Guidance

Building regulations: determinations

Guidance about meeting the building regulations, given by decisions on disputes made by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

From:
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (2018 to 2021) and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Published
15 November 2012
Last updated
25 February 2015 — See all updates

Applies to England

Introduction

If you want to carry out building work but cannot agree with the building control body (a local authority or approved inspector) about whether the proposed works or a particular aspect of the work complies with the building regulations, you can apply to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to decide.

The decision made by the secretary of state is called a ‘determination’.

We’ve published a guide to determinations and appeals that contains more details about the determinations process and when you should use it. The law governing the procedure is the Building Act 1984.

If you have more questions about building regulations determinations, email [email protected].

How to apply

Complete the form below and post or email it to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The address is on the form.

Building regulations determinations: application form

MS Word Document, 1.03 MB

Determination decisions

The latest decision made by the secretary of state was published on the 24 February 2015.

Determination about a building extension and addition of a new mezzanine floor (Ref SB/007/001/012)

PDF, 147 KB, 4 pages

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Previous determinations made by the secretary of state are listed below, categorised by the part of the building regulations they refer to:

A1: loading

The downloads below relate to part A1 of the building regulations.

Determination about 2 plywood web beams, forming part of a roof space conversion (ref: 45/1/210)

PDF, 17.3 KB, 4 pages

Determination about a steel beam forming part of building work to create an opening in the main internal loadbearing wall (ref: 45/1/209)

PDF, 15.6 KB, 4 pages

A2: ground movement

The downloads below relate to part A2 of the building regulations.

Determination about conversion of an existing garage and a single storey extension to provide habitable accommodation (ref: 45/1/237)

PDF, 40.1 KB, 6 pages

A3: disproportionate collapse

The downloads below relate to part A3 of the building regulations.

Determination about mezzanine rooms within the roof space of a new block of 28 flats/maisonettes (ref: 45/1/232)

PDF, 29.4 KB, 4 pages

Determination about building work to add a storey and lift shaft to an existing 4-storey block of flats (ref: 45/1/225)

PDF, 26.3 KB, 3 pages

B1: means of warning and escape

The downloads below relate to part B1 of the building regulations.

Determination about a building extension and addition of a new mezzanine floor (Ref SB/007/001/012)

PDF, 147 KB, 4 pages

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Determination about a proposal to provide a side extension to an existing 3 storey town house (ref: SB/007/001/010)

PDF, 50 KB, 9 pages

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Determination about taking account of the guidance in paragraph 0.24 regarding unsupervised group homes in Approved Document B Volume 2.(ref: SB/007/001/009)

PDF, 53.2 KB, 5 pages

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Determination about a 2 storey side and rear extension, single storey rear extension and loft conversion (ref: SB/007/001/008)

PDF, 35.2 KB, 7 pages

Determination about a roof/loft conversion (ref: SB/007/001/005)

PDF, 29.4 KB, 5 pages

Determination about a loft conversion (ref: SB/007/001/004)

PDF, 23.9 KB, 4 pages

Determination about a proposed gallery (ref: SB/007/001/001)

PDF, 29.6 KB, 4 pages

Determination about egress windows and ownership/control of land, forming part of building work (ref: 45/1/239)

PDF, 17.8 KB, 3 pages

Determination about building work comprising refurbishment, an extension and remodelling to an open plan layout (ref: 45/1/236)

PDF, 28.5 KB, 5 pages

Determination about the internal layout of flats on levels 3, 4 and 5 forming part of a residential development (ref: 45/1/233)

PDF, 47.9 KB, 9 pages

Determination about a loft conversion (ref: 45/1/231)

PDF, 23.4 KB, 3 pages

Determination about an extension to a 2-storey house (ref: 45/1/230)

PDF, 24.8 KB, 4 pages

Determination about building work to convert a retail shop and ancillary residential accommodation to 2 3-storey houses (ref: 45/1/227)

PDF, 30 KB, 4 pages

Determination about alterations to the roof space of a 2-storey house (ref: 45/1/224)

PDF, 17.9 KB, 5 pages

Determination about building work comprising the removal of a partition and installation of a sprinkler system (ref: 45/1/223)

PDF, 22 KB, 4 pages

Determination about building work to erect a single storey extension (ref: 45/1/220)

PDF, 24.5 KB, 5 pages

Determination about a loft conversion in a second-floor flat (ref: 45/1/218)

PDF, 18.5 KB, 5 pages

Determination about building work to erect 2 additional storeys to a 3-storey building to form a maisonette (ref: 45/1/217)

PDF, 21.8 KB, 6 pages

Determination about a loft conversion at a farm house (ref: 45/1/215)

PDF, 17 KB, 4 pages

Determination about the erection of a rear 2-storey extension, a loft conversion, and internal alterations to a 2-storey house (ref: 45/1/214)

PDF, 16.4 KB, 4 pages

Determination about the provision of a gallery forming part of building work comprising a first-floor extension to a 2-storey house (ref: 45/1/213)

PDF, 18.2 KB, 5 pages

Determination about an external 'ladder bracket' forming part of building work comprising a roof space conversion (ref: 45/1/211)

PDF, 21.1 KB, 6 pages

Determination about a loft conversion in a first floor flat to form a maisonette (ref: 45/1/206)

PDF, 22.4 KB, 6 pages

Determination about the provision of an enlarged gallery area at third-floor level, forming part of building work in a maisonette (ref: 45/1/203)

PDF, 23.4 KB, 6 pages

Determination about a second-floor extension to flat 4 (ref: 45/1/202)

PDF, 22.2 KB, 6 pages

Determination about a loft conversion (ref: 45/1/200)

PDF, 21.3 KB, 6 pages

Determination about a loft conversion (ref: 45/1/197)

PDF, 17.6 KB, 4 pages

Determination about a loft conversion (ref: 45/1/196)

PDF, 27.8 KB, 8 pages

Determination about building work required to provide for a change of use from a dwelling to a guest house with an ancillary tea room (ref: 45/1/195)

PDF, 21.4 KB, 6 pages

Determination about a loft conversion (ref: 45/1/194)

PDF, 20.5 KB, 5 pages

Determination about an additional gallery in a flat (ref: 45/1/190)

PDF, 17.8 KB, 4 pages

Determination about the need to enclose 2 external stairs in a farm building (ref: 45/1/189)

PDF, 18.8 KB, 5 pages

Determination about an inner room situation in a penthouse (ref: 45/1/188)

PDF, 22.4 KB, 6 pages

Determination about a loft conversion in a second-floor flat (ref: 45/1/186)

PDF, 17.6 KB, 4 pages

Determination about alterations to the fourth and fifth-floor maisonette to provide an alternative means of escape from the fifth-floor of a building (ref: 45/1/185)

PDF, 22.3 KB, 6 pages

Determination about alterations relating to retail and office accommodation (ref: 45/1/184)

PDF, 20.6 KB, 6 pages

Determination about a single storey ground-floor rear extension (ref: 45/1/183)

PDF, 16 KB, 4 pages

Determination about a loft conversion (ref: 45/1/182)

PDF, 14.5 KB, 3 pages

Determination about the provision of a gallery level within the existing roof space of a flat (ref: 45/1/180)

PDF, 20.1 KB, 5 pages

Determination about a loft conversion (ref: 45/1/178)

PDF, 18.1 KB, 4 pages

Determination about a proposed loft conversion (ref: 45/1/177)

PDF, 16.6 KB, 4 pages

Determination about shop fitting building work (ref: 45/1/175)

PDF, 17.8 KB, 4 pages

Determination about a proposed loft conversion (ref 45/1/174)

PDF, 16.1 KB, 4 pages

Determination about proposed south aisle extension and associated alterations at a Church (ref: 45/1/173)

PDF, 17.4 KB, 4 pages

Determination about a proposed single-storey dwelling unit incorporating a sleeping gallery at a former maternity hospital site (ref: 45/1/172)

PDF, 14.9 KB, 3 pages

Determination about alterations and extension at a health centre (ref: 45/1/169)

PDF, 15.9 KB, 4 pages

Determination about removal of a central stairway (ref: 45/1/165)

PDF, 19.1 KB, 5 pages

Determination about the need for fire resisting screens to single stair (ref: 45/1/161)

PDF, 17.5 KB, 4 pages

Determination about loft conversion to first-floor self-contained flat (ref: 45/1/158)

PDF, 15.6 KB, 4 pages

Determination about the extension and conversion of an existing roof at a doctors surgery (ref: 45/1/157)

PDF, 15.9 KB, 4 pages

Determination about of a roof-level bedroom extension (ref: 45/1/152)

PDF, 19.3 KB, 5 pages

Determination about shop fitting (ref: 45/1/151)

PDF, 16.2 KB, 4 pages

B3: internal fire spread

The downloads below relate to part B3 of the building regulations.

Determination about the period of fire resistance of a major element of the structure of a building (ref: 45/1/191)

PDF, 24.5 KB, 7 pages

Determination about the installation of an additional accommodation staircase to a further storey (ref: 45/1/166)

PDF, 19.3 KB, 5 pages

Determination about a 4-storey office building (ref: 45/1/160)

PDF, 16.4 KB, 4 pages

B4: external fire spread

The downloads below relate to part B4 of the building regulations.

Determination about the glazing in the windows in the rear wall of a new office building (ref: 45/1/226)

PDF, 28.1 KB, 3 pages

Determination about a thatched roof reinstatement (ref: 45/1/163)

PDF, 17.2 KB, 4 pages

Determination about a 2-storey side extension (ref: 45/1/167)

PDF, 16.5 KB, 4 pages

Determination about a roof on an entrance building to a zoo (ref: 45/1/146)

PDF, 17.8 KB, 4 pages

B5: access and facilities for the fire service

The downloads below relate to part B5 of the building regulations.

Determination about the erection of 4 2-storey houses on land rear of road (ref: SB/007/001/007)

PDF, 36.2 KB, 5 pages

H3: rainwater drainage

The downloads below relate to part H3 of the building regulations.

Determination about the proposed box gutter on the flank wall adjoining the boundary, forming part of a 2-storey side extension (ref: 45/1/219)

PDF, 15.1 KB, 3 pages

H4: building over sewers

The downloads below relate to part H4 of the building regulations.

Determination about a proposed extension (ref: SB/007/001/006)

PDF, 36.8 KB, 5 pages

Determination about building work to erect a 2-storey extension to a 2-storey house (ref: 45/1/207)

PDF, 22.2 KB, 6 pages

K1: stairs, ladders and ramps

The downloads below relate to part K1 of the building regulations.

Determination about a proposed spiral stair, forming part of a loft conversion (ref: SB/007/001/002)

PDF, 29.7 KB, 4 pages

Determination about the replacement of a spiral stair by a ship's ladder in a 2-storey flat (ref: 45/1/171)

PDF, 18.3 KB, 5 pages

L1: conservation of fuel and power

The downloads below relate to part L1 of the building regulations.

Determination about the use of multi-foil insulation in the proposed roof construction, forming part of a loft conversion (ref: 45/1/238)

PDF, 44.1 KB, 7 pages

Determination about the need to provide SAP 2005 calculations (ref: 45/1/234)

PDF, 23.9 KB, 3 pages

Determination about the proposed glazing within the new windows and doors, forming part of building work comprising 2 extensions (ref: 45/1/216)

PDF, 24.8 KB, 5 pages

M1: access to use

The downloads below relate to part M1 of the building regulations.

Determination about access to the first floor of a 2-storey extension to a church (ref: 45/1/222)

PDF, 20.7 KB, 5 pages

Determination about access to the first floor of a 2-storey extension, forming the Education Resource Suite, City Hospital (ref: 45/1/221)

PDF, 31.2 KB, 7 pages

M2: access to extensions to buildings other than dwellings

The downloads below relate to part M2 of the building regulations.

Determination about the need for provision of a stairway suitable for ambulant disabled people (ref: 45/1/201)

PDF, 24.7 KB, 7 pages

Determination about the need for lift access for disabled people in a temporary modular building (ref: 45/1/192)

PDF, 21 KB, 5 pages

Determinations relating to more than one requirement

The downloads below relate to more than one part of the building regulations.

Determination about extensive building work to a 2-storey house (ref: 45/1/228)

PDF, 19.1 KB, 5 pages

Determination about the conversion of the upper levels of a water tower into a maisonette: B1 and B5 (ref: 45/1/198)

PDF, 27.8 KB, 6 pages

Determination about refurbishment and alterations to means of access to a ground floor flat: A1, A2, B1, B3, E1, E2, E3 and F1 (ref: 45/1/181)

PDF, 17 KB, 4 pages

Determination about a proposed installation of 2 stair-lifts in a 3-storey block of flats: B1 and K1 (ref: 45/1/179)

PDF, 17.3 KB, 4 pages

Determination about the relocation of a ground to first floor level staircase giving access to a flat above a shop: B1, E1, and K1 (ref: 45/1/176)

PDF, 19 KB, 5 pages

Determination about the installation of suspended ceilings in a new 3-storey store: B1 and B3 (ref: 45/1/156)

PDF, 17.2 KB, 4 pages

Determination about the fitting out of the retail area and installation of a mezzanine storage platform: B1 and B3 (ref: 45/1/162)

PDF, 16.3 KB, 4 pages

Determination about the change of use by the creation of an additional flat in an existing building containing a dwelling and shop: E1 and E2 (ref: 45/1/164)

PDF, 14.7 KB, 3 pages

Determinations relating to general building regulations compliance issues

Determination about conversion of a dwelling into two separate units ( Ref: SB/007/001/011)

PDF, 209 KB, 11 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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Updates to this page

Published 15 November 2012
Last updated 25 February 2015 + show all updates

  1. Added a new determination letter under Section B1: means of warning and escape. The letter relates to a decision in respect of a building extension and addition of a new mezzanine floor. Updated Determination application form.

  2. Added a detemination letter relating to material change of use of a dwelling into 2 separate units under new heading: Determinations relating to general building regulations compliance issues.

  3. Added determination about a proposal to provide a side extension to an existing 3 storey town house (ref: SB/007/001/010) under Requirement B1: means of warning and escape.

  4. Added Determination letter ref: SB/007/001/009 under sub heading B1: means of warning and escape

  5. Added Determination letter about a 2 storey side and rear extension, single storey rear extension and loft conversion (ref: SB/007/001/008) under section B1

  6. First published.

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