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Building Control

 

 

 

 

Why Do Building Control Exist?

 

Building control exists to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed in accordance with the Building Regulations and associated legislation. Drawing and Planning liaise with building control on your behalf to ensure your development coheres to the building regulations such as structural stability, fire resistance, weather resistance, thermal insulation etc.



Building Control also deal with demolitions notices and competent person’s schemes, they also provide a 24 hour response service to dangerous structures.



Drawing and Planning are experienced with the building regulations and our designs are created to adhere to all the regulations. The Building Regulations apply to building work in England and Wales and set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of persons in or about buildings.



Building control teams generally carry out the following duties: plan checking, site inspections, dealing with demolitions and dangerous structures, administration of competent persons schemes and certificated work.

 

 

Can Drawing and Planning Liaise With Building Control On My Behalf?

 

Yes, Drawing and Planning often liaises with building control on a customer’s behalf. Generally technical issues arise and as we usually have the experience to deal with it quickly and efficiently.  

Our fees varies with every development, and we would be pleased to give you a FREE QUOTATION so call us now on 0208 202 3665 or enquire online

Building Regulations

 

What Are Building Regulations?

 

The Building Regulations are set standards for the design and construction of buildings, primarily to ensure the safety and health for people in or around those buildings, but also for energy conservation and access to and about buildings.

 

What building works should comply with Building Regulations?

 

  • The erection or extension of a building

  • The installation or extension of a service or fitting which is controlled under the regulations

  • An alteration project involving work which will temporarily or permanently affect the ongoing compliance of the building, service or fitting with the requirements relating to structure, fire, or access to and use of buildings

  • The insertion of insulation into a cavity wall

  • The underpinning of the foundations of a building
                                 

 

                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are planning to carry out such work, then it should comply with the Building Regulations.

 



The works themselves should meet the relevant technical requirements in the Building Regulations and they should not make other fabric, services and fittings less compliant than they previously were / or dangerous. 

 



The Building Regulations may also apply to certain changes of use of an existing building. This is because the change of use may result in the building as a whole no longer complying with the requirements which will apply to its new type of use, and so having to be upgraded to meet additional requirements specified in the regulations for which building work may also be required.

 

 

 

 

 

What the regulations cover?

 

The requirements with which building work should comply are contained in Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations and are grouped under the fourteen 'parts':
  • Part A - Structure, 

 

  • Part B - Fire safety, 

 

  • Part C - Site preparation and resistance to moisture, 

 

  • Part D - Toxic substances, 

 

  • Part E - Resistance to the passage of sound,

 

  • Part F – Ventilation, 

 

  • Part G – Hygiene, 

 

  • Part H - Drainage and waste disposal

 

  • Part J - Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems, 

 

  • Part K - Protection from falling, collision and impact

 

  • Part L - Conservation of fuel and power

 

  • Part M - Access to and use of buildings, 

 

  • Part N - Glazing - safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning

 

  • Part P - Electrical safety.

 

 

 

 

 

SAP Calculations - SAP Ratings

 

 

SAP ratings are the technical calculation that is required in order to produce a Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA) and an On Construction Energy Performance Certificate (OCEPC), both of which are reports that abstract information from the supporting SAP calculation. 

 

 

SAP calculations are simply a home energy rating that seeks to calculate a score between 1 to 100+ for the annual energy cost due to:

 

  • the built structure of the home

 

  • its heating and hot water system

 

  • internal lighting

 

  • any renewable technologies used in the home. 

 

 

The higher the number the lower the fuel running costs, with 100 representing zero energy cost. Dwellings with a rating in excess of 100 are net exporters of energy.

 

 

In the event that Building Control at your Local Authority request a SAP calculation Drawing and Planning can compile a detailed SAP calculation showing the contrast in energy costs from the existing building to the proposed plans. 

 

 

Fee: £770.00 + VAT

 

 

What is exempt from building regulations?

 

Building regulations exemptions include:

 

  •  The extension of a building by the addition at ground level of a conservatory, porch, covered yard or covered way or a carport open on at least two sides


  • Where the floor area does not exceed 30m², provided that in the case of a conservatory or porch which is wholly or partly glazed, the glazing satisfies the requirement of Building Regulation Part N Safety Glazing. An exempt conservatory must be separated from the remainder of the house by a wall, door or window.

 

  • A detached single storey building, having a floor area which does not exceed 30m², which contains no sleeping accommodation and is a building at no point of which is less than one metre from the boundary of its curtilage or which is constructed substantially of non-combustible material.

 

These planning exemptions cover:

 

  • Detached garages having less than 30 square metres in floor area and constructed of non-combustible materials.

 

  • Detached summer house having less than 30 square metres in floor area and containing no sleeping accommodation and constructed of non-combustible materials.

 

  • Timber sheds are also exempt providing they are less than 30 square metres in floor area and positioned a minimum of one metre from the boundary of its curtilage.

 

 

 

What works and matters are not controlled by building regulations?

 

  • Vehicle crossovers are controlled by the individual council.

 

  • Hoarding, scaffold and skip licenses

 

  • Erection of boundary fence and boundary walls; but these may be controlled by Planning legislation.

 

  • Damage to adjoining private property is a civil matter and is not controlled by Building Regulations. If the Party Wall Act applied to the works being undertaken, then action may be taken by the owner of the property.

 

  • New driveway or patio area, these are not controlled by Building Regulations.

 

  • If you are having construction or refurbishment work done, you may need to notify the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and you may have other duties as well.

 

 

How Much Does A Building Control Application Cost?

 

Full Planning Package with structural drawings and building regulations application only £2800 + Vat + Council fees 

Permitted Development Package with structural drawings and building regulations application only £2400 + Vat + Council fees

Building regulations Applications with structural drawings and building regulations application only £1499 + Vat + Council fees

 

 

Drawing and Planning are here to make the process of applying for building regulations simple. We will fill out the forms and consult on your behalf with your local Council’s Building Regulations Inspector. This usually entails interim on-site meetings and regular drawing demonstrations.

 

Even if you have not used our services for your planning application or design drawings we will be please to offer you our Building Regulations service.

 

 

GET IN TOUCH WITH ONE OF OUR EXPERIENED CONSULTANTS TO DISCUSS YOUR BUILDING REGULATION APPLICATION