Summary

This section gives an indication of dates and a brief description of known new or amended legislation relevant to Building Control. Please note that at times this list may not be definative, it will however be kept up to date as far as practicably possible.

 

Regulation Updates

• 4 January 2011 - The first inspection of all remaining air-conditioning systems over 12 kilowatts must have occurred by this date, a system first put into service on or after 1 January 2008 must have a first inspection within 5 years of it first being put into service.
• 4 January 2009 - The first inspection of all existing air-conditioning systems over 250 kilowatts  must have occurred by this date, a system first put into service on or after 1 January 2008 must have a first inspection within 5 years of it first being put into service.
• 1 October 2008 - Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are required on the sale or rent of all remaining dwellings. The construction, sale or rent of any building other than a dwelling after this date must be provided with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Further information on the European Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings can be found on the website for The Department of Communities and Local Government |. Display Energy Certificates are required for all public buildings less than 1000 square meters. Download a brief guide to EPC's (pdf 628 kb).|
• 1 July 2008 - The construction, sale or rent of any building other than a dwelling with a total useful floor area over 2500 square meters, must be provided with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) from this date. Further information on the European Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings can be found on the website for The Department of Communities and Local Government|. You can also download a brief guide to EPC's (pdf 628kb).|
• 1 July 2008 - The Seventeenth Edition of the IEE (Institution of Electrical Engineers) Wiring Regulations, British Standard 7671:2008 (Requirements for Electrical Installations) came into publication on the 21 January 2008. Any installation undertaken after the 1 July 2008 must comply with the provisions of the seventeenth edition of BS:7671. Further information on electrical safety can be found on the Electrical Safety in Dwellings page|.
• 5 June 2008 -  Proposed new editions of Approved Documents L are out for consultation. Consultation closes 9 September 2008. Copies of this consultation document can be viewed on The Department of Communities and Local Government |website. This consultation is entirely separate from and should not be confused with the more comprehensive technical review of Part L which is being undertaken in advance of changes to the Building Regulations that the Government has already signalled that it intends to make in 2010. Separate formal consultation should take place in early 2009 on the proposals which emerge from this technical review.
• 1 May 2008 - The rating of new homes against The Code for Sustainable Homes will become mandatory. While it remains voluntary to design and build a home to meet the standards set out in the Code, regulations will mean that from this date those selling new homes will be required to provide information to any prospective purchaser on the sustainability of the home. Where a home is designed and built to the Code and assessed against it, a Code certificate will be provided. Otherwise, a nil-rated certificate will have to be provided. Further information can be found at The Department of Communities and Local Government|.

• 6 April 2008 - New Regulations came into force which make Site Waste Management Plans compulsory for all construction projects in England costing over £300,000. The regulation swill not apply to projects planned before 6 April 2008 unless the construction work starts after 01 July 2008. Further information can be can be found on the website for The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs|.

• 6 April 2008 - Any new or newly built home constructed after this date must be provided with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This will also apply to the construction, sale or rent of any building other than a dwelling with a total useful floor area over 10000 square meters. Further information on the European Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings can be found on the website for . Display Energy Certificates and advisory reports are required for buildings over 1000 square meters occupied by public authorities and by institutions providing public services are required. Download a brief guide to EPC's (pdf 628kb).|
• 1 April 2007 -  Code for Sustainable Homes - The developer of any new home in England can now choose to be assessed against the Code. The Code is a voluntary standard designed to improve the overall sustainability of new homes by setting a single framework within which the home building industry can design and construct homes to higher environmental standards and offers a tool for developers to differentiate themselves within the market. Where it is used the Code also gives new home buyers better information about the environmental impact of their new home and its potential running costs. Further information can be found at The Department of Communities and Local Government|.
• 13 December 2006 - The Code for Sustainable Homes - a new national standard for sustainable design and construction of new homes was launched.
• 1 April 2006 - New editions of Approved Document B (Fire safety) coming into force. Volume 1|  (Dwelling Houses) & Volume 2  |(Building Other Than Dwelling Houses) .
• 1 October 2006 - The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2006 comes into force, this legislation has replaced the Fire Precautions Act 1971. This new legislation is aimed at reducing the risk of death, personal injury and damage to property from fire in non-domestic premises. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order affects not only businesses, but charities and voluntary organisations too. Self-employed people who use premises separate from their home for business activities are also included. Further information and guidance on fire safety law can be found on the website for The Department of Communities and Local Government|.
  
• 6 April 2006 - New editions of Approved Documents L (Conservation of fuel & power) coming into force. L1A|(New dwellings),L1B |(Existing dwellings), L2A| (New buildings other than dwellings) and L2B |(Existing Buildings other than dwellings).
• 6 April 2006 - New edition of Approved Document F (Ventilation) coming into force. A copy of this document can be viewed at the Planning Portal|.
• 6 April 2006 - Revisions to Approved Document P (Electrical safety - Dwellings). A copy of this document can be viewed at the Planning Portal|.