Building Regulations
What is the difference between Planning and Building Regulation approval?
For any building work that you carry out you may need planning permission or building regulation approval or BOTH.
Building regulation approval is separate from Planning and neither gives you approval for the other.
To find out what permissions you need, you can get in touch with Planning and Building Control by telephoning 0151 233 3021 or you can email us at buildingcontrol@liverpool.gov.uk.
Frequently asked Questions
Go to the LABC (Local Authority Building Control) website for a list of FAQ's.
Building Regulations Approved Documents
At present Building Control legislation is the Building Regulations 2000. These are made by the Secretary of State for the Environment.
A short description of the approved documents is listed below:
A - Structure
This section is about making sure that the structural stability of the building is good. Areas include the design of foundations; walls; floors and roof parts.
B - Fire Safety
This is for fire escape routes, stopping fire spreading both within and to other buildings and giving good access and ways of fire fighting for the Fire Services.
C - Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture
To make sure your property remains free from damp; from any contamination that may be in the ground and water tightness.
D - Toxic Substances
Provides help on how to stop of toxic substances getting into the building when inserting insulation into cavity walls.
E - Resistance to the Passage of Sound
Tells about adequate levels of sound insulation between houses; flats and certain other types of rooms and buildings.
F - Ventilation
Provides for adequate levels of ventilation to buildings and stopping condensation forming in roof spaces.
G - Hygiene
Is concerned with providing sanitary conveniences and adequate washing facilities. This section also tells you about safety precautions associated with unvented hot water storage systems.
H - Drainage and Waste Disposal
This section deals with getting rid of foul and storm water drainage together with details for solid waste storage (household refuse).
J - Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
This tells about installing solid fuel; gas or oil fired heating appliances.
K - Protection from Falling, Collision and Impact
This is concerned with staircase design; headroom; handrails; balustrading and guarding of landings; balconies and other raised areas.
L - Conservation of Fuel and Power
Provides help about adequate thermal insulation to all parts of the building.
This section also provides design criteria for space heating and hot water storage.
M - Access to and Use of Buildings
This section deals with the design of buildings so that people can easily get into and be able to use the services of the building.
N - Glazing Safety in relation to Impact, Opening and Cleaning
This area is about using safety glass in certain locations (glazing you are likely to walk into or fall against).
Just because an Approved Document has not been complied with does not necessarily mean that the work is wrong.
We consider the circumstances of each particular case when an application is made to make sure that there are good enough levels of safety.
This means that the Building Regulations are adaptable to allow innovative design and the variation of circumstances of each particular building.
You can buy a copy of the Approved Documents from The Stationery Office and most large bookshops. Copies are often available in public reference libraries. Please note that updated and new approved document are issued from time to time.