Building Regulations consent

1. In respect of a new building or extension to a building, the full plans application shall be accompanied by a plan to a scale of 1/1250 showing:
   1. the size and position of the building, or the building as extended, and its relationship to adjoining boundaries
   2. the boundaries of the curtilage of the building, or the building as extended, and the size, position and use of every other building or proposed building within that curtilage
   3. the width and position of any street on or within the boundaries of the curtilage of the building or the building as extended.
2. All accompanying plans and particulars must show that any work carried out complies with the Building Regulations 2010 as amended.
3. If not shown on the plans, particulars must be submitted of:
   1. drainage both foul water and storm water
   2. provision of exits in buildings to which Section 24 of the Building Act 1984 relates
   3. precautions to be taken in building over a public sewer or drain. It may be that you will be required to enter into an agreement with United Utilities but you will be informed if this is the case
   4. the steps to be taken to comply with any local enactment.
4. The Building Regulation approval is valid for three years but work can begin as soon as two days after you have submitted your application. However, any work carried out before you have got formal approval must comply with building regulations or you risk having to correct it after we have inspected it.
5. New installations, rewires and adding new circuits to an existing installation:
   1. If the electrical contractor is a member of Competent Persons Self Certification Scheme (CPS), for example NICEIC or ECA, they must complete Installation Certificate (Form 1) BS 7671 (as amended)
   2. If the electrical contractor is not a member of a CPS, they must complete the Design and Construction parts of Installation Certificate (Form 2) BS 7671 (as amended) and the homeowner will need to arrange for an electrical contractor who is a member of a CPS to inspect and test the installation to enable them to complete the Inspection and Testing part of the form
   3. In both instances the electrical contractor is required to complete Form 3 Schedule of Inspection and Form 4 Schedule of Test Results.
6. Additional sockets or lighting points to an existing installation in a kitchen or special location:
   1. If the electrical contractor is member of a CPS, they must complete the Minor Works Certificate (Form 5). Copies of the appropriate forms must be deposited with the authority at completion of the work; failure to do so will prevent the authority from issuing a completion certificate and may lead to enforcement action taken against the homeowner and/or the electrical contractor. Homeowners would be advised not to pay contractors until these electrical work certificates have been provided and the building work complies with the Building Regulations.
   2. The preferred route to approval is for any homeowner to use an electrical contractor who is registered under a Competent Persons Self Certification Scheme, for example NICEIC or ECA. If when the work has been completed it is found that the electrical work has been carried out by a non-registered electrician then the work may need to be regularised. This could incurred a higher additional charge.
7. Section 16 of The Building Act 1984 (Passing or rejection of plans) enable the Local Authority to pass plans subjected to conditions, but only if the applicant or agent agree in writing. Such conditional approvals can overcome the necessity to reject applications when your plans are defect or show contraventions of the building regulations. In some cases, a condition may require the deposit of further plans for part of the work not shown on the original plans. The decision to issue such conditional approvals is entirely at the Local Authority's discretion, but to do so requires the written permission of the applicant.
8. All plans should show compliance with the provisions of the Greater Manchester Act 1981 where applicable.
9. Charges:
   1. Charges are paid on the basis of the application submitted. Applicants should note that when an estimate is submitted the charge payable will be based on this estimate assuming it is considered to be reasonable. If an applicant subsequently obtains a lower estimate no refund can be made. A guidance note on fees is available on request.
   2. It is not possible to withdraw your application once it is has been registered. A decision will be issued as soon as possible after that time.
   3. Certain works for disabled persons are exempt from plan and inspection charges. This includes provision of suitable means of access to dwellings, public buildings or buildings to which the public are admitted or for providing facilities designed to secure their greater health, safety, welfare or convenience such as sanitary accommodation, lifts and so forth. In all cases, the work must be solely for the benefit of a disabled person. The exemptions will not normally apply to new constructions. An extension for a renal dialysis machine or any other medical equipment will not require fees. Written proof of disability must be provided with the application, such as a letter from GP or proof of any disability allowance payment.
10. The information given by you on the form is held and controlled by Bury Council. The information is held for the purpose of the council's functions under the Building Act 1984. The information provided may be disclosed to third parties who make legitimate enquires regarding the application of the Building Act 1984 to the building(s) concerned.

Persons proposing to carry out building work or make a material change of use of a building are reminded that permission may be required under the Town and Country Planning Acts. Please check using the Planning Portal or call the planning helpline on 0161 253 5432.

For further information or help concerning the submission of Building Control applications, please contact out Building Control service on 0161 253 5313 or building.control@bury.gov.uk.

1. In respect of (a) a material change of use or (b) alterations to which the building regulations apply but which do not involve an extension, a notice is the only document that need be submitted.
2. In respect of a new building or extension to a building, the building notice shall be accompanied by a plan to a scale of 1/1250 showing:
   a) the size and position of the building, or the building as extended, and its relationship to adjoining boundaries
   b) the boundaries of the curtilage of the building, or the building as extended, and the size, position and use of every other building or proposed building within that curtilage
   c) the width and position of any street on or within the boundaries of the curtilage of the building or the building as extended.
3. Depending on the work, we may ask you to submit plans and/or calculations at a later stage.
4. You do not get a formal approval notice like you do with full plans.
5. A building notice is valid for three years, but work can begin 2 days after you have submitted your application.
6. In respect of cavity filling in existing buildings, details should be submitted in respect of:
   1. the name and type of insulating material to be used
   2. whether or not the insulating material is approved by the British Board of Agrément or conforms to a British Standard specification
   3. whether or not the installer is a person who is subject of a British Standards Institution Certificate of Registration or has been approved by the British Board of Agrément for the insertion of that material.
7. In respect of unvented hot water systems, details should be submitted in respect of:
   1. the name and type of system to be provided
   2. whether or not the system is approved by the British Board of Agrément
   3. whether or not the installer has been approved by the British Board of Agrément for the provision of that system.
8. Prior to submitting a building notice in respect of a new building or extension to a building, the person giving the notice is strongly advised to check in the office of the Local Authority:
   1. the map of sewers to establish the line of any sewer affecting the work. Records of public sewers may be inspected at the Town Hall, Knowsley Street Bury BL9 0SW during normal office hours, and
   2. any Local Acts that may be relevant.
9. New installations, rewires and adding new circuits to an existing installation:
   1. If the electrical contractor is a member of Competent Persons Self Certification Scheme (CPS), for example NICEIC or ECA, they must complete Installation Certificate (Form 1) BS 7671 (as amended).
   2. If the electrical contractor is not a member of a CPS, they must complete the Design and Construction parts of Installation Certificate (Form 2) BS 7671 (as amended) and the homeowner will need to arrange for an electrical contractor who is a member of a CPS to inspect and test the installation to enable them to complete the Inspection and Testing part of the form.
   3. In both instances the electrical contractor is required to complete Form 3 Schedule of Inspection and Form 4 Schedule of Test Results.
10. Additional sockets or lighting points to an existing installation in a kitchen or special location:
    1. If the electrical contractor is member of a CPS, they must complete the Minor Works Certificate (Form 5). Copies of the appropriate forms must be deposited with the authority at completion of the work; failure to do so will prevent the authority from issuing a completion certificate and may lead to enforcement action taken against the homeowner and/or the electrical contractor. Homeowners would be advised not to pay contractors until these electrical work certificates have been provided and the building work complies with the Building Regulations.
    2. The preferred route to approval is for any homeowner to use an electrical contractor who is registered under a Competent Persons Self Certification Scheme, for example NICEIC or ECA. If when the work has been completed it is found that the electrical work has been carried out by a non-registered electrician then the work may need to be regularised. This could incurred a higher additional charge.
11. Charges:
    1. Charges are paid on the basis of the application submitted. Applicants should note that when an estimate is submitted the charge payable will be based on this estimate assuming it is considered to be reasonable. If an applicant subsequently obtains a lower estimate no refund can be made. A guidance note on fees is available on request.
    2. Certain works for disabled persons are exempt from plan and inspection charges. In all cases the work must be solely for the benefit of a disabled person and written proof of disability provided.
    3. It is not possible to withdraw your application once it is has been registered. A decision will be issued as soon as possible after that time.
12. The information given by you on the form is held and controlled by Bury Council. The information is held for the purpose of the council's functions under the Building Act 1984. The information provided may be disclosed to third parties who make legitimate enquires regarding the application of the Building Act 1984 to the building(s) concerned.

Persons proposing to carry out building work or make a material change of use of a building are reminded that permission may be required under the Town and Country Planning Acts. Please check using the Planning Portal or call the planning helpline on 0161 253 5432.

For further information or help concerning the submission of Building Control applications, please contact out Building Control service on 0161 253 5313 or building.control@bury.gov.uk.

From 1st April 2002, Building Regulations requires that building owners installing replacement windows or doors (being a door which together with its frame has more than 50 percent of its internal face area glazed) must obtain Building Regulations consent and have the installation inspected to ensure compliance with relevant regulations. The relevant regulations are:

• L1: conservation of fuel and power
• K4: protection against impact with glazing.

In addition, you must also ensure that replacement windows and doors are no less suitable than the existing windows and doors in relation to the following regulations:

• A1: structure
• B1: means of escape in fire
• F1: means of ventilation
• J2: combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
• K2: protection from falling
• M2: access and facilities for disabled people.

Repair work, such as replacement glazing units or repair of rotten or damaged frame members is not subject to Building Regulation approval.

There are two ways that you can ensure compliance with relevant regulations:

• you may employ a contractor or installer who is registered under the Fenestration Self Assessment Scheme (FENSA) self-certification scheme or other relevant competent persons scheme. The contractor will be approved to carry out the work in accordance with relevant regulations without inspection by the Council and will inform FENSA or other relevant competent persons scheme when the installation has been completed. In this case, an application to the Local Authority is not required
• if your contractor is not registered with FENSA or other relevant competent persons scheme, you must submit an application to the Council.

How to meet the Building Regulations requirements

Requirement A1: Structure

When installing new windows or doors an assessment should be undertaken by the contractor as to the suitability of the support or lintel above the replacement window or door.

Requirement B1: Means of escape in fire

All windows to habitable rooms (but not kitchen, utility rooms, dressing rooms, bathrooms, WC's or shower rooms) at floors above ground level are required to be suitable for escape in fires. In addition, rooms at ground floor level whose only escape route is via another room must be provided with suitable escape windows.

A suitable escape window is defined as 'a window whose unobstructed openable area' is at least 0.33 square metres and at least 450mm high and 450mm width (a 450mm wide opening will need to be 735mm high). The bottom of the openable area should be no more than 1100mm above the floor. Any key required to open the window should be readily available.

F1: Means of ventilation

See the table below for current requirements. If your original windows have trickle ventilation any replacement frames should also be provided with such. The area of opening windows should not be less than that which was originally provided. As an alternative approach to the ventilation provisions listed in the table below, the overall provisions for background ventilation for the dwelling should be equivalent to an average of 6000 square millimetres per room for the rooms listed, with a minimum of 4000 square millimetres in each room.

Ventilation: current requirements for various room

Room	Rapid ventilation (such as; opening window area)	Background ventilation (such as; trickle vents)
Habitable room	1/20th of the floor area of the room served	8000 square millimetres
Kitchen and utility	Opening window (no minimum size)	4000 square millimetres
Bathroom or shower rooms	Opening window (no minimum size)	4000 square millimetres
Sanitary accommodation	1/20th of the floor area of the room served	4000 square millimetres

J2: Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems

Certain fires and heating appliances rely on air filtration for them to function correctly. They may require purpose made ventilators or may have relied on air filtration through existing ill-fitting windows and doors.

If you have an open flued appliance in the house that does not have separate provision of combustion air, a check should be made by a suitable qualified person (Gas Safe or Heating Testing and Approval Scheme) to ensure that adequate permanent combustion ventilation is provided.

The boiler or fire manufacturer's advice should be followed with regard to proximity of opening windows and doors.

K2: Protection from falling

Where a first floor windowsill height is less than 800mm above the floor level suitable guarding should be provided to prevent a person falling through an open window.

The requirement may conflict with Regulation B1 and provision of escape windows. One way of achieving the requirement may be to provide a restricted opening device that can be easily overridden in the event of an emergency.

K4: Protection against impact with glazing

Glazing should either:

• break safely as defined in BS6206:1981 specification for impact performance requirements for flat safety glass and safety plastics for use in building, clause 5.3
• be inherently robust, such as annealed glass, glass blocks, polycarbonates or glass that gains strength through thickness
• be in small panes (a maximum area of 0.5 square metres with a maximum width of 250mm is acceptable). Annealed glass should be not less that 6mm thick, except where it is in traditional leaded or copper lights in which 4mm glass is considered acceptable when fire resistance is not a factor
• be permanently protected by a suitable screen which has a minimum height of 800mm and which incorporates a gap no greater than 75mm.

L1: Conservation of fuel and power

All UPVC and wood replacement windows should attain a U value of 1.6 watts through an area of 1 metre square for a temperature difference across the structure of 1 degree centigrade of Kelvin.

One way of achieving this requirement is to install frames having a Window Energy Rating of Band C or better.

This is not the only option, but if another system is used, certification may be required to prove that a U value of 1.6 watts through an area of 1 square metre for a temperature difference across the structure of 1 degree centigrade of Kelvin is attained.

M2: Access and facilities for disabled people

Where the property was subject to the Disabled Regulations, any new principal entrance door should have a minimum 775mm clear opening with a low threshold. The new arrangement should be no less compliant than the existing.

Windows and doors applications

A Building Notice is valid for three years but work can begin as soon as two days after you have submitted your application. You must let us know when work starts and it is completed.

Once the application has been received electronically, we will reply back to inform you of the correct fee and how to pay it. To help improve or service to you and minimise costs please accurately write any email addresses and daytime contact numbers. It is not possible to withdraw your application once it is has been registered. A decision will be issued as soon as possible after that time.

In addition to Building Regulation consent you may require Planning Permission, Listed Building Consent or Conservation Area Consent. Please check using the Planning Portal or call the planning helpline on 0161 253 5432.

The information given by you on this form is held and controlled by Bury Council. The information is held for the purpose of the council's functions under the Building Act 1984. The information provided may be disclosed to third parties who make legitimate enquires regarding the application of the Building Act 1984 to the building(s) concerned.

For further information or help concerning the submission of Building Control applications, please contact out Building Control service on 0161 253 5313 or building.control@bury.gov.uk.