Approved documents

[edit] 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 'approved documents' provide guidance for how the building regulations can be satisfied in common building situations. They are given legal status by the 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.

The UK government 'Construction Products Reform Green Paper 2025' published 26 February 2025, defined Approved Documents, simply as 'Government approved guidance, detailing advice on how to meet the legal requirements of the building regulations for some common situations.'

Each approved document is published and amended separately, so it is important to check that the current version is being used. Since April 2023 the Building Safety Regulator has also had a duty to keep the safety and standards of buildings under review, including advising government on updates to the approved documents.

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

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

[edit] The approved documents

[edit] 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.

The current version of Approved Document A dates from 2013, and a Building Safety Regulator call for evidence on its review ran in early 2025.

See Approved Document A for more information.

[edit] 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.

Approved Document B is published in two volumes, Dwellings and Buildings other than dwellings. It has been amended several times since 2019, and the current version on GOV.UK is dated 16 September 2026. A consultation by the Building Safety Regulator on further proposed changes ran from 25 March to 1 July 2026.

See Approved Document B for more information.

[edit] 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.

[edit] D: Toxic substances

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

See Approved Document D for more information.

[edit] 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.

[edit] F: Ventilation

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

Approved Document F is published in two volumes, Dwellings and Buildings other than dwellings. The current edition has applied since 15 June 2022, and a revised Volume 1: Dwellings was published on 24 March 2026, taking effect on 24 March 2027.

See Approved Document F for more information.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] J: Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems

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.

The document was previously titled 'Heat producing appliances and Fuel storage system'.

See Approved Document J for more information.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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. For new buildings it also sets targets for carbon dioxide emissions and primary energy use.

Approved Document L is published in two volumes, Dwellings and Buildings other than dwellings. Revised volumes supporting the Future Homes and Buildings Standards were published on 24 March 2026 and take effect on 24 March 2027.

See Approved Document L for more information.

[edit] 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.

Approved Document M is the 2015 edition, with later amendments, most recently in 2024.

See Approved Document M for more information.

[edit] 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.

[edit] O: Overheating

Overheating mitigation requirements for new residential buildings. These have applied in England since 15 June 2022.

For more information see: Approved Document O

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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. It was revised with effect from 26 December 2022 to require new buildings to be equipped with gigabit-capable infrastructure.

See Approved Document R for more information.

[edit] 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.

[edit] T: Toilet accommodation

Part T: Toilet accommodation, sets requirements for the design and layout of toilet accommodation - including universal toilets, ambulant toilets and toilet cubicles - in new buildings other than dwellings. It came into effect on 1 October 2024, with further revisions in November 2025.

See Approved Document T for more information.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 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. These changes came into force on 15 June 2022.

The Building Safety Act 2022 created the Building Safety Regulator, which began operating in April 2023, and introduced a stricter regime for higher-risk buildings.

On 24 March 2026, MHCLG published Building Circular 01/2026 on the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, together with revised Approved Document L (Volumes 1 and 2) and Approved Document F (Volume 1). The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026 take effect generally on 24 March 2027, with transitional arrangements for work already notified or applied for before that date. They introduce a new requirement for on-site renewable electricity generation in new dwellings and buildings containing dwellings.

[edit] 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.
• Building control bodies.
• Building control performance standards.
• Building Regulations.
• Building Regulations exemptions.
• Competent person schemes.
• Northern Ireland building regulations.
• Scottish building standards.
• Sewers For Scotland.
• Statutory approvals.
• Statutory authorities.
• The Building Act.
• Welsh building regulations.