Loft Building Regulations - UK Legislation

Building Regulations - Law

UK Building Regulations are prepared by the Department of the Environment and approved by the Secretary of State.

Full 2000 Regulations

Building regulations:
explanatory booklet
(PDF 499 Kb)
'This booklet provides an introduction to the Building Regulations in England and Wales and is intended for anyone proposing to carry out building projects. It is not a statement of the law but is intended to help you to understand the system.'(Crown Copyright)

Building Regulations give practical guidance to comply with performance standards set out in various regulations.

They are not mandatory but are used to test satisfactory compliance and performance (i.e. minimum standards).

Building Controls

The specifics of Building regulations are also known as building controls. These controls ensure proper planning and systems of construction.

For example within the building plans:

• A roof structure must be structurally sound
• Fire planning must be addressed - Approved Document B - Fire safety - 2000 edition consolidated with 2000 and 2002 (PDF 782 Kb)
• The conversion is designed to be weatherproof
• Insulation materials are high quality
• Waste pipes from toilets, showers and baths must not be over length or under angle
• Stairs are safe to climb and with banister rails
• Insulation of floors, walls and ceiling are adequate for energy efficiency

Loft Legislation - Relevant acts:

• The Building Act 1984
• The Building (Approved Inspectors etc) Regulations 1985
• The Building Regulations 1985
• Mandatory Rules for Means of Escape
• Manual on Building Regulations 1985
• Approved documents:
  • Structure
  • Fire
  • Weather resistance
  • Cavity insulation
  • Drainage and waste disposal
  • Heating appliances
  • Stairs, ramps and guards
  • Insulation and energy conservation
• BRE report - Thermal insulation: avoiding risks
• The above are enacted in:
  • Codes of Practice
  • British Standards
  • Building Research
  • Establishment reports
  • Agreement Certificates
  • Test data from approved sources

Top Information Floor Plans