Building Regulations

Approved Documents

The Building Regulations: Approved Documents are a series of documents that lay down how a building can be constructed.

They cover everything from the bottom of the foundations to the top of roof, and for any given part of a building, one or more of the documents may apply.

Contrary to what some people believe, you do not actually have to follow the rules laid down in these documents. Their purpose is to provide a simplified set of “approved” methods of how to do things. If you stick to these approved methods, compliance with Building Regulations should be straight forward.

However if part of your building project does not use an “approved” method, you will have to demonstrate that your chosen method satisfies appropriate regulations and standards.

For instance, let's say part of your building project did not use an approved method as defined in Approved Document: Part A - Structures. For the detail in question, you would have to prove that it meets the appropriate British Standard. If you where using structural timberwork, that would probably mean proving compliance with BS5268 Structural use of timber and if you where using steelwork, it would probably mean proving compliance with BS5950 Structural use of steelwork in building.

Most competent DIYers, self-builders and renovators (and builders) should not have too much difficulty understanding the Approved Documents. The British Standards however are another matter. If part of your project falls outside of the scope of the Approved Documents, you will almost certainly need to hire professional help to deal with the matter.

The Approved Documents can be downloaded for free from the UK government's planning portal.

The following table contains links to the various parts.

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