The Regulatory Legal Procedure: Safety and Health of the Workers - Essay Example

 Planning permission is always necessary when building extensions like garages and storey houses. It must obey the rules and regulations set by building and control body. The focus of this study is Roe village and much can be borrowed from its planning. When roofing, flat tops should be done by using parapets (Ballesteros et al 2010 p. 200). Materials used on the walls have to match the whole building. Contrasting is prohibited as it makes the extensions look so different from the other buildings and structures. Raised buildings and houses with chimneys should not be made flat . Two or more houses can never be merged to form a single house or extension (Privara et al 2011 p. 12). For garden structures situated at the rear of the building,they have to be 10 cubic metres in volume. Any volume above this will require planning permission. When putting up shades, consultations must be made by the authorities according to Ballesteros et al (2010 p. 200). If a proposed garden structure affects the aesthetic value of the yard, it is never accepted by the building and control regulatory board. It should be built with originally established buildings and materials in mind Chimneys and satellite dishes They are extremely important in an established building. When planning for a house extension, these structures should not be lost. Chimneys provide the needed ventilation for the house and care must be taken when handling them (Stationery Office 2007 p. 45). The planning and control body never consents to a plan that destroys them. Any repairs made on them should consider the roof that the chimney has been built on. Materials used must match the roof (Privara et al 2012 p. 12). For satellite dishes, planning permission is never guaranteed if they are placed on top of the chimneys and the house nears a highway. When placing satellites on a flat roof without a chimney, the immediate occupiers are put into consideration. Permission is never given to any satellite design that is contrary to the tradition of the area (Peskin 2007 p. 34). Building rules and regulations compel developers to adhere to ventilation rules. This can be borrowed from the Roe Garden policy in planning since chimneys were a necessity in building designs (Daniels et al 200 p. 30). Roofing and cladding Traditionally there exist two types of roofing and cladding. One of the most commonly used is tiles. If they were originally used, replacement will imply the same. Re-roofing will also involve changing the guttering system (Castleton et al 2010 p. 56). The materials used should also be considered. Use of slates, though minimal, can be incorporated. Their replacement is purely slated in nature. Tiles are natural clay; the background upon which they are placed is considerable. Care should be taken to refill the exact places where roofing materials had been removed (Wiles 2008 pg. 40). This will retain the original status of the house. For gutters, retaining them requires alot of precaution. It should be done using aluminum gutters or still the iron gutters can serve the same purpose. The roe village planning has incorporated this factor (Imrie et al 2011 pg. 17). Lighting is not recommended on roof tops if the planning of Roe village is to go by. Conservation and retention of the original status of the building is the main concern. These lights will affect the original condition of the house (Rohlen 2011 p. 4). Dormer windows, before they are placed must consider the originality of the dwelling. If the builder is planning for the conversion lofts, their merits are important for them to be given the permission to go ahead and build them. Cladding in the village has been done using horizontally placed timber (Wiles 2008 pg. 40). Retaining them is necessary. The gables used in replacement must match the type of boards that were used. In painting surface like structures like windows and doors painted in white do not require planning permission. If done in any other color then permission is necessary. The boarding is always painted in black. Colors used must not contrast those of other buildings. In this context of planning, too much attention is given to the external appearance of the house. Consideration is also put on the weight of materials used in replacing the covering (Terry 2011 p. 67). The materials should be supported by the roofs. The council checks on the existing roof and its ability to support any other added. Windows and doors The policy is to retain the original form on which the windows were positioned. Building Regulation Council is against alteration of windows. Replacement is based on the existing window. It must be a reproduction of the original in terms of pained layout, and the frame width including its design. While replacing already renovated windows, it must be reversed to its original conditions. It is noted that new window shutters are not allowed during replacement. Concerning the doors, replacement never requires planning permission but retention of the original design needs to be consulted with the planning and regulatory board. For instance, in Roe Village, wooden door replacement requires permission (Imrie et al 2011 pg. 45). According to the planning in the village referred to, they built using wooden doors and windows. Their council then decided to impose a restriction on them that originality is a requirement when renovating. Therefore, the materials used to lay foundations are always retained when replacing. Porches The design does not matter but the size is the focus. It should be proportionate to the existing building block and design should be in line with the original property. Porches when laid ought to match the bricks. In the roe village for instance, these instructions are closely followed while adding the porches. Wall background is considered before the porches are established. Parching is done on the roof. The brick pattern should be in a sequence and not haphazardly placed. In this village for example, porches were never placed in earlier houses. Later the council assented to having them incorporated in the building plan. This body then imposed the rule on anyone who later wanted to renovate or make extensions on their houses (Speaight 2012 p. 38). Trees and vegetation When building an extension, measures like tree cutting need to be treated with much care. Before felling any tree, the developer has an obligation to ask for permission from the planning and regulatory control. In places where buildings have not been established, a six months notice should be given to the county council. Building of extensions next to the houses implies doing away with some obstacles (Wiles 2008 p. 40). The vegetation is very important and the planning council has strict rules on the clearance of them. If the builders plan does not interfere with the environment, then they can be allowed to do away with some obstacles like trees. If anyone goes against this provision, then they are to face the wrath of the council (Munteanu et al 2010 p. 234). To have building plans assented to, the developer must consider all these factors. The provisions are always put in place by the building and the regulatory council to ensure that there is uniformity in houses in an area. This tangible plan is then taken to the council who scrutinizes and gives consent to the plan or declines it. If assented, developers are then given the go ahead to carry out their tasks (Ludwig 2012 p. 145). Houses in any municipality are built in a uniform manner and put under the control of the council. Before embarking on plans to renovate or add any part, the builder is answerable to the council. PART B: BUILDING CONTROL AND REGULATION The rationale behing this law is ascertaining that the general safety standards for building longlasting and risk – free houses is observed. Also, for the safety of the current users as well as those purchasing the property for future use. Procedures to be followed in the building’s legal control include: Planning stage This is the first stage. Plan application is made to the authorities. A comprehensive site plan and building regulations information are submitted to building control. They assess and check and make sure that all necessary building regulation information is shown in the plan (Yu et al 2010 p. 4287). This is to make sure that it that it complies with the Regulations. The duration can be between two to six weeks for the department to assess the proposed plan and this will make a charge known as the plan fee. The council can either approve or disapprove the plan. If it does meet the set standards, then the proposed plan is cancelled (Billington et al 2012 p. 234). Once approved, they issue a decision notice, saying that the information provided meets the current building standards. The information contained in the plan should contain a comprehensive draft of the project. Building permission and building notice There is always a contradiction between building regulation permission and planning permission (Yildiz 2011 p. 4287). Planning permission is not deemed necessary to conform to the Building Regulation. A developer can go ahead and plan under any other domestic body (Barnajree et al 2011 p. 23). Building permission on the other hand is given after the regulatory body has looked at the proposed plan and approved. After submitting a building notice, work may commence (Imrie et al 2011 p. 45). The council will give the notice of your intention to commence work. Either the builder or the owner of the building will notify the council at each of the following stages: foundation excavation, foundation concrete over the site, damp proof course prior to covering. Other notifications will include: foul water drainage prior to backfilling, surface water drainage PR works prior to backfilling, occupation and completion of works (7 days notice). The drainage system of the house is the house is planned by the council (Billington 2005 p. 49). Environmental impact assessment After the budget and plan, environmental impact assessment is done. This exercise is crucial since construction involves the use of raw materials. Where they will get these materials is important since some habitat and wildlife is destroyed in the process. Noise pollution will affect nearby school. Noise construction machines will disturb the silence needed for learning to take place in the nearby school (Yu et al 2012 p. 135). Use of common resources like water is going to impact on the community nearby. This project should not deplete the resources as construction can go on for a long time. Waste disposal is will become an issue since the office will be occupied. The environmental officer makes sure that the project does not jeopardize the social well being of the community. Environmental regulations must be well understood by the developer before commencement of the project (Billington & Gibbs 2012 p. 86). Inspection The building inspector visits the site frequently as the work a proceeds. Inspection is done according to the stage of the building. The builder and the inspector coordinate to initiate this process (Yu et al 2012 p. 135). A fee is also charged at for this exercise. Health officers also inspect the works. This is to ensure that the workers are in good condition and that the materials used are safe. There is always a limit within which the work is to be carried out (Muntaneau et al p. 257). If the work has not started within the stipulated time with the regulatory body then the approval will be lapsed. No work proceeds unless the notice is revoked (Bertrams et al 2013 p. 16). This is because the environment is dynamic and some changes may have occurred on the site. The owner makes a new application and must meet the current standards. A further charge is payable. A notice is given by the builder to notify the officer in charge that the building is ready and can be looked at if it is built correctly. From the time the building is completed, the inspector can be given enough time to prepare for the inspection. It can be put into writing or through emailing. The neighbors should object to the project (Imrie et al 2011 p. 45). There is no requirement in the Building Regulations to consult the neighbors. Only that it is always ethical that the neighbor’s peace should not be disturbed by the construction activities. If the provisions of the Party Wall Act apply to your project then you should notify the neighbors. Certification (completion) When construction is done, the local Building Control Officer is contacted to arrange for final inspection (Wiles 2008 p. 40). The builders pay dues to the handymen after the Control Surveyor has done a satisfying inspection regarding the completion of the project. After the confirmation and assurance that the work meets set standards, a certificate is issued. The office is now ready for use. At this point it satisfies the authorities and the owner. Future occupants will have understood these regulations when they buy the house. If they need to renovate it, they must consider the original design of the house (Pivara et al 2011 p. 12). The nearby primary school will influence the activities in the office at any instance; the office activities will affect or disturb the school. Otherwise the office can be occupied and used. Conclusion The regulatory legal procedure is simple to follow if the developer is well informed. Initially he or she draws the plan and makes a formal application the regulatory body for scrutiny. The person is charged for the approval. The developer then hires a surveyor who advises on what to expect from the regulatory body. Upon acceptance of the project, construction takes place. The builder informs the council at each stage of construction for inspection. Safety and health of the workers are important; ensure that they work under favorable conditions. Environmental impact assessment is necessary for the environment should be disturbed at all costs. The regulatory body puts in place the necessary regulation that must be followed for a new building to be put up. In a nutshell, a good building regulations and information will be valuable during the construction and also essentially when getting prices for the building work. 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Yu, F.W.C., Kim, J.T., 2010. Building Pathology, Investigation of Sick Buildings - VOC Emissions. Indoor and built Environment, 19 (1), p. (130-139). Doi: 10.1177/140326X09358799 Read More