Building Regulations &

The Full Architectural Service

All significant building work, including house extensions, loft conversions and some house renovation projects that are
carried out in the UK must comply with the Building Regulations.

Planning Permission and Building Regulations approvals are not connected, and receiving Planning Permission for a project
does not mean that it has Building Regulations approval.

Compliance with the Building Regulations can be assessed by either the Council Building Control Department or by an
Approved Building Inspector.

The best route to achieving compliance with the regulations is usually to submit a Full Plans Building Regulations
Application which will need to include detailed drawings and information. Unlike Planning Application drawings which are
primarily produced to show the form, size and materials of an architectural design, Building Regulations drawings are
produced to demonstrate the designs compliance with the technical regulations set out in building legislation.

Drawings for full plans Building Regulations approvals are therefore required to be much more detailed and technical than
Planning drawings but the building regulation submission does not provide the same level of detail as full production
information e.g. the working drawings produced as part of a full architectural service.

Any project involves a multitude of details that need to be addressed, whether it is the building regulations or construction
details.

Anything not defined exactly will be left to you or your contractor as works progress on site.

Full production information would generally resolve this and the majority of details would be resolved prior to works
commencing on site.

This production information would include assembly drawings (detailed junctions etc.), component drawings, (fitted joinery,
windows, doors, stairs etc.) Details/Schedules (ironmongery, sanitary fittings, windows, doors, lighting, ceiling finishes, etc.).

Therefore a building regulation submission is not a production package, although on some occasions some clients are
happy to use the building regulation submission for tendering purposes.

The building regulations submission will demonstrate compliance with the building regulations and will provide general
guidance on the performance expected of materials and building work in order to comply with the building regulations.

The building regulations are broken down into the following sections:

Part A (structural safety)

Part B (fire safety) - volume 1: dwelling houses
Part C (resistance to contaminants and moisture)
Part D (toxic substances)
Part E (resistance to sound)
Part F (ventilation)
Part G (sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency)
Part H (drainage and waste disposal)
Part J (heat-producing appliances)
Part K (protection from falling)
Part L (conservation of fuel and power)
Part M (access to and use of buildings)
Part N (glazing safety)
Part P (electrical safety)

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 Building Regulations &
The Full Architectural Service

The Building Control Officer (BCO) will visit the site at key stages in the construction for inspections to ensure compliance
with the Building Regulations. If the BCO has not been present to witness the constructions of, for instance, the foundations,
he or she has the power to order anything constructed over them to be opened up so that the inspection can be carried out.

BGA Architects are very experienced in working with a network of Structural Engineers and other consultants, and we can
offer recommendations and guidance to you and coordinate the whole process on your behalf.

BGA Architects would therefore discharge with other professional e.g. structural engineers (Part A) and energy assessors
(Part L) compliance with the building regulations. The approval may be in the form of a full or conditional, this is because in
some circumstances details are unknown due to site conditions/restrictions, e.g. below ground drainage or the structural
calculations for roof trusses which are to be purchased during the construction phase.

Please note that all other application/professional fees and services for the entire project will need to be paid by you. Whilst
we will endeavour to inform you of the involvement of the design team (structural engineer etc.) at an early stage this is not
always possible.

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