The decision to simplify Building Regulations into a single statutory instrument has been welcomed by senior industry figures.
David Cowburn, Managing Director of the Standards Division at NAPIT, said that the Building Regulations 2010, which has replaced many amending rules made over the past few years, does not impose any new requirements on its current members.
However, the changes allow NAPIT to extend its scope to cover the new areas, which include:
-Electrical lighting and heating in non-dwellings
-Supply of wholesome and unwholesome water
-Microgeneration and renewable energy
This is in addition to existing work on:
-All electrical installation in dwellings
-Air conditioning and ventilation
-Solid fuel heating
-Oil-fired heating
-Hot water storage
-Plumbing of sanitary conveniences
On the wider scope for electrical work, Mr Cowburn said: “NAPIT has been working for some time to ensure that all electrical work could be covered by self-certification. These new authorisations mean that our electrical members will be able to access a scheme that will allow them to cover the requirements of Building Regulations in buildings other than dwellings such as electrical lighting and heating, and also the installation of electrical Microgeneration for renewable energies.”
Highlighting the benefits of the changes on the self-certification of Microgeneration, Mr Cowburn added: “The plan to start bringing Microgeneration Certification Schemes (MCS) and Competent Person Schemes (CPS) together moves forward with these new Regulations, since NAPIT’s MCS members will be able to notify the installation of the MCS approved equipment without referring to Building Control.”
