Zaha Hadid

BUILDING REGULATIONS.

Building regulations apply whether you are self building, renovating or extending. In fact, the majority of construction work – even fairly minor alterations – will require building regulations compliance of some kind of the other.

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WHAT ARE BUILING REGULATIONS?

Building regs are a set of standards designed to ensure a property is safe and comfortable to live in, and, increasingly, energy efficient and mitigating its contribution to carbon emissions.  It is important to realise that building regulations are not set in stone — the Approved Documents that make up building regs tend to evolve as housing policy does, and in June 2022, there were some major updates that you should be aware of.

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These changes affected Part L and Part F. Two new Approved Documents were also introduced: Part O and Part S.

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DO I NEED BUILING REGULATIONS APPROVAL?

In short, if you intend to carry out any new structural work or alterations to your home, you will require building regulations approval. There is a big difference between planning permission and building regulations.

Additionally, work involving the following areas also requires approval, although in some of these cases, competent persons can self-certify their works for compliance:

• Drainage

• Heat-producing appliances

• Cavity wall insulation

• New electrics

All new homes need to adhere to building regulations too, and for this reason a building control inspector will visit at key stages of the build to inspect the work and ensure it complies. 

These stages include:

• Excavation for the building foundations

• Pouring concrete for the foundations

• Building the oversite

• Building the damp proof-course

• Drainage

• A visit prior to completion

A completion certificate will then be issued following the final inspection. 

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WHICH BUILDING REGULATIONS DO I NEED TO COMPLY WITH?

Once you’ve secured your planning approval, the focus needs to shift to showing that your design ticks all the right technical boxes.

The main exemptions for building regulations are peripheral things such as small porches, conservatories or detached garages (up to 30m2 floor area). 

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In brief, your project will have to comply with these areas:

• Part A – Structure

• Part B – Fire Safety

• Part C – Contamination and damp

• Part D – Toxicity

• Part E – Sound

• Part F – Ventilation

• Part G – Hygiene

• Part H – Drainage

• Part J – Fuel

• Part K – On-site Safety

• Part L – Conservation of Fuel and Power

• Part M – Access

• Part N – Glazing

• Part O – Overheating

• Part P – Electrics

• Part S – Infrastructure for Charging Electric Vehicles 

You will need to appoint a building inspector, who will ensure that your project meets building regulations. 

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DO I NEED BUILDING REGULATIONS FOR MY EXTENSION?

If you are building an extension then you will most likely need building regulations approval. Most extensions will need to meet a minimum set of technical standards.

The regulations you'll need to consider are likely to be:

• Energy performance (ensuring your build is insulated enough and has good airtightness so heat doesn’t just leak out)

• Structural integrity as most extensions require foundations

• Protection against falls and unsafe walls  

• Electric and gas safety as most extensions require new systems

• Fire protection which means ensuring there is safe passage from your home to a safe external area

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Home & Renovations

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