All new building projects, even self-builds, extensions, and renovations, must be compliant with building regulations. This article will provide an overview of regulations and their importance and will explore whether there have been any changes in recent years.
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Navigating the Sea of Regulations
Building regulations (known as “codes” in the US) are an essential part of any new construction project, be it a massive commercial building or a small domestic dwelling.
Even relatively minor alterations to a building’s existing fabric will require the homeowner or project manager to inform their local authority before work can be started. However, generally speaking, a light remodel will require the individual to get to grips with a lot fewer regulations than if the project is a completely new build.
The sea of regulations can be difficult to navigate, especially for first-timers, but it must be sailed if an individual wants to avoid potential fines or, in the worst-case scenario, being ordered to tear down a project that may have taken months to complete at a massive financial cost.
What do Regulations Cover?
In the UK, regulations are covered in 18 parts with their own letter (A-R.) Aspects include workmanship, fire safety, escape means, electrical safety, appropriate materials, structure, disabled accessibility, and high-speed broadband infrastructure.
Approved documents are available online, which present the expectation of government planning authorities concerning minimum requirements that must be met in every construction project. This ensures compliance with the law, but the documents themselves are not legally binding.
One thing that is not covered in the building regulations, however, is the supply of natural gas for heating and cooking. This is governed in the UK by separate Gas Safety Regulations. These are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE.)
Additionally, regulations specify that some types of work must be carried out by approved professionals. Furthermore, they also state that the local authority must be contacted before approval can be given.
In some cases, buildings must be brought up to a certain standard in keeping with the surrounding area. For instance, if a lot of work has been done on insulating the bulk of an area’s existing housing stock, the rest of the housing stock must also have insulation work done. However, existing buildings may require less stringent standards than new buildings.
Why are Regulations Important?
Regulations are an essential part of the planning process. They differ from planning permission, which is more concerned with neighborhood appearance, land usage nature, and appropriate development. However, both building regulations and planning permission must be considered in every building project.
The importance of building regulations is twofold, for both safety and sustainability. For instance, if an extension to an existing building is constructed without following the appropriate building regulations, it may present a serious safety risk. The standard of workmanship, structure, or materials may be sub-par.
Another case where a building project may fall foul of building regulations is when the new structure blocks out natural light to the neighbors. In the worst-case scenario, new builds or renovations may be found further down the line to be of substandard condition and have to be completely torn down.
It should be noted here that newer building regulations are generally not retrospective. These are applied to new modifications and changes to buildings, and any modification must not leave the building less compliant and more unsafe than current standards.
What Has Changed in Recent Years?
The building regulation system has undergone some changes over the past two decades. For instance, the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 has brought microgeneration into building regulations. Provisions have also been made in regard to prosecuting contraventions of regulations concerning carbon emissions and energy conservation.
In 2010, there was a total rewrite, with amendments in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2018. The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 exposed the inadequacy and danger of cladding on high rises, with a knock-on effect on building regulations concerning fire safety and appropriate materials.
Other changes to building regulations in recent years include security, high-speed broadband infrastructure, and overheating. Another major change came in 2011 when devolved building regulations powers saw Wales and England diverge.
One of the biggest political stories in Europe of the past decade has been Brexit. In 2016, the UK electorate voted to leave the European Union, which immediately had an impact on every area of society, industry, and politics. EU laws were transposed into UK legislation before Brexit, with three key EU directives governing the planning and regulations process being the EIA Directive, SEA Directive, and the Habitats Directive. These directives have to now be transposed into UK law.
In Summary
Building regulations are an integral part of the construction process, governing many project types. Their main purpose is to ensure safety and sustainability and cover aspects such as building materials, structure, workmanship, fire safety, energy efficiency, high-speed broadband, and infrastructure for electric vehicle charging.
Navigating the sea of regulations can be highly challenging, especially when new regulations are introduced and old ones are updated, so a comprehensive knowledge of current standards is absolutely essential. This will avoid falling foul of the process and potentially being fined or having to start again.
The UN’s Decarbonization Plan for the Construction Sector
References and Further Reading
Rock, I & Snell, D (2023) Building regulations 2023: The ultimate guide [online] Homebuilding & Renovating. Available at:
https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/building-regulations
HM Government (2023) The merged Approved Documents [online] gov.uk. Available at:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/building-regulations-and-approved-documents-index
HM Government (2021) Infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles (Approved Document) [online] gov.uk. Available at:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1057375/AD_S.pdf
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