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One example is the definition of 'clear height' in the
amended Regulation 3(3). The Administration has advised that the
term should be interpreted as height measured from structural
finish to structural finish, instead of its literal meaning.
The Ad Hoc group has pointed out that the term has neither been consistently used nor consistently interpreted throughout the Regulation, and proposed that it should be replaced
by a term that means exactly what the Administration would
interpret it to be so.
Similarly although_Regulation 24 has been amended to standardize minimum ceiling heights, the application of the
regulation to the height measured from below peripheral beams is
unclear. The Ad Hoc Group has also suggested further amendments
to avoid uncertainty in interpretation.
However, the Administration maintains that no amendments
should be introduced until a detailed study of their implications
on other Regulations has been made. Instead, the Administration
has undertaken to put these to the Building Authority for further
professionals, consideration and to consult the professions, with a view to
inclusion in the next package of amendments.
Meanwhile the Administration indicates that a Practice
Note for Author rized Persons will be prepared to deal with the
measurement of heights, including 'clear height', and the interpretation on peripheral beams.
Whilst Practice Notes are extremely useful to Authorized Persons, I would urge that for those interpretative details that
have already been established for a considerable length of time in Practice Notes, the Administration should consider incorporating
them into the Building Regulations to give them proper legal effect. A case in point is the existing Practice Note setting out