GENERAL NOTES - Notice of Commencement - Part A Structural safety - Part B Fire safety - Part C Resistance to contaminants and moisture - Part E Resistance to sound - Part F Ventilation - Part G Sanitation hot water safety and water efficiency

Oct 29, 2026

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General notes and building control guidance for a construction project, covering required notifications and work commencement criteria, together with structured compliance requirements across multiple parts. The text specifies checks for existing structural adequacy, smoke detection provisions with linked alarms and certification to relevant standards, and vapour control layer requirements for floors and walls using membrane specifications and sealed laps. It also addresses sound resistance via acoustic insulation, mechanical extract ventilation design and commissioning notice duties, background ventilation areas, window and door opening requirements, and sanitation and hot-water provisions with commissioning for correct control operation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Building Control Notes

Notice of Commencement

Part A (Structural safety)

Part B (Fire safety)

Part C (Resistance to contaminants and moisture)

Part E (Resistance to sound)

Part F (Ventilation)

Part G (Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency)

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| | | boiler | | | Existing boiler relocated to utility room | | | SMALL POWER KEY Double Power Socket Single Power Socket Switched Fused Connection Extractor Fan SP Shaving Point Distribution Panel E Electricity Meter
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Heat Detector G Gas Meter
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Smoke Detector LIGHTING KEY Light Switch Fixed Recessed Downlight Adjustable Recessed Downlight Surface Mounted Ceiling Light GENERAL NOTES
• All drainage shows design intent only. Sizing, connections, and final routes to contractors design.
• Electrical loadings and circuit diagrams to contractors design. All electrical works to be carried out by a part P registered electrician.
• Consumer unit to have rings clearly identified and be tested and registered with documents handed to building control.
• Architects drawings should be read in conjunction with the Architects Fixtures & Finishes Schedule, as well as MEP drawings and schedules, SE drawings and schedules, and any additional contract documention.
• Contractor to provide as-built drawings upon completion for all MEP elements.
BUILDING CONTROL NOTES NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT
A notice of commencement is to be submitted to Building Control within 5 days of work being regarded as commenced, under regulation 16 of The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment)
(England) Regulations 2010.
Work will be deemed to have commenced when the build has progressed to 15% of the overall work complete.
Part A (Structural safety)
Existing structure including foundations, floor, beams, walls, roof and lintels are to be exposed and checked for adequacy prior to commencement of work. Particular care must be taken if the existing external wall is single leaf construction with piers, checks for stability and defects must be performed.
Part B (Fire safety)
SMOKE DETECTION
Where the new room does not have an external door smoke detection will be required.
Provide a linked smoke alarm detection system to BS EN 14604 and BS 5839-6:2019 to at least a Grade D2 category LD3 standard. System to be mains powered with battery back up. At least one smoke detector to be provided in the hallway. Ceiling mounted detectors should be 300mm from the walls and light fittings. A design, installation, and commissioning certificate for the fire detection and
alarm system to be issued to Building Control upon completion of the works.
All integrated ceiling lighting to be fire rated.
Part C (Resistance to contaminants and moisture)
VAPOUR CONTROL LAYER – FLOORS
A vapour control layer to be provided to the warm side of the floor insulation where required to control the movement of water vapour and reduce the risk of interstitial condensation, in accordance with Approved Document C and BS 5250. The VCL to be formed by a minimum 500-gauge (125 micron) polyethylene membrane, or a proprietary vapour control membrane with declared vapour resistance. The layer to be continuous, with joints lapped a minimum of 100mm and sealed, and fully sealed at service penetrations.
The floor VCL to be turned up at perimeter walls a minimum of 100mm and sealed to the wall vapour control layer or damp-proof course to maintain continuity of the moisture and airtightness barrier.
VAPOUR CONTROL LAYER – WALLS
A vapour control layer to be installed on the warm side of the wall insulation to limit the passage of water vapour into the wall construction, in accordance with Approved Documents C and L and BS 5250. The VCL to be a minimum 500-gauge polyethylene sheet, proprietary membrane, or the foil facing of insulated plasterboard or PIR insulation, provided all joints are taped and sealed. The VCL
to be continuous across the wall, with careful detailing at junctions with flo

FAQs

When must a notice of commencement be submitted to Building Control, and what defines commencement?

A notice of commencement must be submitted within 5 days of work being regarded as commenced. Work is deemed to have commenced when the build has progressed to 15% of the overall work complete.

What are the smoke detection and alarm system requirements when there is no external door for the new room?

Smoke detection is required and a linked smoke alarm detection system must be provided to BS EN 14604 and BS 5839-6:2019 to at least a Grade D2 category LD3 standard. The system must be mains powered with battery back up, with at least one detector in the hallway and specified mounting distances.

What ventilation arrangements are required for bathrooms and storage, and what commissioning notices are required?

Mechanical extract ventilation is required for the shower room, ducted to external air with minimum extraction performance and connection to a light switch, and intermittent extract fans must meet BS EN 13141-4. Controllable background ventilation must be provided at specified minimum rates for storage and bathrooms, and fixed mechanical ventilation systems that can be tested and adjusted must be commissioned with a commissioning notice given to the Building Control Body.

Oct 29, 2026

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