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November 22, 2016

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How to comply with the building regulation requirements of different buildings

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By Will Goodenough

The requirements of the UK Government’s Building Regulation are complex and outline protocol for almost every construction-related situation imaginable, and in an industry so firmly entwined with health and safety regulation, it is imperative that all construction jobs are carried out in compliance with regulation. However, specifics relating just to the building process itself are lengthy, and make up only one part of the Building Regulation. So, what do you need to know, and what applies to who?

The section of the Regulation titled ‘Requirements’ is categorised by no less than fourteen groups, lettered A-P, almost all of which are further divided into various details and conditions. In practise, knowing which regulation applies to which scenario is a laborious process of reading through, and picking out the applicable rules. All employees in the construction industry should be familiar with, and have regular training based on, the Building Regulations, but our simplified guide below can be turned to for reference.

Overview of Regulations

A – Structure [Loading; Ground Movement; Disproportionate Collapse]

  • Applies to all building projects

B – Fire Safety [Means of Warning and Escape; Internal Fire Spread (linings); Internal Fire Spread (Structure); External Fire Spread; Access and Facilities for Fire Service]

  • B1 and B3 not applicable to prisons

C – Site Preparation and Resistance to Contamination and Moisture [Preparation of Site and Resistance to Contamination; Resistance to Moisture]

  • Applies to all building projects

D – Toxic Substances [Cavity Insulation]

  • Applies to all building projects

E – Resistance to Passage of Sound [Protection against sound from other parts of building and adjoining buildings; Protection Against Sound Within Dwellings; Reverberation in Common Internal Parts of Buildings Containing Flats or Rooms for Residential Purpose; Acoustic Conditions in Schools]

  • Specific to dwellings for residential purposes
  • E4 specific to schools

F – Ventilation [Means of Ventilation]

  • Applies to all building projects, excepting normally empty rooms, garages or those used for storage purposes

G – Sanitation, Hot Water Safety and Water Efficiency [Cold Water Supply; Water Efficiency; Hot Water Supply and Systems; Sanitary Conveniences and Washing Facilities; Bathrooms; Kitchens and Food Preparation Areas]

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  • Applies to all building projects
  • G2 only applicable to dwellings for residential purposes
  • G3 not applicable to hot water use for industrial purposes

H – Drainage and Waste Disposal [Foul Water Drainage; Wastewater Treatment Systems and Cesspools; Rainwater Drainage; Building Over Sewers; Separate Systems of Drainage; Solid Waste Storage]

  • H1 not applicable to water used for personal or clothing washing
  • H3 not applicable to collection of rainwater for reuse
  • Conditions apply

J – Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems [Air Supply; Discharge of Products of Combustion; Warning of Release of Carbon Monoxide; Protection of Building; Provision of Information; Protection of Liquid Fuel Storage Systems; Protection Against Pollution]

  • Only applicable to fixed combustion appliances
  • J3 only applicable to dwellings for residential purposes
  • J6 only applicable to fixed oil storage tanks of >90L with pipes and fixed liquefied petroleum gas storage installations
  • J7 only applicable to fixed oil storage tanks of <3500L with pipes located outside the building to serve fixed combustion appliances in dwellings

K – Protection from Falling, Collision and Impact [Stairs, Ladders and Ramps; Protection from Falling; Vehicle Barriers and Loading Bays; Protection from Collision with Open Windows; Protection from Impact from and Trapping by Doors]

  • K1 applies only to stairs, ladders and ramps which form part of the building
  • K2 applies only to stairs, ladders and ramps which form part of the building
  • K4 does not apply to dwellings
  • K5 does not apply to dwellings or any door or gate that forms part of a lift

L – Conservation of Fuel and Power [Conservation of Fuel and Power]

  • Applies to all building projects

M – Access to and Use of Buildings [Access and Use; Access to Extensions to Buildings Other Than Dwellings; Sanitary Conveniences in Extensions to Buildings Other Than Dwellings]

  • M1 not applicable to alterations or extensions on dwellings, or areas solely for repair or maintenance
  • M2 not applicable where suitable access is provided through extended building
  • M3 not applicable where suitable sanitary conveniences are provided elsewhere in building

N – Glazing: Safety in Relation to Impact, Opening and Cleaning [Protection Against Impact; Manifestation of Glazing; Safe Opening and Closing of Windows etc.; Safe Access for Cleaning Windows]

  • N2, N3 and N4 not applicable to dwellings
  • N4 not applicable to any translucent or transparent surfaces not intended to be cleaned

P – Electrical Safety [Design and Installation]

  • P only applicable to electrical installations intended to operate at low or extra-low voltage and are: in or attached to a dwelling; in common parts of a building serving one or more dwellings; in a building that receives its electricity from within or a shared dwelling; in a garden or on land with a building where the electricity from a source located within or shared with a dwelling.

The most effective way to ensure that all building projects are compliant with all the necessary regulations is to make regular compliance training a fixture in your company and its HR department. The more familiar everyone is with the rules, the easier they become to enforce and oversee.

If you would like more information on the specific categories relating to rooflight and smoke ventilation products, please contact Whitesales on 01483 271371 or [email protected]

Sources

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200128/building_control
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2214/schedule/1/made

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Will Goodenough is the Marketing Manager at Whitesales.

 

 

 

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