Building Control Regulations Explained | Barnsley Council Online

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The purpose of the Regulations is to ensure the Health and Safety of the occupants of a building. They apply to new buildings, extensions and alterations to existing buildings, and also change of use to buildings.

The regulations cover the following:
" Structure
" Fire Safety
" Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture
" Toxic Substances
" Resistance to the Passage of Sound
" Ventilation
" Hygiene
" Drainage and Waste Disposal
" Heat Producing Appliances
" Stairways, Ramps & Guards
" Conservation of Fuel & Power
" Access and facilities for Disabled People
" Glazing Materials and Protection
" Electrical Safety
" Workmanship and Materials

If you want a property search, for instance, because you are buying a house and you want to know that work undertaken has consent then we will search our past records for you. If you require confirmation of this search in writing there will be a fee of £5 for this service. Copies of the approval and completion certificates are also available at a charge of £12.50 per copy.

Building Regulations records however are not public so access is restricted.


Please contact a Building Control Officer for details. However, there are essentially two methods of submitting a Building Regulations application. You may choose to send either a Full Plans or a Building Notice application, which are summarized below.

Full Plans
A Building Control Officer will check detailed plans of your proposed building works. If we want you to make any changes or require more information we will contact you or your agent. Item 6 on the application form allows you to agree on conditional consent, in this case minor revisions will be added to the plans by the Building Control Officer in Red. You should make sure that your builder has a copy of the approved plans to prevent problems arising on site.

Building Notice
This is an optional alternative to depositing Full Plans. A Building Notice is only suitable if you are doing works to your home. The erection of a building containing an office or shop would require a Full Plans application. In the case of loft conversions, additional information showing construction details will be required. Normally a site plan showing the position of your proposal and all site drainage will be sufficient. You should only use this procedure if your Builder is reliable and experienced.

Site Inspections
The Councils Building Control staff will make statutory and routine inspections during the construction stage of the building; to ensure compliance with the building regulations and other allied legislation and guidance.

There are up to nine mandatory inspections, however not all nine are relevant to some jobs. Notice of ALL of the relevant stages of work applicable to the job must be given i.e.,

1. Commencement
2. Excavation for foundations
3. Foundations constructed e.g. concrete poured
4. Damp proof course laid
5. Oversite ready for concreting (with damp proof membrane laid if appropriate)
6. Drains laid and visible for checking layout and construction
7. Drains backfilled and ready for testing for water tightness
8. Occupation (normally only relevant when part of a building is finished e.g. a flat)
9. Completion

It is common for more than one inspection to be carried out on one visit. Inspections 1 and 2 often coincide, as do 4 and 5 and 7 and 9.

You or your Builder should phone to arrange the inspection, giving as much notice as possible. We will endeavor to carry out same day inspections if we are notified by 12 noon.

We have a 24-hour answer phone on (01226) 772699 for calls outside normal office hours, or fax (01226) 772698.

As well as these mandatory inspections, further inspections may also be necessary, as some jobs will require specific inspections such as Fire Protection and the Reinforcement of Concrete Structures. In addition, a Building Surveyor may call unexpectedly at other times to check on the work as it progresses.

Related Links:

" Local Authority Building Control (LABC) - Local Authority Building Control is a national organisation representing Local Authority Building Control Departments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
" Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) - The RICS The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is the pre-eminent organisation of its kind in the world, which helps to set, maintain and regulate standards and promote the profession
" Communities and Local Government - Communities and Local Government is a government department (formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) that sets policy on local government, housing, urban regeneration, planning and fire and rescue.
" Local Government Association (LGA) - The LGA - Local Government Association - promotes the interests of Local Authorities in England and Wales and promotes better local government.
" Directgov - Directgov brings together the widest range of public service information and services online from across UK government departments on topics ranging from travel safety and parental leave to special educational needs and local NHS services.
" National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) - The NICEIC - National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting - is the electrical contracting industry's voluntary body for electrical installation matters throughout the UK.
" The Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) - The OPSI - the Office of Public Sector Information - provides a wide range of services to the public, information industry, government and the wider public sector relating to finding, using, sharing and trading information.
" Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council - Building Control - Doncaster Council's Building Control administers Building Regulation Issues on behalf of Doncaster Council.
" Sheffield City Council Building Standards - Sheffield City Council's Building Standards provides a Building Control Service and Public Safety Services in relation to dangerous or derelict buildings, structures and trees
" Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Building Control - Rotherham Council's Building Control administers Building Regulation Issues on behalf of Rotherham Council.
" South Yorkshire & Humber In-Built Quality Awards - Builders undertaking projects in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster, North Lincolnshire, Hull and Barnsley are all eligible to take part in this prestigious Building Control Awards Scheme.
" Federation of Master Builders (FMB) - The FMB - Federation of Master Builders - is the largest trade association in the UK building industry, representing over 13,000 building companies.
" Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) - The ICE - Institution of Civil Engineers - is a charity that exists to promote and progress civil engineering.
" Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) - The RIBA - Royal Institute of British Architects - is the UK body for architecture and the architectural profession.
" Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) - The CIBSE - Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers - supports the Science, Art and Practice of building services engineering, by providing members and the public with information and education services.
" Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) - The CIOB - Chartered Institute of Building - is a body for managers in construction, setting the pace globally for high standards of professionalism in the built environment.
" Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) - The RNIB - Royal National Institute for the Blind - are a UK charity offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight loss.