Do office partitions need Building Regulations approval? Fire and safety rules explained

Updated 6 November 2026 · By the Office Partitions team

Short answer: New office partitions often need Building Regulations approval because they can change the means of escape and fire separation covered by Part B. Partitions forming protected escape routes commonly need 30 minutes fire resistance with FD30 doors, and glazed partitions must use safety glass with manifestation markings. Leaseholders also usually need a licence for alterations from the landlord.

When building control is involved

Building work that affects how people escape in a fire, or the fire separation between parts of a building, counts as a material alteration under the Building Regulations. New partitions that create inner rooms, change escape corridors, alter travel distances or affect compartment walls will usually need a building control application before work starts. In Scotland a building warrant may be needed.

New rooms where the only way out is through another room
Changes to corridor routes or widths on escape routes
Partitions that form part of a protected stair or lobby
Work to compartment walls between tenancies or floors

Fire ratings

Situation	Typical requirement
Meeting room within an open-plan floor	Often no fire rating needed
Partition forming a protected escape corridor	Commonly 30 minutes with FD30 doors
Compartment wall between tenancies or uses	Commonly 60 minutes or more
Comms or plant room	Depends on the fire strategy

Fire ratings only work as a complete tested system, including the frame, glass, seals, door set and any fire stopping above the ceiling. The exact requirement comes from the building fire strategy, so always check it for your premises.

Glazing safety

Glazed partitions and doors must use safety glass that breaks safely, such as toughened or laminated glass
Large areas of clear glass need manifestation so they can be seen
Manifestation is usually placed in two bands, around 850mm to 1000mm and 1400mm to 1600mm from the floor
Glass doors should be clearly distinguished from the screen around them

Fire risk assessment and lease consent

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must review the fire risk assessment when the layout changes. If you lease the office, you will usually also need written landlord consent before work starts.