Legal/Regulatory Compliance Flashcards
What are the building regulations?
A set of standards to follow to ensure the health and safety of people in and around all types of buildings, as well as providing minimum standards for energy conservation.
Under the Building Regulations 2010, what is deemed to constitute building work?
As defined in Regulation 3;
o Erection or extension of a building
o Installation or extension of a service or fitting
o Alteration involving work which will temporarily or permanently affect the ongoing compliance of the building.
o Insertion of insulation into a building and the underpinning of foundations.
Can you please name some of the approved documents?
- A – Structures
- B – Fire Safety
- C – Site Preparation and Damp Proofing
- D – Toxic Substances
- E – Sound Proofing
- F – Ventilation
- G – Hygiene
- H – Drainage
- J – Heating
- K – Protection from falling
- L – Conservation of fuel and power
- M – Disabled access
- O – Overheating
- P – Electrical safety
- S – Electric Vehicle Charging
- T – Toilet accommodation
Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with the building regulations?
Ultimately the responsibility falls under the client however they are required to ensure they employ relevant contractors and designers to ensure this responsibility is fulfilled.
Are you aware of different options available for obtaining building control advice?
Yes – through Local Authority or an Approved Inspector.
Why would you opt to use an Approved Inspector?
Because in my experience they are generally seen to be more responsive and open to giving advice than a local authority.
What types of building control approval are available and what are their key differences?
- Building notice - cannot be used in a workplace, work may be started after 2 days.
- Full plans approval - can be used for any project, plans are reviewed and approved prior to works commencing, fee is paid in two stages.
You mention a CPD done by East Suffolk Building Control regarding updates to the approved documents – can you give us a couple of examples?
- Part L has been updated to reflect improved u-values required.
- Creation of two new documents, Part O and Part S which are Overheating and Electric Charging provision.
I can see you recently provided a client with some planning on advice on a MUGA in Ipswich – what documents did you refer to in order to provide this advice?
- The NPPF – National Planning Policy Framework
- The Town and County Planning Act 1990
What is Approved Document Part B and what recent updates have been made to it?
Fire Safety
1/ On June 1, 2022 the document introduced regulations to strengthen the ban on combustible materials, particularly in external walls.
2/ March 2024 introduced the requirement for a second staircase in buildings over 18m
3/ Provision to enable evacuation of disabled people
When are consequential improvements triggered under Part L for non-domestic buildings?
- When a building is over 1000m2 and is undergoing extensive works
- In this case 10% of the value of the works should be spent on improvements.
What enforcement options are available under the building regulations?
- The local authority is able to take a person/contractor to court where they could be fined for the contravention.
- The local authority may serve an enforcement notice requiring the contravening person to rectify the works.
- Lastly, local authority has the power to undertake the rectification works themselves and recover the costs.
What polices are behind the NPPF
- Sustainable development
- Community decision making
- Town centre renewal
- Housing
Was a planning application required for your Forest Academy Extension?
- Yes however this was not a full planning application as this was considered permitted development.
- As the extension was less than 25% of the existing floor area or 50m2.
- Therefore an application for a LDC (lawful development certificate) was required.
Can you provide a couple of examples on where planning permission would be required?
- A new build construction on a vacant site.
- A change of use in a building – say residential to office.
