This paper demonstrates the potential of computer based systems for checking building design proposals against statutory instruments for Building and Buildings. In the Department of Architecture, University of Bristol, a computer-aided design guide to the Thermal Insulation of Dwellings, Part F of the current English Building Regulations, has been developed. This design guide is explained and is used to demonstrate how design proposals are checked and how guidance is given to the designer. Some problems encountered in the use of Building Regulations are indicated. In particular attention is drawn to the problems in building design of increasing essential numeracy, arising as a result of the increasing use of Regulations based on performance specification approaches. It is concluded that this guide shows that computer based techniques could have a useful role to play in helping designers not only with Building Regulations but with legislation in general.
The Building Regulations 1 are part of society's legal system of control 2,3 whose function is to protect the health, welfare, and safety of the public by ensuring that certain minimum standards of building are maintained. In the national building programme most building proposals have to satisfy the Building Regulations. Even for those buildings which do not have, under statute, to satisfy the Regulations, the Regulations are normally used as a guide. During design, owing to the increasing scope and complexity, it is becoming increasingly difficult 4 to give proper consideration to the regulation requirements. Regulations are often numerous, numerical, complex, and often difficult to isolate and comprehend even for the simplest situation, for example in the Fire RegulationΒ’ E11 states:
'Any Door to which reference is made in regulation E9(1) (a)(i), E13(s) (c), E13(3) (c), E14(9)(c)(vi) or E18(6)(c)(ii) shall be either a single leaf door swinging in one direction only or a double leaf door each leaf of which swings in the opposite direction from the other leaf'.
The S.W. Region of the Royal Institute of British Architects s comments: 'E 112 is a good example of excessive cross-referencing, which requires either an exceptional memory or time consuming reference to other regulations'.
For some Regulations there would appear to be no way, other than detailed trial and error, of achieving a satisfactory solution. The recent amendment to the Thermal Regulations Part F, whereby an average U value for the perimeter wall has to be met, is a good example of this kind of regulation.