Small Scale Development -
Advice NoteCompliance with Approved Document C
Site Investigation
The Building Regulations 2000 (as
amended)
Background
Approved Document C requires a new
approach to building either on land subject to contamination or
within a sphere of influence of a contaminant, e.g. gas from a
landfill.
Requirements
Where a site to which the Building
Regulations apply is known, suspected or found to be affected by
contaminants, Approved Document C requires a staged approach to the
risk analysis of the potential of the contaminants to cause harm to
the occupiers of the land. There are a number of
British Standards which deal with site investigations.
However, only one British Standard 10175:2001 provides the
necessary procedures for investigations which meet the requirements
of Approved Document C.
BS:10175 details three stages to
site investigation with each stage increasing in
complexity. Because of the risks involved with
contaminants, particularly with regard to mobile contaminants, e.g.
gases or vapours, you will need to appoint or take advice
from a suitably qualified consultant.
The consultant will need to be a Chartered Member of an appropriate
professional body (such as the Institution of Civil Engineers,
Geological Society of London, Royal Institution of Chartered
Surveyors, Institution of Environmental Management) and have
relevant experience.
- Any report prepared in respect of your site must be
signed and verified by the consultant.
- If you use an "unqualified" consultant it is likely that
your report would not be acceptable.
- Proposals for remedial action i.e. to remove or prevent
contamination, will not be considered in the
absence of a site investigation in accordance with BS
10175.
Sources of advice/consultants/surveyors
Please refer to Yellow Pages (Surveyors) and
the web pages of the professions
listed.
Notes
It is possible that a site
investigation known as a "preliminary investigation" may
be all that is needed to verify the absence of
risks from contaminants and you are recommended to seek
professional advice on this basis, i.e. obtain prices for each
stage of an investigation.
The Head of Building Control recognises the additional impact
and costs that may arise on small developments and will consult
with the Head of Environmental Health to ensure that additional
costs are minimised wherever practicable.
top of page
Page Last Updated: 7/14/2008
Eastleigh Borough Council
legal disclaimer
Website Comments: webmaster@eastleigh.gov.uk
Eastleigh Borough Council, Civic Offices, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9YN
Telephone:023 8068 8068; Fax:023 8068 8257; Text:07797 877001
Email:
direct@eastleigh.gov.uk