Building standards
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Flood Resilience Strategy: case studies
Examples of diverse initiatives around Scotland that are in some way contributing to our flood resilience.
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National Flood Resilience Strategy: Easy Read
The easy read version of the National Flood Resilience Strategy.
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National Flood Resilience Strategy
Sets out a vision for a flood resilient Scotland through to 2045 and beyond.
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Compulsory purchase reform: progress report December 2024
This report recaps progress to date on the Scottish Government's comprehensive programme of work to reform and modernise the compulsory purchase system in Scotland. It summarises emerging proposals and sets out next steps heading into 2025.
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Building regulations - proposed review of fire safety topics: consultation
This consultation and the analysis of the responses to its questions will help inform our decisions on policy direction in response to the Cameron House Hotel recommendations and other aspects of Scottish building standards and fire safety regulation and guidance.
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Cladding Remediation Programme: factsheet
Information for homeowners and residents about the Cladding Remediation Programme.
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Automatic Fire Suppression System installations - traditional building conversion to hotels: cost benefit analysis
Report to provide evidence to assist the Building and Fire Safety Expert Group to arrive at a consensus view on whether to mandate a requirement to install Automatic Fire Suppression Systems when traditional buildings are being converted to hotels.
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New Build Heat Standard (amended) 2024: island communities impact assessment
Addition to the New Build Heat Standard 2024 – island and communities impact assessment . It is necessary to review this in conjunction with the fuller island communities impact assessment (ICIA) to ensure the context of earlier decision making and measures are fully understood.
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Supporting net zero in construction
Aggregates Tax Bill aims to increase use of recycled materials.
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Single Building Assessment Task and Finish Group: final output and recommendations - December 2023
The Single Building Assessment (SBA) Task and Finish Group was created to address the outstanding issues around the SBA process. This December 2023 report sets out outstanding issues, where resolution has been agreed, and recommendations for progress and next steps.
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Single Building Assessment Specification Task and Finish Group: final output and recommendations - March 2024
Following the first Single Building Assessment (SBA) Task and Finish Group, a successor group was established. This March 2024 report sets out the issues the successor group discussed, where resolution was agreed, and recommendations for progress and next steps.
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Climate change - Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029: monitoring and evaluation framework
Framework we will use to monitor and evaluate progress in delivering the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 to 2029. The Adaptation Plan sets out the actions that the Scottish Government and partners will take to respond to the impacts of climate change from 2024 to 2029.
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Climate change - Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment undertaken for the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 to 2029.
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Climate change: Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 - 2029 - easy read
Easy read version of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-29. The Adaptation Plan sets out the actions that the Scottish Government and partners will take to respond to the impacts of climate change from 2024 to 2029.
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Climate change: Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029
Sets out the actions that the Scottish Government and partners will take to respond to the impacts of climate change. This Adaptation Plan sets out actions from 2024 to 2029.
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The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment
Fairer Scotland Duty assessment carried out in relation to the The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024
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The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024: Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment
Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact assessment carried out in relation to the The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024
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The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024: Island Communities Impact Assessment
Island Communities Impact assessment carried out in relation to the The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024
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The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024: Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment
Business and Regulatory Impact assessment carried out in relation to the The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024
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The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024: Equality Impact Assessment
Equality Impact assessment carried out in relation to the The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024
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School Estates Statistics 2024
An Accredited Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Building regulations - energy and environmental standards: consultation on proposed changes
Stage 1 consultation on determining the principles for a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard.
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Building standard 3.3 - flooding and groundwater guidance review: research
Research to inform the review of guidance which supports Standard 3.3, including identifying current good practice on flooding and groundwater and suggesting improvements and adoption of a good practice guide for local authorities.
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Building standards - Futures Board Programme: workstream information
A programme to support sustainable improvements to the building standards system and increase the level of compliance with building regulations.
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Building standards - workforce data collection: analysis report 2023
Provides a national-level view of the challenges facing the building standards profession in relation to resourcing, development of competencies and levels of turnover.
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Cladding Remediation Programme: Single Building Assessment specification
Sets out the methodology for the proper carrying out of a Single Building Assessment (SBA). This forms part of the standards specified in Section 25(1)(c) of the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill and for the carrying out of an Additional Work Assessment (AWA) as specified by Section 26A of the Bill.
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Building standards - guidance changes April 2024: letter to local authority verifiers – 25 March 2024
Letter from Stephen Garvin, Head of Building Standards Division, to local authorities regarding changes introduced to published guidance in the building standards technical handbooks, applicable from 1 April 2024.
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Building standards enforcement and sanctions: consultation analysis
Consultation analysis report on the strengthening of existing enforcement and sanctions provisions in the Building (Scotland) Act 2003.
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Building standards enforcement and sanctions: consultation outcome report
Consultation outcome report on the strengthening of existing enforcement and sanctions provisions in the Building (Scotland) Act 2003.
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Independent Assurance: Programme: Cladding Remediation Project Assessment Review (PAR)
Independent Assurance Review carried out for the Cladding Remediation Programme - 14 to 16 June 2023.
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Cladding Remediation Bill passed
New powers to tackle unsafe cladding.
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New build developments - delivering gigabit-capable connections: consultation analysis
Consultation analysis of the new build developments: delivering gigabit-capable connections consultation.
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Powers secured to introduce building safety levy
Parliament to consider tax to raise more funding to fix unsafe cladding.
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Building standards: procedural handbook - third edition version 1.7
The procedural handbook provides clarification on the procedures underpinning the Scottish building standards system as set out in the Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 to assist with practical operation.
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Building standards: performance framework for verifiers 2024
Key performance outcomes used to monitor the work of building standards local authority verifiers.
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Building standards: operating framework for verifiers 2024
Defines operational standards to be met by local authority verifiers and how to meet them.
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Climate Change Act – Section 72: fourteenth annual report
Information and conclusions fulfilling annual reporting requirements on the operation of Section 3F of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (introduced by Section 72 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009).
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Heat Networks Delivery Plan: review report 2024
The Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021 requires that the Heat Networks Delivery Plan (HNDP) is reviewed every two years, and that Scottish Ministers prepare a report of our progress towards meeting the provisions of the Act and other supporting policies. This report fulfils the requirement to review and report on the HNDP.
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Building standards - Early Adopters Scheme: compliance handbook
This first edition of the compliance handbook details the compliance plan (CP) approach and provides guidance for use by early adopters (EA) who choose to apply and benefit from the CP approach in building warrant applications before there is a legal requirement to do so.
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CO2 mine gas - site investigation and risk assessment: best practice
Report collating current practice in local authorities and provide a summary assessment of options to deliver a standardised ‘good practice’ approach to risk assessment, reporting, mitigation and verification of mitigation measures for mine gas.
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Building warrant fees: consultation analysis
Analysis of responses from our 2023 consultation on building warrant fees.
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Building warrant fees: consultation outcome report
Report on the outcomes of our 2023 building warrant fees consultation.
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Building standards technical handbook June 2023: non-domestic - December 2023 addendum
Provides guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. This handbook applies to a building warrant submitted on or after 5 June 2023 and to building work which does not require a warrant commenced from that date.
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Building standards technical handbook June 2023: domestic - December 2023 addendum
Provides guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. This handbook applies to a building warrant submitted on or after 5 June 2023 and to building work which does not require a warrant commenced from that date.
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Building standards verification service - workforce strategy: closure report
The workforce strategy was designed to be delivered over three years from October 2020 and that period has now ended. This formal closure report highlights the progress achieved and details the work that will continue.
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Housing Cladding Remediation (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment - easy read
Easy read version of the equality impact assessment (EQIA) for the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill.
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Housing Cladding Remediation (Scotland) Bill: business and regulatory impact assessment - easy read
Easy read version of the business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) for the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill.
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Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill: children's rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Children's rights and wellbeing impact assessment for the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill
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Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill: business and regulatory impact assessment
Business and regulatory impact assessment for the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill.
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Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment
Equality impact assessment for the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill.
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Building standards: national annual verification performance report 2022 to 2023
This report provides aggregated information on the national level of performance of verifiers on the key performance outcomes of the building standards Performance Framework for Verifiers 2021.
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Building standards - managing fire risks associated with use of external wall systems: research
Research commissioned by the Scottish Government to assist local authority verifiers manage the fire risk associated with external wall systems (EWS).
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Building standards enforcement and sanctions: consultation
Consultation on strengthening existing provisions within the Scottish building standard system under Section 21 Occupation or use without completion certificate, 27 Building warrant enforcement notices, and 48 Penalties for offences of the Building (Scotland) Act 2003.
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Cameron House Fatal Accident Inquiry recommendations: Short Life Working Group final report
This report shares the conclusions and actions from the Short-Life Working Group, created following the publication of the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) report on 11 January 2023 into the deaths of Simon Midgley and Richard Dyson following a building fire at Cameron House Hotel on 18 December 2017.
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New build developments – delivering gigabit-capable connections: partial business and regulatory impact assessment
Partial business and regulatory impact assessment for the consultation “New Build Developments – Delivering Gigabit-capable Connections”.
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Nitrous Oxide emissions associated with 100% hydrogen boilers: research
Research to measure the gas composition of flue gas from hydrogen boilers under normal, real world operating conditions, with a view to establishing what, if any, greenhouse gases are emitted during combustion.
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Local authorities publish RAAC data
Newly published data shows areas impacted.
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Social Justice Secretary update on RAAC
Reassurance given on building safety.
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Making Scotland’s buildings safer
Cladding legislation announced in Programme for Government.
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Building standards - building warrant fees: consultation
We are seeking views on proposed changes to the building warrant fees required to strengthen the building standards system in Scotland.
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Building standards - building warrant fee model: research project
The purpose of this study is to develop proposals and a model that can be used to deliver a funding model that is flexible and can be adjusted to allow changes to building warrant fees in Scotland.
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Building warrant fees increase: fairer Scotland duty impact assessment
Draft fairer Scotland duty impact assessment (FSDA) carried out to understand the potential impact of the proposed policy to increase building warrant fees in Scotland.
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Building standards - verification delivery model consultation: partial business and regulatory impact assessment:
This partial business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) has been carried out to understand the potential impact of the proposed policy to increase building warrant fees in Scotland.
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Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability, and usability of Scotland's homes: consultation summary
A summary version of the consultation paper relating to the review of the Housing for Varying Needs design guide, and the introduction of a Scottish Accessible Homes Standard through changes to building standards and guidance.
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Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland's homes: consultation
This consultation aims to improve housing accessibility through the review of Part 1 of the Housing for Varying Needs design guide and by introducing a Scottish Accessible Homes Standard through updates to building standards and guidance.
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Building standards - verification delivery model consultation: equality impact assessment
This equality impact assessment has been carried out to understand the potential impact of the proposed policy to increase building warrant fees in Scotland.
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Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: progress report 2022 to 2023
Second annual progress report relating to the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26 which outlines the progress made in relation to the Plan’s three themes during the last year as well as key delivery achievements and activity planned for the coming year.
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Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: major capital projects progress update - March 2023
The following information relates to projects with a capital value of £5 million or more which are at the outline business case (or equivalent) approved stage or beyond.
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Just transition for the built environment and construction sector: a discussion paper
This discussion paper is intended to support engagement on a just transition for the built environment and construction sector. Building on this engagement, a draft targeted action plan and route map (late 23/24) will outline the key steps to delivering a fair transition for the sector.
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Building Standards Workforce Data Collection Analysis Report 2022
The Building Standards Workforce Data Collection Analysis Report 2022 provides a national-level view of the challenges facing the building standards profession in relation to resourcing, development of competencies and levels of turnover.
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New Build Heat Standard: consultation - part two analysis
The New Build Heating Standard (NBHS) consultation: Part II was an opportunity for the Scottish Government to understand a wide variety of stakeholders’ views on a number of specific proposals. This independent analysis presents a report on these views both quantitively and qualitatively.
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New Build Heat Standard 2024: island communities impact assessment
Island communities impact assessment (ICIA) owing to the proposals in the New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) with the move toward zero direct emissions heating systems as a standard in all new buildings. Assessing the particular realities of island communities.
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New Build Heat Standard 2024: equality impact assessment
Equality impact assessment (EQIA) considering the New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) proposals and implications of moving away from direct emissions heating systems in new buildings. Considering in detail the impacts and potential for increasing equality as a result of introducing these regulations.
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New Build Heat Standard 2024: business and regulatory impact assessment
Business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) in consideration of the introduction of the New Build Heat Standard (NBHS). Looking in detail at the economic impacts of moving to Zero Direct Emissions heating systems in all new buildings.
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New Build Heat Standard 2024: fairer Scotland duty assessment
Fairer Scotland duty assessment for the New Build Heat Standard looking into the socio-economic impact of moving forward with zero direct emissions heating systems in all new buildings and in helping reduce inequalities in Scotland.
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New Build Heat Standard 2024: children’s rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Children’s rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) in consideration of the New Build Heat Standard (NBHS). Looking at the implications of moving away from Direct Emissions Heating Systems in new buildings with particular regard for children and young people.
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Climate change monitoring report 2023
The second annual statutory monitoring report against the updated 2018 Climate Change Plan, as per the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019.
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Building standards - Standard 2.15 Automatic Fire Suppression Systems: cost benefit analysis
We commissioned this cost benefit analysis research to inform the decision making process for Limitations to Standard 2.15 Automatic Fire Suppression Systems – Alterations, Extensions and Conversions , to consider the circumstances which would support the relaxation of the Standard to assist in the proposal to amend the limitations of Standard 2.15.
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Building standards - ventilation guidance: research
Research to investigate whether changes made to the building standards guidance in 2015 (standard 3.14) have resulted in better occupant interaction with the dwellings natural ventilation components and improved levels of indoor air quality within the dwelling.
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Building standards - non-domestic buildings - ventilation: research
Project to identify any evidence of where the guidance in Standard 3.14 needs to be updated in order to provide greater assurance that adequate ventilation is provided in new non-domestic buildings, which mitigates the transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
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Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership - A fresh start
This publication sets out the First Minister’s vision for Scotland and the outcomes he and his government aim to achieve by 2026.
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Scotland NCM software validation DSM and FI-SBEM software validation: guidance
Describes the methodology required for the validation of third party commercial Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) and Front Interface Simplified Building Energy Modelling (FI-SBEM) software packages.
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Climate Change Act – Section 72: thirteenth annual report
Information and conclusions fulfilling our annual reporting requirements on the operation of Section 3F of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (introduced by Section 72 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009).
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Building standards enforcement handbook: first edition
The building standards enforcement handbook provides clarification on the enforcement powers for local authorities as set out in the Building (Scotland) Act 2003.
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Non-domestic buildings: national calculation methodology modelling guide 2022
Guidance on compliance with building regulations, namely the application of the calculation methodology used for non-domestic buildings under standards 6.1 and 6.9, as set out in section 6 (energy) of the February 2023 Non-domestic Technical Handbook. Applicable from 1 February 2023.
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Building standards technical handbook February 2023: non-domestic buildings
Guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. This handbook applies to a building warrant submitted between 1 February 2023 and 4 June 2023, and to building work which does not require a warrant commenced during that period.
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Non-domestic building services compliance guide 2022
Detailed guidance for the installation of fixed building services in new and existing non-domestic buildings in support of compliance with the energy efficiency requirements set out in section 6 (energy) of the February 2023 Non-domestic Technical Handbook. Applicable from 1 February 2023.
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Building standards technical handbook February 2023: domestic buildings
Guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. This handbook applies to a building warrant submitted between 1 February 2023 and 4 June 2023, and to building work which does not require a warrant commenced during that period.
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External wall systems in existing multi-storey residential buildings - fire risk: advice note - version 2
Version 2.0 of this Scottish Advice Note provides advice for those responsible for fire safety in residential buildings including building owners/managers/residents groups responsible for determining the fire risk posed by external wall systems on existing multi-storey residential buildings.
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Building standards - legislation and guidance changes December 2022: letter to local authority verifiers - 5 July 2022
Guidance to local authority verifiers on changes to legislation and guidance in force from 1 December 2022.
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Building standards - legislation and guidance changes June 2022: letter to local authority verifiers - 5 July 2022
Guidance to local authority verifiers on changes to legislation and guidance in force from 1 June 2022.
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Building standards technical handbooks 2022: summary of changes for 1 June 2022 and 1 December 2022
A summary of changes included in the 2022 building standards technical handbooks.
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Building standards technical handbook 2022: non-domestic
Guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. This handbook applies to a building warrant submitted on or after 1 June 2022 and to building work which does not require a warrant commenced from that date.
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Building standards technical handbook 2022: domestic
Provides guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. This handbook applies to a building warrant submitted on or after 1 June 2022 and to building work which does not require a warrant commenced from that date.
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Working together to fix cladding issues
Single Building Assessment programme expanded.
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Building regulations – compliance and enforcement: consultation analysis
Analysis of the building regulations compliance and enforcement consultation which ran between 11 November 2021 and 9 February 2022.
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Building standards technical handbooks 2022: summary of changes for 1 June 2022
A summary of changes included in the Interim 2022 building standards technical handbooks, updating Section 0 (general), Section 2 (Fire) and Appendix A (definitions), which apply from 1 June 2022; information on awareness events.
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Ban on combustible cladding
Materials barred from high-risk buildings over 11 metres.
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Fire alarm funding increased
Extra £500,000 to support most vulnerable.
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Building standards - (fire safety) external wall systems: consultation analysis
An analysis of the responses to the public consultation on a review of building standards relating to the fire safety of external wall systems to help ensure the safety of people in and around Scotland’s buildings.
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Making our homes cleaner and greener
Scotland’s heat in buildings strategy published.
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Building standards (fire safety) - external wall systems: consultation
This consultation seeks views on a ban of the highest risk cladding materials on new buildings and to give further consideration to façade system testing. Any changes will be introduced through amendments to building regulations and supporting guidance in Section 2: fire of the technical handbooks.
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Building standards - verification service: customer experience evaluation - future model
This research identified and proposed a preferred model which the Scottish Government (Building Standards Division) could use to deliver the national customer survey for building standards.
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Building standards - verifiers: self-assessment tool - April 2021
Self-assessment tool aimed at supporting verifiers in evaluating their approach to continuous improvement to meet their obligations under the Building Standards Operating Framework 2021.
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Building standards - verifiers: professional competency framework
The professional framework introduces a national methodology for assessing competence with defined entry points to show a clear career progression path for those considering a career in building standards.
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Tackling cladding issues
Free safety assessments for homeowners.
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A new standard for housing
Ensuring equal quality of homes.
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Multi‑storey residential buildings - fire risk posed by external wall systems: consultation analysis
An independent analysis of consultation responses to the Draft Scottish Advice Note (SAN): Determining the fire risk posed by external wall systems in existing multi-storey residential buildings.
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Fire safety regime for existing high rise domestic buildings - review: Fairer Scotland Duty summary
Fairer Scotland Assessment for the Review of Fire Safety that was agreed by the Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety in December 2018 and the recommendations delivered in 2019 to 2020.
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Maintaining Scotland’s tenements
Changes to legislation considered.
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Construction phase handbook
Guidance for contracting authorities on the construction phase of a built asset project
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National Planning Framework 3: monitoring report
Progress of the 30 key actions and 14 national developments listed in the third National Planning Framework.
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Making homes safer
£13 million to improve safety standards in social housing.
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Building standards: procedural handbook (third edition, version 1.6)
Clarifies procedures underpinning the Scottish building standards system as set out in the Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 to help with practical operation.
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Strengthening fire safety and building standards
Improvements in fire safety and better facilities for people with disabilities.
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Strengthening fire safety for high rise domestic buildings: consultation
Consultation on guidance for fire safety and information for people responsible and residents of high rise buildings. This consultation is now closed.
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Better sanitary facilities for disabled people
Public consultation launched today
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New fire safety standards for Scottish homes
All domestic properties to have smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms.
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Building and fire safety
Consultation on expert group recommendations.
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Cladding removal VAT calls
Ministers back exemption for removal of combustible building cladding.
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Building and fire safety
Response to independent interim review.
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Fire safety consultation
Review of guidance for residential accommodation.
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Support for housing
Challenge fund announced for custom and self-built homes.
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Building and fire safety
Chairs for review groups announced.
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Designing communities
People to have say in the design of their area.
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Home safety paramount
Consultation on protecting homes against fire and smoke.
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Ministerial Working Group on building and fire safety
Fourth meeting held.
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Ministerial Working Group on building and fire safety
Third meeting held.
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Comment on cladding and high rise buildings
Communities Secretary provides further update.
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Comment on cladding and high rise buildings
Communities Secretary provides update
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Review of building and fire safety regulations
Ministerial Working Group convened.
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50 affordable homes for Fort William
£2.5m charitable bond used to fund new homes.
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