Second Staircase Rule Takes Effect 30 September — What It Means for the Building Trades
What happened
From 30 September 2026, all new residential buildings over 18 metres in England must include two staircases. The requirement comes from amendments to Approved Document B (fire safety guidance under the Building Regulations 2010), first announced in response to the Grenfell tragedy.
The 18-metre threshold is measured from ground level to the floor of the highest occupied storey. Buildings below 18 metres can continue with a single staircase under existing rules.
There is a transitional period: projects with a building notice or full plans submitted before 30 September are exempt — provided construction has started or starts within 18 months (by 30 March 2028). "Sufficiently progressed" means foundation concrete has been poured or permanent piling has begun.
The RICS and Pinsent Masons have published detailed guidance on the new requirements.
What this means for tradespeople
This regulation directly creates work for certain trades — and indirectly squeezes others.
If you work on high-rise residential builds (fire protection, steel erection, concrete work, mechanical and electrical), the second staircase requirement adds significant scope to every project over 18 metres. That means more labour hours and potentially higher demand for fire-rated materials and specialist installation.
If you work on domestic jobs, the knock-on effect is about competition. The regulation has delayed the delivery of at least 38,000 homes in London alone according to Forsters LLP, as developers redesign schemes to comply. With fewer new-build completions, more homeowners stay in existing properties — which means more renovation, extension, and maintenance work up for grabs.
Combined with the ongoing construction PMI contraction, the domestic work market is getting more competitive. Tradespeople who stand out through strong Google reviews and a professional online presence will win the work that commercial contractors are now chasing.
What to do about it
This is a regulatory change, not something you need to act on overnight. But if you're in the affected trades:
Check your pipeline. If you supply fire safety, stairwell, or structural work on high-rises, this is a long-term growth area. Position yourself now.
For domestic tradespeople: The housing supply squeeze means more competition for every kitchen refit and loft conversion. Your Google reviews are what separates you from the next plumber or electrician quoting the same job. TapReview is a £9/month tool that helps UK tradespeople get more Google reviews with one tap — sending automated review requests via WhatsApp and SMS after every job.
Source: Forsters LLP