House extension building regulations are a set of standards for designing and constructing buildings, and these regulations also ensure the health and safety of the people who live in these buildings. These standards are also concerned with energy conversion for the building, as well as allowing easy access to and about the structure.
These regulations cover the building materials and methods for constructing parts of the house, as well as the means for installing additional devices such as electricity and plumbing. These regulations are also frequently changed to keep up with the latest technology and government laws. Such examples include the width requirement for doors to allow wheelchair access for the disabled, and there are also the updated standards for insulating walls, roofs, and other parts of the house for energy efficiency.
Building regulations are grouped under fourteen parts, which are sorted and enumerated in the chart below. Each part sets out the objectives or functions that should be achieved in the building design and construction.
| Parts | Building Aspect |
| Part A | Structure |
| Part B | Fire Safety |
| Part C | Site Preparation and moisture resistance |
| Part D | Toxic Substances |
| Part E | Sound passage resistance |
| Part F | Ventilation |
| Part G | Sanitation, water safety and efficiency |
| Part H | Drainage and waste disposal |
| Part I | Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems |
| Part J | Protection from falling, collision and impact |
| Part K | Conservation of fuel and power |
| Part L | Access to and use of buildings |
| Part M | Glazing |
| Part N | Electrical safety |
If you plan to extend or make renovations to your house, then your plans would be subject to building regulations and would require the approval of an inspector. Though there maybe some exemptions in building extension plans and may not require an inspector’s approval, there maybe some aspects of the plan that needs planning permission.
Submitting for Building Regulations for House Extensions
To make a submission for building regulations, you could either use a building notice or full plans application. Each method is explained below:
• Using a building notice
You could use a building notice if you believe that your extension plans do not need inspection by surveyors from your town’s local council. All you need to do is simply provide your town council with the completed building notice application form along with the site location plan, and to pay the required fee. After the council approves of the plan, you could start work after two days.
• Using a full plans application
This form of submission is required for the majority of the construction work that is relevant to the house extensions. You must submit the completed regulations application form, the full building plans, the site location plan, and the required fee. You could start work once the council approves of the application.
Because of the regular changing of building regulations and the fact that some rules are different depending on which area of the United Kingdom are you, you should enquire what the standards are in the Building Control Division of your town’s council. It would do you a lot of good if you know about these regulations before you make your plans for house extension.
All of the companies we use as part of our network of Reputable, Trusted, Fully Vetted and Recommended Home Improvement and Building Companies will comply with any Building Regulations and can help organize any planning permission required.
