For more guidance, you can view the Quick Start Video or Further Info Guide.
Or take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions.
Choose Plan Type
1. Choose your type of plan, House Extension, New Build, Flat Conversion, Loft Conversion, Garage Conversion, Garage Build, or New Build Flats and click the relevant button on the left-side panel to open the App.
[Once you've started compiling your Specification within the app, please save your spec at regular intervals.
If you want to open another page without leaving the app, you can right-click the link and select 'Open in New Window'.]
Select Category
2. Next, select a Category from the left-hand column within the app eg 'General Notes', 'Site Preparation', 'Structure' etc.
It may be useful to work through the list of categories on the left, from top-to-bottom, so that you don't miss anything out.
Pick a Subcategory
3. Go to the second/middle column to select a subcategory. You may need to work through several subcategories (the subcategory type is shown at the top of the column eg for Roofs, there is 'Roof Type', then 'Warm/Cold Roof', 'Rafter Size and Span' etc.) Pick the relevant choices to suit your plans.
Add a Note to the Specification
4. You may need to click through several choices before you reach a Building Note.
When you reach a Building Regulations Note**, click the 'Add Note to Note-List' button to add it to your Spec.
**Some notes have a detail drawing (CAD & jpeg formats). Add to your basket (Premium users can download drawing without any additional purchase) & purchase at the checkout. You can review your basket & go to checkout at any time.
The Specification / Note-List
5. Building Regulations Notes are shown in your Specification in the order in which you added them. Use the scrollbar review the list, if you require.
If a note doesn't meet the exact requirements for your project, you can edit it with the 'Edit Notes' feature. See the Further Info Guide for additional guidance on this function.
Note: The Specs are applicable to work in England & Wales only.
Select and Copy into your CAD Program
6. Once you have added the notes and completed your specification, use the 'Copy' button at the top of your spec to copy the it to the clipboard.
Some browsers don't support the Copy function, in which case the button will read 'Select'. Click it, then manually copy the highlighted Specification by right-clicking (over the specification) and clhoosing 'Copy' from the menu.
In either case, paste the finished Building Regulations Specification into your CAD program.
Export your Specification as a Text File
The 'Export' button converts your specification into a Text file. After pressing the Export button you will be prompted to save the file on your computer.
Text Files can be opened with Text-Editor or Word-Processor programs e.g. Word.
Windows PC: Text Files can be opened on Windows computers with NotePad or WordPad.
Mac: Text Files can be opened on Mac Computers with 'TextEdit'.
Opera: Unfortunately, we don't currently support the 'Export' function in the Opera browser.
Navigating through the Notes
The Navigation Bar shows the path you have taken through the subcategories.
You can use it to navigate back through subcategories.
For more guidance, see the Quick Start Video.
Downloading Linked Detail Drawings (Premium Reg only)
Once you've added some specs with associated drawings, you can download all your linked details (in dwg format) in one go.
Click the 'Download DWGs' button on the right-hand side.
Then select a location to save a zip fie containing your drawings.
Please contact us if you have any queries about registration.
Sample Building Notes
FULL FILL CAVITY WALL To achieve minimum U Value of 0.28W/m²K
20mm two coat sand/cement render to comply to BS 5262 with waterproof additive on 100mm block K value 0.16 light weight block (Aircrete, Celcon solar, Topblock Toplight Standard). Fully fill the cavity with 85mm Dritherm32 cavity insulation as manufactures spec. Innerleaf to be 100mm block K value 0.16 light weight block (Aircrete, Celcon solar, Topblock toplight standard). Internal finish to be 12.5 mm plasterboard on dabs. Walls to be built with 1:1:6 cement mortar.
TIMBER FRAME WALL To achieve minimum U Value of 0.28W/m²K 102mm facing brick to match existing with 50mm vented and drained cavity tied to breathable membrane (having a vapour resistance of not more than 0.6 MNs/g) on 12mm thick WPD external quality plywood sheathing (or other approved). Ply fixed to treated timber frame studs constructed using 100mm x 50mm treated timbers with head & sole plates and noggins at 400mm ctrs or to s/engineers details & calculations. Insulation between and over studs, 100mm Celotex FR4000 between and 37.5mm Celotex PL4000 insulated plaster board with VCL over studs. Finished with 3mm skim coat of finishing plaster. All junctions to have water tight construction, seal all perimeter joints with tape internally and with silicon sealant externally.
RAINWATER DRAINAGE New rainwater goods to be new 110mm upvc half round gutters taken and connected into 68mm dia upvc downpipes. Rainwater taken to new soakaway, situated a min distance of 5.0m away from any building, via 110mm dia upvc pipes surrounded in 150mm granular fill. Soakaway to be min of 1 cubic metre capacity (or to depth to Local Authorities approval) with suitable granular fill with geotextile surround to prevent migration of fines. If necessary carry out a porosity test to determine design and depth of soakaway.
BLOCK AND BEAM FLOOR VENTILATION Provide cross ventilation of the under floor to outside air by ventilators in at least 2 opposite external walls of the building. Ventilation openings having an opening area of 1500 mm² per metre run of perimeter wall or 500mm² per square metre of floor area, whichever is the greater.
Concise Construction Notes like these can be added to your Building Regulations Specification in just a few clicks within the Web Apps!
To begin compiling your Building Regulations Specification, choose either House Extension, New Build, Flat Conversion, Loft Conversion, Garage Conversion or Garage Build.
