Discussion
Bon, can someone fill me in here - what exactly are 'building regs'? Obviously it's a giant list of must haves/do's but what do I/my architect need to do? Is it just a case of create a list of things we're gonna do to a certain space/room or is it on the plans?
An example would be appreciated!
BTW, the walls AND ceilings are down (pics to follow). Someone said i need to replace the platserboard with foil backed to comply with building regs.
An example would be appreciated!
BTW, the walls AND ceilings are down (pics to follow). Someone said i need to replace the platserboard with foil backed to comply with building regs.
Slagathore said:
Your architect should be up to speed with it all.
They should specify everything on the drawings, then the builders will go off those drawings.
ROFL!They should specify everything on the drawings, then the builders will go off those drawings.
Building Regs aren't necessarily the remit of an architect..
Basically : Planning - the external impact of the proposed works.
Building Regs - (where necessary), foundation specification, wall construction, insulation (walls, floor and ceiling), structural (i.e. beams, or lintels, joist specification and spacing, rafter specification and spacing), ventilation, fire regulations, drains run and placement.. Structural Calcs should go with the beam/lintel location and also they will need to indicate how they are supported (i.e. padstone or steel plate). Think that's about "it" in a nutshell..
You can download the Building Regulations here
Actually (before the pedants arrive) they are the Approved Documents to the Building Regulations, not the Building Regulations themselves, but the actual Regulations don't tell you much.
For example, the Building Regulations might say (paraphrased) 'thou shalt not build a house that will fall down'. Approved Document A (Structure) will tell you what to do to make sure you comply with that requirement. You don't have to follow the guidance in the Approved Document, but if you choose a solution that is not shown in the A.D., the onus is on you to prove that it works.
The Actual prcess usually falls into two stages:
Actually (before the pedants arrive) they are the Approved Documents to the Building Regulations, not the Building Regulations themselves, but the actual Regulations don't tell you much.
For example, the Building Regulations might say (paraphrased) 'thou shalt not build a house that will fall down'. Approved Document A (Structure) will tell you what to do to make sure you comply with that requirement. You don't have to follow the guidance in the Approved Document, but if you choose a solution that is not shown in the A.D., the onus is on you to prove that it works.
The Actual prcess usually falls into two stages:
- Plans approval; where your plans, specifications and calculations are checked to ensure that they comply on paper and;
- Site inspections, where the building inspector comes out to check the work on site to ensure that it follows the plans and that there are no unforseen issues.
d product of a deranged mind.I believe that's the new Building Control motto.
It would appear that the days of consulting a District Surveyor and gaining advice (for domestic works) are slowly disapearing. They don't even have the sizing tables for timber joists in th eregs anymore so you have to prove suitability every time. Now that one is a head scratcher.
It would appear that the days of consulting a District Surveyor and gaining advice (for domestic works) are slowly disapearing. They don't even have the sizing tables for timber joists in th eregs anymore so you have to prove suitability every time. Now that one is a head scratcher.
To be fair I've found most inspectors are relatively pragmatic about the whole thing.
I've got one though, who is a town councillor/regs inspector and of retirement age so essentially he has nothing else to do, other than die, who gleefully treats everything as a box ticking exercise.
I can say with almost total certainty that he has creases ironed into his underpants.
He is that sort.
I've got one though, who is a town councillor/regs inspector and of retirement age so essentially he has nothing else to do, other than die, who gleefully treats everything as a box ticking exercise.
I can say with almost total certainty that he has creases ironed into his underpants.
He is that sort.
I used to be a building control officer, working under the 1976 building regs to start with!! No that shows my age to the others here 'in the know'!
Been in private practice for years now and building regs are well described in earlier posts. My recent experience of LA Building Control hasn't been good to be frank. We now use, pretty well exclusivly Approved Inspectors. Makes a world of difference.
Although, to be honest and to contradict myself, had discussions with 2 authorities (Fareham and Crawley) where the chaps I spoke to were very switched on, commercially speaking rather than technically speaking and we will be using them when the projects eventually get taken off the back burner.
Had a discussion with one of our AI's this week and the whole Part L nonsense is plunging deeper into the mire I understand! I look forward to sleeping through an inevitable seminar on the upcoming changes very shortly!
Been in private practice for years now and building regs are well described in earlier posts. My recent experience of LA Building Control hasn't been good to be frank. We now use, pretty well exclusivly Approved Inspectors. Makes a world of difference.
Although, to be honest and to contradict myself, had discussions with 2 authorities (Fareham and Crawley) where the chaps I spoke to were very switched on, commercially speaking rather than technically speaking and we will be using them when the projects eventually get taken off the back burner.
Had a discussion with one of our AI's this week and the whole Part L nonsense is plunging deeper into the mire I understand! I look forward to sleeping through an inevitable seminar on the upcoming changes very shortly!
Remember that you can chose to use your own BCO rather thanm the council. I've seen this done with both old/period properties where things like dpc are non-existant and with eco building where the construction method is not the bog standard.
Edited by mas99 on Tuesday 4th August 20:53
mk1fan said:
I actually prefer the Approved Inspector route too. Can be more expensive that going with the Local Authority but they actively assess the proposals and offer design solutions to resolve issues.
As opposed to the V neck sweater, little hitler types you can get.Recently one made us dig foundations so ridiculously deep (for a single storey extension), they were a foot below the house foundations.
You could have built the new twin towers on them.
barney123 said:
mk1fan said:
I actually prefer the Approved Inspector route too. Can be more expensive that going with the Local Authority but they actively assess the proposals and offer design solutions to resolve issues.
As opposed to the V neck sweater, little hitler types you can get.Recently one made us dig foundations so ridiculously deep (for a single storey extension), they were a foot below the house foundations.
You could have built the new twin towers on them.
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