Building Regulations
Building Regulations are designed to safeguard the health and safety of people in and around buildings.
When do I need Building Regulations approval?
- The erection or extension of a building (including loft conversions)
- The installation or extension of a service or fitting (eg washing and sanitary facilities, hot water cylinders, foul and rainwater drainage, replacement windows and fuel burning appliances)
- Alteration works which may have an effect on the building in terms of structure, fire safety and access and facilities for all (eg openings in walls, removal of fire doors, changes to accessibilities)
- The insertion of insulation into a cavity wall
- The underpinning of a buildings foundation
- The change of use of all or part of a building (eg conversion of a shop into a dwelling, conversion of a house into flats and conversion of a garage into a room)
- Replacement windows
- Electrical installations in dwellings
Remember to check with our Planning team to see whether your building project also requires planning permission. Do I need planning permission?
Approved Documents
Technical guidance is given through "Approved Documents" which tell you how to achieve compliance with the Building Regulations. The Approved Documents are in 14 parts (A to P):
- A Structure
- B Fire Safety
- C Site Preparation and resistance to moisture
- D Toxic Substances
- E Resistance to the Passage of Sound
- F Ventilation
- G Hygiene
- H Drainage and Waste disposal
- J Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
- K Protection from falling, collision and impact
- L Conservation of fuel and power
- M Access to and use of buildings
- N Glazing - safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning
- P Electrical Safety
The Approved Documents are available on the Planning Portal website or can be view them at your local library:
We also offer technical guidance to help you comply with the Building Regulations. See technical guidance.