

However, fire risk assessors carrying out assessments under PAS 79-1:2020 commonly use TGD-B as a benchmark for assessing what constitutes adequate fire safety provision. If travel distances in an existing building significantly exceed current guidance, the assessor may identify this as a significant finding.

Building owners planning refurbishments, extensions, or changes of use must comply with the current edition. A change of use triggers the full requirements of Part B.

How These Amendments Affect Fire Risk Assessment

Fire risk assessors need to be aware of TGD-B changes because they affect what is considered adequate fire safety. Changes to travel distance tables, compartment wall requirements, and corridor specifications directly impact how escape routes and compartmentation are assessed.

The amendments to lobby logic and corridor rules clarify the circumstances in which lobbied approaches are required. Assessors should confirm they are working from the January 2026 reprinted edition and review any assessments completed since the original 2024 publication.

Who Should Read This Guide?

This guide is relevant to several groups of professionals who work with or are affected by TGD-B 2024.

Architects and building designers need to understand the corrected guidance to ensure their designs comply with current requirements. Any project that has not yet received a fire safety certificate should be reviewed against the reprinted edition.

Building control officers assessing fire safety certificate applications must apply the reprinted edition. Applications submitted under the original 2024 guidance should be reviewed where the corrections affect the design.

Fire engineers preparing fire safety strategies or performance-based designs should ensure their reference documents are current. The corrections to travel distance tables, compartment wall requirements, and lobby logic directly affect the baseline against which alternative designs are measured.

Assigned certifiers issuing certificates of compliance under the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 must be confident that the building as constructed complies with the current edition of TGD-B.

Fire risk assessors working to PAS 79-1:2020 should be aware of the changes, as TGD-B is commonly used as a benchmark when assessing existing buildings.

Facility managers and building owners planning refurbishments, extensions, or changes of use will need to comply with the current edition and should engage early with their design team and local building control authority.

Related Reading

The updated TGD B has implications for how fire safety design is approached across all building types. Where the prescriptive guidance does not apply or a more flexible approach is needed, engaging a fire engineer is essential. The standard also interacts with IS 3218:2024, Ireland's revised fire detection and alarm standard. In healthcare settings, particular attention should be paid to the specification and maintenance of fire doors, which remain a cornerstone of compartmentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is TGD-B?

TGD-B (Technical Guidance Document B - Fire Safety) is a guidance document published under the Building Regulations 1997 - 2024. It provides detailed guidance on compliance with Part B (Fire Safety), covering means of escape, internal and external fire spread, and access for the fire service.

Does TGD-B apply to my existing building?

TGD-B applies directly to new buildings and material alterations. It does not apply retrospectively but is commonly used as a benchmark during fire risk assessments of existing premises.

Do I need to update my fire risk assessment?

If your fire risk assessment was completed before the January 2026 reprinted edition, ask your assessor to review it against the corrected guidance.

Who enforces TGD-B?

Building control authorities enforce the Building Regulations. For existing buildings, the fire authority enforces fire safety under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003.

How does TGD-B relate to IS 3218:2024?

TGD-B references IS 3218:2024 as the standard for fire alarm design and installation. TGD-B sets the fire safety strategy; IS 3218:2024 specifies how the fire detection and alarm component is designed and installed.

Need Help with TGD B 2024 Volume 1 Changes?

Phoenix STS has updated all fire safety training materials and consultancy services to reflect the 37 corrections in the TGD B 2024 Volume 1 Reprinted Edition. Our CPD-accredited courses and fire risk assessment services now incorporate the revised requirements for travel distances, panic hardware thresholds, compartment walls, and all other amendments.

Whether you need team training, a project compliance review, or expert guidance on how these changes affect your buildings, we can help. Contact Phoenix STS

Phoenix STS provides fire safety consultancy informed by the latest TGD B requirements across Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and nationwide.

Contact Us

For expert guidance on fire safety, health and safety compliance, or training for your organisation, contact Phoenix STS. Call us on 043 334 9611 or visit our contact page.

This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. The information is based on legislation and standards current at the time of writing. Fire safety and health and safety requirements vary depending on your specific circumstances. Always consult with qualified professionals and refer to current legislation for guidance specific to your premises. Phoenix STS accepts no liability for any actions taken or not taken based on this article.