The Building Regulations
The Building Regulations include rules enforced by the Local Authority that set the standards for fire protection to be applied to a building when first constructed and when material alterations take place. Material alterations are those affecting the fire safety provisions in the building.
Points For Consideration
- The Building Regulations are administered by the local authority, or by an approved inspector
- A formal application for approval must be made including plans showing all fire safety provisions.
- A fee must be paid and this is based upon the value of the project.
- Authorities may charge for some consultation.
- Building Control Officers will not design your scheme for you, and may not even give advice on how to get your scheme to comply.
- Proposals that do not comply with the required standards may be rejected with little or no explanation given.
- Many proposals are rejected because of a lack of understanding what information building control and the fire authority require on the plans.
- Other Regulations may be applied such as London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939: Section 20.
- It is no longer necessary to send proposals for alterations to the fire and rescue authority.
- The local authority will consult with the fire and rescue authority before approving the proposed alterations.
Advantages of Using Force Fire Consultancy
- Your proposals may be over designed and incorporate expensive fire safety measures that are not required; we can advise and save on costs.
- We can give advice on the type of fire warning arrangements needed for different purpose groups prior to the design stage so that they can be incorporated into your scheme.
- Our consultants are familiar with all areas of fire safety legislation and their application through Building Regulations.
- We are able to maximise the workspace without losing areas to unnecessary fire lobbies and escape corridors.
- We will prepare the full proposal in compliance with the required standard and avoid the possibility of rejection.
- We can plan check for Approved Document B (means of escape in the event of fire) compliance and where proposals do not meet these requirements give suitable advice.
- We can produce fire safety drawings for the local authority showing the proposed means of escape changes.
- Many applications are rejected because of information overload i.e. too much unnecessary information and the building control officer may not find the information in the fine print.