These Regulations make further amendments to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990 (the “1990 Regulations”). The amendments deal mainly with Part D (Structural Fire Precautions), Part E (Means of Escape from Fire, Facilities for Fire-fighting and Means of Warning of Fire), Part J (Conservation of Fuel and Power), Part M (Drainage and Sanitary Facilities) and with minor amendments to other Parts of the Technical Standards for compliance with the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990.

Amendment of the definition of “Technical Standards” at regulation 2(2) gives effect, through the substitute pages mentioned therein, to these amendments.

In Part E, the facilities for fire-fighting have been revised to take account of current practice in fire brigades. Part M has been amended to take account of new sustainable drainage practices. Part J has been rewritten to introduce improved standards for thermal insulation and efficiency.

Changes to other Parts are relatively minor in content, although Part B (Fitness of Materials and Workmanship) has been reworded to recognise the format and content of European product standards. Part R (Storage of Waste) has had many prescriptive requirements removed to allow current practice in waste removal to be accommodated. Part A (General) has amendments to definitions and schedules to match the revised requirements in other Parts. The exemptions granted to conservatories have been reduced to prevent excessive energy use.

These Regulations come into force on 4th March 2002, but do not apply to any construction or change of use of a building where application for warrant was made before that date.

These Regulations and their supporting Technical Standards were notified in draft to the European Commission and other Member States in accordance with Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and the Council (O.J. No. L 204, 21.7.98, p.37) as amended by Directive 98/48/EC of the European Parliament and the Council (O.J. No. L 217, 5.9.98, p.18).

Copies of the Technical Standards supporting the 1990 Regulations as amended are available from the Stationery Office.

Regulatory Impact Assessments of the effect of the revised Technical Standards have been carried out and summaries thereof have been deposited for inspection with the Scottish Parliamentary Information Centre.