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Building Regulations
Building Regulations Drawings are the standards for design, construction and alterations to virtually every building in the UK. The standards are developed by the Government and approved by Parliament.
The Building Regulations also contain a list of requirements (referred to as Schedule 1) that are designed to ensure minimum standards for health, safety, welfare, convenience, energy efficiency, sustainability and to prevent misuse, abuse or contamination of water supplies.
These regulations set national standards for building work, whether its on a major new development or an extension or alterations to your home.
They cover all aspects of construction, including foundations, damp-proofing, the overall stability of the building, insulation, ventilation, heating, fire protection and means of escape in case of fire. They also ensure that adequate facilities for people with disabilities are provided in certain types of building.
The Types of Work are Building Regulations Approval Required For Are:
New Build Residential Properties.
Extensions and Alterations.
Change of Use.
Internal Structural Alterations.
Loft and Garage Conversions.
Installing a WC.
Loft Conversions
Building regulation drawings are technical drawings that set out the details, such as construction methods and types of materials that should be used throughout the build.
Building Regulations Approval
🏗️ Building Regulations
Building Regulations are a legal framework that governs how buildings are designed and constructed. They ensure safety, energy efficiency, accessibility, and environmental performance. Unlike planning permission (which decides if you can build), Building Regulations decide how you must build.
🔍 What Do Building Regulations Cover?
Key areas include:
- Structural integrity (Part A)
- Fire safety (Part B)
- Site preparation and resistance to contaminants (Part C)
- Moisture and damp prevention (Part C)
- Ventilation (Part F)
- Drainage and waste disposal (Part H)
- Conservation of fuel and power (Part L)
- Access and use of buildings (Part M)
- Electrical safety (Part P)
Each part has detailed technical guidance that must be followed during construction
🧾 How to Get Building Regulations Approval
You can apply through:
- Local Authority Building Control (LABC)
- Approved Inspectors (private sector professionals)
There are two main routes:
- Full Plans Submission: Detailed drawings and specifications are submitted for approval before work begins.
- Building Notice: A simpler route for straightforward projects, but not suitable for new builds.
📜 Completion Certificate
Once the work is inspected and approved, you’ll receive a Completion Certificate — essential for selling or insuring the property.
⚠️ Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Starting work without approval
- Using outdated technical standards
- Poor insulation or ventilation design
- Non-compliant drainage or fire escape routes
We have a 100% success rate in obtaining building regulations approval for our clients, providing fully annotated, detailed building regulation drawings, these Building Regulations Drawings will also enable your builder to quote on the build costs for your project.
Most, if not all works will require building regulations approval, so get in touch and we will be happy to help!
Want to know even more?
A – Structure
This part is concerned with the structural stability of buildings. Areas covered include design of foundations, walls, floors and roof components and also in limiting the extent to which parts of the building may collapse if a major catastrophe, like a gas explosion occurs.
Approved Document A - Structural Safety
B – Fire Safety
This part includes requirement for providing early warning of a developing fire, satisfactory escape routes, preventing fire spread both within and to other buildings and providing good access and fire fighting facilities for the Fire Services.
Approved Document B - Fire safety
C – Site Preparation and Resistance to Contaminants and Moisture
This part contains the recommendations of making sure your property remains free from damp penetration, condensation, from any contamination that may be in the ground, and watertight.
Approved Document C - Site Preparation and Resistance to Contaminates and Moisture
D – Toxic Substances.
This part provides guidance on the prevention of toxic substances permeating into the building when inserting insulation into cavity walls.
Approved Document D - Toxic Substances
E – Resistance to the Passage of Sound.
This part includes requirement aimed at reducing sound transference between dwellings, flats, from certain types of rooms and between communal areas and dwellings.
Approved Document E - Resistance to the Passage of Sound
F – Ventilation.
This part provides for adequate levels of ventilation to buildings and prevention of condensation forming in roof voids.
Approved Document F - Ventilation
G – Hygiene.
This part is concerned with providing sanitary conveniences and adequate washing facilities. It also includes requirements associated with unvented hot water storage installations.
Approved Document G - Hygiene
H – Drainage and Waste Disposal.
This part deals with the disposal of sewerage, waste water and storm water drainage together with details for solid waste storage (household refuse).
Approved Document H - Drainage and Waste Disposal
J – Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems.
This part covers safety requirements when installing either solid fuel, gas or oil heating appliances.
Approved Document J - Combustion Appliance and Fuel Storage Systems
K – Protection from Falling, Collision and Impact.
This part is concerned with staircase design, headroom, handrails, balustrading and guarding of landings, balconies and other raised areas.
Approved Document K - Protection from Falling, Collision and Impact
L – Conservation of Fuel and Power.
This part provides minimum standards of energy efficiency to all parts of the building. This section also provides design criteria for space heating and hot water storage.
Approved Document L - Conservation of Fuel and Power
M – Access to and Use of Buildings.
This part deals with the design of buildings to enable all people to gain access, and be able to use the facilities of the building. It also includes requirements to help people with sight, hearing and mobility impairments use buildings.
Approved Document M - Access to and Use of Buildings
N – Glazing Safety in relation to Impact, Opening and Cleaning.
This area is concerned with providing safety glass in critical locations (glazing you are likely to walk into or fall against).
Approved Document N - Glazing Safety
P – Electrical Safety.
This part applies to electrical installation work in dwellings, common parts to dwellings and associated gardens.
Approved Document P - Electrical Safety
Regulation 7.
Approved Document for Regulation 7 - Material and Workmanship