Proposed Amendments to Building Regulations 2015 Martin Conlon Director

Introduction Amendments have been approved by the government and will come into force on the 1 st October 2015 Include optional requirements in access and water efficiency Also mandatory security requirements Applicable to all new homes

Optional requirements Planning principles will determine when optional requirements may be triggered Planning Authorities will determine what needs test are appropriate Mechanism will limit Planning Authorities to impose standards beyond those in Housing Standards review.

Optional Requirements in Part M Category 1 Visitable Dwellings [ Mandatory baseline] Category 2 Accessible and adaptable Dwellings [intermediate optional requirement] Category 3 Wheelchair User Dwellings

Optional requirements only apply where they are a requirement of local plan. Set as a condition of planning permission. Only one level of requirement will apply at any given time.

Regulation M4 M4 (1) Category 1 Visitable Dwellings M4 (2) Category 2 Accessible & Adaptable Dwellings M4 (3) Category 3 Wheelchair User Dwellings

Category 1 Visitable dwellings

Category 2 Accessible & Adaptable Dwellings

Category 2 Accessible & Adaptable Dwellings WC Facilities on the entrance storey

Category 2 Accessible & Adaptable Dwellings Two and three storey dwellings with more than 3 bedrooms

Category 2 Accessible & Adaptable Dwellings Bathroom to be provided on the same level as the Principal Bedroom

Category 3 Wheelchair User Dwellings

Category 3 Wheelchair User Dwellings Wheelchair Adaptable Wheelchair Accessible

Category 3 Wheelchair User Dwellings

Category 3 Wheelchair Adaptable

Category 3 Wheelchair Accessible

Category 3 Wheelchair User Dwellings

Category 3 Wheelchair User Dwellings Bedspaces 8.5-12.5m 2 is counted as one bedspace >12.5m 2 is counted as two bedspaces

Category 3 Wheelchair User Dwellings

Water Efficiency

Solid Waste Storage

Security

Security Specifies test methods and acceptance criteria for domestic casement tilt/turn windows to provide enhanced security against unauthorized forced entry.

Security

Security Advises on community safety and security issues for most types of housing developments, individual houses, housing estates and low rise apartment blocks (up to 5 stories above ground level). Discusses design and layout and physical security

Security Specifies requirements for windows and doors installed into Specified By Design properties, SBD being an award for physical security and layout restricting the opportunity for crime given to developers, landlords or architects building or refurbishing homes, commercial developments and sheltered accommodation. Also discusses certification and proving higher levels of security performance.

Fines for Breaches of the Building Regulations Under s 35 and 35a of the Building Act 1984 the maximum fine of 5000 had been removed and is now unlimited

Nationally Described Space Standard Intention to control these through the planning process By discharging planning conditions Planning Authority should enforce

Transitional Arrangements Apply to all applications submitted on or after 1 st October 2015 If submitted before then work must start before 1 st October 2016 otherwise these requirements will apply.

Any Questions