Building Regulations Guidance and Information 

Approved Documents 

The 'Approved Documents' are practical guidance on ways to comply with the functional requirements of the Building Regulations. The series of documents are published by Communities and Local Government. Each document provides general guidance on expected performance levels of materials and workmanship, and also practical  examples and solutions to ensure compliance with common building situations

Please find list of the current Approved Documents below: 

Part A - Structure (3.5MB)

Part B - Fire Safety Volume 1 (Dwellinghouses) (1.87MB)

Part B - Fires Safety Volume 2 (Buildings other than dwellinghouses) (4.75MB)

Part C - Site preparation and resistance to contaminents and moisture (1.9MB)

Part D - Toxic Substances (300KB)

Part E - Resistance to the passage of sound (5.6MB)

Part F - Ventilation (1.4MB)

Part G - Hygiene (392KB)

Part H - Drainage and waste disposal (2MB)

Part J - Combustion applicances and fuel storage systems (4.5MB)

Part K - Protection from falling collision and impact (1.65MB)

Part L1A - Conservation of fuel and power (New dwellings) (316KB)

Part L1B - Conservation of fuel and power (Existing dwellings) (298KB)

Part L2A - Conservation of fuel and power (New buildings other than dwellings) (321KB)

Part L2B - Conservation of fuel and power (Existing buildings other than dwellings) (313KB)

Part M - Access to and use of buildings (1.6MB)

Part N - Glazing (687KB)

Part P - Electrical safety (dwellings) (3.5MB)

Regulation 7 - Materials and workmanship (318KB) 

Other Guidance Notes 

Building Regulations Explanatory Booklet (1.2MB)

The Party Wall Etc Act 1996 Explanatory Booklet (4MB)

Building work, replacements and repairs to your home (116KB) 

Are your works exempt? 

Certain buildings and works are exempt from control under the Building Regulations. They are as follows: 

CLASS I: Buildings controlled under other legislation 

1. Any building subject to the Explosives Act 1875 and 1923.
2. Any building erected on a site licensed under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965, provided it does not contain a dwelling, or is used as either an office or canteen.
3. Any building classified as a monument under section 1 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.  

CLASS II: Buildings not frequented by people 

Buildings into which people do not normally go, or go only intermittently to inspect fixed plant or machinery, provided the building is at least one and a half times its height from a building frequented by people or the nearest boundary. 

CLASS III: Agricultural buildings and greenhouses 

Buildings used for agriculture, horticulture or fish farming, provided:

1. They are not used for retailing, packaging or exhibiting,
2. They are at least one and a half times their height from any dwelling and
3. They have a fire exit not more than 30 metres from any point in the building.  

CLASS IV: Temporary buildings 

Buildings which are to be in place for no more than 28 days. 

CLASS V: Ancillary buildings 

1. A building used only in connection with the sale of buildings or building plots.
2. A building on a construction, civil engineering, mining or quarrying site to be used during the course of those works and not containing sleeping accommodation.  

CLASS VI: Small detached buildings 

1. Detached single storey buildings with a floor area of not greater than 30m2, and which is either built of substantially non-combustible materials or not less than 1 metre from the nearest boundary.
2. Detached buildings designed and intended solely to protect against the effects of conventional, chemical or nuclear weapons. Excavations for such buildings are to be as far away from any part of a building or structure as the depth of the excavations plus 1metre.
3. Detached Buildings with a floor area of not greater than 15m2 and not containing sleeping accommodation.  

CLASS VII: Extensions 

The extension of a building by the addition at ground floor only of a conservatory, porch, covered yard, covered way or a carport open on at least two sides of not greater than 30m2. Glazing in conservatories and porches must satisfy the requirements of Part N of the Building Regulations (Safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning of glazing).

See the separate notes on conservatories and porches for more information.

The Government may revise this list and the criteria for exemption.

If your proposed works do not fall under these catagories, then you should contact us to discuss your requirements

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Page updated: 19 Oct 2010