On 6 April 2010 a new Part G and Approved Document of the Building Regulations came into force. Whereas the previous edition of Approved Document G was simply called Hygiene, the much longer new document also has a longer title:
“Sanitation, Hot Water Safety and Water Efficiency”.
The former requirements were:
- G1 Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities
- G2 Bathrooms
- G3 Hot water storage
The new requirements are:
- G1 Cold water supply
- G2 Water efficiency
- G3 Hot Water supply and systems
- G4 Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities
- G5 Bathrooms
- G6 Food preparation areas.
G1 Cold Water Supply
Wholesome water, i.e. drinking quality water, must be supplied for drinking water taps, washbasins or bidets provided in toilets or rooms adjacent to toilets, bathroom appliances and to food preparation areas.
Water of suitable quality must be supplied to flushing toilets. Recycled greywater or collected rainwater can be used in place of wholesome water.
G2 Water Efficiency
This requirement applies to new dwelling and dwellings formed in existing buildings. Fittings and appliances used must help prevent unnecessary water consumption.
The Government have produced a document “The Water Efficiency Calculator for New Dwellings” to be used to estimate water consumption. Consumption should not exceed 125 litres/person/day.
A written notice giving the calculated water consumption must be given to the Local Authority within 5 days of the works being completed.
This notice is now part of the documentation that must be provided before a completion certificate can be issued.
G3 Hot Water Supply and Systems
Heated wholesome water must be supplied to washbasins, bidets, baths and showers
Hot water systems must be designed and installed to prevent accidents during normal use and due to possible malfunctions.
Hot water system storage vessels must be designed and installed to prevent the temperature exceeding 100 degrees Celsius and safety devices must safely discharge water to places where the discharge is visible.
The hot water supply to baths must be prevented from exceeding 48 degrees Celsius to avoid scalding accidents.
This requirement applies to newly formed dwellings including those formed by conversions.
G4 Sanitary Conveniences and Washing facilities
Sufficient toilets or urinals, which are fit for purpose, must be provided in toilets or bathrooms.
Where a toilet or urinal is provided, a washbasin must be provided.
Rooms with toilets, bidets and associated washbasins must be separated from kitchens and food preparation areas by a door.
G5 Bathrooms
Dwelling and buildings containing rooms for residential purposes must contain at least one bathroom containing a fixed bath or shower and handbasin.
G6 Food Preparation areas
Food preparation areas must have a suitable sink. Under G1 such sinks must have a wholesome cold water supply.
Further information
Approved Document G (2010 edition) of the Building Regulations 2000 (as amended), available as a download from the Planning Portal and in hardcopy form, produced by Department of Communities and Local Government.
The Water Efficiency Calculator for new dwellings, available as a download from the Planning Portal and in hardcopy form, produced by Department of Communities and Local Government.
BS 6465 Part 1 (2006) Code of Practice for the design of sanitary facilities and scales of provision of sanitary and associated appliances, produced by British Standards Institution.
Better Public Toilets guide (2000) produced by British Toilet Association.
The Good Loo guide (2004), produced by Centre for Accessible Environments.
This information was correct at the time of writing, September 2011.
