building control sign-off for ramps & steps

Do your ramps & steps require building control sign-off?

Specific minimum requirements, safeguards and features are necessary to achieve building control sign-off for ramps and steps. For example, Building Regulations require ramps for public use to accomplish a minimum width of 1500mm, while for dwelling ramps, the minimum is 900mm. Also, ensure that you have assigned a Building Control Officer (BCO) for the project. The term 'building control officer' generally (although not always) refers to an employee of the local authority, whereas 'approved inspector' is a private sector individual or organisation and often is your point of contact for sign-off.

Building control sign off survey

Help with accomplishing building control sign-off for access requirements

Here are the stages to follow to ensure we can efficiently help you with your enquiry:

1. Share your requirements with Rapid Ramp. You can either fill in the quick quote form or email [email protected] with the full project address, drawings, photos and contact details.

2. Rapid Ramp will run through your requirements, asking questions regarding individual usage, if compliant features are needed, if a specific width and gradient needs to be achieved etc.

3. We provide 2D and 3D designs with detailed written specifications. The specification notes each design feature with reference to the page and location to the Approved Documents of M and K of the Building Regulations.

4. Ensure that you have assigned a Building Control Officer BCO for the project. The term 'building control officer' generally (although not always) refers to an employee of the local authority, whereas 'approved inspector' is a private sector individual or organisation. Either is your point of contact for sign-off.

5. With our system, we can provide pre-construction details of the ramp or steps, which the BCO can comment on. Alterations can be made to drawings before installation. We recommend all communication between you and your BCO is written and filed for ease of reference. He will be able to approve the designs at this stage.

6. Ramps and steps ultimately provide access to the buildings, and receiving written approval from a BCO will save you a sufficient amount of site time.

7. The BCO will need to do a final project sign-off, including evaluating the access points.

Consequences of not having building control sign off

Below is a list of consequences you could face if you fail to arrange for a Building Control Officer to sign off on your design before installation:

The building cannot be handed over to your client for use; this affects everyone throughout the chain, including the end-user
Your client may expect you to have arranged sign-off before installation, which could provoke them to think twice about using your services again.
The client may face overrunning penalty charges which will reduce your project profits.