Building Regulations and Control in Construction

Dr Adewale Abimbola, FHEA, GMICE.

www.edulibrary.co.uk

Aim & Objectives

• Discuss the various requirements of the Building Act 1984.
• Differentiate between the Building Regulations and Approved Documents.
• List what qualifies as building works.

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:�

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The Building Acts 1984

The Building Act 1984 – Foundation of UK Building Control

• Primary legislation underpinning the Building Regulations and their Approved Documents.
• Enabled the creation of minimum standards and official guidance for construction in the UK.
• Linked to a suite of Approved Documents which explain how to comply.

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The Building Act 1984

Building Regulations – Key Features

• Define minimum requirements for design, construction, and modifications
• Apply to almost all types of buildings
• Developed by government, with approval from Parliament
• Aim to ensure buildings are safe, healthy, and fit for purpose

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Approved Documents

• Provide detailed advice for meeting the requirements of each regulation
• Cover areas like fire safety, structure, access, energy use, and more
• Serve as practical guidance for compliance

Intro. Task

Review the links below:

• The Building Act 1984: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/55/contents
• The Building Regulations 2010:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2214/contents

• Approved Documents:

https://www.gov.wales/building-regulations-approved-documents

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• It empowers the Secretary of State (for England and Wales) to make regulations for the purpose of:
• Protect health, safety, and wellbeing of anyone using buildings
• Secure sustainable building practices:
• Promote energy (fuel and power) conservation
• Prevent undue, misuse, or waste of water

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The Building Act 1984

Powers Provided by the Building Act 1984:

• Grants authority to create and revise Building Regulations
• Enables the production and updating of Approved Documents
• Allows submitted plans to be formally reviewed and approved
• Empowers appointed inspectors to enforce and check compliance
• Specifies legal consequences and penalties for non-compliance

The Building Act 1984

What Qualifies as ‘Building Work’?:

• Erection of new structures (temporary or permanent)
• Reconstruction, roofing, or significant extension of existing buildings
• Conversion of other structures or movable objects into a building
• Rebuilding after major damage or collapse
• Adding insulation to cavity walls
• Installing or modifying regulated services (e.g., electrics, heating)
• Underpinning a building’s foundations
• Any work affecting a building’s energy efficiency or thermal elements

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Self-assessment Task

You are part of an architectural team assigned to design a new community centre in Cardiff. The project must fully comply with Welsh Building Regulations before construction can begin. Your task is to advise the local council on THREE key requirements the new building must meet and explain why they are important. Choose from:

Structural integrity, Fire protection, Accessibility, Energy performance, Acoustic performance, Protection against falls, Protection against water ingress, Protection against contamination (methane and radon gas), Electrical and gas safety, Drainage performance.

Instructions:

• Write a short report describing three selected regulation requirements, giving practical examples for the community centre.
• Explain how these requirements would protect the safety and wellbeing of everyone using the building and the wider community.
• After completion, upload your answer on MS Chat as directed by your teacher.

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Bibliography

• Planning Portal (2022) Building control. Available at: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200128/building_control (Accessed: 13 January 2025)
• Topliss, S. Hurst, M., Cummings, S. and Donyavi, S. (2017) Pearson BTEC national construction student book

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