Building Regulations- The importance of the structure

We all know that sometimes we dread the Building Inspector but we shouldn't! These regulations are there to ensure the structure we're building is safe and secure. These builds need to be designed and constructed in accordance with the Building Regulations and Associated Legislation which are developed by the Government.  These are the national standards for Building work, regardless of size. The Building Regulations are regularly being updated and consist of parts A-P. You should always ensure that you have the current copy. The Building Regulations contain the MINIMUM standards of design and building work for domestic, commercial and industrial builds.  These are minimum standards, which in no way means you shouldn't aim higher! The different parts A-P are catergorised below: A-  Structure B - Fire Safety C -Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture D - Toxic Substances E - Resistance to the passage of sound F - Ventilation G - Sanitation, hygiene and water efficiency H - Drainage and waste disposal J - Heat producing appliances and Fuel Storage system K - Protection from falling, collision and impact L - Conservation of fuel and power M - Access to and use of buildings N - Glazing - Safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning P - Electrical safety Before you start work you need to decide if you're going to submit a Full Plans Building Regulations application or submit a Building Notice. The Building Notice makes it possible to carry out the work without prior approval but the responsibility of the work is then on the builder and mistakes can be costly. If you start with Full plans then you will have the Building Inspector involved from the outlay. There are benefits to both of these, but the latter will allow for peace of mind throughout the process. You will also have to decide whether to appoint a Building Inspector from your Local Authority or to appoint one from a Government approved Building Inspection Company. The Building Inspector is there to help, offer advice and ensure that your build runs smoothly. Gaining an understanding of the UK Building Regulations is extremely important when considering any project. The regulations need to not only be considered throughout the build but also from the initial planning stage. There are many places where you can go for help with this, some sources are listed at the bottom. ATSPACE is a good place to start, with years of experience behind them, they have experts on hand to help with whatever your needs.