The technical requirements of the Regulations and guidance information on how to meet those requirements is contained in Approved Documents published by HMSO. They are also freely available to download from the ODPM website.

By using the following links you will be able to access up to date online copies of the Approved Documents giving detailed guidance to acceptable methods of gaining compliance with the Building regulations

Part A: Structure - a building needs to be designed in accordance with codes of practice so that dead, imposed and wind loads are safely transmitted through the structure to the ground, without causing deflection or deformation which would impair the stability of it, or adjacent buildings (A1). Consideration also needs to be given to the effects of ground movements (A2) and disproportionate collapse (A3).

Part B: Fire Safety - this is possibly the most complex of the Approved Documents as the subject is particularly wide-ranging. Since 2006 Part B has been divided into 2 volumes. Volume 1 covers dwelling houses and volume 2 covers all other buildings. There are five requirements which, when taken together, aim to ensure that a fire in a building will not endanger the safety of it's occupants, nearby neighbours or firefighters.
All buildings (except HM Prisons!) need to be designed and constructed to have a means of escape in case of fire to a place of safety outside the building (B1). Internal wall and ceiling surfaces need to be of materials that resist the spread of flame over their surfaces and do not release excessive heat once ignited (B2). The structure of the building needs to have sufficient fire resistance to maintain it's stability for a reasonable period (B3). To prevent fire spreading easily within a building, and to other buildings, fire separations and cavity barriers need to be provided (B3). The external surfaces of walls and roofs need to be of materials, which will restrict the spread of fire over them (B4). The building needs to provide the fire brigade with access and facilities to fight a fire (B5).

Part C: Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture - a building needs to be able to protect it's occupants from the effects of hazardous materials (e.g. Radon) and other substances in the ground (C1 and C2), and from dampness arising from moisture in the ground (C3) and the weather (C4).

Part D: Toxic Substances - toxic fumes from cavity wall insulation must not permeate into any occupied building.

Part E: Resistance to the Passage of Sound - one of the major complaints against our neighbours is when unwanted noise disturbs us in our homes. Walls separating any building, or part, from dwellings need to resist the transmission of airborne sound (E1). Floors or stairs separating any space from a dwelling need to resist the transmission of airborne sound (E2). Floors or stairs separating any space from a dwelling below the space need to resist the transmission of impact sound (E3).

Part F: Ventilation - the occupants of a building need to be provided with sufficient natural or mechanical ventilation (F1) and certain roof voids need to be ventilated to prevent excessive condensation forming (F2).

Part G: Hygiene - the occupants of buildings must be provided with the use of sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing facilities (G1), and with hot and cold water in dwellings (G2). Unvented hot water storage systems need to be safely installed (G3).

Part H: Drainage and Waste Disposal - foul water (H1) and rainwater from roofs (H3) need to be provided with adequate drainage systems. Where a septic tank, cesspool or settlement tank is provided it needs to be adequately sited, constructed and ventilated (H2). Adequate storage of solid waste needs to be provided (H4).

Part J: Heat Producing Appliances - fires and boilers burning solid fuel, oil or gas, and incinerators need to be supplied with; sufficient air to permit efficient combustion and exhaust (J1), adequate flues or chimneys to discharge the products of combustion to the outside air (J2), and suitably constructed fire places and flues to reduce the risk of the building catching fire (J3).

Part K: Stairs, Ramps and Guards - most accidents within buildings happen on, or around, changes in level. Stairs, ladders and ramps forming part of a building need to be designed and constructed to offer safety to users moving between levels of the building (K1). Guarding should be provided to protect the users from the risk of falling from stairs, ramps, floors and balconies and from any roof where people normally have access (K2). Where vehicles have access to any floor, ramp or roof, barriers to protect people in or about the building should be provided (K3).

Part L: Conservation of Fuel and Power - although it is not a matter of health and safety, the Government considers that energy conservation is important enough to be controlled by the Building Regulations. This can be achieved; by limiting heat loss through the walls, roofs, and floors of buildings, by providing thermostatic and timing controls for space and water heating systems, by insulating hot water vessels and pipes, and hot air ducts, and by installing efficient artificial lighting systems.

Part M: Access and Facilities for Disabled People - this requirement was made to ensure that new buildings are constructed to give the same rights as able bodied people to those unfortunate enough to have impaired mobility, hearing or sight. Provision needs to be made; to allow easy access into and about a building (M2), for suitable sanitary conveniences for disabled people (M3) and for special spaces for disabled people where audience or spectator seating is provided (M4).

Part N: Glazing - Materials and Protection - where people are likely to come into contact with glazing in or about a building provision needs to be made to ensure they are not injured by it. This can be achieved by either providing safety glass which will not break on impact, or will break in a way which is unlikely to cause injury, or by shielding the glass against contact (N1). Transparent glazing may need to incorporate features to make it apparent if the danger of collision exists (N2).

Part P: Electrical Safety - every year on average 10 people die and about 750 are seriously injured in accidents involving unsafe electrical installations in the home. Therefore from 1st January 2005 all new electrical wiring or electrical components for a house, flat or small commercial premise linked to domestic accommodation must be designed and installed in accordance with the new Part P of the Building Regulations.