Architecture Public knowledge base

Reviewed 25.10.2026England focus

Architecture Knowledge base

UK Building Regulations & Performance Standards

A public, searchable reference to the regulations, approved documents and performance standards that shape building in the UK. Every record links to the official source and is reviewed on a quarterly cycle.

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The database

Search the regulatory landscape

Thirty-five core records spanning the Approved Documents, the Building Safety Act, energy and carbon methods, fire standards, accessibility, retrofit and more. Search by part, topic, metric or synonym.

Last reviewed

25 October 2026

Next review · January 2027

35 records

Browse all records, or search by part, topic or keyword.

Browse by topic

Eight ways into the regulations

Not sure where to start? Pick a subject to filter the database. Counts show the records in each topic.

01

Structure & Site

Foundations, stability, contaminants, moisture and materials.

5 records 02

Fire & Building Safety

Fire safety, higher-risk buildings, detection and emergency lighting.

7 records 03

Energy & Carbon

Part L, the Future Homes Standard, carbon methods and rating schemes.

7 records 04

Ventilation & Overheating

Ventilation, indoor air quality and summer overheating.

3 records 05

Water & Sanitation

Water efficiency, drainage, sanitation and toilet provision.

3 records 06

Acoustics & Access

Sound insulation, inclusive access, guarding and falls.

5 records 07

Services & Security

Electrical safety, security, digital infrastructure and EV charging.

4 records 08

Retrofit

Upgrading existing homes to contemporary performance standards.

1 record

Regulation watch

What has changed, and what is coming.

A dated timeline of the updates that matter to live projects. Each item links back to the relevant record and its official source.

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  1. 24 Mar 2027

    Upcoming

    Future Homes and Buildings Standards take effect

    The 2026 editions of Approved Documents L and F apply to new non-HRB work. HRB work follows on 24 September 2027, with transition rules for projects already in the system.

    Part L 2026

  2. 30 Sep 2026

    In force

    Second staircases and evacuation lifts

    Approved Document B now expects more than one common stair in new blocks of flats with a storey 18m or more, plus provisions for evacuation lifts.

    Part B

  3. 08 Sep 2026

    Revised

    AD L and AD F 2026 corrections

    Minor corrections and new FAQs were published for the 2026 energy and ventilation documents.

    Part L 2026

  4. 24 Mar 2026

    Published

    Future Homes Standard published

    The government published the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, the 2026 editions of AD L and AD F, and Building Circular 01/2026.

    Future Homes Standard

  5. Mar 2026

    Published

    UK NZCBS Version 1

    Version 1 of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard launched. Verification opened in July 2026 with Bureau Veritas as administrator.

    UK NZCBS

  6. 03 Nov 2025

    Revised

    Approved Document T revised

    Minor amendments were made to Tables 4.1 and 6.1 of the 2024 toilet accommodation guidance.

    Part T

  7. 01 Oct 2024

    In force

    AD G and AD M Volume 2 amendments

    The 2024 amendments to sanitation, water efficiency and access guidance took effect, aligned with the new Part T.

    Part G

About the database

Built to be checked, not just read.

A reference for architects, designers, clients and anyone who needs a clear route into the UK regulatory landscape.

01

Coverage

England is the primary jurisdiction. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate building regulations and standards; each record flags where a UK-wide standard applies. Always confirm the regime for your site.

02

Verification

Every record links to the official publisher, with the source's last update date where one is published. The review cycle is quarterly: last reviewed 25 October 2026, next review January 2027.

03

Limits

Summaries are editorial. They are not legal advice, a substitute for the official text, or a substitute for project-specific advice. Building control and the responsible dutyholders decide compliance.

Corrections & questions

Spotted something out of date, or need a compliance view on a project?

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