Building Regulations and Their Importance

Posted on the 22 September 2015 by Amelia White

Building regulations can be defined as construction standards which are to be used as a set of guides for preparing the design of new buildings and doing modifications on existing structures, both residential and commercial. These regulations were formulated for ensuring health and safety of people living or working in and around buildings, for planning the access and for determining the energy use by constructions. Every development project requires a detailed set of building control regulation drawings as well as specifications as evidences for the fact that the proposed structure would be constructed in compliance with the standards. Many a times, the drawings are also used by builders to make sure that a building work is progressing as it is supposed to. 
In the modern times, the legislation that governs the building regulations in UK has been evolving constantly and becoming increasingly complex. From basic domestic building projects to highly intricate development, all types of construction work are expected to follow the rigorous standards. There are, however, many reputed companies that offer efficient architectural services in accordance with the building regulations. One can easily hire any of these companies and be sure that the design of their proposed buildings would be fully compatible with the existing construction standards.
Once the building control regulation drawings have been prepared, an approved and certified building inspector or a local Building Control department would check the drawings for any violation of the current standards. If no such violation is found, the project would be approved. After granting approval, the authority would appoint an inspector who would visit the construction site at different stages while the work is in progress to make sure that everything is being carried out to a suitable standard. Site visits would also be made at the time of excavation as well as laying of the foundations, construction of sewers and drains and installation of a damp resistant course.
Finally, when the overall construction work is complete, the inspector would make a visit to the site once again and issue a final completion certificate. However, he also reserves the right to refuse issuing a completion certificate if he finds that the building violates one or more of the building regulations. Although it is possible for a structure to exist without the certificate, it would survive as an illegal construction. Any attempt to have a mortgage over the structure or sell it would be in vain.