Building Regs Approval

[kafkaian]

I dont want to divert the thread but in the spirit of the OP I thought I'd mention that Part P doesnt apply up here in Scotland so you could move over the border, if your brave enough

I would never say no. I love Scotland

On a more serious note its good to see that people care enough to actually know the regs exist. Its been my living for a long time and the vast majority of people ar oblivious to Building regs of any sort. they may be a pain or worse but trust me you dont want to live in a country without them. The things I have seen people do to buildings with a regulatory system in place makes me wonder what would go on without one.

I agree, but the endless stressing can do one's head in whilst the rising costs are beginning to impinge on, what should be, a pleasant process of improvement with much open to interpretation or maladministration.

 

[haggisbasher]

I agree that there is a significant element of over regulation creeping in particularly with part P. it seems to me to be fixing a problem that didnt exist hence the claims that it is industry protectionism.

The regs are deliberately open to interpretation to allow flexibility in design and in itself thats no bad thing.

You wont get an argument from me about maladministration I left the employ of LAs after 18 years to join an architects firm as a consultant because I couldnt stand my integrity as a professional being undermined any longer.

Scotland has a more sensible system as it relates to domestic situations now but it is a double edged sword. it will be a bit of a lottery buying houses in Scotland in the future.

Cheers
Tom

 

[RogerS]

I agree that there is a significant element of over regulation creeping in particularly with part P. it seems to me to be fixing a problem that didnt exist hence the claims that it is industry protectionism.

That's a very good point. I did get quite hot under the collar when I learned about Part P and did some research into the number of accidents/deaths due to poorly installed electrics. RoSPA (who you would think would know) could not provide me with any figures whatsoever.

There was one death to my knowledge and was the daughter (?) I believe of an MP who was electrocuted in the kitchen because her father had installed a metal shelf to the wall and the fixing screw had been screwed through into the live wire. Because the electric cable had been installed diagonally it was deemed that that was the root cause of the accident and with lobbying from the MP Part P came into existence. The fact that the father didn't bother to check the wall to see if there were any hidden wires was, apparently, neither here nor there.

I do take issue with the charging arrangements for Building Regs. If you apply for a Building Notice for renovation work then you get charged on the value of the project. Hardly value for money or equable as you can't tell me that work costing £40,000 requires more inspections than work at £20,000.