TABLE OF CONTENTS The Secretary of State is empowered by the Building Act 1984 to approve and issue documents containing practical guidance with respect to the requirements contained in these regulations. The Building Regulations 2000 (SI 2000/2531) issued under the Building Act came into force on 1 January 2001 and replaced the Building Regulations 1991 (SI 1991/2768) and consolidated a number of revisions and amendments.
The building regulations define building work as the erection or extension of any building or its services. The definition includes alterations to buildings if the alteration affects the structure, the means of warning and escape, internal fire spread, external fire spread access and facilities for the Fire Service and access and facilities for disabled people.
These sections prescribe the procedural steps that are required when building work is being planned; those conducting building work must notify the local planning authority and may do so either by using a brief planning notice or by submitting full plans for approval. Once the building work is completed in accordance with the requirements of the regulations, the local authority must issue a completion certificate.
The Schedule to the Building Regulations details a number of functional requirements that any building must satisfy. The schedule is divided into a number of parts.
PART A Stability this part deals with the stability of the building and...
