Building Regulations and Flood Risk Mitigation

The Building Regulations do not set any requirements for resistance to flooding. However, where planning permission is granted for a building in an area considered to be at risk of flooding, or where a building in a flood risk area is being renovated it can be constructed with mitigating measures. For example – (a) elevated ground water levels or flow of subsoil water across the site can be alleviated by the provision of adequate subsoil drainage (see Section 4); (b) sewer flooding due to backflow or surcharging of sewers or drains can be addressed through the use of non-return valves and anti-flooding devices (see paragraphs 4.6 and 4.7); (c) resistance to moisture from the ground can be addressed through the use of water resistant construction (see Sections 5 and 6).