ADB 2016 amendments (for use in Wales)

[JT]

http://gov.wales/topics/planning/buildingregs/publications/part-b-fire/?lang=en

[lyledunn]

It is remarkable how close the Building Regulations Wales is to England and Northern Ireland. I haven't read Scotland but I imagine ditto. How many extra man hours were wasted by having four parts of the U.K. (Yes 4 parts, NI is still in there God bless her) re-inventing the wheel.

[colin todd]

Scottish building regs are very different from those in England.

[lyledunn]

It would be interesting to identify those differences in so much as they apply to fire safety. With pertinent statistics one might be able to establish if the differences have any measurable affect. I cannot see logic in a citizen of the U.K. being any safer in a building in Scotland than one in England or Wales. If we can't harmonise in our own wee countries what chance is there for a pan European concept!

[Mike Buckley]

Lyle,

Its all part of the love hate relationship we have going in the UK. Just wait until we get the greater devolution of powers within England, I am just waiting for the different versions of ADB, any bets on which region will be the first to produce its own version?

[wee brian]

That's devolution for you. The idea is it improves democracy by making decisions nearer to home. People feel more engaged and are more likely to turn out to elections etc. Politicians on all sides think this is a good thing (cynical types might suggest this is beacause it creates more political jobs).

The Welsh venture is a relatively new one. The Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) (No. 2) Order 2009 was made on 17 November 2009 and came into force on 31 December 2011. The main function transferred to Wales under this Order was the power to make Building Regulations in relation to Wales.
http://www.assembly.wales/Research%20Documents/The%20Devolution%20of%20Building%20Regulations%20-%20Quick%20guide-18012012-229548/qg12-0003-English.pdf

Scotland and Northern Ireland have always had their own regs (likewise the isle of Mann and the Channel Islands). The NI regs tend to follow England. Scotland has always gone its own way. Although we all use British standards and most of the principles are the same across the UK.

There are some sensible reasons why building regs might vary. its a bit wet and windy in Scotland. the rest of it is political. Some being more pro-regulation than others.

Funnily enough in England the Govt has been trying to discourage regional variations imposed by planning authorities (not fire related).
http://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Housing_standards_review

However, introduction of "optional requirements" does leave the door open for regional variation but only if central government allows for it.

[Tom Sutton]

When I was at Moreton-in-Marsh, the Scots lads used to leave and go to the library when Building Regulation raised its ugly head, which would indicate a big difference, as wee brian has indicated.

[colin todd]

Tam, did it ever occur to you to question why Scotland was being charged for training them in their own legislation by people who clearly did not bother to teach it to them, but left them to read it for themselves.