EDDC Building Control News
Latest News
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Copies of our newsletters can be sent electronically via email or alternatively hard copies can be posted out for free.
If you would like to join our mailing list please call us on 01395 517482 or email us at buildingcontrol@eastdevon.gov.uk
VAT Increase
As from 1st January 2010 our fees will increase to take into account the rise in VAT from 15% to 17.5%
Affordable CPD training on the Code for Sustainable Homes and Part G
East Devon BC are laying on a CPD training event open to customers and building professionals including architects, builders, developers, building control surveyors etc.
The event is to be held on the 7th December here are the council offices in Sidmouth. The event is a full day training event covering how to meet the code for sustainable homes and the forthcoming changes to Part of the Building Regulations.
Costs £75 + VAT (£60 with early bird discount if booked and paid for before November 15th.)
For further details please contact us on 01395 517482 or email us at buildingcontrol@eastdevon.gov.uk
Part G Update
The implimentation date for the new part G has now been delayed until April 2010. This is due to the requirement for ratification by the European Parliament.
New Part G Coming Autumn 2009
With the responses from the consultation back in indications are that the new edition of Part G is set to take effect from October 2009. The changes are substantial and extend the current scope of the Building Regulation into areas not presently controlled.
The new edition will bring about significant changes to the design of hot and cold water supplies in buildings. Furthermore it will support sustainability by:
- specifying applications where “non-wholesome” watermight be used in buildings, such as the use of captured rainwater for toilet flushing; and
- introducing a water efficiency standard for new homes of no more than 125 litres per person per day when assessed using thespecified water calculator.
This new water usage calculation will be based on a reduced data version of that adopted by the Code for Sustainable Homes.
The new draft version of the revised Approved Document G is now available to download at:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_draftADG_2009.pdf
Gas Safe Register takes over from CORGI
From 1st April 2009 the new Gas Safe Register replaces the CORGI registration scheme in Great Britain and the Isle of Man. Anyone carrying any work to gas installations or appliances must be on the new Gas Safe Register. Registered Engineers should carry the correct ID which you should ask to see to make sure that you have a qualified and registered person undertaking the work. The new scheme is run by Capita Gas Registration and Ancillary Services Limited, a division of the Capita Group Plc. Works which are „notifiable works. under the Building Regulations will now need to be notified through the new Gas Safe Register self certification scheme.
Apparently there have been some early teething problems with Gas Safe Register having problems providing certification which can create an issue for Building Control at completion stage. We have been advised that until this is resolved Gas Safe Register will provide written confirmation of satisfactory completion when requested by the registered installer.
For further information on the new system go to the gas safe register website at: www.gassaferegister.co.uk
Time Limits for Prosecution Extended
A commencement order for the time limits for prosecution of breaches of the building regulations section of the Housing and Regeneration Act (section 317) has been made. All breaches of the Building Regulations prosecutable under section 35 of the Building Act committed on or after 22 September 2008 will be subject to a two year time limit within which to bring a prosecution. A Circular Letter will be sent to all building control bodies and will be available also on the Department's website (www.communities.gov.uk)
British Standards institute ISO9001 Quality Management System update.
Following our successful accreditation in 2007 we have had a further interim assessment during in January 2009 and have again satisfied the requirements of the standard.
The assessment looks in detail at our systems and procedures and our processes for internal auditing and ongoing improvements.
EPC's for All Non-Residential Buildings Required from October 2008
EPC's are already required for commercial buildings with a floor area greater than 10,000m2. from October 2008 this is being extended to all commercial buildings. EPC's are required to be provided when a building is put up for sale or rent. An ePC is also required for newly constructed buildings and made available to the owner and the building control body.
17th Edition Wiring Regulations
The latest edition of the Wiring Regulation comes into force in July 2008. The revised regulations contain several significant changes including extended requirements for the protection of concealed cables and the use of RCB's.
New Radon Maps
A new edition of the BRE guide BR211 (2007), Radon: guidance on protective measures for new buildings , was published in November 2007 with updated maps following the publication of new data from a survey conducted by the Health Protection Agency and the British Geological Survey.
The new maps are significantly greater in detail and give a clear indication of the suitable level of protection which should be incorporated into the design of new buildings.
Copies of BR211 (2007) can be purchased online at www.brebookshop.com
The future of Part L?
The Government has released a new document which looks to the future and provides a glimpse of what further changes to Part L energy effciency requirements for new dwellings could look like in 2010 and 2013.
With little over 2 years until 2010 and speculated requirements for a further 25% reduction in CO2 emission rates, the proposals indicate we are in for some significant changes to the way we design and construct new dwellings.
EDDC Building Control Achieves ISO 9001:2000 Accreditation
ISO 9001:2000 is the benchmark international standard for quality management. East Devon Building Control was assessed over an intensive 2 day audit by the British Standards Institute (BSI) in January 2007 and passed first time!
What does it all mean?
Well, this essentially certifies that we are running a tight ship with clear processes and procedures for all aspects of our building control services with all the checks and balances in place to ensure we always provide a reliable, quality service with an ongoing programme of review and enhancement.
A lot of hard work went into achieving this award and all the staff have made a huge effort to reach this level.
It doesn't stop here though. We will be audited annually by the BSI to make sure we keep the momentum going and ensure that we maintain the standards and demonstrate a commitment to further improvements.
May we take the opportunity to thank all our customers who responded to our customer satisfaction survey, members of our Customer Liason Panel and all those who wrote in with there useful feedback. All the comments have been invaluable in shaping the service to what it is today.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The RRO, as it's affectionately known, came into effect on the 1st of October 2006. It replaces 118 pieces of separate fire safety legislation and promotes the use of risk assessments to determine acceptable fire safety provisions, placing the onus on building owners and landlords to ensure the safety of the occupants.
It is enforced by the local Fire Authority (Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service for those within East Devon).and applies to essentially all buildings except private dwellings, including the communal areas in blocks of flats.
The government have prepared fire safety guidance documents to assist designers and responsible persons to complete the risk assessments and improve the levels of fire safety within their buildings.
Different guides are available for a variety of uses e.g offices and shops, assembly buildings, schools, healthcare buildings and buildings with sleeping accommodation.
These guides can be downloaded for free at: www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162101
Building Regulation Applications should be made in the usual way. However, the RRO widens the scope for statutory consulations with the Fire Service. Please feel free to contact us or your local fire authority should you require any advice on how you may be affected.
ELECSA launches online notification for Periodics to help homeowners
ELECSA recognises that most homeowners are unaware that periodic inspections are currently unregulated and currently anyone can complete an inspection without qualifications or experience but there is still a need to protect homeowners. Despite this, an above average knowledge of electrical installations is actually necessary to be able to carry out them out properly - usually gained through years of experience. In an era where there is increased legislation for landlords and great media interest towards creating TV programmes about renovating homes and DIY, demands for periodic inspections and testing will increase.
ELECSA has launched its online notification system for its registered businesses that have passed the ELECSA "assessment of competence" for Periodic Inspection and Testing. Now for every Periodic Inspection and Testing job undertaken by an ELECSA registered electrician which is notified to ELECSA., homeowners will receive a householder's certificate to confirm that the Periodic Inspection and Testing work has been undertaken by a company who has been assessed for carrying out Periodics to an accepted industry standard. This will provide greater recognition for ELECSA's registered businesses within industry and consumers can go onto the ELECSA website at www.elecsa.org.uk to find an ELECSA registered electricians.
Remember, although the "assessment of competence" for Periodic Inspection and Testing is an optional extra that is available to ELECSA registered installers self certifying under the full scope scheme under Part P of the Building Regulations, installers who are not registered with ELECSA but still want to take be recognised for undertaking Periodic inspections, can transfer to ELECSA for free. This will save businesses the initial registration and assessment fee of £400 and enable them to become recognised for doing Periodics.
As Catherine Hogan, Director of Public Relations, ELECSA, said "ELECSA is offering this online notification system to support its registered businesses in benefiting from this increased business opportunity."
For further information on the Periodic Assessments and the ELECSA scheme generally, please go to www.elecsa.org.uk. You can contact the ELECSA Registration Team by phone on 0870 749 0080 or email enquiries@elecsa.org.uk.
* Please note that East Devon District Council does not accept responsibility for the content of external web sites.
