Key takeaways
- Fire-rated drylining forms compartment walls and protected escape routes using tested board-and-frame systems that hold for a set period, such as 60 or 120 minutes.
- The 18-metre threshold matters: Higher-Risk Buildings carry extra specification, evidence and inspection requirements.
- The industry has moved from BS 476 to the European classification (BS EN 13501-1) — specify to the current standard.
- The rating is a property of the whole tested system; substituting boards or details can invalidate it.
Fire-Rated Drylining in 2026: Meeting the New Approved Document B Amendments
As specialists in both Steel Frame Systems (SFS) and high-performance drylining, we understand that fire safety isn’t just about the boards you choose; it’s about the integrated system you install.
The 18-Metre Threshold: What’s Changed?
The most significant shift in the 2026 update is the mandatory requirement for more than one common stair in blocks of flats with a storey height of 18m or more. While this affects structural design, it has a massive “knock-on” effect for drylining:
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Evacuation Lifts: New provisions support the use of evacuation lifts, requiring drylining teams to install specialised fire-rated shafts and lobby protection that meet updated BS EN standards.
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Compartmentation: With two staircases, the integrity of the separating walls between stairwells and residential units is under higher scrutiny. Our metal stud partition systems are now being detailed to provide up to 120 minutes of fire integrity to protect these vital escape routes.
Technical Specification: 120-Minute Fire Integrity (Non-Loadbearing)
When designing for Approved Document B compliance, the assembly must be treated as a single tested unit. Mixing manufacturers or deviating from tested stud centres can void the fire certification. Below is the standard assembly used by BAS Frames for high-risk zones.
| Component | Specification Detail | Technical Function |
| Metal Framework | 70mm (min) C-Studs at 600mm centres | Provides a structural backbone and allows for thermal expansion. |
| Boarding (Layer 1) | 15mm Type F (Fire-Rated) Gypsum Board | Primary fire barrier: releases chemically bound water to cool the core. |
| Boarding (Layer 2) | 15mm Type F (Fire-Rated) Gypsum Board | Staggered joints to prevent a direct heat path to the metal studs. |
| Insulation | 50mm Mineral Wool (min. density 20kg/m³) | Increases thermal resistance and enhances acoustic dB rating. |
| Deflection Head | 25mm (min) Allowance | Accommodates structural movement without cracking the fire seal. |
| Sealants | Intumescent Acoustic Sealant | Blocks the passage of smoke and flame at all wall/floor junctions. |
Moving Beyond BS 476: The Shift to European Classifications
As we move toward the final 2029 transition, the 2026 amendments further emphasise the removal of national classes (BS 476). All new projects must prioritise BS EN 13501-1 classifications.
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Reaction to Fire: We only specify products achieving Class A1 or A2-s1, d0 (non-combustible or limited combustibility) for high-risk areas.
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The “System” Approach: It is no longer enough to use a “pink” fire board. Compliance now requires proof that the specific combination of steel gauge, screw spacing, and insulation density has been tested as a unified assembly.
Critical Design Considerations for Architects
1. Staggered Joints
Vertical and horizontal joints between the first and second layers of plasterboard must be staggered by at least 300mm. This is the most common “fail” point during Building Control inspections.
2. Deflection Heads
In multi-storey steel-framed buildings (SFS), the partition must allow for the floor slab above to “deflect” under load. A fire-rated deflection head allows for this movement while maintaining a 120-minute smoke and flame seal.
3. Regulation 38: The Handover Challenge
Before a building can be occupied, a comprehensive fire safety “as-built” package must be handed over. BAS Frames assists this process by providing Digital Installation Records and 3D BIM Coordination, ensuring fire-stopping is planned around service penetrations before a single stud is fixed.
The BAS Frames Edge
Whether you are converting a commercial space under Material Change of Use or developing a new 20-story residential block, the drylining finish is only as good as the safety system behind it. By choosing a specialist who understands the synergy between steel frames and fire-rated linings, you reduce the risk of Building Control delays and ensure a safer future for your occupants.
Why fire-rated drylining specification matters more in 2026
The Building Safety Act 2022 has raised the bar for fire specification on all higher-risk buildings — defined as those 18 metres or more in height, or with 7 or more storeys. For drylining contractors and main contractors working on these buildings, the requirement is no longer simply to install a ‘fire-rated’ partition: it is to demonstrate, through tested system evidence and complete golden thread documentation, that every element of the wall build-up has been installed in strict accordance with a system that has achieved the stated fire resistance rating through independent testing to BS EN 1364 or BS 476.
This means that substituting one plasterboard product for another — even if both carry a fire resistance rating — without a tested system reference is no longer acceptable. According to Approved Document B, all fire-resisting construction must be installed in accordance with tested or assessed systems. BAS Frames supplies all fire-rated drylining packages with full system references, installation method statements and product data sheets as standard. Contact us to discuss your project’s fire specification requirements.
Further reading:British Gypsum Technical Resources | Gypsum Products Development Association
Related:Cost | Infill | What Is | Thermal
Frequently asked questions
What fire rating is required for drylining partitions in the UK?
The required fire rating for drylining partitions depends on the building type and location. Escape routes and stairwells typically require 60-minute fire resistance (EI-60). Plant rooms and high-risk areas may require 90 or 120 minutes. The building’s fire strategy, produced by a fire engineer, sets the requirements for each element.
How do I specify a fire-rated drylining system?
Fire-rated drylining must be specified by reference to a tested system from a recognised manufacturer — not by describing individual components. Specify the system reference number, manufacturer, board type and thickness, stud gauge and spacing, and any additional requirements (acoustic, moisture resistance). Do not substitute components without checking the effect on the tested system’s fire rating.
What is the difference between 60-minute and 120-minute fire-rated drylining?
A 60-minute fire-rated partition (EI-60) maintains integrity and insulation for 60 minutes under standard fire conditions. A 120-minute partition (EI-120) provides double the protection, typically using heavier board specification, closer stud spacing or double-board layers. 120-minute ratings are required for high-risk areas in hospitals, care homes and some residential applications.
Does fire-rated drylining need to be inspected during installation?
Yes — for higher-risk buildings under the Building Safety Act 2022, fire-rated drylining installation must be inspected and documented as part of the golden thread. Even on buildings below the higher-risk threshold, building control officers may request evidence that fire-rated partitions have been installed in strict accordance with the tested system specification.
