Using the Building Regulations: Administrative Procedures

As the Building Regulations and Approved Documents have become more and more complex, they have become increasingly unfriendly for a professional user. Compliance is only possible by understanding a wide range of supporting documentation. Alternative approaches are implied, but not described or analysed.This series of books on individual Documents goes far beyond analysis of the Regulations and Documents themselves, and offers practical advice on using not just the traditional routes to compliance but also on the alternative approaches suggested but not explained in the Approved Documents. The advantages and disadvantages of each form of compliance are analysed in depth.This book examines the background to the Building Regulations, and their evolution to the complex documents of today. Inspection, enforcement and compliance are described in detail.

Series introductionThe Building Regulations·What are Building Regulations?·Why are they needed?·Enforcement - civil or legal sanctions?Brief History·The industrial revolution and the rapid development of towns·Quality of housing and public health issues·Early attempts at regulation·The contribution of the Victorians - the development of local systems of control·Later developments·National regulations·The modern eraoenergy saving and global warmingoaccessibility issuesothe privatisation of controlLegal BackgroundControlling legislation·Building Act 1984·The Building Regulations 2000· he Building (Approved Inspectors etc) Regulations 2000Application of the Regulations·What kinds of work do they apply to?oNew buildings and extensionsoAlterationsoChanges of useoServices and fittingsoOther kinds of building work·Links with other legislationoBuilding ActoLocal Acts of ParliamentoThe Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) RegulationsoThe Fire Precautions (Workplace) RegulationsoThe Fire Precautions Act·Are there any exemptions?oEducational buildings and buildings of statutory undertakersoCrown buildingsoPublic bodiesoSmall buildings and extensionsoBuildings with special usesoRepairs to buildingsAdministrationControl systems·Using a local authority - oBackgroundoProceduresoConsultationsoControl over work in progress·Using an approved inspectoroBackgroundoProceduresoLinks with local authoritiesoConsultationsoControl over works in progress·Work under the supervision of a competent personoHeating and hot water servicesoReplacement windows, doors and rooflightsoElectrical installationsoDrainage systemsEnforcement actions·Contravening works·Determination of questions of compliance·Relaxation and dispensation of requirements·Appeals·Controlling previously completed work·Approved inspectors powers to control contravening works·Variations to already approved worksSatisfying the requirements of the Regulations·Using Approved Documents·Alternative solutions·Acceptable levels of performance·National Standards and Technical Specifications (British and European Standards)·Materials and workmanshipAppendices Commentary on the Building Regulations 2000·General·Control of building work·Exemption of public bodies from procedural requirements·Relaxation of requirements·Notices and plans·Miscellaneous·Schedule 1 - requirements·Schedules 2 - exempt buildings and work·Revocation of regulationsCommentary on the Building (Approved Inspectors etc) Regulations 2000·General·Grant and withdrawal of approval·Supervision of work by approved inspectors·Plans certificates·Final certificates·Cessation of effect of initial notice·Public bodies·Certificates relating to deposited plans·Registers·Effect of contravention of building regulations·Miscellaneous provisions·Schedules