What are Building Regulations?

The Building Regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings, there main purpose is to ensure the health and safety for people in or around those buildings and also for energy conservation and access to and around buildings.

Why comply with Building Regulations?

Anyone carrying out Building work should understand the Building Regulations to make sure the work complys. If you are the owner of the building, it is ultimately you who may be served with an enforcement notice if the work does not comply with the regulations.

Planning permission may also be required and is not the same as Building Regulation approval.

What building work should comply with

Building Regulations?

Not all building work will require approval but "Building Work" is defined in Regulation 3 of the Building Regulations as:

• the erection or extension of a building
  
• the installation or extension of a service or fitting which is controlled under the regulations
  
• an alteration project involving work which will temporarily or permanently affect the ongoing compliance of the building, service or fitting with the requirements relating to structure, fire, or access to and use of buildings
  
• the insertion of insulation into a cavity wall
  
• the underpinning of the foundations of a building
  

If you are unsure if building regulations apply then you should check with a Approved Inspector or Local Authority Building Control Department.

The work should meet the relevant requirements in the Building Regulations and they should not make other fabric, services and fittings less compliant than they previously were, or dangerous.

What Building Regulations cover

The requirements with which the building work should comply are contained within fourteen Approved Documents. You do not have to follow this guidance but you would have to show that you have met the performance requirements contained in the documents.

• Part A - Structure
  
• Part B - Fire Safety
  
• Part C - Site preparation and resistance to moisture
  
• Part D - Toxic substances
  
• Part E - Resistance to the passage of sound
  
• Part F - Ventilation
  
• Part G - Hygiene
  
• Part H - Drainage and waste disposal
  
• Part J - Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
  
• Part K - Protection from falling, collision and impact
  
• Part L - Conservation of fuel and power
  
• Part M - Access to and use of buildings
  
• Part N - Glazing-safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning
  
• Part P - Electrical safety
  
• 
  
  

All the latest Approved Documents can be downloaded free www.planningportal.gov.uk/approveddocuments

Buildings and building work exempt from Building Regulations

Not all building work will require Building Regulation approval, subject to certain size, construction and position relative to boundaries being met. Such work can include:

• garden sheds
  
• summer-houses
  
• detached garages
  
• conservatories
  
• porches
  
• carports
  
• covered way
  
• greenhouses
  

Planning permission may still be required, if in doubt, ASK! the Planning Department.

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Approved Inspector's Building Control Service

This is an alternative to Local Authority, if you use an approved inspector they will take on responsibility for plan checking and inspection of your building work.

An approved inspector will:

• advise you on how the Building Regulations apply to your work
• check your plans
• issue a plans certificate
• inspect the work as it progresses,and
• issue a final certificate