Construction projects in the UK are beholden to a comprehensive set of minimum standards, to ensure the structural soundness of finished projects and their long-term safety for future visitors and residents. These standards are formally known as Building Regulations in England and Wales, and are subject to ongoing refinement and change.
Where a contractor or construction company is focusing on the construction of new homes, or even the alteration of existing structures, they must adhere strictly to the rules set out within the most recent published building regulations. But what are some of the key areas covered by building regulations, and what should new contractors look out for before commencing work?
Structural Compliance
Perhaps the most essential purpose of building regulation in the UK is to ensure overall structural integrity in new building projects. The Structure section of the Building Regulations document outlines specific design standards and rules relating to safe design and use of load-bearing materials.
Many contractors embarking on new build constructions seek out structural warranties, a form of insurance that guarantees a structure for a period of years after construction. The warranty is a robust audit that ensures structural compliance with additional scrutiny – ensuring the project meets higher-than-minimum standards.
Materials and Workmanship
Regulation 7 relates to the choice and usage of specific building materials within a given new build construction project. The regulation stipulates that any materials used must meet key quality standards before use, and that they must meet suitability requirements for their specific purpose.
The quality and suitability of materials are generally signalled via standardisation; materials with a CE mark, or a British Standards number, are largely cleared for typical use in construction.
Fire Safety
Fire Safety is a key component of English Building Regulations, and one that gained further scrutiny in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017. The rapid spread of the deadly blaze was quickly attributed to unsuitable cladding, inspiring swift government response to tighten fire safety regulations on all new builds.
Fire safety is a multifaceted undertaking, that relies on both strategic architectural choices and shrewd material choices. For domestic new builds, materials like plasterboard are frequently used to meet fire safety regulations regarding fire-stopping, alongside general provisions for ease of escape and firefighter access.
Passage of Sound
Acoustics and sound isolation are key concerns when designing and building new properties; Building Regulations regarding the passage of sound exist in order to preserve the peace of residents and visitors, and eliminate unnecessary nuisance created by noise pollution.
The regulations split sound issues into two distinct sections: airborne sound, and impact sound. The former refers to the transmission of sounds such as speech, music or television noise, while the latter relates to objects colliding with structure. There is a minimum level of sound resistance to airborne noise expected by building regulation, at 45dB for new projects and 43dB for alterations or additions. Impact sounds are allowed a maximum transmittance level of 62dB.
