Approved Document R
Article 8 of the 2014 Broadband Cost Reduction Directive required that new buildings and major renovations should include the provision of in-building physical infrastructure to support connections to superfast broadband.
In response to this, and following a consultation process carried out in 2015, the government introduced new regulations (SI 2016/490) which introduced requirements for in-building physical infrastructure for high-speed electronic communications networks, and Approved Document R, Physical infrastructure for high-speed electronic communication networks, to provide guidance on these requirements.
Approved documents provide guidance for how the building regulations can be satisfied in common situations.
Approved Document R was published in April 2016 and took effect on 1 January 2017. It applies in England to new buildings and to existing buildings subject to major renovation works.
It introduces a requirement for infrastructure enabling the installation of copper or fibre-optic cables or wireless devices capable of delivering broadband speeds of more than 30 Mbps. In-building infrastructure is required from the service provider’s access point, to the occupier’s network termination point.
The service provider's access point is ‘…the physical point, located inside or outside the building, accessible to undertakings providing or authorised to provide public communications networks, where connection to the high-speed-ready in-building physical infrastructure is made available.’
The network termination point is ‘…a physical point at which an occupier is provided with access to high-speed electronic communications networks’.
The contents of the approved document are:
- The approved documents.
- The Building Regulations.
- Approved Document R, Physical infrastructure for high-speed electronic communication networks.
- Summary
- Section 1: In-building infrastructure.
- Introduction.
- Application.
- Ductwork for copper and fibre optic cables.
- Satellite and wireless communications.
- Further information.
- Appendix A: Key terms.
- Appendix B: Documents referred to.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Building Wiki
- Approved documents.
- Bluetooth.
- Building regulations.
- CAT5.
- Ethernet
- Extranet
- Glossary of electrical terms.
- High-speed electronic communication network.
- ICT and Automation (ICTA) Scoping Study Report.
- In-building wireless.
- Information and communications technology.
- Internet of things.
- Local area network.
- Smart buildings.
- Smart cities.
- Smart technology.
- The future of electricity in domestic buildings.
- WiFi
- WiMax.
- ZigBee.
Featured articles and news
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.