New-built homes are kept in line with national and local building standards during their construction. Building control acts as a regulatory process so that checks are carried out before any further construction work ensuring that building standards are consistently met.
What is building control?
Building control is in place to ensure any construction work that takes place on your property is done so within the confined and necessary building regulations set out by local and national authorities and carried out by approved private inspectors.
Ensuring structural integrity
Building control is there for the upkeep and maintenance of the structural integrity of your home, these include:
● Foundation stability: Make sure that your building foundation remains adequate as structural support.
● Load-bearing walls: Ensuring that all walls in your home can bear safely their intended loads.
● Roofing and flooring: All roofs and floor coverings should be properly constructed throughout the property.
Enhancing fire safety
Your home must meet the following requirements for fire safety and protection:
● Fire-resistant materials: There must be the use of fire-resistant materials to build the property.
● Escape routes: Make sure that there are multiple exits in the event of a fire.
● Fire alarms and detectors: Installation of multiple smoke detectors and fire alarms.
Improving energy efficiency
With the rise of energy costs, your property must comply with set energy efficiency regulations that include:
● Insulation standards: Make sure that significant insulation is present throughout the building.
● Efficient heating systems: Installation of an efficient heating and cooling system.
● Air tightness: Your building must reduce its loss of heat.
Accessibility
Homes must be accessible to everyone, something that building control ensures, this
includes:
● Ramps and entrances: adding ramps in the property for wheelchair access if required.
● Bathroom facilities: installation of bathroom facilities in your home that are accessible.
● Switches and controls: your home must have accessible switches and controls.
Health and safety
Building control helps address multiple health and safety concerns:
● Ventilation: There must be significant ventilation to prevent mold.
● Water supply and drainage: The plumbing of your building must be maintained.
● Electrical safety: Any electrical installations should meet safety standards to prevent the chance of any electrical fires.
Building control allows the protection of homeowners so that any construction work on their home meets the high standards of safety, efficiency, and accessibility. Having building control in place allows for improved home quality but also the safety of the building.
