Building Regulations

What are the Building Regulations?

The Building Regulations apply to building work in England and Wales and set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the health and safety of people in and around those buildings.

Complying with Building Regulations is a separate matter from obtaining planning permission.

What the Regulations cover

The building work should comply with and are grouped under, the 14 Parts below:

Part A - Structure

Part B - Fire safety

Part C - Site preparation and resistance to moisture

Part D - Toxic substances

Part E - Resistance to the passage of sound

Part F - Ventilation

Part G - Hygiene

Part H - Drainage and waste disposal

Part J - Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems

Part K - Protection from falling, collision and impact

Part L - Conservation of fuel and power

Part M - Access to and use of buildings

Part N - Glazing - safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning

Part P - Electrical safety

They set out the broad objectives or functions which the individual aspects of the building design and construction should set out to achieve

• the erection or extension of a building

• the installation or extension of a service or fitting which is controlled under the regulations

• an alteration project involving work which will temporarily or permanently affect the ongoing compliance of the building, service or fitting with the requirements relating to structure, fire, or access to and use of buildings

• the insertion of insulation into a cavity wall

• the underpinning of the foundations of a building

If you are planning to carry out any such work, then it should comply with the Building Regulations.