The building regulations help ensure that new buildings, conversions, renovations and extensions (domestic or commercial) are constructed safe, healthy and high-performing. Detailed regulations cover specific topics including: structural integrity, fire protection, accessibility, energy performance, acoustic performance, protection against falls, electrical and gas safety.
They also lay standards for drains, ventilation, protection against the ingress of water and protection against contamination including methane and radon gas.
The Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) advises the Secretary of State in England on making building regulations and setting standards for the design and construction of buildings. In the video below LABC's Deputy Chief Executive Lorna Stimpson describes her role as a member of BRAC.
Building control surveyors check that building work complies with the building regulations, a set of standards intended to protect people's safety, health and welfare in and around built environments.
It's important to realise that those carrying out building work are responsible for complying with the building regulations and the role of building control is to check that they do so.
Building control teams check all aspects of construction including but not limited to:
If you are carrying out building work you must provide the local authority some information. Once the design has been agreed and approved by planning the second stage of which are working drawings (detailed information). Third party involvement may also be required such as structural engineers. Once all this information has been completed and gathered we can proceed with submission to a local or independent Building Control for commencement of the project construction.
You will find numerous elements to this section. You must provide parts A-R of approved documents, and this list can easily be found online. It includes things such as electrical safety, security, health and safety regulations for workers, as well as protection and fire safety.
Therefore, you must be sure that you are aware of regulations and follow the advice strictly. If you want to construct small detached buildings such as a garden shed or summerhouse in your garden, building regulations will not normally apply if the floor area of the building is less than 15 square metres and is purely for recreational use.
Structure
Fire Safety
Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture
Toxic Substances
Resistance to the passage of sound
Ventilation
Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency
Drainage and waste disposal
Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
Protection from falling, collision and impact
Conservation of fuel and power
Access to and use of buildings
Glazing safety (withdrawn)
Electrical safety & security
Physical infrastructure for high speed electronic communications networks.
Materials and workmanship
You must apply via your Local Authority Building Control or Private Approved Inspectors. You can choose an appointee to represent you. You can use the detailed drawings and engineers information provided by your architectural designer as proof of your plan as well as a detailed description. There will be some further paperwork when inspections commence at certain points throughout the project.
Then you will find the necessary building regulations approval before you can go ahead with the construction if a full building regulations application is submitted. You may also undertake this as a Building Notice application should you wish to proceed at a faster pace for smaller construction projects. These regulations are developed by the UK government and approved by Parliament.
The cost for Building Regulation drawings are subject to initial consultation and following our fee proposals. LABC fees can vary but again are usually around £600-£1000. Subject to the project size and components involved.