Material alteration
According to the Building Regulations, a 'material alteration' is an alteration where the work, or any part of it, would at any stage result:
- In a building or controlled service or fitting not complying with a relevant requirement where previously it did; or
- In a building or controlled service or fitting which before the work commenced did not comply with a relevant requirement, being more unsatisfactory in relation to such a requirement.
Where a 'relevant requirement' is any of the following applicable requirements of Schedule 1, namely:
- Part A (structure).
- paragraph B1 (means of warning and escape).
- paragraph B3 (internal fire spread—structure).
- paragraph B4 (external fire spread).
- paragraph B5 (access and facilities for the fire service).
- Part M (access to and use of buildings).
And a 'controlled service or fitting' means:
A service or fitting in relation to which Part G, H, J, L or P of Schedule 1 imposes a requirement.
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