Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

Approved documents

2024-06-11T13:56:11Z

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[[File:Approveddocuments.jpg|link=File:Approveddocuments.jpg]]

= Introduction =

The first set of national building standards was introduced in 1965. The 'building regulations' established standards that had to be achieved in the construction of buildings.

The '[https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/approved-documents approved documents]' provide guidance for how the building regulations can be satisfied in common building situations. They are given legal status by the [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/55 Building Act 1984]. There is no obligation to adopt the solutions presented in the approved documents. The building regulations can be satisfied in other ways.

In England, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is responsible for the Building Regulations 2010 and The Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 2010. The regulations apply to most new buildings and many alterations to existing buildings.

For information about building regulations in the UK outside of England see:

* Northern Ireland building regulations.
* Scottish building standards.
* Welsh building regulations.

= The approved documents =

=== A: Structure ===

Requires buildings to be designed, constructed or altered so as to be structurally safe and robust, and so as not to impair the structural stability of other buildings. It stipulates design standards for use on all buildings and gives simple design rules for most masonry and timber elements for traditional domestic buildings. It includes diagrams of structures such as roof frames and brick walls, and tables of material strengths.

See Approved Document A for more information.

=== B: Fire safety ===

Covers all precautionary measures necessary to provide safety from fires for building occupants, persons in the vicinity of buildings, and firefighters. Requirements and guidance covers means of escape in case of fire, fire detection and warning systems, the fire resistance of structural elements, fire separation, protection, compartmentation and isolation to prevent fire spread, control of flammable materials, and access and facilities for firefighting.

See Approved Document B for more information.

=== C: Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture ===

Includes the weather-tightness 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.

See Approved Document C for more information.

=== D: Toxic substances ===

This controls hazards from the toxic chemicals used in cavity fill insulation systems.

See Approved Document D for more information.

=== E: Resistance to the passage of sound ===

Deals with requirements for sound insulation between buildings, including both new dwellings and the conversion of buildings to form dwellings. These cover sound reduction between rooms for residential purposes and designated rooms in dwellings, and acoustic conditions for common areas in flats and schools.

See Approved Document E for more information.

=== F: Ventilation ===

Includes standards for ventilation and air quality for all buildings. It also covers requirements for the prevention of condensation.

See Approved Document F for more information.

=== G: Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency ===

Lays down standards for the provision of sanitary and washing facilities, bathrooms and hot water provision. It also covers safety requirements in respect to unvented hot water systems.

See Approved Document G for more information.

=== H: Drainage and waste disposal ===

Provides guidance on adequate drainage, and also deals with pollution prevention and sewage infrastructure and maintenance. Technical design standards cover sanitary pipework, foul drainage, rainwater drainage and disposal, wastewater treatment, and discharges and cesspools.

See Approved Document H for more information.

=== J: Heat producing appliances and Fuel storage system ===

Covers the construction, installation and use of boilers, chimneys, flues, hearths and fuel storage installations. Also requirements to control fire sources and prevent burning, pollution, carbon monoxide poisoning, etc.

See Approved Document J for more information.

=== K: Protection from falling, collision and impact ===

Set standards for the safety of stairways, ramps and ladders, together with requirements for balustrading, windows, and vehicle barriers to prevent falling. Also include are requirements for guarding against and warning of, hazards from the use and position of doors and windows.

See Approved Document K for more information.

=== L: Conservation of fuel and power ===

Controls the insulation values of buildings elements, the allowable area of windows, doors and other opening, the air permeability of the structure, the heating efficiency of boilers, hot water storage and lighting. It also controls mechanical ventilation and air conditioning systems, space heating controls, airtightness testing of larger buildings, solar emission, the certification, testing and commissioning of heating and ventilation systems, and requirements for energy meters. It also sets requirements for Carbon Index ratings.

See Approved Document L for more information.

=== M: Access to and use of buildings ===

Requires the inclusive provision of ease of access to, and circulation within, all buildings, together with requirements for facilities for disabled people.

See Approved Document M for more information.

=== N: Glazing - Safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning ===

(Withdrawn on 6 April 2013 other than in Wales where it still applies).

Lays down the requirements for the use of safety glazing to avoid impact hazard and for the suitable awareness and definition of glazed areas. Also included are safety requirements relating to the use and cleaning of windows.

For more information see: Approved Document N.

=== O: Overheating ===

Overheating mitigation requirements for new residential buildings.

For more information see: Approved Document O

=== P: Electrical safety ===

Covers the design, installation, inspection and testing of electrical installations in order to prevent injuries from electrical shocks and burns, and to prevent injuries arising from fires due to electrical components overheating or arcing.

See Approved Document P for more information.

=== Q: Security - Dwellings ===

From 1 October 2015 for use in England, it provides that reasonable provision must be made to resist unauthorised access to any dwelling; and any part of a building from which access can be gained to a flat within the building.

See Approved Document Q for more information.

=== R: High speed electronic communications networks ===

Approved Document R takes effect on 1 January 2017 for use in England. It introduces a new requirement for in-building physical infrastructure which enables connections to broadband networks.

See Approved Document R for more information.

=== S: Infrastructure for charging electric vehicles ===

From 15 June 2022, Part S of the building regulations requires that certain buildings with associated parking must have access to electric vehicle charge points.

See: Approved document S for more information.

=== 7: Materials and workmanship ===

The requirement for carrying out building work using the proper materials and in a workmanlike manner.

See Approved Document 7 for more information.

= Reform =

On 28 July 2017, following the Grenfell Tower fire, Communities Secretary The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP announced an independent review of the building regulations and fire safety. See: Independent review of the building regulations and fire safety for more information.

In April 2020, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government published the [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-report-of-the-expert-group-on-structure-of-guidance-to-the-building-regulations Final report of the expert group on structure of guidance to the building regulations]. The report considered the structure of the current guidance that supports the building regulations and identified 8 high level recommendations for reform.

In December 2021, Approved Document L was revised to help UK deliver net zero and to require that new homes produce around 30% less CO2. In addition, a new Approved Document O was published setting new requirements to control overheating. Ref [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-homes-to-produce-nearly-a-third-less-carbon https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-homes-to-produce-nearly-a-third-less-carbon]

= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

* Approved document 7.
* Approved document A.
* Approved document B.
* Approved document C.
* Approved document D.
* Approved document E.
* Approved document F.
* Approved document G.
* Approved document H.
* Approved document J.
* Approved document K.
* Approved document L.
* Approved document M.
* Approved Document N.
* Approved Document O.
* Approved document Q.
* Approved document P.
* Approved document R.
* Approved document S.
* Approved inspector.
* Arcing.
* Building control bodies.
* Building control performance standards.
* Building Regulations.
* Building Regulations exemptions.
* Competent person schemes.
* Construction Products Regulations.
* Energy certificates.
* Housing standards review.
* Licensing.
* Main types of planning permission.
* Northern Ireland building regulations.
* Planning permission.
* Scottish building standards.
* Sewers For Scotland.
* Standalone: The new way forward in non-domestic ventilation.
* Statutory approvals.
* Statutory authorities.
* The Building Act.
* U-What?
* Welsh building regulations.

[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Regulation]] [[Category:Building_safety]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Regulations]] [[Category:Design]]

Office for Product Safety and Standards OPSS

2024-06-11T13:54:20Z

Enframe:

= Introduction =

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) was created in January 2018 from the regulatory delivery directorate of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Its role is to deliver consumer protection and to support business confidence, productivity and growth. It regulates a wide range of products with a focus on their safety and integrity, many of which are used in the construction sector. It is also the regulator for legal metrology, ensuring weighing and measuring instruments are accurate and reliable. The office does not cover vehicles which are regulated by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, or medicines which are covered by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency or food which is covered by the Food Standards Agency.

= Responsibilities of the OPSS =

Responsibilities of the OPSS for consumers include:

* Providing information to protect them from unsafe products.
* Reporting the latest product safety updates, actions and recalls.
* Improving the legal framework that defines product safety and standards for weighing and measuring equipment.
* Overseeing the independent testing of gas and electricity meters.

For businesses:

* Helping them comply with regulations.
* Leading and co-ordinating product safety, legal measuring standards and hallmarking of regulatory systems.
* Enforcing technical, environmental and product legislation.
* Providing certification and testing services for weighing and measurement equipment.

For regulators:

* Promoting best practice.
* Leading and co-ordinating the local regulation of product safety.
* Legal measuring standards.

For further information visit the [https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-product-safety-and-standards office for products and safety standards government website]

= Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) =

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), formerly the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) was the successor to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) which had been formed in July 2001. In May 2002 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister became a separate department after absorbing the local government and regions portfolios from the defunct Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and named the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). In January 2018, the department was renamed the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). In September 2021, it was again renamed to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), with greater policy powers across the entire United Kingdom, however with a focus on England.

= Responsibilities of the DLUHC =

The department is responsible for UK Government policy in the following areas, mainly in England:

* Building regulations.
* Community cohesion.
* Community resilience (i.e. flood, natural disaster or severe weather preparedness and recovery).
* Housing.
* Local government.
* Planning.
* Race equality.
* Urban regeneration (including The Thames Gateway).

= The levelling up taskforce =

The levelling up taskforce was formed in September 2021 headed by a former Bank of England chief economist. The levelling up policy was not initially defined in detail, but covers:

* Investing in towns, cities, and rural and coastal areas.
* Giving those areas more control over how investment is made.
* Levelling up skills using apprenticeships and a £3 billion National Skills Fund.
* Helping the farming and fishing industries.
* Creating up to 10 freeports to help deprived communities.

The Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities is also to be the lead department responsible for construction products.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) in its role as the National Regulator for Construction Products (NRCP), will act on behalf of and be funded by the DLUHC. The Office for Product Safety and Standards will continue to act as the National Regulator for Consumer Products within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

For further information visit [https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-levelling-up-housing-and-communities the department-for-levelling-up-housing-and-communities website]

= National Regulator for Construction Products (NRCP) =

In April 2021 the Office for Product Safety and Standards began to lead and coordinate work to set up a new regulatory approach for construction products. The intention is that the National Regulator for Construction Products becomes fully operational once the Building Safety Bill and subsequent secondary legislation have been approved by Parliament. This new legislation will give the Office for Product Safety and Standards all the necessary legal powers to carry out its duties as the National Regulator for Construction Products. It will act on behalf of, and be funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

= Responsibilities of the NRCP =

Evidence given during the Grenfell Tower Inquiry demonstrated a clear need to confront poor practices in the construction products industry and establish new norms to restore public confidence. The National Regulator for Construction Products will encourage good practice, enforce the law, and educate the industry, the system cannot be fixed by regulatory intervention alone. All industry stakeholders have a part to play in changing the operational culture and must jointly accept this responsibility, including:

* Manufacturers.
* Distributors.
* Product installers.
* Warranty providers.
* Standards makers.
* Test houses.

In the interim, the Office for Product Safety and Standards in its acting role as the National Regulator for Construction Products will:

* Establish its leadership within the sector.
* Develop an evidence base.
* Recruit staff with appropriate skills and knowledge.
* Engage with stakeholders to build its capacity and understanding.
* Review the regulatory system to highlight any gaps.
* Liaise with the sector to set expectations.
* It is also supporting local authorities in the enforcement of the current construction products regulations, drawing on existing legal powers and OPSS’ expertise in areas such as intelligence gathering, risk assessment and investigation.

For further information visit [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/national-regulation-construction-products the national regulator for construction products website]

= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

* Articles about products and services.
* Building activities definition.
* Building complex.
* Building component.
* Building element.
* Building entities.
* Building spaces definition.
* Building system.
* By-product.
* Co-product.
* Constituent construction product.
* Construction Products Regulation.
* Intermediate product.
* Manufacturer.
* Product manufacturers must regain confidence.
* Products v goods v materials.
* Sundry items.

[[Category:DCN_Legislation]] [[Category:DCN_Organisation]] [[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Building_safety]] [[Category:Other_legislation]] [[Category:Regulations]]