02 | Building Regulations
The Building Regulations
The Building Regulations are a set of legal requirements for the design and construction of new buildings, extensions and material alterations to, and certain changes of use of, existing buildings.
Building Regulations primarily provide for, in relation to buildings, the health, safety and welfare of people, conservation of fuel and energy, and access for people with disabilities. The minimum requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the Second Schedule of the Building Regulations. These requirements are set out in 12 parts (classified as Parts A to M). Each part of the Building Regulations is accompanied by a Technical Guidance Document indicating how the requirements of that part can be achieved in practice.
Responsibility for compliance with the Building Regulations lies with the building owner (client) and their design and construction teams.
REFERENCES AND WEBSITES
- British Standards Authority, (2018). BS 8300- Parts 1&2:2018,. Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment. Part 1 deals with designing accessible and inclusive external environments and Part 2 provide a definitive source of recommendations on the inclusive and accessible design of buildings. The standards are available from the bsi shop.
- Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, (2010) (online). Technical Guidance Document M Access and Use. Available at: https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migratedfiles/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,24773,en.pdf. (Accessed August 2018).
- Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, (2007) (online). The Building Control Act. (2007). Available at: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2007/act/21/enacted/en/html.
- HM Government, (2015 edition incorporating 2016 amendments – for use in England) (online). Access and Use of Buildings. Approved M. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/540330/BR_PDF_AD_M1_2015_with_2016_amendments_V3.pdf. (Accessed August 2018).