John Stephenson
£65.00
CBD stock number: 2804
Available from: Construction Books Direct 01344 630810
Regulations Explained is regarded as the classic resource text on its subject. From their inception, the building regulations were considered to be difficult for the layman or prospective developer to understand, and even the professional building inspector was often in need of a guide. John Stephenson first produced a guide to the building regulations in 1972. The first edition of Building Regulations Explained was published in 1986.
As the building regulations have undergone a metamorphosis, Stephenson's book has been regularly revised to reflect the changes and to provide respected commentary on their effects. This sixth edition provides an up-to-date commentary on revisions incorporated within the building regulations in 2000. These include changes to Part B: fire safety; Part K: protection from falling, collision and impact (changed from stairs, ramps and guards); Part N: glazing: safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning (changed from glazing: materials and protection); and the addition to part M of access and facilities for disabled people. A review of the Basement for Dwellings Approved Document is also included. And there is current information on approved inspectors, materials and workmanship and radon gas.
The book is over 500 pages long, with 23 chapters and five appendices. Rather than being put off by its length, the prospective reader should regard it as a reference work to be dipped into at will, rather than a textbook to be read from cover to cover. To be successful, reference texts need a detailed list of contents and a well-compiled index. This book has both, together with a useful list of definitions of terms used in the regulations.
I approached this volume from the viewpoint of an uninitiated developer who required assistance with preparing proposals for building control approval. In this capacity I found the information easy to access and understand, with useful explanatory diagrams amplifying discussion. Students who wish to study the practice of building control will find the book extremely useful, although it struggles to make the subject interesting. The building control practitioner will find it invaluable.
Regulations Explained retains its position as the premier reference text on this subject and is a valuable addition to the libraries of developers, building control practitioners and those who aspire to become practitioners in the profession.
Source
Construction Manager
