Policy & Regulations

Concerns over the knowledge and assessment standards for the installation of solar panels for multiple public sector buildings and schools

New regulations for all new homes and buildings in England to have electric vehicle charging points installed as standard come into force from 2022. These include supermarkets, workplaces and buildings undergoing major renovations. Together with new homes, this could result in up to 145,000 charge points being added each year over the next decade. England is the first country to mandate such building regulations.

Dame Judith Hackitt has vented her frustration at the industry’s lack of leadership and slow progress towards bringing about a cultural change in building safety following the Grenfell disaster.

Kensa Heat Pumps is hoping the revised Building Regulations standards for new-build homes in England, which are due to be brought in from June 2022, means flexibility will become a key factor when assessing renewable energy solutions rather than efficiency alone. Kensa also hopes Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratings will reflect this following the Part L and F revisions to the regulations.

The government has pledged £65m to digitise local council planning systems in England.

The Royal Academy of Engineering has produced a low-regrets framework to support urgent climate change.

The Domestic smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: proposals to extend regulations consultation, which launched alongside the social housing white paper in England in November 2020, proposes to extend requirements for alarms in social and privately rented homes through building regulations. All of the proposals were supported by a majority of respondents and are now subject to parliamentary approval.

The 2021 consultation set out proposals for comprehensive reform of legislation that contributes to building safety in Wales.

Stuart Fairlie MCABE discusses the fiendishly complicated issue of how the industry can stay cool about overheating

The Construction Leadership Council has released guidance for sites operating during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Circulars for Parts L and F and introducing new Parts O and S and updated or new Approved Documents are available.

Landmark building safety legislation will put more liability on designers, contractors and owners; the industry must prepare itself for a seismic shift in accountability and competency requirements says James Cash

The Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) has signed an open letter to the UK government urging it to embed engineering into current primary school learning and support and commit to securing our future as a nation of innovators.

Risk is an inherent part of all engineering activities, so it is essential that all engineers and technicians are able to identify, assess, understand and appropriately manage risk.

Collaborative reporting for safer structures. Report 1017: brick slips falling from height

Architects from across the UK are being given the opportunity to shape the future of the profession, as part of a wholesale review that will modernise regulation and improve accessibility and innovation in the sector.

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has completed its suite of novation agreements and related collateral warranties with its 'switch' documents, along with updated guidance.

The government in England has launched a consultation on its updated design guide for fire safety in schools. Building Bulletin 100 (BB 100) is non-statutory guidance, which covers designing a school building to have early warning systems and evacuation routes, advises how to minimise the spread of fire and how to ensure the building structure is adequately resistant to fire, as well as requirements for access and facilities for the Fire and Rescue Services. The updated Bulletin contains guidance on compliance with Building Regulations Part B (Fire Safety), school-specific fire risks, property protection and fire safety management.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has released two important building safety frameworks, the BSI Flex 8670 and the PAS 8673.

Wavin’s Karen Stables explains how commercial building engineers need to consider the acoustics of wastewater systems