Building standards technical handbook 2020: domestic

The building standards technical handbooks provide guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. This handbook applies to a building warrant submitted on or after 1 March 2021 and to building work which does not require a warrant commenced from that date.

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0.10 Building standards applicable to demolition

Regulation 10

  1. Every building to be demolished must be demolished in such a way that all service connections to the building are properly closed off and any neighbouring building is left stable and watertight.

  2. When demolition work has been completed, and where no further work is to commence immediately, the person who carried out that work shall ensure that the site is:

    1. immediately graded and cleared, or

    2. provided with such fences, protective barriers or hoardings as will prevent access thereto.

0.10.1 Explanation

Regulation 10 sets out the mandatory requirements when undertaking demolition work.

The building regulations do not control the method or process of demolition. This is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive and is covered under other legislation.

What the building regulations do seek to control is the area which is left after demolition has been completed, and the state of any surrounding buildings affected by the demolition. Any adjacent buildings must be left safe and watertight and all service connections must be properly sealed. Unless it is intended to build on the cleared site without delay, it must be left in a safe condition. This might be achieved by site clearance and grading, or by ensuring adequate perimeter enclosures.

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