Building regulations, approved documents and standards, guidance and processes Flashcards
Buildings Act 1984
Primary legislation under which 2ndary legislation such as the building regulations are made.
Building Regulations
Technical rules for building works on new and existing buildings on:
health & safety in/about buildings
energy conservation
access and facilities for people with disabilities.
Breach enforcement under Building Act
Allows a LA to serve an enforcement notice on an owner, requiring them to alter or remove work which breaches the act.
If the owner does not comply with the notice, LA has the power to undertake the work itself, & recover costs from owner.
Building Control Officers
Ensures the compliance of Building Regs.
Ways of getting Building Regulations approval
(1) Local Authority: Deposit of full plans.
(2) Local Authority: Conditional approval.
(3) Local Authority: Building Notice.
(4) Local Authority: The Partner Authority scheme.
(5) Approved Inspector.
Ways of getting Building Regulations approval - Local Authority: Deposit of full plans
All the necessary documents, application forms and fees are submitted to the LA.
LA must give notice of approval or rejection within 35 days.
Ways of getting Building Regulations approval - Local Authority: Conditional approval
Usually for large projects.
Must be agreed prior to making initial application.
Applications should describe project, normally cover requirements for Parts B, L and M.
LA then issues a conditional approval with conditions to met before final approval.
Ways of getting Building Regulations approval - Local Authority: Building Notice
For smaller projects.
Only use if confident that the work will comply with the Building Regulations or risk having to correct work if LA requests.
Once notice given, and LA notified at least 2 days before, building works can commence.
Ways of getting Building Regulations approval - Local Authority: The Partner Authority scheme
Allows a design consultant to link with a LA for the plans approval. LA assesses the plans and issues decision advice,
The Inspection Authority then carries out site inspections to ensure compliance with the approved documents.
This way LA can act in a similar way to Approved Inspectors.
Ways of getting Building Regulations approval - Approved Inspector
An approved inspector is a private-sector building professional part of the design team. Assists in design process.
Once the Initial Notice has been served and accepted, the LA powers to enforce the regulations are suspended.
When approved inspector is satisfied, he/she issues a Certificate that certifies that design has been checked and complies with the regulations.
When the project is completed, the approved inspector issues a final certificate – one copy goes to Local Authority who can accept or reject it.
Types of buildings that are exempt from control under the Building Regs
(1) Buildings controlled under other legislation.
(2) Buildings not frequented by people.
(3) Greenhouses and agricultural buildings.
(4) Temporary buildings; ancillary buildings.
(5) Small detached buildings
Approved Documents
Guidelines of what maybe accepted as compliant with Building Regulations in England and Wales.
They include:
Part A – Structure.
Part B – Fire safety.
Part C – Site preparation and resistance to contaminate and moisture.
Part D – Toxic substances.
Part E – Resistance to passage of sound.
Part F – Ventilation.
Part G – Sanitation, hot water and water efficiency.
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.
Part P – Electrical Safety.
Part Q – Security (Dwellings).
Reg 7 – Approved Document for Regulation 7 (Materials and Workmanship).
Building Regulations. Includes:
International standards - ISO.
European standards - EN.
National standards (British Standards -BS).
Industrial/sector standards.
British Standards
Standards of quality and good practice.
Most construction contracts require the design to conform to BS.
