Access to and use of buildings: Approved Document M

O N L I N E V E R S I O N M Use of guidance THE APPROVED DOCUMENTS Paragraphs H2 and J7 are excluded from Regulation 8 because they deal directly with This document is one of a series that has prevention of the contamination of water. been approved and issued by the Secretary Parts E and M (which deal, respectively, of State for the purpose of providing with resistance to the passage of sound, practical guidance with respect to the and access to and use of buildings) are requirements of Schedule 1 to and excluded from Regulation 8 because they Regulation 7 of the Building Regulations address the welfare and convenience of 2010 for England and Wales (SI 2010/2214). building users. Part L is excluded from At the back of this document is a list Regulation 8 because it addresses the of all the documents that have been conservation of fuel and power. All these approved and issued by the Secretary matters are amongst the purposes, other of State for this purpose. than health and safety, that may be addressed by Building Regulations. Approved Documents are intended to provide guidance for some of the more MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP common building situations. However, there may well be alternative ways of Any building work which is subject to the achieving compliance with the requirements. requirements imposed by Schedule 1 to Thus there is no obligation to adopt the Building Regulations shall be carried any particular solution contained in an out in accordance with regulation 7. Approved Document if you prefer to Guidance on meeting these requirements meet the relevant requirement in some on materials and workmanship is contained other way. in Approved Document 7. Other requirements Building Regulations are made for specific purposes, primarily the health and safety, The guidance contained in an Approved welfare and convenience of people and for Document relates only to the particular energy conservation. Standards and other requirements of the Regulations which the technical specifications may provide document addresses. The building work will relevant guidance to the extent that they also have to comply with the requirements relate to these considerations. However, of any other relevant paragraphs in they may also address other aspects of Schedule 1 to the Regulations. performance or matters which, although There are Approved Documents which give they relate to health and safety etc., are not guidance on each of the Parts of Schedule 1 covered by the Building Regulations. and on Regulation 7. When an Approved Document makes reference to a named standard, the LIMITATION ON REQUIREMENTS relevant version of the standard to which it In accordance with regulation 8, the refers is the one listed at the end of the requirements in Parts A to D, F to K (except publication. However, if this version has for paragraphs H2 and J7) of Schedule 1 to been revised or updated by the issuing the Building Regulations do not require standards body, the new version may be anything to be done except for the purpose used as a source of guidance provided it of securing reasonable standards of health continues to address the relevant and safety for persons in or about buildings requirements of the Regulations. (and any others who may be affected by buildings or matters connected with buildings). This is one of the categories of purpose for which building regulations may be made. Approved Document M Volume 2 Access to and use of buildings other than dwellings O N L I N E V E R S I O N 5