Building Control Regulations explained
- What are the Building Regulations
- Is Building Regulation approval the same as Planning permission?
- Do I need Building Regulations approval?
- What is covered by Building Regulations?
What are the Building Regulations?
Building Regulations ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings by providing functional requirements for building design and construction. In addition, the Regulations promote energy efficiency in buildings and contribute to meeting the needs of disabled people.
Builders and developers are required to obtain building control approval, an independent check that the Building Regulations have been complied with.
The Building Regulations 2000 (as amended) are the current regulations.
|TopIs Building Regulation approval the same as Planning permission?
No Approval under the Building Regulations is separate from the process of obtaining Planning Permission. Planning Permission may be required for work even if the work is exempt under the Building Regulations.
|TopDo I need Building Regulations approval?
The majority of domestic work, which requires Building Regulations approval, falls into the following categories, and constitutes 'Notifiable Work':
- The erection of a new building or the extension of an existing building such as a kitchen extension or loft conversion (Some "extensions" are exempt from the Building Regulations). Please refer to the FAQ "exempt buildings".
- Structural alterations to an existing building such as underpinning, formation of a through lounge or partial removal of chimney breasts.
- Changing the use of an existing building such as converting a house to flats.
- The provision of new drainage or the extension or alteration of drainage facilities such as providing a w.c. under the stairs.
What is covered by Building Regulations?
The Building Regulations cover a wide range of building work from major office, shop and residential developments to small domestic works like extensions, through lounges and loft conversions.
Approved Documents offer guidance on how to comply with the regulations and cover the following aspects of construction:
- Part A: Structure
- Part B: Fire Safety
- Part C: Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture
- Part D: Toxic Substances
- Part E: Resistance to the passage of sound
- Part F: Ventilation
- Part G: Hygiene
- Part H: 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 facilities and buildings
- Part N: Glazing
- Part P: Electrical Safety (as of January 2005)
The Approved Documents can be found on our useful downloads page.
Should you be in any doubt as to whether your proposals would require consent, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Address
Building Control
Planning Policy and Development
Urban Environment
639 High Road
N17 8BD
Tel: 020 8489 5504
Fax: 020 8489 5229
Email: building.control@haringey.gov.uk
Useful External Links
The following links are not part of the Haringey Council website. Please read our legal disclaimer before using these links
- Local Authority Building Control (National Organisation)
- Department of Communities and Local Government
- London District Surveyors Association
- Health and Safety Executive
- Considerate Contractors
- Planning Portal – Building Regulations
Update MePage Last Updated: 18 November 2008
This page belongs to the following categories :
- Environment > Planning
- Environment > Planning > Residential planning
