The Building Regulations (Amendment) Regulations 1997

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations further amend the Building Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2768).

The principal amendments are as follows:—

(a) the existing requirements in paragraphs K1 and K2 of Schedule 1 (which relate respectively to the safety of stairs, ladders and ramps and to the provision of safety features to prevent people from falling) have been extended to apply to stairs etc. which afford access to levels of a building used only for maintenance purposes;

(b) paragraph K3 has been amended to incorporate a new requirement concerning the protection of people from collision with vehicles in loading bays;

(c) paragraph K4 is a new requirement which relates to the protection of people in buildings from collision with open windows, skylights or ventilators;

(d) paragraph K5 is a new requirement which relates to the protection of people in buildings from being struck or trapped by sliding or powered doors or gates or struck by swing doors or gates;

(e) paragraph N3 is a new requirement for the provision of safe means of opening, closing and adjusting windows, skylights and ventilators;

(f) paragraph N4 is a new requirement for the provision of a safe means of access for cleaning windows, skylights and the surfaces of other transparent of translucent elements.

Regulation 5 contains transitional provisions. It provides that the new requirements in Parts K and N of Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations 1991 will not apply to, or in respect of, work mentioned in a notice given to, or full plans deposited with a local authority before the date of coming into force of these regulations; but that the new requirements will apply in respect of varied work mentioned in an amendment notice given after that date, regardless of the date on which the original initial notice was given.

The Secretary of State has approved under section 6 of the Building Act 1984 new documents containing practical guidance with respect to the requirements of Parts K and N. “Part K: Protection from Falling, Collision and Impact” (1998 Edition, ISBN 0 11 753390 4, £5.99) and “Part N: Glazing—Safety in Relation to Impact, Opening and Cleaning” (1998 Edition, ISBN 0 11 753389 0, £4.99) are published by TSO. They are available from the TSO Publications Centre (PO Box 276, London, SW1 5DT) or through booksellers.