The rules | Features

Regulations at a glance
England and Wales			Scotland	Northern Ireland
Regulation	Current edition	Future changes	Regulation	Regulation
Part A Structure	1992 edition, fourth impression (with amendments) 1994, further amended 2000	Consultation on changes complete	Part C Structure	Part D Structure
Part B Fire safety	2003 edition came into effect 01/03/2003	11/01; new guidance expected late 2003	Part D Structural fire precautions	Part E Fire safety
Part C Site preparation and resistance to moisture	1992 edition, second impression (with amendments) 1992, further amended 2000	Consultation on changes complete 02/02; new guidance expected 12/02	Part E Means of escape from fire, facilities for firefighting and means of warning of fire	Part C Preparation of site and resistance to moisture
Part D Toxic substances	1992 edition, amended 1992, further amended 2000	Consultation completed 03/03. Amendments expected late 2003	Part G Preparation of sites, resistance to moisture and resistance to condensation	Part B Materials and workmanship
Part E Resistance to the passage of sound	1992 edition, second impression (with amendments) 1992, further amended 2000	None imminent	Part B Fitness of materials	Part G Sound insulation of dwellings
Part F Ventilation	1995 edition, amended 2000	New guidance for all residential buildings expected 1 July 2003, except for new dwellings due 01/04	Part H Resistance to transmission of sound	Part K Ventilation
Part G Hygiene	1992 edition, second impression (with amendments) 1992, further amended 2000	Review expected 2003	Part K Ventilation of buildings	Part P Sanitary applications and unvented hot water storage systems
Part H Drainage and waste disposal	2002 edition	Review expected summer 2004	Park M Drainage and sanitary facilities	Part J Solid waste in building
Part J Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems (previously known as heat-producing appliances)	2002 edition	None imminent	Part R Storage of waste	Part N Drainage
Part K Protection from falling, collision and impact	1998 edition, amended 2000	None imminent	Part F Combustion appliance installations and storage of liquid and gaseous fuels	Part L Heat-producing appliances and liquefied petroleum gas installations
Part L1 Conservation of fuel and power in dwellings	2002 edition	None imminent	Part J Conservation of fuel and power	Part F Conservation of fuel and power
Part L2 Conservation of fuel and power in buildings other than dwellings	2002 edition	Further revisions around 2005	Requirements integrated into relevant parts	Part R Access and facilities for disabled persons
Part M Access and facilities for disabled people	1999 edition, amended 2000	Further revisions around 2005		Part V Glazing
Part N Glazing – safety in relation to impact of opening and cleaning	1998 edition, amended 2000	Amendments due 2004
Part P Electrical safety		None imminent
Part Q Electronic communications Services (broadband)		Consultation closed 09/02. New guidance expected 2004
Part S Security systems		Consultation complete June 2003
Part T Telecommunications systems	1999 edition, amended 2000	Consultation expected
Regulation 7 Materials and workmanship		Consultation expected
Other Scottish regulations None imminent
Part P Miscellaneous hazards
Part S Access to and movement within buildings, and protective barriers
Part N Electrical installations and aids to assist the hard of hearing
Part Q Access and facilities for dwellings Part A General
There will be a review of Building Regulations in the future but not until the introduction of a new system of building standards. The standards format forms part of the Building Bill, which will come into force on 1 April 2005. The bill will allow European standards to be specified in the Regulation guidance.
Other Northern Irish regulations
Part H Stairs, ramps and guarding
Given that amendments to regulations in Northern Ireland have generally been made after changes are introduced in England and Wales, it is likely that revised parts of the Building Regulations in Northern Ireland will follow their English and Welsh counterparts.