Publishing of re-designed building regulations approved documents (WG 007/2017)

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Circular

Issued by:

Francois Samuel, Head of Building Regulations

Summary:

This circular provides updated information on the re-branding and re-publishing of the Approved Documents (ADs) applicable to Wales.

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Introduction

I am directed by the Welsh Ministers to draw your attention to the approval and issue of re-designed Approved Documents which will take effect from 03 April 2017.

The re-designed documents have been approved and issued by the Welsh Ministers in exercise of powers contained in section 6 of the Building Act 1984.

Each Approved Document contains practical guidance to assist understanding of and compliance with the requirements of building regulations.

Scope

This Circular letter applies to building work carried out in Wales except building work on excepted energy buildings1 in Wales.

The purpose of this Circular is to draw your attention to the approval and issue of the re-designed Approved Documents for Wales. The re-designed Approved Documents for Wales replace those issued by HM Government.

Annexes A and B provide “Notices of Approval” and “Notices of Withdrawal of Approval” for the Approved Documents.

Publication date

The re-designed Approved Documents for Wales will take effect from 03 April 2017.

Changes to Approved Documents

The Secretary of State’s functions under the Building Act 1984 were, subject to exceptions, transferred to the Welsh Ministers on 31 December 2011. Among the functions transferred was the function of making building regulations. Since the transfer of functions the use of the Approved Documents in Wales and England has become increasingly confusing, particularly for those working in both Wales and England.

There have been no policy or technical amendments to the Approved Documents. The re-design will clarify their application to Wales, improve readability and provide interactive navigation. The Approved Documents also comply with the Welsh Government’s policy of providing electronic versions of publications.

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The Approved Documents B (Fire Safety) Volume 1 (Dwellinghouses) and volume 2 (Buildings other than dwellinghouses); Approved Document L (Conservation of fuel and power) L1A (new dwellings), L1B (existing dwellings), L2A (new buildings other than dwellings), L2B (existing buildings other than dwellings) dwellings, Approved Document R (Physical Infrastructure for high-speed electronic communications networks) and Approved Document 7 (Materials and workmanship) have already been re- published in the Welsh Government format therefore do not form part of these changes.

The re-designed Approved Documents can be accessed on the Welsh Government website using the following link;

http://gov.wales/topics/planning/buildingregs/approved- documents/?lang=en

Enquiries

Any enquiries on this Circular Letter should be addressed to:

Colin Blick, Building Regulations, Welsh Government, Rhydycar, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ.

Telephone: 03000 628144.

E mail enquiries.brconstruction@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Yours faithfully,

Francois Samuel

Head of Building Regulations

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Annex A

Building Act 1984

NOTICE OF APPROVAL OF A DOCUMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF GIVING PRACTICAL GUIDANCE WITH RESPECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF BUILDING REGULATIONS

The Welsh Ministers hereby give notice under Section 6 of the Building Act 1984 that they have approved the documents listed below, issued for the purposes of giving practical guidance with respect to the requirements of building regulations. The approval takes effect on 03 April 2017

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Annex B

Building Act 1984