Building Regulations

Local Knowledge - National Standards.

The Building Regulations themselves are a set of rules with which builders are legally obliged to comply in the interest of public health and safety. They are supported by a set of "Approved Documents" which give guidance on how the legal requirements can be met, and cover such things as structural stability; Fire Safety; Sound Insulation; ventilation etc.

There is no obligation for you to adopt any particular solution contained in an Approved Document if you prefer to satisfy the relevant requirement in some other way. However, should it be alleged that you have contravened the regulations, providing you have followed the guidance set out in the relevant Approved Document, that will be evidence tending to show that you have complied. If you choose not to follow the guidance then it will be up to you to demonstrate by other means that you have satisfied the functional requirements of the regulations.

Due to regular changes the building regulations 'Approved Documents' can be found on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website.

Approved Documents

Building Regulations Applications