Is Building Control The Same As Building Regulations?

Introduction

Building a new property or undertaking an extensive renovation project can be incredibly exciting. However, with that excitement comes the responsibility of ensuring your construction work is compliant with local laws and regulations. Two terms you’ll come across frequently in this process are “building control” and “building regulations.” But what exactly do these terms mean, and how do they differ? In this blog post, we’ll explore whether building control is the same as building regulations to help you navigate the regulatory landscape when constructing your dream home or workspace.

The Purpose of Building Regulations

Building control is the process and practice of ensuring that buildings, structures and installations are properly designed, constructed, installed, maintained and operated in accordance with relevant building codes. Building regulations serve as guidelines for the proper construction, operation and use of buildings. The goal of building control is to protect public health, safety and welfare by protecting people and property from harm caused by unsafe or improperly constructed buildings. In the United States, building regulation falls under the jurisdiction of state governments through various departments such as fire protection, health, insurance departments and others.

What is Control?

What is Control?

Building control is the process by which a building’s structural and operational requirements are determined and monitored. Regulations, such as those covering fire safety, energy efficiency, and acoustic performance, may be in place to help ensure that a building meets specific standards. In some cases, these regulations may be stricter than the requirements of building control.

Building control is an important part of ensuring the safety and health of occupants. It can also help to ensure that a building runs efficiently, reducing its environmental impact.

How Do Building Regulations Help to Control Buildings?

Building regulations help to control the design, construction and operation of buildings. Regulations can cover a wide range of topics, including fire safety, energy efficiency and noise levels.

There are two main types of building regulation: national and local. National building regulations are set by the government and may be different in each country. Local building regulations are set by the local government and may be similar across different areas.

National building regulations usually apply to new buildings, while local building regulations usually apply to existing buildings. There are some exceptions to this rule, for example national health and safety standards may also apply to refurbishment work.

Building control is a separate profession from architecture or engineering. It includes people who work in departments such as health and safety, planning, fire services, electrical inspections and environmental health. Building control officers (BCOs) have a special qualification called an Insulated Steel Structure (ISS) Certificate which gives them authority to carry out inspections on structures made from steel framed construction.

Conclusion

Building regulation is a complex process that requires the input of many different parties. In order to ensure that buildings are safe, compliant with code requirements and aesthetically pleasing, it is important for developers to have control over the design and construction of their properties. While this may seem like a daunting task, having a framework in place can help minimize the risk associated with building projects.