Do I need Building Regulations?

Building Regulations apply to the construction, alteration or extension of a building. They also apply to:

The alteration or installation of controlled services or fittings in connection with a building such as drains, sanitary fittings and heat producing appliances (ie boilers etc.)

A 'change of use' of a building or part of a building (even if no physical alterations are proposed).

Since 1st January 2005 the Building Regulations also cover the installation of some electrical work within a dwelling or in the garden.

If you intend to carry out any demolition work, you need to inform Building Control by way of a letter or Notice of your intentions, this can be achieved via the various links below.

Generally Building Regulations control most building work. However, there are some exceptions, which are not controlled under Building Regulations, and these are known as exempt buildings and work Guidance leaflets explaining exempt work are available. These include small detached buildings such as sheds, greenhouses and some garages as well as porches, conservatories and covered ways. There are restrictions in respect of their size, use and siting so please check this carefully.

If you are a company involved in the installation of “controlled services” such as the installation of heating and hot water systems, pipes and ducts, mechanical ventilation or cooling in commercial and domestic buildings, you are required by law to notify this work to Local Authority Building Control. This can be done quickly, easily and cost effectively online through the BESCA Self Certification Competent Persons Scheme, which is approved by the Government and based at www.besca.org.uk

BESCA covers work carried out under the following parts of the Building Regulations for England and Wales:

   . Parts G, J and L1, covering respectively plumbing, heating and energy efficiency in dwellings

   . Parts F and L2, covering ventilation and energy efficiency in commercial premises.

If you are a customer and wish to view a list of companies in your area assessed and recognised by BESCA as ‘Competent Persons’, visit www.besca.org.uk and click ‘Search’.

As well as assisting you in enforcing the Building Regulations, BESCA will benefit both hvacr companies and their customers in your local area. The BESCA team is on hand to help, so if you have any questions relating to self certification or the notification process, please do not hesitate to call 0800 652 55 33 or email info@besca.org.uk.

BESCA is authorised by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

If you think you do need to make an application, there are two ways of doing this - click here to find out more.

If you are unclear as to whether you will require Building Regulations for your proposed work click  here for more information (see section 4 of attached booklet) or contact Building Control on the numbers listed below and speak to one of our officers, email buildcontrol@north-dorset.gov.uk or visit us at our offices at Nordon, Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 7LL