Commercial Building Projects
When it comes to Building Regulations for Commercial projects, whether for it be for Shops, Offices, Storage Buildings, Industrial or buildings for another other purpose, there is usually emphasis on specific areas of the regulations which might vary greatly according to the purpose of the building for the project in hand, that provides a challenge to architects that are primarily only used to Domestic/Residential projects.
Some of those areas of the regulations with particular emphasis for commercial projects, depending upon the current project, may include:
- Part B – Fire Safety, Fire Regulations, Fire Resistance
- Part E – Soundproofing
- Part F – Ventilation
- Part G – Sanitation, Washrooms etc
- Part L – Cons of Fuel and Power
- Part M – Access & Use
- Part S – Vehicle Charging
- Part T – Provision of Toilets
Many aspects of the build might also be affected by multiple and rather complex regulations, so it’s essential to see how each regulation might practically apply to any particular element in order to provide suitable plans and specifications.
Ways in which these relate each project may vary but some of the more common include.
Fire Regulations (Part B)
Fire Detection, Alarm Systems, Smoke Detection
Means of Escape
Fire Signage
Lifts
Travel Distances
Corridors
Disabled Refuge Provision
Fire Doors, Vision Panels
Compartmentation
Provision of Sprinklers
Fire Service Access
Fire Hydrants
Fire Resistance (Part B)
Minimum Periods of Fire Resistance for elements
According to type/purpose of building
According to height above ground level
With/without sprinklers
Part E (Soundproofing)
Walls between Commercial and Residential
Part F – Ventilation
Industrial Ventilation
For Offices
For Bars/Cafes, Shops
For Commercial Kitchens
For Toilets
Ventilation Ductwork
Part G (Sanitation, Washrooms etc)
Cold/Hot Water Supply & Storage
Bathrooms
Part L (Cons of Fuel and Power)
Air Testing
Air Tightness
Continuity of Insulation
Part M (Access & Use)
Stepped Access
Level Access
Ramped Access
Car Parking
Wheelchair Access
Entrances
Reception
Part S (Vehicle Charging)
Installation of Charging Points
Cable Routes
Part T (Provision of Toilets)
Provision of Toilets for Bars, Shops, Cafes, Workplaces.
Type: Fully Enclosed, Ambulant, Urinals, Sinks
Signage
Number of Toilets
Wheelchair Access to Toilets
Investigating the regulations and approved documents can be time consuming and frustrating with so many detailed and complex regulations being applied.
BuildingRegs4Plans’ Commercial Module provides a library of pre-prepared Building Regulations Specifications, focussing on key areas of the build (Fire Regs etc).

Operating in a similar way to our web-apps for domestic specifications, the BuildingRegs4Plans commercial module provides a categorised list of the main areas of regulations, arranged within an intuitive and easily navigable hierarchy, allowing you to choose the specifications required for your project.
Most of the main categories have multiple subcategories and likewise, those are generally further divided, with the Building Notes being displayed once the relevant choices have been made.
For example, the Fire Regulations category has a subcategory ‘Means of Escape’, and so on.

Alongside many of the specifications, there are comments that provide additional information and references to other relevant areas of regulations or guidelines to choosing the relevant and correct specification for the current project.
Many of the specifications have an associated detail drawing that can be accessed at time of choosing the specification or downloaded later, if the specification is saved on the system.

There’s more information and guidance on the BuildingRegs4Plans Commercial Module here.
