Get your head Around THE REGS

Structure

What’s the point?
To stop your building from falling down What’s going on?
The last revision to Part A came in 2000, and a new version is about to be issued that will incorporate European standards on disproportionate collapse. Changes to tall buildings await the conclusion of studies into the collapse of the World Trade Center in New York Key points
One for the structural engineer rather than the construction manager. Part A offers only enough empirical advice to put up a house. Beyond that you need the huge mass of detail provided by the British Standards codes Top tip
“I’ve got two: prevent progressive collapse by tying components together rather than just resting them on top each other; and ensure that the critical ‘protected’ elements that support the rest of the building are over-engineered so that any failure is not catastrophic” Andrew Best, Buro Happold

Preparation

What’s the point?
To prevent a structure succumbing to ground moisture or subsidence, and to ensure occupants aren’t poisoned by ground contaminants What’s going on?
Last update appeared in 2000, with a revision process beginning the year after, expected to lead to a new Part C next year. Driven by interest in brownfield development, it will greatly expand guidance on contaminated land and bring together all measures for moisture management Key points
2004 version currently proposes introducing site risk assessments for solid, liquid and gaseous contaminants. Expect more stringent rules on waste disposal, with some contaminated land requiring treatment before disposal in a landfill Top tip

Fire

What’s the point?
To protect building users (site workers come under the Health & Safety at Work Act), including the emergency services What’s going on?
Last revision appeared in 2000 and a European supplement came into force in 2003 Key points
Because fire safety engineering is still maturing, Part B is more open to innovative solutions than the other Regs. The 2003 supplement introduces European standards, which demand more stringent fire safety testing of products Top tip
“If you don’t understand it, ask the question” Peter Field, BRE

Sound

What’s the point?
To reduce the aggravation caused by noisy neighbours What’s going on?
Last revised in 1992. A revision for residential rooms appeared in July 2003, and the one for dwellings will appear in January 2004, listing approved housing construction methods (Robust Standard Details) that require no pre-completion testing Key points
Each individual wall and floor element must now pass the 45dB standard – the old 53dB rating was an average – and do so between habitable rooms as well as between dwellings. Offers only a reasonable level of soundproofing, so builders of luxury flats may want better performance Top tip
“Workmanship and attention to detail is crucial” John Seller, BRE

Ventilation

What’s the point?
Gets enough fresh air moving through a building to prevent condensation and expel airborne pollutants What’s going on?
Last amended in 2000, but a new revision process is under way that may end up demanding more ventilation to deal with more tightly sealed and heavily insulated buildings Key points
In dwellings, concentrates on extracting moisture from kitchens and bathrooms and ventilating other rooms at a lower but continuous rate. In non-dwellings, focuses on good air quality with a current recommendation of eight litres of fresh air per second per person Top tip
“There’s an old BRE adage: build tight, ventilate right” David Ross, BRE

Drainage

What’s the point?
Protects public health by ensuring water drains away properly and solid waste is disposed of safely What’s going on?
Revised last year. No changes in prospect Key points
Make sure working practices are safe – people have been buried working in drain trenches. You can’t make a system work properly without adequate design, and good workmanship and materials Top tip
”Once it’s in the ground and covered, it’ll be expensive to put right” Mike Johnson, ODPM

Fuel

What’s the point?
Prevents fuel stores and heating equipment causing damage to a building What’s going on?
Revised last year to extend the practical details of compliance by incorporating British Standards. No changes in prospect Key points
Now covers liquid fuel stores and guards against environmental pollution Top tip
“Make sure your installer is approved: OFTEC for oil-fired systems, CORGI for gas-fired, and HETAS for solid fuel” Alan Black, OFTEC

Insulation

What’s the point?
Saves the planet’s energy sources and reduces the cost of heating buildings What’s going on?
Revised last year, but a new White Paper is circulating for another revision, probably in 2005, that will lower U-values further and seal more buildings more tightly Key points
All buildings with more than 1,000m2 of floor area must be tested for airtightness, so make sure you programme for it – don’t forget it or leave it to the day before pre-completion Top tip
“Understand the design team’s attitude to energy. If they’re not using the conventional U-value calculation method, it can take a lot of time to prove compliance” Tanya Ross, Buro Happold

Disability

What’s the point?
Guides able-bodied designers in how to build structures that the disabled can use What’s going on?
Last revised in 2000. A new version is about to be issued, driven by a Government push for social inclusion, which will broaden the definition of disability beyond wheelchair use Key points
Ramps should be no more than 2m long with a maximum gradient of 1 in 20 (preferably 1 in 15), and rise no higher than 2m. Disabled toilets are bigger and still need doors that open outward. Decor schemes should incorporate contrasting colours Top tip
“Never forget you’re only temporarily able-bodied. We all develop disabilities in the end” Margaret Hickish, Buro Happold

And so to z

Part P (Electrical safety) will appear for the first time next year, but of little interest to construction managers as it is aimed at driving cowboy electricians out of the home improvement market. Part Q (Broadband) endows buildings with access to high-bandwidth comms by ensuring ducts for broadband cabling are fitted to, into and around the building. Part Q has been overtaken by the rise of wireless standard Bluetooth and may never see the light of day. Parts S (Security) and T (Telecoms) have taken a back seat to P and Q since the ODPM first mooted extending the Regulations alphabet. Like P, both S and T will target DIYers rather than construction managers. Parts D (Toxic Substances), G (Hygiene), K (Protection from Falling) and N (Glazing) have not changed since 2000. No reviews are expected, except for Part G, anticipated next year. For more information on the regs visit www.opdm.gov.uk