Why this question matters
The Building Regulations are expressed through Approved Documents — each covering a specific Part, from A (Structure) through to S (Electric vehicle infrastructure). Not all Parts apply to every project. Getting scope wrong in either direction is a problem: missing applicable Parts creates compliance risk; over-specifying creates unnecessary design constraints and documentation burden.
Under the Building Safety Act 2022, the BRPD must demonstrate compliance with the applicable regulations throughout design. Before you can demonstrate compliance, you need to establish scope.
The fastest way to establish scope: Ask Jordi is a free tool that takes your building type, height, use class, and sprinkler provision and returns a project-specific relevant/not-relevant schedule of Parts in under two minutes. No account required. Try it free →
The five key variables
The applicable Parts depend on five primary variables. Each can change which documents apply and, within those documents, which thresholds govern your design.
1. Building use class
Residential, commercial, mixed-use, healthcare, and educational buildings are treated differently across multiple Parts. Always establish use class first.
2. Height and storeys
The 18-metre threshold for Higher-Risk Building status is most significant, but other thresholds affect travel distances, compartmentation, and escape provisions.
3. Sprinkler provision
Whether sprinklers are present modifies thresholds across multiple Parts — most significantly Part B. This single variable changes the compliance targets your design is checked against.
4. New build or change of use
Material changes of use trigger specific provisions across multiple Parts and often require compliance with requirements that would not apply to a new build of the same type.
5. Occupancy
Whether a building is single household, multiple occupancy, or non-residential affects provisions within Parts B, M, F, and others.
The Approved Documents — full reference table
| Part | Subject | Applicability | Notes for BRPD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | Structure | All buildings | Generally led by structural engineers; BRPD ensures coordination. |
| Part B | Fire Safety | All buildings | Most complex Part for BRPD. Two volumes: Vol 1 residential, Vol 2 other. Thresholds vary by height, occupancy, sprinklers. Jordi checks Part B. |
| Part C | Resistance to contaminants and moisture | All buildings | Typically addressed through ground investigation reports. |
| Part D | Toxic substances | All buildings | Rarely a primary BRPD concern on new builds. |
| Part E | Resistance to sound | Residential / mixed use | Applies to dwellings and rooms for residential purposes. Requires acoustic testing. |
| Part F | Ventilation | All buildings | Requirements vary significantly by building type and occupancy. |
| Part G | Sanitation and water efficiency | All buildings | Water calculator submission required. Sanitation provision linked to occupancy numbers. |
| Part H | Drainage and waste disposal | All buildings | Typically coordinated with drainage engineers. |
| Part J | Combustion appliances | Where applicable | Only where combustion appliances or fuel storage are present. |
| Part K | Protection from falling, collision and impact | All buildings | Stairs, guarding, and vehicle barriers. A common source of compliance issues on residential schemes. |
| Part L | Conservation of fuel and power | All buildings | SAP calculations for residential; SBEM for commercial. Energy modellers typically lead. |
| Part M | Access to and use of buildings | All buildings | Two volumes: dwellings and other. Category 2/3 accessible dwelling requirements for residential. Jordi checks Part M. |
| Part O | Overheating | Residential | New residential buildings. TM59 assessment typically required. |
| Part P | Electrical safety | Dwellings | Typically addressed by electrical engineers. |
| Part Q | Security | Dwellings | Door and window security requirements. Frequently missed on new dwellings. |
| Part R | High-speed electronic communications | New buildings | Gigabit-ready ducting requirements for new buildings. |
| Part S | EV charging infrastructure | Where applicable | New residential and non-residential buildings with associated car parking. |
The two Parts the BRPD owns directly
While the BRPD coordinates compliance across all applicable Parts, two Parts are most directly owned by the BRPD and least typically delegated to specialist consultants:
- Part B (Fire Safety) — fire strategy, escape route design, compartmentation strategy, and coordination of fire safety information. On Higher-Risk Buildings this includes the Fire and Emergency File.
- Part M (Accessibility) — ensuring the design achieves the required accessibility standards, including turning circle provision, door widths, level access, and dwelling category compliance.
These are also the two Parts that Jordi’s compliance checks address in the initial release — reflecting their central importance to the BRPD’s Gateway submission preparation.
Get your project’s Parts schedule in two minutes — free
Ask Jordi maps your building type, height, use class, and sprinkler provision to a relevant/not-relevant schedule of all applicable Parts. No account required.