Building Regulations


The main function of the Building Regulations relates to the design and construction of buildings and the provision of services, fittings and equipment, in order to secure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of persons in or about buildings, and to conserve fuel and power. A concise Explanatory Booklet published by the Government is available to download.

The Building Regulations 2000 came into force on 1st January 2001. They are supported by Approved Documents that offer guidance as to how the Regulations can be satisfied. These documents tend to be quite lengthy, but are user friendly and are intended to assist everyone involved with the building operations.

The Regulations, therefore, are quite simple and straightforward and do not contain lengthy phraseology. These are divided into differing parts recognisable by a prefix A-P as follows: -

Building Act 1984

Approved Document A - Structure

Approved Document B - Fire Safety

Approved Document C – Site Preparation & Resistance to Contaminants & Moisture

Approved Document D - Toxic Substances

Approved Document E - Resistance to the Passage of Sound & (Robust Details)

Approved Document F - Ventilation

Approved Document G - Hygiene

Approved Document H - Drainage and Waste Disposal

Approved Document J - Combustion Appliances & Fuel Storage Systems

Approved Document K - Protection from Falling, Collision & Impact

Approved Document L1A - Conservation of Fuel and Power - New Dwellings Approved Document L1B - Conservation of Fuel and Power - Existing Dwellings Approved Document L2A - Conservation of Fuel and Power - New Buildings Approved Document L2B - Conservation of Fuel and Power - Existing Buildings

Approved Document M - Access and facilities for Disabled People

Approved Document N - Glazing – Safety in Relation to Impact, Opening & Cleaning

Approved Document P - Electrical Safety in Dwellings

Regulation 7 - Materials and Workmanship

To view information from the Approved Documents, click on the relevant link. (You will be re-directed to the Planning Portal website).

The Approved Document is simply a means of indicating that the Regulation will be satisfied if the guidance in that document is followed. One should not make the mistake that a statement in an Approved Document is the requirement. This is not so, the requirement is the Building Regulation shown within the document and highlighted green.

Home	Living	Visiting	Learning	Working	Your Council	Online	My Profile

BUILDING REGULATIONS