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Approved documents and Building Regulations publications




Practical guidance on how to comply with the Building Regulations is provided within 'Approved documents'.

These documents were previously published by the Department for Communities and Local Government for England and Wales.

Building regulation powers were devolved to Wales on 31 December 2011. The documents current on 31 December 2011 will continue to apply to Wales. As guidance is reviewed and changes made we will publish separate Approved Documents. The first of these will be changes to Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) which we have consulted on.

Each document contains:

  • guidance on the performance expected of materials and building work to comply with the Building Regulations
  • examples and solutions on how to achieve compliance for some building situations.
There is no obligation to adopt a particular solution contained within the Approved Documents.

All of the latest 'Approved Documents' are available below:

Part A (Structural safety)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about the requirements on structural safety.
 

Part B (Fire safety)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about fire safety.
 

Part C (Resistance to contaminants and moisture)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about preparing sites and resistance to contaminants and moisture.
 

Part D (Toxic substances)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about toxic substances.
 

Part E (Resistance to sound)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about limiting noise.
 

Part F (Ventilation)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about ventilation.
 

Part G (Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency.
 

Part H (Drainage and waste disposal)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about drainage and waste disposal.
 

Part J (Heat producing appliances)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about heat producing appliances.
 

Part K (Protection from falling)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about protection from falling.
 

Part L (Conservation of fuel and power)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about fuel and power efficiency.
 

Part M (Access to and use of buildings)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about access to and use of buildings.
 

Part N (Glazing safety)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about glazing safety.
 

Part P (Electrical safety)

22/02/13
Technical guidance on Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations about electrical safety.
 

Workmanship and materials

22/02/13
How work is carried out and the materials used are important when trying to achieve building standards.
 

Cost benefit analysis of residential sprinklers for Wales

30/05/12
This report examines the costs and benefits of sprinklers in: houses; purpose built and converted flats; houses of multiple occupation; residential care homes; residential colleges; boarding schools; and student halls of residence.