BUILDING CONTROL REGULATIONS - Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2008 - Definitions

Oct 24, 2026

Building Control Regulations covering citations, commencement dates, and amendment references, including versions introduced in 2008. The text sets out key definitions used throughout the Regulations, clarifying terms such as acceptable and alternative solutions, approved status, Approved Documents, building envelope, code of practice, and multiple building works concepts. It also defines concepts including existing buildings, floors, foundations, fresh air, geotechnical reports, gross floor area, and shelter-related terms to support consistent regulatory interpretation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages45

Reading Time1 h 53 min

AccessFree to download

Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2008 - Definitions

Citation and commencement

Definitions used in the Regulations

BUILDING CONTROL REGULATIONS Notes: 1) Amendments introduced in the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2008 are shown in red/underlined. 2) Amendments introduced in the Building Control (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2008 are shown in blue/underlined. 3) This is not the official copy of the Regulations. For a definitive copy of the Regulations, please refer to the gazetted [documents at: www.egazette.com.sg](documents at: www.egazette.com.sg) | BUILDING CONTROL ACT
(CHAPTER 29, SECTION 49)
BUILDING CONTROL REGULATIONS | | --- | | 1. These Regulations may be cited as the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations | | 2008 and shall come into operation on 15th February 2008. | | 1. These Regulations may be cited as the Building Control (Amendment No. 2) | | Regulations 2008 and shall come into operation on 1st October 2008. | | Definitions
2. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—
"acceptable solution" means the specifications, design, material or method of construction set out in an Approved Document;
"alternative solution" means a solution that entails the use of any design, material or method of construction that differs completely or partially from those in the acceptable solution;
~~"applicant" means the person who makes the application concerned under the Act or these Regulations;~~
"approved" means approved by the Commissioner of Building Control;
"Approved Document" means an Approved Document issued by the Commissioner of Building Control under regulation 27;
"building envelope" means the elements of a building which enclose airconditioned spaces through which thermal energy may be transferred from the exterior;
"code of practice" means the relevant Singapore Standard Code of Practice, and where there is no such code of practice means the relevant British Standard Code of Practice or any other relevant code of practice which is acceptable to the Commissioner of Building Control;
~~"construct" means build, erect and place in position and includes reconstruct,~~ | ~~rebuild, re~~-~~erect and replace in position;~~ "existing building" means any building in respect of which a certificate of statutory completion or a temporary occupation permit has been issued; "floor" includes a horizontal platform forming the surface of a storey and any joist, board, timber, stone, concrete, steel or other material connected with or forming part of such platform; "foundation" means that part of a construction immediately below the footings of a building, which is in direct contact with, and through which the weight of a building is transmitted to, the ground, and includes piling works; "fresh air" means normal outdoor air not unduly affected by odours, smoke, effluents, dust, fumes discharges from mechanical plants and the like; ‘‘geotechnical report’’ means calculations, plans or report prepared in respect of underground building works by a qualified person who is a geotechnical engineer showing— (a) the results of the findings, evaluation and interpretation of the site investigation and laboratory tests; (b) assessment of and recommendations on the geotechnical aspects for the design and construction of the underground building works; and (c) plans showing those elements of building works designed by the person who is a geotechnical engineer; “gross floor area” has the same meaning as “floor area” in the Planning (Development Charges) Rules (Cap. 232, R 5); “household shelter”,“public shelter” and “storey shelter” have the same meanings as in the Civil Defence Shelter Act (Cap. 42A); "immaterial changes" , in relation to building works, means any changes that— (a) do not affect any key structural elements; or (b) affect the key structural elements but the effects are localised in nature and do not require a re-design of the key structural elements; “imposed load” or “imposed loading”means the load assumed to be introduced by the intended occ

FAQs

How should these Regulations be cited and when do they come into operation?

The Regulations may be cited as the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2008, and they come into operation on 15th February 2008. A further amendment allows citation as the Building Control (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2008, coming into operation on 1st October 2008.

What is the difference between an “acceptable solution” and an “alternative solution”?

An “acceptable solution” refers to specifications, design, material, or construction methods set out in an Approved Document. An “alternative solution” uses design, material, or construction methods that differ completely or partially from those acceptable solutions.

What does the Regulations’ definition of a “geotechnical report” include?

The definition includes results of site investigation findings, evaluation, and laboratory tests; assessment and recommendations on geotechnical aspects for design and construction of underground building works; and plans showing elements of building works designed by a qualified geotechnical engineer.

Oct 24, 2026

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