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Technical Terms Explained
Approved Documents.
Each Part of Schedule 1 to the regulations is supported by a separate document called an "Approved Document" which contains practical and technical guidance on ways in which the requirements can be met.
Each Approved Document reproduces the requirements contained in the Building Regulations relevant to the subject area. This is followed by practical and technical guidance, with examples, on how the requirements can be met in some of the more common building situations. However, there may well be alternative ways of complying with the requirements to those shown in the Approved Documents. You are therefore under no obligation to adopt any particular solution in an Approved Document if you prefer to meet the relevant requirement(s) in some other way.
There are a number of other documents printed by other organisations which have been given approved document status.
British Standard ISO 9002
Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council's Building Control Section has obtained accreditation from the British Standards Institute for its management procedures and work practices. This includes an on-going auditing regime checked by independent assessors to ensure that working practices remain relevant to the task.
The Act of Parliament which provides the Secretary of State with the enabling power to introduce Building Regulations. It is the primary legislation used to control the building process in the UK. It also allows for the introduction of regulations relating to demolition and dangerous structures.
The building regulations are the consolidation of a number of building bye-laws and sections of Public Health Acts into a single unified document covering all aspects of Heath and Safety, Welfare, and the Environment in and about buildings. The enabling Act is the Building Act 1984.
Building Regulation (Prescribed Charges) Regulations
Building Control Bodies are empowered to recover costs incurred in appraising building regulation applications and carrying out site inspections. The Building Control body can fix their charges in accordance with a Model Scheme issued by the District Surveyors Association. Irrespective of the method of application, Building Notice or Full Plans, the charge will be the same.
Building Notice
A shortened form of application that does not rely on the submission of plans and details for approval. This system is designed for use on smaller works such as formation of structural openings and installation of replacement windows. It can only be used for domestic applications. The building notice route relies upon the contractor having knowledge of the regulations that apply. No approved drawings are issued and therefore those using this procedure must be have a clear idea of what they require the contractor to do. Building Notices are not designed to be used for the erection of extensions. Building Notice Applications are subject to Building Regulation Charges. Application Form?
Building Work
Building work is defined as:
- the erection or extension of a building,
- the provision or extension of a controlled service or fitting in or in connection with a building,
- the material alteration of a building, or a controlled service or fitting.
- work required in connection with a material change of use,
- the insertion of insulation into the cavity wall of a building,
- work involving the underpinning of a building
Under the terms of Regulation 3(1A), the provision of a controlled service or fitting in an
existing dwelling is not building work if the service or fitting is "controlled" only because
Part L1 imposes requirements in relation to it, unless the service or fitting is:
- a window, rooflight or roof window,
- a door (which together with its frame has more than 50 per cent of its internal face area glazed),
- a space heating or hot water service boiler, or a hot water vessel,is regarded as building work in its own right with regard to the provisions of Part L(Conservation of fuel and power).
C.O.R.G.I. Registered Installer
CORGI (the Council for Registered Gas Installers) is the National Watchdog for Gas Safety in the United Kingdom. Their aim is to promote and enhance gas safety, standards and quality in a professional and ethical manner.
CORGI maintain an up-to-date register of competent and qualified gas installation businesses and ensure that they and their operatives are aware of their requirement to register. CORGI also raise the awareness of gas safety with consumers and encourage them to only employ registered gas installers.
Development Services
The Department of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council which includes the Building Control Section.
Development Services includes sections which deal with the Economic Development, Planning Policy, Development Control, Conservation, Tourism, Environmental Health and Engineering Services.
Dangerous Structures
A building or structure which represents a danger to the public. The Building Control section is responsible for assessing the condition of potentially dangerous structures, ensuring that repairs are implemented and buildings and structures are made safe. If necessary the Building Act 1984 provides mechanisms to ensure that enforcement can be instituted through the Magistrates Court. The mechanism includes a process for the recovery of all costs incurred by the council in removing, or making safe the dangerous building.
Exempt Buildings
Certain small buildings and extensions as well as buildings used for special purposes are entirely exempt under the Regulations. You can find them listed in Schedule 2 to the Regulations.
FENSA
Full Plans Application
Method of making application to the building control body so that building work can be appraised and approved preferably prior to works commencing on site. The application requires submission of all necessary information (plans and any necessary calculations) so that the building control body can determine whether the proposed scheme complies with the current Approved Documents and associated legislation and recognised building techniques. The client has the re-assurance of receiving a set of the plans which have been approved (and rubber stamped). As long as the builder follows the drawings and offers the building control body the opportunity to inspect at the relevant stages, the client has the security of knowing the building work will comply with the regulations. Full Plans Applications are subject Building Regulation Charges. Application Forms?
HETAS
HETAS is the official body recognised by government to Approve solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services. Its work in Approving products covers boilers, cookers, open fires and stoves and roomheaters.
HETAS collaborates with the National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) in supervising a solid fuel orientated course for chimney sweeps which results in successful candidates being "HETAS Approved".
In association with the Solid Fuel Association (SFA), HETAS operates a registration scheme for heating engineers with special skills in the installation and maintenance of solid fuel heating systems.
HETAS represents the industry with government in matters such as Building Regulations and in the setting of standards both in the UK and Europe where its staff manage and chair committees drafting new British and European Standards. Its "three tick" Logo is the Approval mark to be looked for in solid fuel domestic heating products and services.
Material Alteration
Alterations are only considered to be 'material' if they would affect the existing building as regards Part A, B1, B3, B4, B5 or Part M. This means that during the period of the works, and on completion, the alterations should not result in:
a) a failure to comply with the Regulations where the existing building, service or fitting
already complies; or
b) a greater contravention of the Regulations where the existing building, service or fitting already fails to comply.
Therefore, where work is done to an existing building, service or fitting, the work itself must comply with all the current relevant requirements of Schedule 1, but the existing building must not be adversely affected. This means that while it will not usually be necessary to bring the building up to the standards of the Regulations, it should not be made worse as measured by the standards of the relevant requirements in Schedule 1.
OFTEC
As the technical and marketing body for the oil-fired heating industry, OFTEC is in a unique position to offer you help and advice on all aspects of oil heating.
Their publications give details of the latest tested boilers, cookers, oil tanks and ancillary equipment, as well as Codes of Practice, Standards and Safety information. Technical Books available include Domestic Heating Systems - Design and Operating Principles and the best-selling Domestic Heating Design Guide sponsored by the major trade associations, the Energy Saving Trust and the Government's Best Practice Programme.
Department for Communites and Local Government
The Department for Communities and Local Government was created and brings together key responsibilities for regional and local government, fire, housing, planning and regeneration.
The Office also includes important cross-cutting responsibilities for Social Exclusion, Neighbourhood Renewal, and the network of Government office for the Regions. It also manages relations between the UK Government and the devolved administrations.
The Office works across Government and in partnership with others to build thriving, inclusive and sustainable communities in all regions. Our focus is on delivery: making a difference to people's lives by helping to raise the quality of life for all and to improve the communities they live in.
It is the government body responsible for drafting the building regulations. It also provides advice on matters of interpretation of the regulations.
Partnering
The development of a relationship between one local authority and a private design company (e.g. Architect), to ensure that prospective schemes of development anywhere in the country are assessed and amended to comply with the regulations before the scheme is submitted. The advantage to the design company is consistency of assessment of their portfolio of work.
Standard Assessment Procedure (S.A.P.) Rating
A mathematical model approved for use in the assessment of the energy consumption of new dwellings. It takes into account the in-built thermal resistance of the dwelling, the area of openings and the efficiency of the heating and hot water systems. The higher the number the better the overall thermal performance of the dwelling.