Building Regulations and Publications

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The Building Regulations 2000

Approved Documents

Building Regulations are minimum standards laid down by Parliament to secure the health and safety of people in or about buildings. They are about the design and construction of buildings as well as the provisions of services, fittings and equipment in buildings. They are also concerned with the conservation of fuel and power and access and facilities for disabled people.

The levels of safety and acceptable standards are set out as guidance in 'approved documents' (Parts A to P), which accompany the regulations. Compliance with the detailed guidance of the approved documents is evidence that the regulations themselves have been complied with. Alternative ways of achieving the same levels of safety may however also be acceptable. This flexible approach means that the building regulations are adaptable to allow innovative design and the variation of circumstances of each particular building or project.

The Building Regulations and approved documents can be viewed on-line from the Government's Planning Portal Website.  Whilst we are unable to issue copies of Approved Documents they can also be purchased from The Stationery Office Book Store, or we can make them available for reference from:

Environment Reception
2nd Floor
Guildhall 2
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1EU

Publications

Explanatory Booklet

The former Office of the Deputy Minister has also issued an explanatory booklet on the Building Regulations which can be found in the document links below

We also stock hard copies of the Building Regulations explanatory booklet together with copies of the following leaflets and publications that are all available free of charge on request:

• 'The Party Wall etc Act 1996 Explanatory Booklet' published by the ODPM.
• 'Building Control Helping to Build a Better Extension - A Householders Guide' published by LABC (Local Authority Building Control).
• 'National Directory of Development Services' published by LABC
• 'London Building Control' published by the LDSA (London District Surveyors Association).
• 'Site Lines' Magazine - The Official Journal of Local Authority Building Control.
• 'Avoiding Cowboy Builders' leaflet published by Construction Industry Publications.
• 'Neighbourhood Street Map' (of Kingston upon Thames) published by RBK.
• "New Rules for Electrical Safety in the Home" published by ODPM.
• 'Part P - Home Electrical Safety' published by RBK.
• 'Altering or extending your home' "Step by Step" guidance leaflet published by RBK in Plain English.
• 'Thinking about a loft conversion' "Step by Step" guidance leaflet published by RBK in Plain English.
• 'Altering or extending your workplace' "Step by Step" guidance leaflet published by RBK in Plain English.
• 'Building work carried out without approval' "Step by Step" guidance leaflet published by RBK in Plain English.
• 'Gas and Oil Central-Heating Boilers Advice to Householders' published by ODPM.
• Guidance documents produced with the aim of providing, maintaining and improving the accessibility of buildings can be accessed on the Access to Buildings page.

Contact Us

Please contact us either by:

Email: building.control@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Tel: 0208 547 4699
Fax: 0208 547 4660