Quick answer: On 19 October 2026 the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) opened a call for evidence on Part K (protection from falling, collision and impact) and its statutory guidance, Approved Document K. It will run for 10 weeks - on that timing, to around late December 2026; check the consultation page for the confirmed date. No policy changes are proposed and the current requirements stay in force while the review continues. Any future change would go through further consultation.
What the review covers
According to the government announcement, the review looks at falls, collisions and impacts, including:
- stairs and ramps, and their handrails
- guarding
- windows and doors
- glazing
- vehicle barriers
The BSR is asking whether the current requirements work in practice, and where they need clarity, strengthening or further research. Recent stair-safety research by the BSR, MHCLG and HSE feeds into the review. The review is part of the BSR’s duties under the Building Safety Act 2022.
Who can respond
Anyone: designers, builders, building managers, occupants and members of the public. The BSR prefers responses through its online survey at consultations.buildingsafety.gov.uk; other routes are set out in the call for evidence documents.
Why it matters to assessors and developers
Part K is not an energy topic, but it sits on the same drawings. Window opening sizes, glazing and guarding heights interact with the overheating (Part O) and ventilation (Part F) choices you make, and stair geometry affects layouts that the SAP model is built from. If you see recurring problems at design or inspection stage, this is a low-effort chance to put them on the record before any rewrite of Approved Document K begins.
What to do now
- Nothing needs to change on live projects: Approved Document K as it stands still applies.
- Note any Part K ambiguities you meet on site or at Building Control and respond before the call closes.
- Keep an eye on the confirmed closing date on the consultation page.
If you need help joining up energy, overheating and ventilation evidence for a scheme so it clears Building Control first time, get in touch with the Energycount team.
Source: GOV.UK - Have your say on the future of Part K of the building regulations, 19 October 2026.