Overview of Building Control

At Salford we aim to provide a customer-focused Building Control Service including advice, technical support, plan assessment and site inspections for all types of building work.

Our work also extends to the control of demolition, dangerous buildings and building security.

Currently we operate with a team of 22 staff. We supervise many individual building works, carrying out site inspections and, in broad terms, controlling many millions of pounds worth of construction work.

As a customer focused service, our main objective is to help you comply with the requirements of the Building Regulations and associated legislation in order to produce a successful building.

For larger and more complex projects we've introduced the Development Team Approach, integrating associated local authority services such as Development Control, Highways, Main Drainage etc to provide our customers with a "seamless" service and a single point of contact for your design team.

Every construction project large or small may have its own difficulties but Salford Building Control will endeavour to identify and address potential building regulation difficulties at the earliest possible stage in your construction programme.

Our service promises to you

• A customer focused building standards service, maintaining a safe and healthy built environment throughout Salford. Improving the quality of both your home and workplace
• Pre-application customer advice on all building standards and associated issues. We provide professional and up-to-date guidance, ensuring your buildings are both safe and energy efficient
• Development Team Approach available for larger or more complex projects. We provide a more integrated approach to service delivery
• Qualified and helpful surveyors available at all times from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
• Information available online together with guidance literature on specific Building Standards
• Quick response to plan assessments and advice given on engineering appropriate solutions. Initial response usually within three weeks
• Quality systems in place to ensure efficient and effective service procedures
• Decisions given within five to eight weeks on average
• Appropriate Inspection regimes developed to suit your individual project
• Same day inspection service, when requested before 9.30am
• Customers kept informed at all times
• Completion certificates issued, confirming compliance with Building Standards
• ISO9002 quality accreditation and performance monitoring
• We have established a 24-hour service maintaining a safe and secure city
• Continual customer consultation and service improvement (See 7 pledges)

The building regulation service

The history behind building regulations dates back hundreds of years, introduced initially to improve public health by the development of a healthier built environment.

Building standards are approved by Parliament and now deal with minimum requirements for design and building work to virtually all domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. These regulations are in effect basic performance standards.

Acceptable safety levels and construction standards are set out as guidance within booklets referred to as Approved Documents. If you choose to follow the detailed guidance within the Approved Documents this is usually considered as evidence that the regulations have been complied with. Alternative ways of achieving the same standard, level of safety, or accessibility, may also be acceptable. This flexible approach means that the building regulations are adaptable, and allow innovative design in order to satisfy the demands of individual customers.

The Approved Documents are in 14 parts, A to P, and consist of:

• A - Structural Adequacy
• B - Means of Escape and Fire Safety
• C - Site Preparation and moisture resistance
• D - Toxic Substances in Cavity Walls
• E - Sound Resistance in Walls & Floors
• F - Ventilation and Condensation
• G - Hygiene and Hot Water Storage
• H - Drainage and Waste disposal
• J  - Heat producing appliances
• K - Protection from falling, collision and impact
• L - Conservation of fuel and power
• M - Access and facilities for disabled people
• N - Glazing
• P - Electrical Safety

Salford's Building Control will endeavour to assist you in engineering the most appropriate design solution for your scheme. If you are in any doubt please call, write, or email with details of your particular proposal, see our who to contact page.

This page was last updated on 17 October 2011