Building Regulations Part 7

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What is Regulation 7 of the Building Regulations?

Regulation 7 Building Regulations (or Approved Document 7) relates to materials and workmanship on the building site. Building Regulation 7 is made up of 2 main parts:

• Section 1: Materials

• Section 2: Workmanship

With an appendix for Key terms and standards.

What is Section 7 and when did it come in?

Regulation 7 Building Regulations gives in-depth guidance on materials and workmanship on all building and renovation projects in England. It applies to extensions, refurbishments, new builds and conversions, as well as excepted energy buildings in Wales. Building Regulation 7 was introduced in 2013 and was updated on 21st December 2018.

What is Regulation 7 1 Building Regs?

Regulation 7 Building Regulations section 1 says that the proper materials must be used, which are designed for that purpose, and meet current harmonised European product standards with the correct CE marking or meet the appropriate British Standards. The materials must be properly mixed, fixed or prepared for the use they were designed for.

What is Regulation 7 2 building regs?

Building Regulation 7 section 2 covers workmanship, and how to follow health and safety procedures on site. Regulation 7 (2) states that 'Building work shall be carried out so that materials which become part of an external wall, or specified attachment, of a relevant building are of European Classification A2-s1,d0 or A1'. Regulation 7 also states that testing must be carried out in the following situations:
 

• Sound insulation (regulation 41)

• Air flow/ventilation (regulation 42)

• Pressure testing (regulation 43)
   

Note that the Building Control Body (BCB) may order further testing if they think it’s needed.

What are the updates to the Regulation 7 Building Regulations?

There is no major change to the 2013 Part 7 Regulations. The amendments in 2018 were:
 

• Regulation 7 has been updated to cover certain EU Regulations and CE marking

• Resistance to moisture has been removed and added into Part C Building Regs

• Paragraph 1.28 has been added, restricting the use of combustible materials in buildings over 18m high (see Approved Document B on fire safety)

What is the BS number for workmanship?

There are different British Standards listed in Building Regulation 7, which are all part of the BS 8000 series. BS 8000 workmanship on construction sites is for builders, architects, civil engineers and any contractors using building materials, and the standards range from BS 8000-01 (code of practice for excavation and filling) through to BS 8000-16 (sealing joints in buildings using sealants). Other BS codes listed cover concrete, drainage, glazing cladding and waterproofing, and the full list is detailed in the Regulation 7 Building Regulations appendix.

What are the COSHH Regulation 7 rules?

The COSHH Regulation 7 rules (The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations) became law in 2002, and protects employees from exposure to dangerous substances. The law states that construction workers mustn’t use hazardous substances unless needed for certain reasons, must assess the risks to employees and other people before work, and use the precautions required to prevent exposure as much as possible. COSHH overlaps with the Regulation 7 management of health and safety at work and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Work Regulations 1999.

What is exempt from Building Regulations?

Regulation 7 (management of health and safety at work) applies to every project, small or large, whether it’s a replacement sanitary appliance through to a newly built house. All building work must satisfy all the relevant requirements of Building Regulation 7, in materials used, health and safety and behaving in a ‘workman-like manner’ on site. The other Building Regulations (A to R) have certain exemptions, as detailed in the Approved Documents.

You can find more information on all the current Building Regulations on our dedicated Travis Perkins Building Regs hub.

Disclaimer: Information displayed in this article is correct at the time of publication, but note that legislation changes periodically. Please refer to the latest publication of each approved article. The information contained on this page is intended as an overall introduction and is not intended as advice from a professional building control officer. The definition of ‘building work’ and when Building Regs approval is required is set out here. Travis Perkins aims to avoid, but accepts no liability, in the case that any information stated is out of date. Always consult the approved local authority building control team when considering any exemptions, and before undertaking any work.