Building Act 1984

24 Provision of exits etc. E+W

(1) Where—

(a) [F1 plans of a building or of an extension of a building are, in accordance with building regulations, deposited with] [F1 an application for building control approval in respect of a building or an extension of a building is made to] a [F2 building control authority], and

(b) the building or, as the case may be, the building as extended will be a building to which this section applies,

the authority shall reject the [F3 plans] [F3 application] unless they show that the building, or, as the case may be, the building as extended, will be provided with such means of ingress and egress and passages or gangways as the authority, after consultation with the [F4 fire and rescue authority], deem satisfactory, regard being had to the purposes for which the building is intended to be, or is, used and the number of persons likely to resort to it at any one time.

(2) Any question arising under subsection (1) above between a [F2 building control authority] and the person by whom, or on whose behalf, [F5 plans are deposited] [F5 an application for building control approval is made] as to whether the means of incress or egress or passages or gangways already existing, or proposed to be provided, ought to be accepted by the authority as satisfactory may on the application of that person be determined by [F6 the appropriate court or tribunal].

(3) Where building regulations imposing requirements as to the provision of means of escape in case of fire are applicable to a proposed building or proposed extension of a building, or would be so applicable but for a direction under section 8 above dispensing with such requirements—

(a) this section, and

(b) any provision of a local Act that has effect in place of this section,

does not apply in relation to the proposed building or extension.

(4) Subject to subsection (3) above, this section applies to—

(a) a theatre, and a hall or other building that is used as a place of public resort,

(b) a restaurant, shop, store or warehouse to which members of the public are admitted and in which more than twenty persons are employed,

[F7 (c) premises in respect of which a club premises certificate has effect under the Licensing Act 2003,]

(d) a school not exempted from the operation of building regulations, and

(e) a church, chapel or other place of public worship

but not—

(i) a private house to which members of the public are admitted occasionally or exceptionally,

(ii) a building that was used as a church, chapel or other place of public worship immediately before the date on which section 36 of the M1 Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1890, or a corresponding provision in a local Act, came into operation in the district or rating district, or

(iii) a building that was so used immediately before the 1st October 1937 (the date of commencement of the M2 Public Health Act 1936) in a district or rating district where neither the said section 36 nor such a corresponding provision ever came into operation.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 24(1)(a) substituted (1.10.2023 except in relation to W.) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(4)(b)(c), Sch. 5 para. 26(3)(a); S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(n)(xi) (with reg. 3)

F2 Words in s. 24 substituted (1.10.2023 except in relation to W., 6.4.2024 for W.) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(4)(b)(c), Sch. 5 para. 26(2); S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(n)(xi) (with reg. 4); S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(d)(xi), Sch. (with regs. 3, 4, 8-12)

F3 Words in s. 24(1) substituted (1.10.2023 except in relation to W.) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(4)(b)(c), Sch. 5 para. 26(3)(b); S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(n)(xi) (with reg. 3)

F4 Words in s. 24(1) substituted (1.10.2004 except in relation to W., 10.11.2004 for W.) by Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 1 para. 57(2)(3)(b); S.I. 2004/2304, art. 2; S.I. 2004/2917, art 2

F5 Words in s. 24(2) substituted (1.10.2023 except in relation to W.) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(4)(b)(c), Sch. 5 para. 26(4); S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(n)(xi) (with reg. 3)

F6 Words in s. 24(2) substituted (1.10.2023 except in relation to W., 6.4.2024 for W.) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(4)(b)(c), Sch. 6 para. 9(d); S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(o)(i) (with reg. 6); S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(d)(xii) (with regs. 3, 4, 8-12)

F7 S. 24(4)(c) substituted (24.11.2005) by Licensing Act 2003 (c. 17), s. 201(2), Sch. 6 para. 91 (with ss. 2(3), 15(2), 195); S.I. 2005/3056, art. 2(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 24 excluded by Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 45A), ss. 26(1), 33(1)(d)

Marginal Citations

M1 1890 c. 59.

M2 1936 c. 49.