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Building Regulations

The legislative framework of the 'Building Regulations' is principally made up of:


Both have been amended several times since 2000, the most recent time on 13 May 2009.

The latest amendments were delivered through:

  1. The Building and Approved Inspectors (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/1219)
  2. The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/466)
  3. Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) (Amendment No.2) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/2363)
  4. Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 section 317: Time Limit for Prosecutions of Breaches of Building Regulations and the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provision) Order 2008
  5. The Building (Electronic Communications) Order 2008 (SI 2008/2334)

 

Latest Circular and Divisional Circular Letters

  • Circular 05/2009: New Part G in Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations and new minimum water efficiency requirements which was made on the 13 May 2009.
    These Regulations will come into force on 1st October 2009
  • Divisional circular letter  dated 13 May 2009  informs building Control Bodies changes in respect of Part G in Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations, and new minimum water efficiency requirements in new dwellings.

The Amendment Regulations introduce revised and extended requirements G1 to G6 (sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency) into Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations and revoke current requirements G1 to G3. It also introduces the new minimum water efficiency requirements for new dwellings.
They also add two new categories of work where no building notice or full plans is required:

  1. in an existing cold water supply, the replacement of any part, or the addition of output or control devices
  2. provision of a hot water storage system with a hot water storage vessel of not more than 15 litres, provided that any related electrical installation work also does not require a building notice or full plans.

  • Circular 01/2009 Minor changes to Schedule 2A to the Building Regulations (Self-certification schemes and exemptions from the requirement to give a building notice or deposit full plans) which was made on 9 March 2009. The provisions will come into force on 1 April 2009.
  • Divisional Circular Letter  dated 9 March 2009 informs Building Control Bodies about the minor changes to Schedule 2A to the Building Regulations

The Amendment Regulations add to the persons able to self-certify the installation of a heating or hot water system connected to a heat-producing gas appliance, or associated controls, persons registered with Capita Gas Registration and Ancillary Services Limited. 
Updates the Electrical Contractors Association scheme, all its schemes should now be referred to by its subsidiary EC Certification Limited name.

 

  • Circular 06/2008 draws attention to the Statutory Instrument (SI 2008/2363) which was made on 4 September 2008. The provisions will come into force on 1 October 2008, subject to the transitional provisions.
  • Divisional Circular Letter dated 9 September 2008 informs Building Control Bodies about Statutory Instrument (SI 2008/2363).

The Circular draws attention to the changes being made to the Building Regulations 2000, the Building (Approved Inspectors etc) Regulations 2000, the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 and the Home Information Pack (No. 2) Regulations 2007. Also 
changes made to the Accreditation Standards for the approval of Energy Assessors Accreditation Schemes, and to the changes in the National Occupational Standards for energy assessors and to explain the transitional provisions and arrangements.

 

  •  Divisional Circular Letter  dated 9 September 2008 draws attention to Section 317 which amends Section 35A of the Building Act 1984, and has a commencement date of 22 September 2008.

This Divisional letter informs Building Control Bodies that the time limit for bringing prosecutions for all breaches of building regulations which are subject to prosecution under section 35 of the Act is extended to two years from the completion of the offending building work.

 

  • Circular 05/2008 draws attention to The Building (Electronic Communications) Order 2008 (SI 2008/2334), which was made on 4 September 2008. The provisions will come into force on 1 October 2008.
  • Divisional Circular Letter  dated 11 September 2008, informs Building Control Bodies about the provisions in the Statutory Instruments The Building (Electronic Communications) Order 2008 (SI 2008/2334). 

This Circular draws attention to the enabling of electronic communication of specified building control documents.

 

Related Website

United Kingdom Legislation: Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) (external link)
This links to all published Statutory Instruments from 1987 onwards.