Whether or not a planning permission is required for a particular site and scheme, all new building work including refurbishment and alteration of an existing property is legally required to meet relevant current building standards. Areas addressed include thermal performance; fire & safety; structure; heating systems; energy & sustainability; ventilation; acoustics; lighting accessibility; sanitary and other relevant standards.
In order to demonstrate compliance to the building regulations authority, design information needs to be developed to a technically detailed level. The information we provide for Building Regulations approval (known as a Building Warrant in Scotland) also forms the basis of a building construction package that will eventually be handed to the Contractor.
This stage of work follows on from completion or the scheme design stage (and Planning Approval if required) and involves an intense period of production of information. Design development continues during this stage as we discuss with you the refinement of general layouts set at the last stage, and selection of internal finishes, fixings and fittings, which feed in to the detailed design, much of which if not all will be required to meet the Building Regulations.
We provide architectural information for a Building Warrant or Regulations application, including large scale detailed plans, elevations and section drawings and construction detailed, construction specifications for products, material build ups, standards, workmanship and as required for each project in order to achieve approval.
We will coordinate the Building regulations or Building Warrant application and work with other consultants, such as a Structural Engineer to align information before a submission.
In Scotland it is illegal to start work before a Building Warrant is received. For smaller projects in England and Wales, a Building Notice can be served to the Building Control authority, where a Building Inspector will inspect the works at notified key stages, allowing works to commence prior to approval. Full Plans approval is required for larger developments.