The Government is seeking views on whether Building Regulations can have a role to play in the wider promotion of broadband and ‘intelligent’ telecommunications throughout England and Wales in its consultation on proposals for a new set of regulatory requirements - Part Q.
The consultation package can still be found on http://www.safety.odpm.gov.uk/bregs/consult/brecs/index.htm(ODPMs website)
HBF has received a number of Member comments and will submit a full response to ODPM on these proposals.
The consultation seeks to establish whether Building Regulations should be made to secure minimum standards for telecommunications services in new buildings, in particular whether the Regulations should require the provision of distribution ductwork in new dwellings to facilitate future broadband installation. The draft document gives details of these requirements, including cable ducting up to the property (from the site boundary), distribution ductwork within the property and locations for electronic communications points within the home. The document proposes both lateral and vertical distribution ductwork (i.e. to include rooms in upper storeys of new dwellings) and gives specifications and other details for these services.
HBF circulated the draft document to Members of the Technical Development Committee and sought views from other HBF Members.
Dave Baker
Director of Technical Services
June 2003