"Kent House Medic"

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Building Regulations

It would be great if you could just do what you like with your own house, but unfortunately,
that is not all ways the case. You have to think of your own safety, the other residents in your house,
both now and in the future.

In order to try and ensure that future safety, The Government, has issued a set of regulations that
your house or flat must comply with, when the work is carried out.
If you carry out the work, without complying with the regulations, nor getting the necessary permissions,
you may be required, to return the property to its original state,
and get a fine and criminal record.

My best advice is phone up your local council.
Ask to speak to the people in the Building Regulations Office,
and write down the name of the person you speak to.

Example of application form here (Swale Borough Council)

Part A - Structure: - requires buildings to be designed, constructed and altered so as to be structurally safe and robust, and also so as not to impair the structural stability of other buildings. It stipulates design standards that should be adopted for use on all buildings and additionally gives simple design rules for most masonry and timber elements for traditional domestic buildings.

Part B - Fire Safety: - Part B covers all fire precautionary measures that are necessary to provide safety from fire that will safeguard building occupants, persons in the vicinity of buildings, and fire fighters. Requirements and guidance cover means of escape in case of fire, fire detection and warning systems, fire resistance of structural elements, fire separation, protection, compartmentation and isolation to prevent fire spread and conflagration, control of flammable materials, and access and facilities for fire fighting.

Part C - Site preparation & resistance to contaminates and moisture: - This includes the weather and water tightness of buildings, subsoil drainage, site preparation, and measures to deal with contaminated land, Radon, Methane, and all other site related hazardous and dangerous substances.

Part E - Resistance to the penetration of sound: - deals with unwanted noise, that disturbs us in our homes. Walls separating any building, or part, from dwellings need to resist the transmission of airborne sound (E1). Floors or stairs separating any space from a dwelling need to resist the transmission of airborne sound (E2). Floors or stairs separating any space from a dwelling below the space need to resist the transmission of impact sound (E3).

Part F - Ventilation: - the occupants of a building need to be provided with sufficient natural or mechanical ventilation (F1) and certain roof voids need to be ventilated to prevent excessive condensation forming (F2).

Part G - Hygiene: - the occupants of buildings must be provided with the use of sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing facilities (G1), and with hot and cold water in dwellings (G2). Unvented hot water storage systems need to be safely installed (G3).

Part H - Drainage and Waste Disposal: - foul water (H1) and rainwater from roofs (H3) need to be provided with adequate drainage systems. Where a septic tank, cesspool or settlement tank is provided it needs to be adequately sited, constructed and ventilated (H2). Adequate storage of solid waste needs to be provided (H4).

Part J - Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage: - fires and boilers burning solid fuel, oil or gas, and incinerators need to be supplied with; sufficient air to permit efficient combustion and exhaust (J1), adequate flues or chimneys to discharge the products of combustion to the outside air (J2), and suitably constructed fire places and flues to reduce the risk of the building catching fire (J3).

Part L - Conservation of fuel and power: - energy conservation is important enough to be controlled by the Building Regulations. This can be achieved; by limiting heat loss through the walls, roofs, and floors of buildings, by providing thermostatic and timing controls for space and water heating systems, by insulating hot water vessels and pipes, and hot air ducts, and by installing efficient artificial lighting systems.

Part M - Access and facilities for the disabled: - this requirement was made to ensure that new buildings are constructed to give the same rights as able bodied people to those unfortunate enough to have impaired mobility, hearing or sight. Provision needs to be made; to allow easy access into and about a building (M2), for suitable sanitary conveniences for disabled people (M3) and for special spaces for disabled people where audience or spectator seating is provided (M4).

Part N - Glazing: - requires the use of safety glazing to avoid impact hazard. Plus the suitable use of glass in different areas.Also included are safety requirements relating to the use, operation, and cleaning of windows

Part P - Domestic Electrical: - applies to electrical installations in or part of a building that include: -