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FAQ - Is Building Regulation Approval the same as Planning Permission? No, Building Regulation approval under the Building Regulations is entirely separate from the process of obtaining Planning Permission. Planning permission may be required for proposed works and should be investigated prior to the commencement of the works. FAQ - How long will it take to get planning permission? The Planning Service is a separate service from Building Control. For information from the Planning Service, telephone 028 4461 8000. FAQ - When do I need to make a building control application and when do they apply? Making an application under the Building Regulations (NI) 2000 involves informing your District Council, who have a statutory duty to enforce the regulations, that you intend to carry out any of the following operations: A) Erect a new building, such as: - Dwellings
- Garages
- Outbuildings
B) Extend or make structural alterations to a building, such as: - Removal of loadbearing walls
- Patio door/window openings
- Cavity wall insulation
- Roof space conversions
- Extensions
- Attached garages
C) Material change of use, such as: - Flat conversions
- Any building to a dwelling
D) Carry out work or install fittings in connection with a building, such as: - Drainage alterations
- Bathrooms etc.
- Central Heating
- Gas installations
FAQ - How long will it take to process my application? The target we aim to deliver is a 28 calendar day turnaround time. This time is measured from the date of submission of a valid application until your first meaningful correspondence, ie. approval notice or request for additional information. FAQ - How long does my application last? An application lasts until the Service issue a notice of No Effect. This is usually at the end of three years measured from the date of submission. In certain circumstance an extension can be given for an extra period. FAQ - I have carried out work without Building Control Approval, how can I get a Completion Certificate? You can't! However you can get it 'regularised' which is essentially the same thing. FAQ - What is Regularisation? This is attaining retrospective approval for Building Regulation approval. There is a limitation however, as it is only for Building Regulation approval the cut off date is October 1973. Both commercial and domestic properties can be regularised. FAQ - What is the process for Regularisation? Complete the standard Regularisation application form. The form requires you to provide the following information - · A description of the unauthorised work
- · The date the work was completed
- · The use of the building
- · Details of services
- · Pay the required fee
Contact Building Control to arrange a suitable date when an inspection can be carried out. If all is satisfactory then a Regularisation certificate will follow. You should note that it may be necessary to open up works and/or carry out additional works to attain compliance. FAQ - What is a Full Plan Application? This is the traditional Building Control application, where the applicant submits in duplicate (Commercial applications require fire safety related plans in triplicate) plans for approval before commencing works on site. A building control surveyor will then carry out an assessment of the proposed scheme of works with a view to approving the submission. In the event that the proposed scheme demonstrates a potential contravention of the building regulations the applicant or agent representing the applicant is advised of the necessary amendments required before approval can be granted. FAQ - What is a Building Notice? A building notice may be submitted instead of a full application (i.e. 2 set of full plans and specifications), note: as a building notice you are not required to submit any plans if you do not wish to do so. However when the building control surveyor is on site he has the right to ask for additional information. As no plans have been formally submitted, no approval certificate will be issued. If you decide to follow the building notice avenue the procedure is as follows: - - Fill out a building notice application form, which is available from building control.
- Pay a fee, which entitles you to site inspections and completion certificate.
Note:- Additional Information may still be required. FAQ - How can I arrange for an inspection? There are certain stages of work at which you are required to notify the Building Control office that the works are available for inspection. Inspections can be requested in writing, telephone contact with the office (if no member of staff available a message may be left on the answering machine), at the office in person or by E-Mail. (see our contacts list) FAQ - When can I start work? Regardless of the type of application, e.g. building notice or full plan, you can commence work as soon as you lodge the application. It is important to notify your area surveyor as soon as you commence. FAQ - What are the requirements that I have to meet when installing smoke alarms and heat detectors within my dwelling? The smoke alarm and heat detector should be designed to BS5446. Smoke alarms should be: - provided in circulation routes on each storey e.g. the hallway
- located within 3m from a bedroom door and within 7.5m of kitchen and living room door
- no more than 15m apart
- at least one located in the principal living area (depending on size)
- be interlinked so all alarms/ detectors give an audible alarm
- be permanently wired
- have a back up power supply
- be sited 300mm from other fittings and to manufacturers instruction
- be easily accessible
Heat detectors should be: - provided in every kitchen so that no part of the kitchen is more than 5.3m from the nearest detector
- be interlinked so all alarms/ detectors give an audible alarm
- be permanently wired
- have a back up power supply
- be sited 300mm from other fittings and to manufacturers instruction
- be easily accessible
The circuits which these are wired into should be independent or connected to lighting circuit associated with the main living quarters. Depending on the circumstances other requirements are necessary please contact our office for full explanation. FAQ - I am considering installing oil-fired heating. Do I need to make an application? If you are installing the oil-fired appliance in the location of your existing heating appliance and connecting to the existing flue an application will not be required. If you are installing the appliance in a different location or installing a new flue in the same location an application will be required. FAQ - I am considering converting my roof space to provide bedrooms on a new second floor, am I required to replace my existing doors with fire doors? Provided the existing doors are imperforate you will only be required to fit door closers to these doors. If you are replacing your existing doors they will require replacing with doors that have been tested to FD20 standard with self closer. All doors opening into the stairwell at 2nd floor level will require to be FD20 standard. NOTE: Other regulations apply to roof space conversions that will cover areas such as: - Ventilation
- Structural integrity
- Fire safety
- Insulation
- Stairs and headroom
- Glazing
FAQ - I am considering building a conservatory. Is it exempt from Building Regulations? Provided your conservatory meets the following requirements it will be exempt from having to make an Application: - The conservatory has an internal floor area less than 30mē.
- 50% of the external wall is glazing.
- 75% of the roof is of translucent material.
- The conservatory is entered via a door from the dwelling.
- The glazing to the conservatory is safety glazing.
- It is at ground level.
FAQ - I would like to construct a detached garage, do I need to make an application to Building Control? Provided your garage has an internal floor area under 30mē and is: - Constructed of subsequently non-combustible material, i.e. Block wall, concrete roof tile it will be exempt, or
- Constructed of combustible material and is sited 1m from the dwelling or 1m from the boundary the garage will be exempt.
FAQ - Where do I require a fire escape window and what size does it need to be , also what height does it need to be above the floor level? New regulation introduced in October 2005 dictate that an emergency escape window is required to all 1st floor habitable rooms, all habitable inner rooms and all 2nd floors that do not have alternative means of escape. Other conditions may also apply, so please seek advice. An escape window is required to have a minimum clear opening of 0.33m2 and minimum dimensions of 450mm high and 450mm wide. Care should be taken as 450mm by 450mm will NOT meet the criteria. The lower edge of the window opening should be located between 800mm – 1100mm above finished floor level.The escape window should preferably be side hung and the clear opening is measured between the face of the sash and the edge of the style/mullion. Escape windows placed along the slope of the roof require to have the same size of clear opening but should not be located further up the slope of the roof then 1.7m to the bottom of the opening and the cill of the opening should be located between 600mm – 1100mm above the finished floor level. NOTE: Other regulations may also impact on these works, such as the type of glass used and window opening restrictors, always seek advice. IF IN DOUBT, CONTACT THIS DEPARTMENT WHERE EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL ARE HAPPY TO HELP. |
