Does the work I am doing need building regulation consent?
To determine whether the work you are doing requires building regulation consent you must first determine whether the work you are carrying out is defined as ‘building work’ under the Building Regulations. If it does then it must comply with the Building Regulations, and you will need to seek approval from your Local Authority. Certain types of work are automatically counted as ‘building work. These are:
The erection or extension of a building
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 the structure, fire, access to and use of buildings.
When installing a replacement window using a builder or window that is not FENSA registered.
The installation of a service or fitting which is controlled under the regulations.
The installation of insulation into a cavity wall
The underpinning of the foundations of a building
When you want to change the building’s fundamental use It is important to bear in mind that some work that would usually require consent from the Local Authority are covered by an industry self-certification scheme. This in effect allows the installer, as long they are registered with a relevant scheme, to self-certify that the installation complies with the relevant regulations. This only applies when the work being carried out consists only of work covered by the industry scheme. The works themselves must meet the relevant technical requirements contained in the Building Regulations and they must not compromise the compliance of other fabrics, services and fittings. If the use of the building is changed, for example from residential to commercial then this may mean that different building regulations can apply, and certain parts of the building may need to be upgraded to ensure that they comply.
