Welsh Building Regulations Overhaul: Key Changes for 2025

The Welsh Government has introduced significant updates to the Building Regulations 2010, set to take effect on December 20, 2025. These changes aim to enhance safety standards and accommodate new technologies in construction. Here’s a breakdown of the key amendments:

1. New Material Definitions:

   • A "relevant metal composite material" is now explicitly defined. This includes panels or sheets up to 10mm thick, composed of multiple layers, some of which are metal, and others that have a high calorific value. This definition aligns with BS EN ISO 1716:2018 standards.
   • The definition of "specified attachment" now includes solar shading devices, which are structures attached to buildings to reduce heat gain by shading or deflecting sunlight.

2. Building Height Restrictions:

   • The height threshold for buildings requiring compliance with certain fire safety regulations has been reduced from 15 meters to 11 meters. This change affects how external fire spread is managed in buildings undergoing significant use changes.

3. Material Usage Restrictions:

   • The use of certain metal composite materials in external walls and specified attachments is prohibited. This move aims to mitigate fire risks associated with combustible materials.
   • Exemptions to material fire safety standards have been updated. Notably, fibre optic cables and certain components of solar shading devices are exempt, except for those primarily providing shade, like awning curtains or slats.
   • The exemption for materials used below ground level has been extended to include those up to 300mm above ground level.

4. Inclusion of Hostels, Hotels, and Boarding Houses:

   • The prohibition on combustible materials now applies to hostels, hotels, and boarding houses, reflecting a broader scope of fire safety measures.

5. Transitional Provisions:

   • Projects with building notices or full plans submitted before the regulation's start date, and where work begins within six months of this date, are exempt from these changes.

These updates, part of a broader commitment to improve building safety, follow consultations with the Welsh Advisory Committee on Building Regulations. For more information, you can access the full regulatory impact assessment on the Welsh Government’s website or visit the British Standards Institution for related standards.

These amendments represent a proactive step in ensuring that Welsh construction practices align with modern safety and environmental standards, providing a safer built environment across the nation.