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Approved Document C

Publication title: Approved Document C - Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture (2004 Edition incorporating 2010 and 2013 amendments)
Date published: reprinted September 2013
Date valid from: 1 October 2013

Summary

Approved Document C provides instruction on resistance to contaminants and moisture, including ensuring buildings are protected from both weather and water damage, from dangerous substances such as radon and methane, and that guidelines are followed when preparing a site for construction to take place.

Guidance is provided on preparing a building site and its foundations for construction, detailing precautions that must be taken in advance. Steps must be taken to guarantee new building foundations will not be damaged by pre-existing foundations, vegetation, tree roots or topsoil. Ground moisture must be contained and removed, using suitable drainage pipes to avert damage to buildings. Contaminated ground must be cleared in advance of any contaminants, adhering to health and safety procedures.

Download

The Merged Approved Documents1

A consolidated version of the individual Approved Documents published by the government, now presented as a single, searchable PDF.

Previous version

This current reprint of Approved Document C - Site preparation and resistance to contaminates and moisture supersedes the previous 2004 edition by incorporating the changes made as a result of the Building Regulations 2010 and Building (Approved Inspectors etc) Regulations 2010 and the 2013 amendments.

Changes in this version

This current reprint of Approved Document C - Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture, incorporates amendments made to the 2004 edition including the July 2013 amendments that came into force on 1 October 2013. This reprint further incorporates editorial corrections and amendments.

There have been no amendments to the substantive requirements in Schedule 1 (ie Part C) to the Building Regulations.

This Approved Document gives guidance for compliance with the Building Regulations for building work carried out in England. It also applies to building work carried out on excepted energy buildings in Wales as defined in the Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) (No. 2) Order 20093.

Useful links

Apply for building regulations approval1

  1. https://buildingcontrol.planningportal.co.uk/
  1. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/building-regulations-and-approved-documents-index#approved-documents
  2. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/431943/BR_PDF_AD_C_2013.pdf
  3. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/3019/contents/made

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The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). All content © 2024 Planning Portal.