The days of cow boys installing none compliant roofing systems, systems without structural calculations, over clads, underclads/wrap arounds are firmly over and those that skirt new laws introduced by the government could end up in jail including homeowners who commission the works. Mortgage lenders are now looking at the risks involved with lending and now that the consequences of providing a mortgage on a home that has none compliant works attached to it could result in home owner prosecution it is hard to see how traditional insurance indemnity policies will pacify lenders. Having none compliant works completed now the act is in affect could prevent you from selling or re-mortgaging your home.
What has previously been a grey area in the world of conservatory roofing has now been made firmly transparent by the Building Safety Act 2023 and was a change in the law that required royal assent which came into full force in October 2023 following a transition period. The new law is aimed at making sure that any construction works that require compliance are done so with the correct products to prevent the risk of safety breeches that could cost lives. In the arena of solid conservatory roofing this is very relevant to structural stability and fire risk.
Driven by the Grenfell Tower disaster It is now mandatory that building regulations are required on solid conservatory roof installations and to a much higher degree of accountability. The introduction of an insulated solid roof makes a conservatory a permanent fixture which contains elements that require compliance and as such is covered by the act. Until now the requirement for building regulation compliance was council specific and down to interpretation, the new laws now cement the answer to the question of if building regulations are needed for a tiled conservatory roof. YES THEY ARE!
In addition to the new laws introduced a responsibility has also been placed on building regulators to report any none compliant works that they are made aware of to the Building Safety Regulator which can result in investigation and legal proceedings being brought against none compliant home owners or installers. This "Whistle Blowing" facility is aimed at holding to account those who knowingly engage in none compliant works such as over clads or under clads where the existing conservatory structure is retained or a new roof is installed without structural calculations.
The act introduces 3 new governing bodies including the Building Safety Regulator, The national regulator of construction products and the new homes ombudsman. Combined these 3 bodies cover all aspects of construction including domestic and commercial and play a vital role in cleaning up any ambiguity around compliance.
The act introduces 2 very relevant features to the installation of solid conservatory roofing when it comes to building regulations approval.
Accountable Persons - This mandates that the individuals responsible for design phase and the principle contractor have clear lines of responsibility for managing building safety risks throughout the various phases of implementation and may face criminal charges if they are not meeting their obligations.
Customer Obligations - The new laws require declarations to be signed by customers to confirm that they have complied with building regulations, failure to do this can result in criminal prosecution.
"Legal responsibilities will be placed on those who commission building work, participate in the design and construction process and carry out the building control function, to make sure building work is compliant with building regulations."
At Feel Warm Glazing we have always provided full building regulations for our customers and now that the new laws are in affect we will ensure that your warm roof installation it completed in full co-operation with the building controller to give you that peace of mind on your new project.
Contact us on 01785 503603 or email contact@feelwarm.co.uk
A brief from MFA building control in full specific to warm roof installations can be seen at the bottom of this blog.
About the Leka Warm Roof and Building Regulations
The Leka Warm Roof supplied and installed by Feel Warm Glazing has been structurally tested and assessed for thermal efficiency to meet and exceed building regulations in England, Scotland and Wales. Approved by MFA and inspected by London Building Control you can be assured that your warm roof install will be risk free and fully compliant. As your principle contractor Feel Warm Glazing will initiate your building control and provide all evidence required to the inspector to ensure your works are up to code and registered correctly. We handle your building regulations from start to finish so that you don't have to and will consult with you when it comes to approvals.
Press Release from MFA in relation to building regulation changes for warm roof systems.
"A Guide to the New Building Regulations – Warmroof Systems
The Building Regulations legislation changed on the 1 October 2023. These changes have been undertaken following the Grenfell tragedy and are part of the Government’s response to the recommendations of these reviews as outlined in the Building Safety Act 2022.
These changes not only affect legislation for high-risk buildings such as Grenfell Tower but every project both domestic and commercial.
These are regulatory changes and all Building Control Bodies such as MFA Building Control Ltd and every Local Authority are required to enforce these, which include additional compliance across the whole process.
The Health and Safety Executive have defined into law the roles of Dutyholders, having responsibilities to ensure that they have to the best of their abilities compiled with the Building Regulations:
Domestic Client: Definition – Client means any person for whom a project is carried out.
They must take all reasonable steps to ensure any designers or contractors they appoint are competent to carry out the work they are being appointed to do, ensure suitable arrangements are made for planning, managing and monitoring building work to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations.
*Given Domestic Clients may not have the expertise to carry out the above duties managing and monitoring building work to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations should be carried out by the Principal Contractor.
Principal Designer: Definition – Principal Designer must plan, manage, and monitor design work to ensure it complies with Building Regulations if built accordingly, collaborate with the client, other designers, and contractors to ensure compliance with Building Regulations
Principal Contractor: Definition - Plan, manage, and oversee building work during the construction phase, co-ordinate matters related to building work to ensure compliance with Building Regulations.
*In the case of Warm Roof Instillation Companies, they may act as both Principal Designer and Principal Contractor as they have surveyed the Client’s Conservatory, designed as new roof and subsequently undertaken the installation.
Under the new Building Safety Act MFA Building Control Ltd are legally obliged to obtain “Declarations” from all the Dutyholders (Client, Principal Designer and Principal Contractor) stating that they have fulfilled my duties under the building regulations and that the building work at the above address is complete and to the best of their knowledge, the work complies with the regulations. (MFA Building Control Ltd will attach Declaration templates with the acknowledgment letter for all new projects).
The new regulations are complex and wide ranging, this document designed to give a brief practical guide to the additional information MFA Building Control Ltd requires from Instillation Companies, however we urge you to call us on 01332 340909 if you have any questions.
Further in-depth information can be found at: