Building Control.
Objectives of the Building Regulations.
The current Building Regulations were introduced in 2000 and
became law on January 1st 2001. The Building Regulations are
approved by Parliament and deal with minimum standards to secure
health and safety, energy conservation and proper access and use
for people in and around buildings. They cover the construction of
domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. In
addition, they set out the definitions of building work and the
procedures for ensuring that it meets the standards laid down. The
Building Regulations contain requirements, (referred to as Schedule
1) with guidance on how to comply with the regulations contained in
the Approved Documents.
In total there are 14 Parts (A-H and J-P) to
the Approved Documents. They cover subjects including structure,
fire safety, ventilation, drainage, energy conservation, access and
use of buildings, glazing and some domestic electrical
installations. The Approved Documents can be viewed at the
planning
portal.
The Building Regulations may also apply to oil
and solid fuel fired combustion appliances, fuel tanks and
replacement glazing and windows.
Building work is;
- The erection or extension of a building.
- Material alteration of a building.
- The provision or alteration of building gas installations,
electrical installations, plumbing, cooling, ventilation, heating
and hot water systems, including heating controls, known as
controlled services or fittings.
- Work to buildings where there is a change of use e.g.
conversion forming a dwelling, flat, hotel, shop, public building,
etc.
- Work to buildings where there is a change in the numbers of
dwellings or rooms used for residential purposes e.g. (rooms where
people live and sleep).
- The insertion of cavity wall insulation.
- Underpinning of a building.
- Replacement windows, doors and roof lights, where new frames
and glazing are provided.
- Alterations to a buildings thermal envelope e.g. roof / walls
/ceilings/ ground floors etc.
- Changing a building energy status e.g. heating a previously
unheated part of a building / garage conversion etc.
- Consequential improvements to a buildings thermal
performance.
If your building work is subject to the
Building Regulations the following options are available.
- The deposit of a Full Plans Application or;
- The giving of a Building Notice (except for work where
the building is to be put to a use designated under the Regulatory
Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2006.
Is a Building Regulation Application Required?
Use the
interactive guide to find out about common projects
for your home.
Useful Links;
Building Control is part of the Councils
Regulatory Services Team, which includes Development Control,
Environmental Health,
Planning Enforcement,
Licensing and Conservation. A guide to
the work of the Regulatory Services Team can be downloaded
here.
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