Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 - an overview

by John Boanson
Architect and NBS Technical Author

Major changes to building standards in Scotland came into force on 1 May 2005. The Scottish Building Standards Agency has been set up to undertake the national function relating to building standards. The SBSA has produced four handbooks:

Technical - two books, one for domestic work the other for non-domestic work.
Procedural
Certification

1. Technical Handbooks

It was only possible to satisfy the previous Regulations by compliance with Technical Standards. This meant they were mandatory rather than guidance. The new Regulations, expressed in terms of 'functional standards' are still mandatory but there are a variety of ways of complying - the solutions offered in the new Technical Handbooks are guidance and represent only one way of complying with the Regulations.

They will be updated annually.

The two technical handbooks are similar in structure, each containing seven sections. They state and explain not only the new regulations but also offer extensive guidance on compliance. The sections are:

Section 0 - General
Section 1 - Fire
Section 3 - Environment
Section 4 - Safety
Section 5 - Noise
Section 6 - Energy

For correlation between the old Technical Standards and the Sections of the new handbooks see the table below.

At the end of each handbook, after Section 6, there are:

Appendix A: Defined terms.
Appendix B: List of standards and other publications.
Appendix C: Cross-reference to the 6th Amendment of the Technical Standards.
A full index.

The intention was that the Technical Handbooks would be a level transfer of the technical requirements in the previous Parts of the Technical Standards. However certain recommendations have been clarified, updated or become obsolete. The changes are briefly explained at the beginning of each section and include e.g. the introduction of robust details for sound, SEDBUK levels now given for gas and oil central heating boilers etc. Brought within the scope of the new regulations is protection of the works, clearing footpaths and securing unoccupied buildings.

Technical Standards	Technical Handbooks
Part A General	Section 0 General (Regs 1 – 7 and 9 – 12)
Part B Materials and Workmanship etc.	Section 0 General (Reg 8)
Part C Structure	Section 1 Structure
Part D Structural fire precautions	Section 2 Fire
Part E Means of escape from fire etc	Section 2 Fire
Part F Combustion appliances etc.	Section 3 Environment and Section 4 Safety
Part G Preparation of sites etc.	Section 3 Environment
Part H Resistance to transmission of sound	Section 5 Noise
Part J Conservation of fuel and power	Section 6 Energy
Part K Ventilation of Buildings	Section 3 Environment
Part M Drainage and sanitary facilities	Section 3 Environment
Part N Electrical installations etc.	Section 4 Safety
Part P Miscellaneous hazards	Section 4 Safety
Part Q Facilities for dwellings etc.	Section 3 Environment and Section 4 Safety
Part R Storage of waste	Section 3 Environment
Part S Access to and movement etc.	Section 4 Safety
Building Operations Regulations	Section 0 (Regs 13 – 15)

2. Procedural Handbook

The purpose of this Handbook is to clarify the intent of the procedure regulations, expand on the procedures set up by the Act and act to aid the practical operation of the procedures.

Enforcement is to be the responsibility of the local authority for the area in which the building work is taking or has taken place. This is the case no matter who has taken on the roles of verifier or certifiers.

Verifiers: The role of the verifier is to protect the public interest by providing an independent check of applications for building warrants to construct or demolish buildings, to provide services, fittings or equipment in buildings, or to convert buildings. The Act provides for a variety of verifiers should this be required, but at present the only appointed verifiers are the 32 Scottish local authorities, each covering their own geographical area.

Certifiers: Suitably qualified people, businesses or other bodies, appointed by the Scottish Ministers, to certify that certain design or construction work complies with the building regulations.

Approved certifiers of design are responsible for either specified aspects of the design of buildings, such as the structure or energy performance, or specific parts such as a space heating system. Approved certifiers of construction are responsible for the construction or installation of specified parts of a building, such as the structural frame, the electrical installation or a combustion appliance.

3. Certification Handbook

The revised version of the Handbook was published in July 2005. This Handbook explains the implementation of the certification system. It includes samples of schemes and design and construction certificates.

Certification, an optional procedure, by qualified approved building professionals and tradesmen negates the need for detailed scrutiny of designs or inspections by local authorities. Certifiers must be employed by an approved body that is a member of the same scheme, and adopts suitable professional practices to provide a certification service, including procedures to check compliance with the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. The building owner, developer, or other relevant person completes the completion certificate and may attach certificates of construction.

Written January 2005