When adding an extension to your home, such as a conservatory, the building regulations will generally apply. This means building control will need to visit your project and sign it off. In this article, we will briefly outline the things you need to be aware of before construction begins.
There are some occasions where a conservatory is exempt from the building regulations:
- If they are less than 30m2
- Built of non-combustible material
- They are separated from nearby buildings
- They do not contain sleeping accommodation
- The glazing and any fixed electrical installations comply with the applicable building regulations requirements
Below are some important points to consider when building your conservatory.
When building a conservatory, you are encouraged to avoid a location where it will restrict ladder access to windows in a loft or roof conversion, especially if these windows will need to be used for escape in the event of a fire.
Conservatories should generally be constructed of mainly translucent walls and roofs with an external type door separating it from the rest of the house. The foundations and floors need to take account of ground conditions, trees and existing drains. The installation of insulation is also good practice.
However, even if the conservatory itself is exempt from the building regulations, the new structural opening between the conservatory and the existing building will always require building regulations approval. We always recommend checking with a building control body before work begins to see what your legal obligations are.
When it comes to choosing a building control inspector for your project you have two options: you can work with your local authority’s building control department, or you can choose an Approved Inspector – like us! Get in touch with us today for a quote for our friendly, professional and reliable building control service.
