An Introduction to Building Regulations

The Building Regulations are approved legislation by Parliament in England and Wales that relate to standards of design and building work for the construction of domestic, commercial and industrial buildings.

The Building Regulations contain a list of requirements that are designed to ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings; to ensure that fuel and power are conserved; and to ensure access and facilities are provided for all people to and use of buildings.

There are 14 parts, A-H, J-N and P, which cover subjects such as structure, fire safety, ventilation, drainage, energy conservation, and access and facilities for disabled people. These requirements assist designers and builders to give them maximum flexibility in preparing their plans.

Each part is called an ‘Approved Document’, containing practical and technical guidance on how the requirements can be met in common building situations. There are alternative ways of complying with the requirements to those shown in the Approved Documents such as providing relevant structural calculations to demonstrate compliance with safety requirements on the structure of the building. Other alternative ways include providing approved certificates and literature from such sources as the ‘British Board of Agrément’ that gives technical approvals for specific individual material components or details contained in the ‘British Standards’.

 A Building Regulations Explanatory Booklet produced by the former department, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), now known as, Communities and Local Government, is available and can be downloaded from Planning Portal website on the following weblink:

Go to the Planning Portal website for the Building Regulations Explanatory Booklet

The Approved Documents

The colour images below relate to the Approved Documents relevant to this page. The Approved Documents are available on the Planning Portal website, click on an image for more details:

	Approved Document A Structure
	Approved Document B: Volume 1 Fire Safety: Dwellinghouses
	Approved Document B: Volume 2  Fire Safety: Buildings other than dwellinghouses
	Approved Document C  Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture
	Approved Document D  Toxic substances
	Approved Document E  Resistance to the passage of sound
	Approved Document F  Ventilation
	Approved Document G  Hygiene
	Approved Document H  Drainage and waste disposal
	Approved Document J  Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
	Approved Document K Protection from falling, collision and impact
	Approved Document L1A  Conservation of fuel and power in new dwellings
	Approved Document L1B  Conservation of fuel and power in existing dwellings
	Approved Document L2A  Conservation of fuel and power in new buildings other than dwellings
	Approved Document L2B  Conservation of fuel and power in existing buildings other than dwellings
	Approved Document M  Access to and use of buildings
	Approved Document N  Glazing: safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning
	Approved Document P Electrical Safety
	Approved Document to support Regulation 7 Materials and workmanship

More Information

Building Control Services
Department of Environment and Development Services,
Craig House, 2nd Floor, 5 Bank Street, Bury, BL9 ODN.
Tel: 0161 253 5313. Fax: 0161 253 5290.
EMail: building.control@bury.gov.uk
Website Address: www.bury.gov.uk/buildingcontrol

Whilst every care has been taken to compile the information, the publishers and promoters cannot accept any responsibility for incorrect information. Building Regulations are subject to change and if in doubt you should contact the Building Control Team to check if the information is still current.