Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (the “2004 Regulations”) and come into force on 6 April 2026.

Regulation 2(2) amends regulation 8 of the 2004 Regulations to extend its requirements in respect of external wall cladding systems to hotels, guest houses, boarding houses and hostels. It also amends regulation 8 to exempt certain components associated with a solar shading device and materials which form the top horizontal floor layer of a balcony from such requirements.

Schedule 6 of the 2004 Regulations applies various building standards to conversions of properties, including the building standard set out in paragraph 2.15 (automatic fire suppression systems) of schedule 5 of the 2004 Regulations. Regulation 2(3) amends paragraph 2.15 of schedule 5 of the 2004 Regulations so that it applies to traditionally constructed residential buildings with 15 or more bedrooms.

Regulation 3 makes transitional provision so that the changes made by these Regulations will not apply to work which does not require a building warrant and which is either completed before 6 April 2026, or if not completed before that date, where the contract for the work is entered into before 6 April 2026 and the work is completed on or before 6 October 2026.