Ensure Building Work Meets Standards

How to Ensure Your Building Work Meets the Approved Documents

By Ruth MacEachern

Product Manager

Any company or developer that constructs or renovates a building in the UK, irrespective of it being for residential, commercial or industrial purposes, is responsible for the building's safety, structural integrity and energy efficiency standards. To meet these requirements, the Approved Documents as the minimum standard should be followed.

The Approved Documents exist to ensure the building complies with the UK government's building regulations. They must also be followed to achieve the completion certificate at the end of the project.

This article focuses on the steps construction companies and project managers can take to ensure their work meets these standards, both within the ventilation and general construction industries. 

Understanding the Approved Documents

Whether in terms of fire safety regulations, ventilation requirements to protect the occupants' health or structural soundness, building safety should be the main priority of any construction project.

These documents cover a wide range of safety compliance requirements, including:

• Structural integrity - ensuring a building can withstand its intended loads and is built on solid foundations.

• Environmental factors – reducing environmental impact by using sustainable materials, adopting appropriate waste management and ensuring minimal heat is released into the atmosphere.

• Fire safety - minimising the risk of fire and maximising the ability for safe evacuation in an emergency.

• Energy efficiency – promoting sustainable building practices to reduce energy consumption and lower operating costs.

• Ventilation - ensuring adequate fresh air exchange to maintain good indoor air quality and prevent moisture buildup that can lead to mould growth and damp which is a significant health risk.

• Drainage and sanitation - for proper waste disposal and to prevent water-related issues such as flooding.

• Accessibility - ensuring buildings are accessible for all.

The importance of ventilation in the Approved Documents

Suitable ventilation is essential to create a healthy environment. Approved Document F: Means of ventilation sets minimum ventilation rates to dilute and remove contaminants generated by occupants and building materials. These can include:

• Carbon dioxide – every person in a building exhales a small amount of carbon dioxide. If this is not properly diluted or removed from the building it can lead to drowsiness, headaches and a feeling of lethargy.

• Volatile organic compounds - emitted from building materials, furniture, and cleaning products, these can cause respiratory irritation and other health problems.

• Moisture - excessive moisture can lead to condensation and mould growth, which can trigger allergies and respiratory problems.

Ventilation standards also encompass the design of the building. It should maximise energy efficiency by incorporating the right type of ventilation system. This may be a mechanical extract ventilation (MEV) system that reduces moisture, or it could be a mechanical heat recovery ventilation system (MVHR), that harnesses and exhausts indoor air, replacing it with fresh air. 

By establishing adequate ventilation through the use of Approved Document F developers and constructors can contribute to a healthy indoor environment for building occupants. This not only improves comfort and well-being but can also reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses such as asthma.

Adhering to building regulations

The first step in building control compliance is awareness of the specific regulations in your region. These standards can vary in their interpretation depending on location, so it's crucial to consult with the local council building control department (LABC) or an Approved Inspector (AI) to find out about the latest requirements. AIs are an option that can be selected in England and Wales on a private basis instead of the LABC and are independently regulated.

Good to know – find your LABC

Follow this link to find your local council building control's location, contact name and details.

Here are our tips for adhering to building control regulations:

• Nominate a competent person – depending on the size of the project, you could consider appointing a building control inspector to oversee the project and ensure compliance with regulations. They would work closely with the project manager and various stakeholders.
   

• Submit a building notice - before commencing construction, notify the Local Authority Building Control  or Approved Inspector (if applicable) about the project. This typically involves submitting detailed building plans and specifications. You will find who to submit the plans to on the website of the appropriate service. .

Good to know – approval is important

The project should not commence until approval has been granted. If you do start work you do so at your own risk and could be faced with expensive changes if something needs amending.

• Inspections – a compulsory part of the construction process. A pre-inspection, ongoing inspections and a completed project inspection will take place. This is to ensure compliance with the building regulations at the various stages of construction.

• Maintain records - keep detailed records of all materials used, construction methods employed, and any communication with the building control authority or AI. This information may be needed as evidence in the event of a dispute or discrepancy.

The completion certificate   

This essential document proves that the building meets the relevant regulations. The completion certificate is issued by the local authority and can have an impact on the sale or lease of the building.

Good to know – completion certificates for high-risk buildings

Any building that is 7 storeys, over 18 metres high, two residential units, a hospital or a care home is considered a high-risk building and MUST have a completion certificate.

Following these standards results in a safe, compliant and healthy building. Proper planning, effective communication with the local building control authority or AI and attention to detail are essential to achieve the completion certificate.

3 points to remember

• Effective organisation makes meeting the Approved Documents easier.
• Building a good relationship with the local building control authority or Approved Inspector will streamline the achievement of the standards.
• A completion certificate is required at the end of the project.