Building Compliance & Control

Building compliance and control relates to the Building Regulations – a statutory legal requirement governing most construction work in England and Wales. They are designed to ensure that new buildings, extensions, and alterations meet essential standards for safety, health, accessibility, sustainability, and energy efficiency. Compliance is not optional – it is a legal obligation, and fundamental to a successful, certifiable building project.

At MFA, we have in-depth knowledge of the Building Regulations and apply this from the outset of every project. As lead consultant, we coordinate the design process to ensure that all proposals meet or exceed the relevant requirements, and that key technical matters are addressed early, reducing the risk of delays or costly redesigns later on.

Building Regulations compliance spans a wide range of areas, including:

Structural integrity
Fire safety and means of escape
Waterproofing and damp-proofing
Thermal performance and energy conservation
Ventilation and air quality
Sanitary and drainage provision
Acoustic separation
Accessibility and inclusive design
Stair and balustrade safety
Prevention of overheating
Services, electrical safety, and lighting
Material durability and workmanship
Security standards for doors and windows

Building Compliance – Our Approach

We lead the coordination of these issues with the wider design team—engineers, consultants, and specialists – to ensure that the technical design is robust, coordinated, and compliant. All necessary information is submitted for review and approval before construction begins.

We work closely with both local authority building control bodies and private Registered Building Control Approvers (formerly known as Approved Inspectors). These professionals liaise with other statutory bodies where required, such as fire authorities, and play a key role in reviewing the design and inspecting the construction at critical stages. This includes inspections of:

Foundations and groundworks
Structural frames and loadbearing elements
Fire separation and compartmentation
Drainage and below-ground services
Waterproofing and damp-proof barriers
Thermal and acoustic insulation
Mechanical and electrical installations
Testing and commissioning of ventilation and air tightness

While the contractor is responsible for building in accordance with the approved drawings and specifications, we provide ongoing oversight during the construction phase, helping to ensure compliance is maintained on site.

Final certification from the registered building control body confirms that the works meet statutory requirements. This completion certificate is essential – not only for legal compliance but also for future resale, insurance, mortgage lending, and fire risk assessments. It marks the successful transition of your building from construction to safe, legal occupation.