Pending changes to the Building Regulations     (England Only)

 

 

From the start of October 2015, there are several key changes to the Building Regulations which will affect the construction industry.

 

Firstly there is an introduction of a new document, entitled ‘Part Q – Security’ which covers the security standards required for new door and window installations.

 

There are also revisions to the following documents;

 

Part G

 

Main Changes

 

• Introduction of an optional requirement for tighter water efficiency in Regulation 36 (section G2).

• Introduction of a fittings approach as an alternative to using the Water Efficiency Calculator (section G2).

• Inclusion of the Water Efficiency Calculator methodology into this Approved Document with minor alterations resulting from European efficiency labelling and consequential amendments resulting from removal of references to the Code for Sustainable Homes (Appendix A).

• The annex listing the relevant competent person self-certification schemes has been deleted.

 

 

Part H

 

 

Main Changes

 

 

• Additional guidance on solid waste storage in H6 and reference updated.

• Consequential amendment of limits of application of requirement H3 due to amendment of Part M.

 

 

Part M

 

Main Changes

 

• Approved Document M has been split into two parts:

  Volume 1: Dwellings

  Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings.

• Requirement M4 ‘Sanitary conveniences in dwellings’ has been replaced by new requirements:

  M4(1) Category 1: Visitable dwellings

  M4(2) Category 2: Accessible and adaptable dwellings

  M4(3) Category 3: Wheelchair user dwellings

 

 

Regulation M4(1) is mandatory for all new dwellings unless one of the optional requirements M4(2) or M4(3) applies.

 

 

For more information on the changes and the potential impact they may have commercially or to obtain draft copies of the new regulations,                       please contact us.