Latest Building Regulations in the UK

It's called Buildings Regulation 7 , and simply stated, it requires that buildings are to be constructed in a workmanlike, professional manner that makes use of quality materials. This general statement establishes the parameters for any project subject to building regulations in the UK, from site preparation to finish work. Though it is often true that "the devil is in the details", Regulation 7 is written broadly enough that ample room exists for craftsmen to still have the freedom to express their individuality through their work.

In interpreting these building regulations , the Secretary of State believes that the basic requirements of Regulation 7 are met when the materials to be used are "of a suitable nature and quality in relation to the purposes and conditions of their use." While there are a number of ways in which the suitability of a particular material proposed for use can be evaluated, the most common ways are by making use of an appropriate British Standard, through other national or international technical specs, approval by a European Technical Approvals issuing body, or perhaps most simply, the presence of the CE marking on the materials, which carries a presumption of satisfying the relevant requirements unless there are grounds for suspecting otherwise.

Establishing the adequacy of workmanship, however, can be a bit trickier to assess. After all, not every structural deficiency will be obvious to the inspector's naked eye. Even so, Regulation 7 does provide ways to measure the effectiveness of the craftsman's labours, and it is here that the UK building regs provide the real bulwark that guarantees the worthiness of any construction job.

First, established standards of performance will often provide the benchmark by which a level of craftsmanship can be judged. In some cases, the work that is performed is prescribed by the recommendations of a British Standard Code of Practice, such as BS 8000 Workmanship. In others, the method of workmanship will conform to an equivalent technical standard that is part of a larger national standard, or one belonging to a member state of the European Economic Area.

Technical approvals can also be valuable in making a determination of quality construction. Such approvals are often a part of certain materials, which must be assembled in a manner approved by national or European certificates that are issued by a European Technical Approvals issuing body.

Management systems are also an effective measuring device, whether they may be BS EN ISO 9000, or any of the independent means for accrediting and registering installers of materials, products, and services. Other sections of the building regs provide for the use of tests to determine the quality of workmanship. For example, the Approved Document for Part H (drainage and water disposal) provides for the testing of drainage installations.

As Occam's razor suggests, it may be that the simplest way of assessing quality in workmanship is the easiest - past experience, and it's right there in the building regulations. The Approved Document for Regulation 7 recognizes that sometimes "it can be shown by experience, such as a building in use, that the method of workmanship is capable of performing the function for which it is intended." Nothing speaks louder than success, it seems.

Good quality construction work is not rocket science. All it takes is a conscientious tradesman who follows established building regulations and cares enough about his work to realize that the quality of the materials he uses, and the ways in which he makes use of them, is the best form of advertising that he can ask for.

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