Part A requires buildings to be designed, constructed and altered so as to be structurally safe and robust, and also so as not to impair the structural stability of other buildings. It stipulates design standards that should be adopted for use on all buildings and additionally gives simple design rules for most masonry and timber elements for traditional low rise domestic buildings.

The current edition is the 2004 edition. This came into force on 1 December 2004.

The recent changes include: general updating reference to new CEN design standards (structural Eurocodes); preparation for more guidance on alternative forms of modular and prefabricated housing systems; some early stage adjustments due to identifiable climate change vulnerabilities - particularly building on shrinkable clays; revised wind codes and the preclusion of ferrous wall ties; adjusted rules for low rise masonry buildings to reflect these factors; and a widening of the disproportionate collapse safeguards so as to include graduated guidance for the general robustness of all buildings.

Part B covers all fire precautionary measures that are necessary to provide safety from fire that will safeguard building occupants, persons in the vicinity of buildings, and fire fighters. Requirements and guidance cover means of escape in case of fire, fire detection and warning systems, fire resistance of structural elements, fire separation, protection, compartmentation and isolation to prevent fire spread and conflagration, control of flammable materials, and access and facilities for fire fighting.

The current edition is that of 2000 as amended by the 2002 revision, which included adjustments to accommodate the development and adoption of new European technical specifications, and supporting standards, that underpin the Construction Products Directive.

A more fundamental review of the 2000 version has now taken place. A consultation document setting out proposals for amending Part B was issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in July 2005.

The most significant changes the Government intends to make are to:

• Amend the provisions for smoke ventilation of common access areas in apartment buildings;
• Provide for an additional smoke alarm in apartment buildings and dwelling houses;
• Provide for a suitable system of smoke alarms where a domestic extension is proposed;
• Provide for cavity barriers in dwellings and nondwellings;
• Introduce provisions for measures on inclusive design;
• Introduce a national maximum unsprinklered compartment size for warehouses; and
• Require compartment wells to be designed to take account of deflections during a fire.
• In addition, the Government is considering whether or not to:
• Provide for sprinkler protection in high rise apartments and residential care homes;
• Provide for fire protection of corridors in "self-storage" warehouses;
• Amend provisions for firefighting shafts;
• Provide additional dry rising mains in certain tall buildings;
• Discounting stairs in tall buildings with phased evacuation procedures;
• Remove the separate guidance on loft conversions in houses; and
• Remove, with some exceptions, provision for self-closing door devices in houses and apartments.

Comments on these proposals were requested by November 2005. At the time of going to press, it is not known what changes will be made, and when they will take effect.

In parallel with the review of Part B, a revised version of the procedural guide explaining the relationship between consultation with building control bodies and with fire brigades was published electronically in September 2006. This revision was needed in part because of the major consolidation of fire safety legislation which took place in 2005 through a Regulatory Reform Order.

Many subjects are embraced by Part C. These include the weather and water tightness of buildings, the prevention of condensation, subsoil drainage, site preparation, and measures to deal with contaminated land, Radon, Methane, and all other site related hazardous and dangerous substances.

The current edition is that of 2004, which came into force on 1 December 2004.

Changes include: an expanded regime of site investigation to identify contaminants; more detailed methods of dealing with contaminants with emphasis on treatment and containment; coverage of all land surface within any development scheme; applicability to all changes of use; tighter controls on subsoil drainage; increased requirements to counteract climate change effects from rain penetration and thermal movements, the transfer of requirements to prevent condensation in roofs from Part F.

This controls against the use of certain toxic materials being used in buildings.

Requirements for sound insulation between buildings are contained in this part in respect of all new dwellings and the conversion of buildings to form dwellings. Other acoustic standards are also included.

The 2003 edition of Part E mainly came into force on 1 July 2003. This increased the decibel reduction to be achieved to structure separating dwellings, brought in a requirement for pre-completion sound testing for the first time, applied sound insulation requirements between "rooms for residential purposes" (which includes rooms in hotels, residential homes, boarding houses, hostels and similar premises) and designated rooms within individual dwellings. Acoustic conditions for common areas in flats and schools re also included.

Sound insulation testing generally came into force on 1 July 2003, but was phased in its applicability to new build dwelling houses or flats until 1 July 2004.

Also, as from 1 July 2004 the use of designated robust details, built via the Robust Details Ltd scheme rules, has been allowable for new build dwellings as an alternative to sound testing. Sample testing where robust details were used began early in 2005, and so far the results seem promising.

This substantially revised part provides standards for ventilation and air quality requirements for all buildings. The current 2006 edition, came into effect on 6 April 2006.

The guidance is now primarily performance based and more information is provided for domestic mechanical and natural ventilation systems. Ventilator areas are now described in terms of equivalents are rather than free area as in previous editions.

For dwellings, performance standards are given for the whole building ventilation rate, and take account of the dwelling size. For trickle ventilators, the guidance also takes account of the height of the building and number of storeys, and recommends minimum ventilation areas for habitable and wet rooms.

Guidance is given on the design of four ventilation systems, background ventilators and intermittent extract fans; passive stack ventilation; continuous mechanical extract; and continuous mechanical supply and extract with heat recovery. Ventilation requirements for basements in dwellings is also covered.

For buildings other than dwellings, the Approved Document gives detailed guidance for ventilation of offices, and the air supply rate has been increased from 8 l/s/person to 10 l/s/person from previous editions. Because other types of building can be too complex to describe in a single document, comprehensive references to other sources of guidance are provided.

This part lays down standards for the provision of sanitary and washing facilities, bathrooms and hot water provision. It also covers safety requirements in respect of unvented hot water systems.

The current edition is 1992.

A review of Part G has recently been undertaken, although at the time of writing, the consultation document had not been issued and so amendments may not come into effect until 2007. Coverage is likely to include updated standards for fittings and installation design, sanitary accommodation standards relating to modern building uses, the efficient use of water, prevention of scalding, and competent person arrangements for un-vented hot water installations.

Part H requires that adequate drainage systems be provided and also deals with pollution prevention, sewage infrastructure issues, and maintenance and adoption regimes for sewers.

Technical design standards included cover sanitary pipework, foul drainage, rainwater drainage and disposal, wastewater treatment and discharges, cesspools and building over or close to public sewers.

Part H should also be read in conjunction with the "Protocol on Design, Construction and Adoption of Sewers in England and Wales".

The disposal of refuse is also covered in this part and requirements relating to the storage and collection of solid waste are set.

Part H was substantially updated in the current 2002 edition. Related ongoing research and consultation includes guidance on flood protection and a review of existing private sewers.

These regulations cover the construction, installation and use of boilers, chimneys, flues, hearths and fuel storage installations. They control against fire sources, burning, pollution, carbon monoxide poisoning, etc.

This part was comprehensively updated in the current 2002 edition.

Part K sets standards for the safety of stairways, ramps and ladders, together with requirements for balustrading, windows, and vehicle barriers to prevent falling. Also included are requirements for the guarding and warning of hazards from the use and position of doors and windows.

The current edition is 1998. Some research has been undertaken relevant to revising Part K, but a timetable for consulting upon possible changes has yet to be set.

This part was substantially revised and came into operation on 6 April 2006.

There are now four approved documents in support of Part L:

• L1A - Work in new dwellings
• L1B - Work in existing dwellings
• L2A - Work in new buildings other than dwellings
• L2B - Work in existing buildings other than dwellings.

The approved documents for new build set out 5 criterion that need to be satisfied in order to demonstrate compliance with Part L for both dwellings and buildings other than dwellings, although the specification for each differs between dwellings and buildings other than dwellings. The five criteria are:

1. The calculated predicted carbon emission rate must not be greater than the target emission rate (predicted is as designed - target is a similar notional building).
2. The calculated predicted carbon emission rate must not be greater than the target emission rate (predicted is as designed - target is a similar notional building).
3. The building must have appropriate passive control measures to limit solar gain.
4. The 'as built' performance must be no worse that that predicted at stage one. Particular emphasis is placed on air leakage testing of the completed building.
5. Suitable and sufficient operating and maintenance instructions must be provided to the occupier to ensure energy efficient operation.

For work in existing buildings, the requirements are generally concerned with the building elements, but there is an option to use approved calculation tools if greater flexibility is required. Approved documents L1B and L2B give guidance on the following types of work in existing buildings:

• provision of a controlled fitting
• provision or extension of a controlled service
• provision or renovation of a thermal element
• extensions
• changes in energy status and material changes of use
• material alterations
• requirements for consequential improvements.

Part M requires the inclusive provision of ease of access to and circulation within all buildings, together with requirements for facilities for disabled people.

The current edition of Part M is the 2004 edition, which came into force on 1 May 2004.

The new edition included updating to BS 8300 standards, greater alignment with Disability Discrimination Act responsibilities, extended applicability to alterations and changes of use, and the wider inclusivity of general accessibility. More detailed guidance is provided and its use is linked with the new requirement for a formal Access Statement to be submitted and agreed as part of the decision process.

These amendments did not change the guidance for housing. This is subject to ongoing review and may embrace the "Lifetime Homes" concept in some manner.

Requirements for the use of safety glazing to avoid impact hazard and for the suitable awareness and definition of glazed areas are contained in Part N. Also included are safety requirements relating to the use, operation, and cleaning of windows.

The current edition was issued in 1998.

This new part originally came into force on 1 January 2005; revisions were introduced with effect from 6 April 2006 to clarify extent of application.

It applies to any fixed low or extra low voltage electrical installation including:

• New installations
• Rewiring installations
• Alterations, additions or extensions
• Repairs

That are:

• In a dwelling
• In the common parts of a building serving one or more dwellings, but
• excluding power supplies to lifts
• In a building that receives its electricity from a source located within or shared with a dwelling
• In a garden or in or on land associated with a building where the electricity is from a source located within or shared with a dwelling

Technical standards follow those of BS 7671:2001 and IEE Guidance.

Persons carrying out such installations must either:

• make a Building Regulation application to the local authority; or
• have the work carried out by and self certified by an installer who is accredited under a Competent Persons Scheme

Competent Persons Schemes are designated by Government and lists of current scheme operators can be viewed on the DCLG website. At present the following apply to Part P:

All installations -

• BRE Certification
• British Standards Institution
• Elecsa Ltd
• NAPIT Certification Ltd
• NICEIC Certification Services Ltd

Defined partial installations relating to special works only (e.g. boiler installations) -

• CORGI Services
• Elecsa Ltd
• NAPIT Certification Ltd
• NICEIC Certification Services Ltd
• OFTEC

All of the Approved Documents mentioned above may be viewed and downloaded from www.planningportal.gov.uk in the Building Regulations section.