What’s new in Newham Building Control?

Working towards ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management System certification

Newham Building Control is currently working towards securing an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certificate following a review.

This ensures consistent and high quality output. Each officer works diligently to record and process applications within the statutory time frame meaning we have streamlined and efficient systems in place to help your project get started.

As far as possible, we also aim to incorporate relevant parts of BCPSAG (Building Control Performance Standards Advisory Group) standards so that eventually all local authorities will be working on just one quality system thereby promoting a consistent service.

Technical update

Combustible Materials Ban in High Rise Residential Buildings

Changes have been made to the Building Regulations making combustible materials in relevant high rise buildings are no longer permitted as of 21st Dec 2018. These changes are in response to the Grenfell Tragedy on 14 June 2017.

These changes only apply to building and building work in England and Wales.

What is a relevant building?

Residential Floor above 18m and contains one or more dwellings

Contains an institution. These will be your hospitals, homes, schools or similar establishments used as living accommodations for treatment, care.

Contains a room for residential purposes including care homes, sheltered housing and dormitories in schools, (but excludes hotels, hostels and boarding houses).

In practice to the above requirements, materials used on relevant buildings described above will be limited to the following European Classifications, classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-1:

  1. Class A1. Products described as having no contribution to fire at any stage
  2. Class A2-s1,d0 products described as having no significant contribution to fire at any stage.

There are a number components within the construction of the wall that maybe excluded from this requirement given in Regulation 7(3). 

Notable exclusions are as follows:

  1. Seals, gaskets, fixings, sealants and backer rods
  2. Membranes. However they should achieve a minimum euro classification B-s3,d0
  3. Insulation and waterproofing material below ground
  4. Doors, windows and their frames and glass
  5. Intumescent and fire stopping materials

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any technical matter in further detail please kindly email: Reception.bco@newham.gov.uk

For the latest news and updates, please visit the gov.uk website.