If you are thinking about erecting a new building, altering or extending an existing building, converting a building or even demolishing a building, you will most likely require a building warrant. A building warrant needs to be issued before starting any work.
You may also need planning permission, so please check before starting the work.
National Building Standards Customer Survey
Your views are important to us, please take a moment to share your experience in the National Customer Satisfaction Survey for Building Standards
What do building standards do?
If you are considering building, altering, converting, extending or demolishing a building, it is likely that you will need to apply for permission. Building standards should not be confused with planning. The planning process is concerned with, amongst other issues, the siting of the building, its visual impact on the surrounding area and general aesthetics. Building standards is concerned with how the building is constructed in relation to structure and fire, means of escape, its energy efficiency and accessibility and the general health and safety of the building users. Therefore in many cases both a building warrant and planning permission must be obtained before building works commence.
The principal aim of building standards is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of people in and around buildings, the conservation of fuel and power and the encouragement of sustainability in buildings
This is achieved through the processing of warrant applications and issuing/acceptance of completion certificates to ensure compliance with the building standards.
Structural Design of Cladding Systems (External Wall Insulated Render System) Advice for All Property Owners
As part of its on-going building safety programme, the Scottish Government has provided advice and guidance on action required for certain types of building.
Its guidance is for you if you are responsible for the maintenance of a building:
- with external insulation finished with render or brick -slips, particularly, but not exclusively, those with a storey at a height of more than 18 metres above the ground or in an exposed location.
In order to fully assess Scotland's housing stock, and to identify actions being undertaken by building owners in the event that any buildings may have inadequate design or poor installation of EWI systems, the Scottish Government would be grateful if you would complete and return the pro-forma schedule, to BFSResponse@gov.scot as soon as possible, so that any issues can be logged.