UK Insulation Projects and the role of Building Control

by Mark Row

Always Plan Ahead

When planning a house remodeling project, regardless of the changes that are going to be implemented, one always requires professional help and guidance. Not only because there are a lot of things that we don’t know nor understand, but also because there is always a question of complying with applicable UK Building regulations, which often set obligatory set of rules that must be followed in order of doing the job right. However, it is not uncommon to hire a professional builder that is not going to be familiar with all the rules, why we often seek for additional help which only increases the overall cost of the project. Well, the good thing is that there are certain organizations and competent authorities that can offer assistance in regard with each aspect of the building project you are planning. Since proper insulation should be on top of your list of priorities, the following few lines will be dedicated to UK insulation projects and the role of Building Control.

The Importance of Insulation

Insulating your home is a simple must in the age of increased energy consumption and increased life costs. Proper insulation added to the most vulnerable parts of your home will not only decrease your home’s energy consumption and thus lower your utility bills but will also affect the commodity of your everyday life, help you comply with applicable regulation and lower the carbon footprint of your home.

Before commencing one insulation project, it is very important to plan ahead that is identify the weakest points of your home that need insulation the most and choose the most adequate insulation method. You will notice that there is a wide selection of insulation materials available, all having their specific characteristics and application. One of the most important characteristic that you have to pay attention to is the material’s U and R value. Namely, applicable regulation often set the required U value of specific parts of your home being insulated, such as your loft, cavity walls, floors etc. This goes not only for thermal insulation but also acoustic insulation, which is growing more and more popular each day. This is why, although often neglected, choosing the insulation material or an entire insulation system is probably the most important part of the insulation process and requires professional assistance and guidance which cannot always be obtained from the manufacturer.

The Role of the Building Control

Namely, the UK Government has passed a series of approved documents as a part of the Building Regulations, all concerning each phase and step in construction, including planning, site preparation, building, reconstruction, refurbishment, conversion, modification, insulation etc. All these documents need to be consulted prior to commencing any building project, since they set out some requirements that must be met and fulfilled. The applicable regulations include:

• Approved document A concerning structural stability of foundations, floors, walls and roofs;

• Approved document B concerning fire safety requirements in regard to the fire escapes and fire services accessibility;

• Approved document C concerning damp, condensation, moisture and other potential contaminants issues;

• Approved document D concerning prevention of toxic substances reaching the building interior, especially upon cavity walls insulation installation;

• Approved document E concerning recommended levels of sound insulation in residential properties;

• Approved document F concerning ventilation in buildings;

• Approved document G concerning hygiene and sanitary conditions;

• Approved document H concerning water drainage and waste storage and disposal;

• Approved document J concerning the installation and safety precautions in regard to the gas, solid fuel or oil fired appliances;

• Approved document K concerning impact and collision protection in regard to the raised areas such as balconies, staircases, handrails etc;

•  Approved document L concerning thermal insulation recommendations;

• Approved document M concerning access points design in order of enabling or facilitating access to all facilities within a building;

• Approved document N concerning glazing safety and

• Approved document P concerning safety of electrical installation in different types of dwellings.

Now, if the upper list got you worried or concerned, since not everyone is able to understand and apply a set of various regulations, there is a solution found in the significant role of Building Control in regard to each aspect of the construction and in particular insulation. Namely, local Building Control authorities will be able to provide assistance in regard to each and every phase of construction and alterations, all in order of complying with applicable mandatory regulations. Although the first thing people are usually thinking about when planning a construction or a remodeling project is whether they are going to need a planning permission, often neglecting the fact that, regardless of the scope of work carried out, they will have to comply with the building regulations. Well, this is when the local Building Control can be of great assistance. Since their job is to basically carry out the inspection and control of a building (that is determine whether the building is in accordance with the regulations in regard to the safety, stability, thermal and acoustic insulation and other issues covered by the above listed documents), it would be wise to consult them, prior to commencing the work, in order of making sure that everything will be in order once the work has been completed. There are two basic ways of exercising control – either by full plans submission or through an abbreviated procedure of building notice application, where the control is carried out on site.

However, consulting your local Building Control is not only useful but also obligatory, since the authorized surveyors need to be included in each phase of your construction or reconstruction project, which, depending on the work carried out, include commencement, foundation issues, damp proof courses installation, drains positioning and functionality, occupation and completion. If any aspect of the work does not comply with the applicable regulations, you will have to undertake necessary alterations and modifications in the given term, otherwise you will not be able to gain a Completion Certificate, which is necessary if you are planning on ever using or occupying the building.

This is why we believe it is crucial to consult the Building Control on all insulation and energy efficiency related issues, since purchasing an insulation material is never cheap and should thus not be taken lightly, especially if you are getting an entire system necessary for external wall insulation for example, which includes detailed planning, careful installation and a lot of accessory work carried out. The Approved documents E and L which are the most important ones when it comes to thermal and acoustic insulation, since these set out the minimal and recommended values of installed insulation, especially in regard to some conversion projects, such as garage or loft conversions which require special attention.

Finally, the assistance provided by the Building Control will depend on each local authority (some offer a wider range of services than others), make sure to check the local fees charged for each undertaken action and last but not least, only use verified insulation products that will comply with the set recommendations and requirements. 

For more information about choosing the right insulation material and getting a free quote for your insulation project contact us through our live chat support system or send an email to info@insulationshop.co.