Technical Handbooks
Technical Handbooks 2009
The Technical Handbooks provide guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and are available in two volumes, for Domestic buildings and for Non-domestic buildings.
May 2009 Technical Handbooks
The Handbooks are available to view or download using the links below (to download, right click on link, and 'save target as'). Files marked with an asterisk (*) are changed from the 2008 edition. Please note that, due to their file size, several of the sections may take some time to download on slower internet connections.
- Section 0 - General (pdf 1.5Mb)*
- Section 1 - Structure (pdf, 5.0Mb)
- Section 2 - Fire (pdf, 2.0Mb)*
- Section 3 - Environment (pdf, 5.0Mb)*
- Section 4 - Safety (pdf, 2.2Mb)*
- Section 5 - Noise (pdf, 1.3Mb)
- Section 6 - Energy (pdf, 1.6Mb)*
- Appendix A (pdf, 0.8Mb)*
- Appendix B (pdf, 0.9Mb)
- Appendix C (pdf, 0.9Mb)
Non-domestic Handbook May 2009
- Section 0 - General (pdf 1.4Mb)*
- Section 1 - Structure (pdf, 1.3Mb)
- Section 2 - Fire (pdf, 3.5Mb)*
- Section 3 - Environment (pdf, 4.4Mb)*
- Section 4 - Safety (pdf, 2.0Mb)*
- Section 5 - Noise (pdf, 1.0Mb)
- Section 6 - Energy (pdf, 2.0Mb)*
- Appendix A (pdf, 0.9Mb)*
- Appendix B (pdf, 0.9Mb)
- Appendix C (pdf, 0.9Mb)
Changes from 2008 edition
Two minor amendments were made in 2009. In January, to address issue arising from implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. In May, to address the removal of Crown exemption and to update key references. Replacement pages for insertion into the 2008 edition can be downloaded below.
January 2009 Amendments
The January 2009 edition of the Technical Handbooks applies from 4 January 2009. This introduces amendment to Section 0 (0.5 and 0.17), Section 6 (6.0 and 6.9) and Annex A (defined terms), introduced to assist in implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The 2009 replacement pages can be accessed below.
May 2009 Amendments
The May 2009 edition of the Technical Handbooks applies from 1 May 2009. This edition introduces further amendment to Section 0, Section 2, section 3, Section 4 & Section 6 (non-domestic). Changes include removal of Crown exemption, amended guidance on exempted areas of hardstanding for drainage in section 0, Minor changes of wording and corrections within Section 2 (fire), updated advice on radon and surface water in section 3 (environment), revised guidance on sockets in bathrooms in section 4 (safety) and a correction within Section 6 (energy, non-domestic). The 2009 replacement pages can be accessed below.
- Summary of changes made – May 2009
- May 2009 Domestic update pages (pdf, 2.6Mb)
- May 2009 Non-domestic update pages (pdf, 2.5Mb)
Please note that the PDF files for the 2009 Technical Handbook listed at the top of this page include all updated pages.
Hard copies of the Technical Handbooks
The 2007 edition of the Technical Handbooks is still available as a loose leaf document within a printed binder. Copies are available from major booksellers or by using this order form. If purchased, the 2007 edition requires the insertion of the 2007 erratum and the 2008 replacement pages (see below) in addition to the more recent changes noted above.
Conservatory Document
A document providing guidance on how to meet the building regulations for simple conservatories (1Mb pdf) which are built on to existing houses has been developed and can be accessed by clicking the link above.
The Conservatory Document is also available as a printed publication. Hard copies may be obtained from the BSD and are priced at £5.00
Telephone Orders: 01506 600400
Email Orders: BuildingStandards@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Fax Orders: 01506 600402
