Building Regulations Explanatory Booklet
Foreword General Introduction The Building Regulations How the Building Requlations Apply in Practice Will the Building Regulations apply to the work I want to do? Questions and Answers The Two Types of Building Control Service Contravention and enforcement of the building regulations Annex A - Examples of buildings which are exempt from control under the Building Regulations Annex B - Sources of Information

Annex B



Sources of information


You can find out more from:

  • Your local authority’s Building Control Department
  • An approved inspector
  • Registered installer schemes
  • ODPM Building Regulations Division or the Welsh Assembly Government
  • Relevant publications listed below
  • The Planning Portal


    • LOCAL AUTHORITY


    Your local authority Building Control Department will be pleased to give you information and advice. They will have copies of the Building Act 1984, the Building Regulations 2000 and amendments, and the accompanying Approved Documents (listed below) which give additional guidance, and may be able to let you see these for reference purposes at their offices. Alternatively, your local reference library may hold copies or be able to give you access via the ODPM website.

    APPROVED INSPECTORS

    Approved inspectors can also provide information and advice on the Building Regulations and Approved Documents. A list of approved inspectors can be obtained from the Construction Industry Council (CIC), 26 Store Street, London WC1E 7BT. (Tel: 020 7399 7418 or 7400; Fax: 020 7399 7425; e-mail: air@cic.org.uk; www.cic.org.uk).

    SCHEMES OF REGISTERED INSTALLERS


    Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme Fensa Ltd, 44-48 Borough High Street, London SE1 1XB (Tel: 0870 780 2028; Fax: 020 7407 8307; www.fensa.co.uk)

    Oil Firing Registration Scheme OFTEC, Foxwood House, Dobbs Lane, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 2QQ (Tel: 0845 6585 080; Fax: 0845 6585 181; www.oftec.org)

    Registration Scheme for Companies and Engineers involved in the Installation and Maintenance of Domestic Solid Fuel Fired Equipment HETAS Ltd, 12 Kestrel Walk, Letchworth, Hertfordshire SG6 2TB (Tel: 01462 634721; Fax: 01462 674329; www.hetas.co.uk)

    The Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) 1 Elmwood, Chineham Park, Crockford Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 8WG (Tel: 01256 372200; Fax: 01256 708144; www.corgi-gas-safety.com)


    Authorised competent person self-certification schemes for installers who can do all electrical installation work


    BRE Certification Ltd Bucknalls Lane, Garston,Watford, Herts WD25 9XX. (Tel: 0870 609 6093; www.partp.co.uk)

    British Standards Institution Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 4SQ (Tel: 01442 230442; www.bsi-global.com/kitemark)

    ELECSA Ltd 44-48 Borough High Street, London SE1 1XB (Tel: 0870 749 0080; www.elecsa.org.uk)

    NAPIT Certification Ltd The Gardeners Lodge, Pleasey Vale Business Park, Mansfield, Notts NG19 8RL (Tel: 0870 444 1392; www.napit.org.uk)

    NICEIC Certification Services Ltd Warwick House, Houghton Hall Park, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, Beds LU5 5ZX (Tel: 0800 013 0900; www.niceic.org.uk)


    Authorised competent person self-certification schemes for installers who can do electrical installation work only if it is necessary when they are carrying out other work


    CORGI

    ELECSA Ltd

    NAPIT Certification Ltd

    NICEIC Certification Services Ltd

    OFTEC



    ODPM BUILDING REGULATIONS DIVISION AND THE WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT

    Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

    Buildings Division 18/B Portland House Stag Place LONDON SW1E 5LP Tel: 020 7944 5742 E-mail: br@odpm.gsi.gov.uk Website: www.odpm.gov.uk/building-regulations

    The Welsh Assembly Government Construction & Domestic Energy Branch Housing Directorate Crown Buildings, Cathays Park CARDIFF CF10 3NQ Tel: 029 2082 6922 E-mail: housing.branch@wales.gsi.gov.uk Website: www.wales.gov.uk

    RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS


    Legislation

    Building Act 1984 (as amended)

    Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act 2004

    The Building Regulations 2000 (as amended)

    The Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 2000 (as amended)

    The Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 1998

    The Party Wall etc. Act 1996


    Approved Documents


    Copies of the Approved Documents are available for sale from The Stationery Office (TSO) (Tel: 0870 600 5522;Website: www.tso.co.uk). They can also be viewed on the ODPM website noted above.

  • Approved Document A – Structure: 2004 Edition. Published by TSO, 2004. ISBN 0-11-753909-0. £11
  • Approved Document B – Fire Safety: 2000 Edition. Published by TSO, 2004. ISBN 0-11-753911-2. £13
  • Approved Document C – Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture: 2004 Edition.
    • Published by TSO, 2004. ISBN 0-11-753913-9. £11

  • Approved Document D – Toxic Substances: amended 1992, ninth impression.
    • Published by TSO, 1999. ISBN 0-11-751821-2. £1.85

  • Approved Document E – Resistance to the passage of sound: 2003 Edition. Published by TSO, 2002. ISBN 0-11-753642-3. £14
  • Amendments 2004 to Approved Document E – Resistance to the passage of sound: Published by TSO, 2004. ISBN 0-11-753915-5. £6.50
  • Approved Document F – Ventilation: 1995 Edition, amended 2000, seventh impression. Published by TSO, 2003. ISBN 0-11-752932-x. £6
  • Approved Document G – Hygiene: 1992 Edition, second impression (with amendments) 1992, further amended 2000. Published by TSO, 2003. ISBN 0-11-752443-3. £5
  • Approved Document H – Drainage and waste disposal: 2002 Edition. Published by TSO, 2001. ISBN 0-11-753607-5. £12
  • Approved Document J – Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems: 2002 Edition. Published by TSO, 2001. ISBN 0-11-753494-3. £12
  • Approved Document K – Protection from falling, collision and impact: 1998 Edition. Published by TSO, 1997. ISBN 0-11-753390-4. £5.99
  • Approved Document L1 – Conservation of fuel and power in dwellings: 2002 Edition, third impression 2003 with revisions. Published by TSO, 2003. ISBN 0-11-753609-1. £12
  • Approved Document L2 – Conservation of fuel and power in buildings other than dwellings: 2002 Edition, second impression. Published by TSO, 2002. ISBN 0-11-753610-5. £15
  • Approved Document M – Access to and use of buildings: 2004 Edition. Published by TSO, 2003. ISBN 0-11-753901-5. £12
  • Approved Document N – Glazing – safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning: 1998 Edition, amended 2000, seventh impression. Published by TSO, 2003. ISBN 0-11-753389-0. £6
  • Approved Document P – Electrical safety: Published by TSO, 2004. ISBN 0-11-753917-1. £15
  • Approved Document to support regulation 7 – materials and workmanship: 1999 Edition, amended 2000, fifth impression. Published by TSO, 2002. ISBN 0-11-753482-X. £4.95
  • Amendments 2000 to the Approved Documents: Published by TSO, 2002. ISBN 0-11-753560-5. £ free


    • Other Priced Publications (available from TSO)


  • Accessible thresholds in new housing: Guidance for house builders and designers. TSO March 1999. ISBN 0-11-702333-7. £8
  • Approved Document J: 2002 Edition: Guidance and Supplementary Information on the UK Implementation of European Standards for Chimneys and Flues. TSO October 2004. ISBN 0-11-753919-8. £11
  • Building Regulations and Fire Safety – Procedural Guidance. TSO February 2001. ISBN 0-11-753596-6. £6
  • Manual to the Building Regulations. Third Edition 2001. TSO December 2001. ISBN 0-11-753623-7. £17
  • BS 5440: Part 1 2000. Installation and maintenance of flues and ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70 kW net (1st, 2nd and 3rd family gases). Specification for installation and maintenance of flues. December 2000. ISBN 0-580-33229-2. £134
  • BS 5440: Part 2 2000. Installation and maintenance of flues and ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70 kW net (1st, 2nd and 3rd family gases). Specification for installation and maintenance of ventilation for gas appliances. December 2000. ISBN 0-580-33098-2. £86
  • BS 5440: Part 2 2000.Amendment No 14912. July 2004
    .
  • BS 7671: 2001: Requirements for Electrical Installations: IEE Wiring
    Regulations – Sixteenth Edition – incorporating Amendments No 1: 2002 and No 2: 2004. IEE 2004. ISBN 0-86341-373-0. £49
  • Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances. HSE November 1998. ISBN 0-717-61635-5. £10.95 (Also available from HSE books – see page 58)



    • Free Literature


    Copies of these publications are available free from ODPM Publications, PO Box 236,Wetherby,West Yorkshire LS23 7NB. (Tel: 0870 1226236; Fax: 0870 1226237; Textphone: 0870 1207405; E-mail: odpm@twoten.press.net)

  • A Guide to Determinations and Appeals (product code 01CD0751)
  • Building Control Performance Standards (product code 99CD0352)
  • New rules for electrical safety in the home (product code 04BR02710)
  • Solid Fuel,Wood and Oil Burning Appliances. Get them checked, sweep your chimneys, and be safe (product code 99ASC0638)
  • The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 Explanatory Booklet (product code 02BR00862)
  • Your Garden Walls, Better to be SAFE… (product code 91HCN0227)
    • The above publications are subject to change. An up-to-date list can be found on the ODPM website.

  • Gas appliances. Get them checked – Keep them safe (product code INDG238(REV2))
  • Landlords: A guide to landlord’s duties: Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (product code INDG285(REV1))
    • Both these leaflets are available free by mail order from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA. (Tel: 01787 881165; Fax: 01787 313995; Website: www.hsebooks.co.uk)

  • Radon – a guide for homebuyers and sellers (product code 00EP414B)
  • Radon – a guide to reducing levels in your home (product code 00EP414C)
  • Radon – You can test for it (product code 00EP0414A)
  • Radon – a householders guide (product code PB9442)
  • Protocol on Design, Construction and Adoption of Sewers in England and Wales –
    • produced in support of Approved Document H listed above (product code PB6472) These guides are available free from DEFRA Publications, Admail 6000, London SW1A 2XX. (Tel: 08459 556000; Fax: 020 8957 5012; E-mail: defra@iforcegroup.com)

  • Building Regulations and Historic Buildings – Balancing the needs for energy conservation with those of building conservation: an Interim Guidance Note on the application of Part L. (product code 50675), available free from English Heritage Customer Services, PO Box 569, Swindon SN2 2YR. (Tel: 0870 333 1181; Fax: 01793 414926; E-mail: Customers@english-heritage.org.uk)
  • Need a plumber or builder…? Part A – A step-by-step guide to getting work done on your home
    • Part B – Organisations which can help you get work done on your home You will be sent both parts unless you specify otherwise. (product codes OFT 118a & b), available free from OFT, PO Box 366, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1XB. (Tel: 0870 6060 321; E-mail: oft@eclogistics.co.uk; or download them from the Website: www.oft.gov.uk)

    THE PLANNING PORTAL

    The portal contains extensive information about the planning system in general, as well as about whether planning permission is likely to be needed and how to go about making a planning application. (Tel: 0117 372 8885; Fax: 0117 372 8804; Website: www.planningportal.gov.uk)

    Further copies of this booklet are available from: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) Publications PO Box 236 Wetherby West Yorkshire LS23 7NB Tel: 0870 1226 236 Fax: 0870 1226 237 Textphone: 0870 1207 405 E-mail: odpm@twoten.press.net odpm@twoten.press.net

    This document is also available on the ODPM website: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/explanatory-booklet Published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. © Crown copyright 2002. Amended in February 2005. Copyright in the typographical arrangement rests with the Crown. This publication, excluding logos, may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium for research, private study or for internal circulation within an organisation. This is subject to it being reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as Crown copyright and the title of the publication specified.

    For any other use of this material, please write to HMSO Licensing, St Clements House, 2-16 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BQ Fax: 01603 723000 or e-mail: licensing@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk

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