Building standards

Scotland’s heat in buildings strategy published.

Sets out our vision for the future of heat in buildings, and the actions we are taking in the buildings sector to deliver our climate change commitments, maximise economic opportunities, and ensure a just transition, including helping address fuel poverty.

Evaluation of the third, and final, phase of Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) pilots, which involved nine local authorities and took place between November 2019 and April 2021.

This report considers the potential economic impacts arising from a shift towards low carbon heating technologies in Scotland, over the period to 2030.

Report on a data collection exercise to establish the extent of the use of external high pressure laminate (HPL) cladding across a number of building sectors in Scotland.

This guidance provides useful information on how to make a good quality building warrant application.

This Scottish Advice Note (SAN) 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. It will also be of interest to fire risk assessors and specialist external wall appraisal experts.

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.

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.

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.

Free safety assessments for homeowners.

Ensuring equal quality of homes.

Results from the National Customer Satisfaction Survey 2020 giving a summary of local authority performance of the National Performance Framework.

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.

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.

Results from an exercise to evaluate fire safety guidance leaflets, delivered to all high rise residents, following the Review of Fire Safety Regime in Scotland for High Rise Domestic Buildings.

The law on fire alarms is changing from February 2022 which means all Scottish homes will need to have interlinked alarms. Guidance for homeowners on what you need to know.

Letter from the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Kevin Stewart MSP to local authorities giving additional guidance on the duration of building warrants (extending the validity and determination of application – refusal and deemed refusals) as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Letter from the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Kevin Stewart MSP about special measures to enable the erection of temporary buildings for the recovery and renew phase of COVID-19.

Letter from the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Kevin Stewart MSP about special measures to enable the erection of temporary care assistance buildings as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Letter from the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Kevin Stewart MSP about guidance on building standards compliance and enforcement relating to special measures to enable the occupation of new buildings as a result of the COVID-19.

Changes to legislation considered.

BRIA carried out for work relating to Strengthening Fire Safety in Domestic High Rise Property.

Results of the equality impact assessment into strengthening fire safety for domestic high rise property.

Guidance for contracting authorities on the construction phase of a built asset project

This report supplements the NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) report issued on 9 September 2019 and focuses on the provision of the fire, electrical services and medical gas systems.

Progress of the 30 key actions and 14 national developments listed in the third National Planning Framework.

£13 million to improve safety standards in social housing.

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.

We commissioned NHS National Services Scotland to undertake an external series of checks to ensure that the relevant technical specifications and guidance applicable to the new hospital have been followed and are being implemented.

NHS Lothian's response to actions identified in NHS National Services Scotland's review of water, ventilation, drainage and plumbing systems in the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and Department of Neurosciences, Edinburgh.

In 2017 the NHS Lothian Incident Management Team investigated reported cases of ill health affecting residents of a recently built local authority housing estate. This research is looking for similar incidents and considers implications for building standards.

We are gathering views on draft Fire Safety Guidance for Specialised Housing (and other supported domestic accommodation). We will use the responses to further develop and refine the guidance.

Improvements in fire safety and better facilities for people with disabilities.

This project investigated why young people are not choosing a career in building standards and looked for ways to encourage them.

Consultation on guidance for fire safety and information for people responsible and residents of high rise buildings. This consultation is now closed.

Independent opinion on the need, appropriateness, potential structure and potential operations of a central hub for assisting in the verification of complex fire engineered designs.

This is an annual survey which provides a summary on performance indicators for each local authority.

Consultation document on how we can change building regulations so that Changing Places toilets have to be part of new or changed buildings.

Equality impact assessment (EQIA) of proposals to revise building regulations to require provision of Changing Places toilets in certain types of new buildings.

Changing Places toilets offer larger, supported facilities that address the needs of people for whom current accessible sanitary accommodation is inadequate.

Public consultation launched today

Analysis of responses to our three public consultations about energy performance certificates (EPCs).

Analysis of responses to our three public consultations about energy performance certificates (EPCs).

All domestic properties to have smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms.

Notes supplementing analysis of responses to our three public consultations about energy performance certificates (EPCs).

Latest summary statistics on planning decision-making and timescales for the year April 2017 to March 2018, as well as historic data going back to 2013-2014.

Consultation on a review of building and fire safety regulatory frameworks in order to help ensure the safety of people in and around Scotland’s buildings.

Consultation on expert group recommendations.

Ministers back exemption for removal of combustible building cladding.

Response to independent interim review.

Guidance for local authorities on reporting on the suitability of school estates.

Overview of the information used to measure progress of our school estates strategy.

Guidance for local authorities reporting on the condition of school estates.

Review of guidance for residential accommodation.

Challenge fund announced for custom and self-built homes.

Chairs for review groups announced.

People to have say in the design of their area.

Consultation seeking views on possible changes to standards required for fire and smoke alarms in Scottish homes.

Consultation on protecting homes against fire and smoke.

Fourth meeting held.

Outline of work to be undertaken by the building and fire safety Ministerial Working Group.

Minutes of the building and fire safety working group on 28 June 2017, chaired by Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities.

Minutes of the building and fire safety working group on 20 June 2017, chaired by Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities.

Third meeting held.

Third meeting held.

Third meeting held.

Building standards procedural handbook third edition, version 1.5. Superseded by version 1.6.

Communities Secretary provides further update.

Communities Secretary provides update

Ministerial Working Group convened.

Consultation on the Scottish Energy Performance Certificate Register (SEPCR), to advise on pending action to amend statutory fees.

Key performance outcomes used to monitor the work of building standards local authority verifiers.

Defines operational standards to be met by local authority verifiers and how to meet them.

£2.5m charitable bond used to fund new homes.

An introduction to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), EPC-01.

Guidance on Energy Performance Certificates for landlords in the private rented sector, EPC-03.

Information on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) relating to new construction, both dwelling and non-domestic buildings, EPC-02.

Guidance on Energy Performance Certificates for tenants in the social rented sector, EPC-06.

Guidance on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for landlords in the social rented sector, EPC-05.