Building Regulations
The Building Regulations contain the minimum requirements designed to protect the health, safety and welfare of all people involved with buildings. This includes members of the public, occupiers, neighbours, visitors, disabled people, and maintenance and construction personnel. The Regulations also enforce standards aimed at conserving fuel and energy, and deal with such additional matters as fire safety, access, protection from impact, toxic substances and glazing safety. They affect all buildings in England and Wales ( Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own set of Regulations) and are created by the Secretary of State, under powers provided by the Building Act 1994.
The Great Fire of London (1666) prompted the Government of the time to issue bylaws to prevent the spread of fire between buildings in London . Later acts of parliament expanded their scope to deal with sanitation and public health. In 1965, these local building by-laws were replaced by national Building Regulations, which exist to this day. The current format (Simple Regulations plus Approved Documents giving technical guidance) of the Building Regulations was created in 1985. They are divided into 'parts' and each 'part' deals with a specific technical aspect of construction or design. The Building Regulations were fully updated and reissued in both 1992 and 2000, with further major amendments in 2002.
They are one of the most complex set of rules ever devised and complying with them is a formidable task. Just understanding them is difficult enough! The problem is that they are open to different interpretation and do not remain static. The Building Regulations are a fluid set of documents that are constantly added to, amended, revised and updated, according to when new research is undertaken, new methods devised and new materials produced. Even those directly involved in enforcement of the Regulations, such as local authority building control officers, and those acting on behalf of clients, such as architects and surveyors, find keeping up to date is often demanding and arduous - so self-builders acting on their own really do not stand much of a chance!
This is one area of professional advice where the value of your architect can be truly recognised. Once given an insight into your proposals, ideas and the variety of materials intended for construction, he can suggest a means of achieving compliance with Building Regulations. This may involve some degree of compromise, or alternatively he may discourage progressing the scheme any further because it is unrealistic and impractical. Early advice is essential to prevent proceeding with, and spending funds on, what may prove ultimately to be a futile project. These initial discussions with your professional advisor are the equivalent of 'laying theoretical foundations' for your self-build venture - only by exploring what is possible within the confines of the Regulations can you safely proceed to plan and build.
In Summary
- Take advice from your architect when designing your building so as to keep within the imposed directives of the Building Regulations.
- Ask your architect to supply additional detailed construction drawings for each building element.
- Consider the options open to you to go beyond the minimum standards, if you want to build a home of quality and stability.
Be aware of the legal implications when planning the design of the structure, drainage, heating systems, ventilation and fire protection.
