Building Regulations

Building Regulations Changes

Building Regulations are intended to ensure the safety, health, welfare and convenience of people in and around buildings. They are also designed to further the conservation of fuel and energy. Building Regulations change over time, the most recent changes took effect from 2010. These relate to Parts G, F, J and L. The actual amended Building Regulations have been published and the various provisions came into force on either the 6th April 2010 or 1st October 2010. The information below gives a brief summary of the details that are available. For full details please refer to 'The Buildings and Approved Inspectors (Amendment) Regulations 2010', Communities and Local Government Circular 03/2010 and the Approved Documents.

The amended regulations and circular can be downloaded from links at the website for the Department of Communities and Local Government.

Part G - Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency

Commenced on 5th April 2010

This was originally supposed to commence last October but had to be revised due to European requirements. However these revisions are relatively minor and as such the regulations and Approved Document are very similar to that previously issued. The main changes to the current Part G are:

There is a requirement on the supply of wholesome water for the purposes of drinking or food preparation

There is a requirement for the supply of wholesome or softened wholesome water for washing

Water provided for flushing of sanitary conveniences must be of a suitable quality

There is a new requirement on water efficiency for new dwellings and those formed by a material change of use. The potential consumption of wholesome water must not exceed 125 litres per person per day. Calculations to demonstrate this must be provided and at completion a notice given to Building Control which specifies the potential consumption in relation to the completed dwelling. This must be calculated in accordance with the published methodology.

There are enhanced and amended provisions on hot water supply and safety, applying safety provisions to all types of hot water systems.

There is a new provision to prevent scalding from hot water supplied to a bath. This only applies to new dwellings and those formed by a material change of use

There are requirements relating to sanitary conveniences and hand washing facilities

There are requirements for bathrooms in dwellings and in buildings which contain rooms used for residential purposes

There are requirements relating to the scale and provision of sanitary conveniences in buildings other than dwellings

There is a new provision requiring sinks to be provided in areas where food is prepared

Approved Document G and the water calculator, 'The Water Efficiency Calculator for New Dwellings' are available to download from the Planning Portal website.

There is also an online version of the water calculator and this is available at: www.wrcplc.co.uk/partgcalculator

Part F - Ventilation

Commenced on 1st October 2010

The Approved Document and supporting documentation has now been issued. The amended regulations include the following requirements:

There is a new requirement for the testing of mechanical ventilation air flow rates in new dwellings. This will have to be carried out in accordance with a set procedure and the results passed to Building Control within five days of completion of the test

A requirement is introduced for fixed systems for mechanical ventilation to be commissioned where testing and adjustment is possible to ensure such systems provide adequate ventilation

There is a new requirement that the building owner is given sufficient information about a building's ventilation system so that it can be operated and maintained to provide adequate ventilation

Approved Document F is available to download from the planning portal website, and the Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide 2010 is available to download from the Planning Portal website.

Part J - Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems

Commenced on 1st October 2010

The Approved Document has now yet been issued. The amended regulations include the following:

There is a new requirement for the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in dwellings in appropriate circumstances when a combustion appliance is installed.
Document J is available to download from the Planning Portal website.

Part L - Energy efficiency provisions

Commenced 1st October 2010

The Approved Document and supporting documentation has been issued. The amended regulations make two main changes:

The exemption from the energy efficiency provisions for extensions consisting of a conservatory or porch is amended to grant the exemption only where the existing walls, windows or doors are retained or replaced if removed or where the heating system of the building is not extended into the conservatory or porch
A new requirement is introduced for CO2 emission rate calculations to be carried out before the start of building work on the erection of a new building and given to Building Control, along with a list of the specifications used in the calculations.
Approved Documents L1A, L1B, L2A and L2B and the Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide 2010 and the Non-domestic Building Services Compliance Guide 2010 are available to download from the Planning Portal website.

Insulation in a roof or loft space - 6th April 2010

Work that consists of the insulation in a roof or loft space where this is the only work being carried out and there is no requirement to carry out the work is now classed as exempt work and Building Control do not need to be notified. N.B. - if insulation is being provided, as part of other work e.g. re-roofing then an application must still be made.

Transitional arrangements

Part G

Where an application by full plans or building notice is made prior to the 6th April 2010 and work commences prior to that date the pre 2010 requirements apply
Where a full plans application is made prior to the 6th April 2010 and passed with no conditions or all conditions discharged then work can comply with pre 2010 requirements as long as it starts prior to the 6th April 2011
Where a building notice is made prior to 6th April 2010 and work commences prior to the 1st October 2010 then a contract must have been entered into
If the application process or start of work falls outside these limits then work must comply with the 2010 Part G requirements

Parts F, J and L

Where building work has started before 1st October 2010 the work may continue as if the amendments had not been made
Where a contract for work that is currently classed as exempt building work has been agreed the work may be carried out as if the amendments had not been made provided the work begins before 6th April 2011
Where a full plans or building notice application are made before the 1st October 2010, the work can be carried out as if the amendments had not been made provided the work begins before the 1st October 2011.
Much more information will be available when the Approved Documents for F, J and L are published. We will be able to provide more guidance and assistance at that time and we plan to hold briefing seminars at a later date. In the meantime if any assistance or information is required, especially regarding Part G, then please do not hesitate to contact the Building Control Service.

Last Updated: 15/01/2018

Building Regulations