Building Regulations are originated by the Government Minister for Communities and Local Government and are the minimum acceptable standards for public health, safety, protecting the environment and climate change. They cover a wide range of areas from Structural Stability through to Electrical Installation, for all buildings from domestic homes to commercial projects.

If you are having construction or refurbishment work done to your commercial premises, you will have duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and may also need to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Once plans are submitted, they are checked for compliance with the Building Regulations, if found to be satisfactory, a certificate of approval will be issued.  Inspection of the work on site then takes place, from start through to completion to make sure the regulations are being adhered to.  Building Control Officers issue Completion Certificates when the relevant inspections have been carried out and the work is in compliance with the Building Regulations.  They also offer advice on how to ensure work will comply with the Building Regulations.
 
The Regulations are made up of various Parts which are known as the Approved Documents.