Building Regulations

Building Regulations are national rules that apply to a wide range of building work and changes of use, across England. The principal objective of the regulations is to set minimum standards for people’s safety, health, accessibility and use of buildings, as well as minimising the impact on the wider environment.

The Building Regulations are supported by official guidance documents called Approved Documents, which are produced by the government, however those carrying out building work can adopt any form of recognised guidance, provided it meets the standards set out in the regulations themselves.

For example, in order to ensure people can escape from buildings, designers can adopt the guidance in Approved Document B or use BS9999 for added flexibility.

Building Regulations and Planning Permission are not the same thing. In many cases both consents will be required, however there will be some schemes that fall with permitted development rights, but require Building Regulation consent, and other schemes that are ‘exempt buildings’ (schedule 2 of the Building Regulations), but require planning permission.

On occasion Listed Building Consent may be required as well as Building Regulation consent, and whilst Listed Building criteria can have a negative impact on Building Regulation compliance, there will be times when compromise will be required in order to comply with conflicting requirements.

Local authorities are responsible for enforcing Building Regulations in their areas, unless the work relates to a high risk building, (high rise building), in which case the Building Safety Regulator is the enforcement authority. The government has now made some Building Regulation offences a criminal act, and penalties are therefore more significant. We endeavour to resolve all compliance issues amicably and without the need to engage in formal enforcement activities.

You can find the Approved Documents here.