Agenda item

(Director of Governance) The Building Control Manager Jeff Dixon will attend the meeting to give a presentation to Members on the Council’s Building Control Service and how this differs from Planning Development Control.  

The Building Control Manager, Jeff Dixon gave a presentation to Members regarding the Council’s Building Control Services and how this differed from Planning Development Control (see presentation slides attached).

What was Building Control and what does it apply to

·         Building Control was a set of standards for the design, construction and alterations to buildings to ensure the health and safety of people in or about those buildings.

·         The conservation of fuel and minimising the carbon footprint of the building throughout its lifetime.

·         To promote and establish access for all people, regardless of disability.

·         Building Control applies mainly to all new buildings, below was a list of some of the things this may cover:

o   Extensions;

o   Material alterations for example installation of heating or cooling system;

o   Replacing a roof, windows or door replacement;

o   Removal of loadbearing walls; and

o   Rewiring or extending domestic electrical work.

The Building Regulations 2010

Over the years the Building Control regulations have changed and these are now governed by the Building Regulations of 2010 and Approved Documents. These Approved Documents cover every aspect of Building Control and go from A to R. Below are the examples of Health and Safety:

·         Approved Document A Structure;

·         Approved Document B Fire Safety; and

·         Approved Document M Access to and use of buildings.

The Process

Once Building Control has been applied for there was a lot of pressure on the Building Control Surveyor to oversee the application and the many changes that could occur. The charges that applied were on a scale and took into consideration the size and complexity of the application. Consultations with the Fire Authority, Water Authority and Structural Engineers may also need to take place.

·         Approval of Plans and details;

·         Regime of site inspections;

·         Providing guidance before and during the construction.

There were two methods of application:

1.         Full Plans Applications

For this application it was common practice to use the services of an architect or surveyor.

·         Approval was obtained;

·         Working drawings were generated;

·         Structural engineering carried out; and

·         Thermal calculations carried out.

2.         Building Notice

·         Typically small works;

·         Simple projects;

·         No need for detailed plans;

·         No professional architect needed; and

·         No approval of plans.

How to Apply

The application process was simple you could apply in person, by post, online or by telephone. Once your application had been received you could start work within 48 hours and an inspection could be carried out the same day.

The Building Control Profession

In 1985 Building Control was deregulated and private practice was introduced. There were now approximately 100 practices across the country and many had regional branches, therefore competition was intense and forceful.

EFDC Operation and Performance

EFDC operated a ring-fenced trading account which met and exceeded its budget each year. Staff were recruited at Senior, Graduate and Under Graduate levels with a view to maintaining service delivery in the long term.

Councillor Chambers asked what powers did Building Control Officers have over a building that was a potential fire hazard.

Mr Dixon advised that Building Control Officers only had powers to enforce on new builds and had no powers over buildings that had already been erected.