Building Compliance Services

Building compliance is the process of ensuring that a building meets all relevant UK Building Regulations, planning conditions, and energy performance requirements. This includes compliance with regulations covering energy efficiency, ventilation, sound insulation, and environmental performance before a building can be legally signed off or occupied.

Building compliance services ensure that new build and refurbishment projects meet UK Building Regulations. This can include airtightness testing, SAP/SBEM calculations, water efficiency reports, ventilation testing, energy assessments and other measures required for sign-off by Building Control.

Building compliance assessments in the UK are carried out by accredited energy assessors and testing organisations. Air Tightness Solutions provides SAP, SBEM, air tightness, and compliance services nationwide, with reports accepted by Building Control and local authorities.

Compliance assessments are required to prove that your building meets minimum energy efficiency, environmental performance, and safety standards. Without them, you may face delays, failed inspections, or be unable to complete your project.

A building regulations compliance certificate is issued once required assessments, inspections, and tests have been completed and meet regulatory standards. This typically includes SAP or SBEM assessments, air tightness testing, and other compliance checks depending on the building type. Results are submitted to Building Control for final approval.

Most tests and assessments are required both before construction begins (design-stage SAP/SBEM) and once the build is complete (e.g. airtightness testing, final energy performance certificates). Early planning helps avoid costly re-work later.

A SAP assessment (Standard Assessment Procedure) measures the energy performance of new or converted residential dwellings in the UK. It calculates energy efficiency, carbon emissions, and predicted running costs to demonstrate compliance with Approved Document L and to generate EPC ratings.

A SAP assessment is required for all new residential dwellings and for certain conversions and changes of use. It is needed at both design stage and as-built stage to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations before final Building Control sign-off.

A SAP assessment typically takes between 3 and 10 working days, depending on the size and complexity of the dwelling and the availability of construction information. Design-stage assessments are usually completed faster than as-built submissions.

SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) is the commercial building equivalent of SAP. It assesses the energy performance of non-residential buildings and is needed for Building Control sign-off.

Yes. A SBEM assessment (Simplified Building Energy Model) is required for new non-domestic buildings and many commercial extensions. It demonstrates compliance with Approved Document L for buildings such as offices, retail units, schools, warehouses, and industrial properties.

SBEM assessments are required for most non-domestic buildings, including offices, retail units, healthcare buildings, schools, leisure facilities, warehouses, and mixed-use developments with commercial space. The requirement applies to new builds, major refurbishments, and certain extensions.