This part covers the standards required for cold water supply, water efficiency, hot water supply and systems, sanitary conveniences and washing faclities, bathrooms and kitchens and food preparation areas.
Approved Document G
2015 edition incorporating 2016 and 2024 amendments: Valid from 1 October 2024
PDF file: 677 KB, 56 pages
The requirements in this edition of Approved Document G are as follows:
G1 – Cold water supply
(1) There must be a suitable installation for the provision of:
(a) wholesome water to any place where drinking water is drawn off;
(b) wholesome water or softened wholesome water to any washbasin or bidet provided in or adjacent to a room containing a sanitary convenience;
(c) wholesome water or softened wholesome water to any washbasin, bidet, fixed bath or shower in a bathroom; and
(2) There must be a suitable installation for the provision of water of suitable quality to any sanitary convenience fitted with a flushing device.
Limits on application
None
G2 – Water efficiency
Reasonable provision must be made by the installation of fittings and fixed appliances that use water efficiently for the prevention of undue consumption of water.
Water efficiency of new dwellings
36. (1) The potential consumption of wholesome water by persons occupying a new dwelling must not exceed the requirement in paragraph (2).
(2) The requirement referred to in paragraph (1) is either –
(a) 125 litres per person per day; or
(b) in a case to which paragraph (3) applies, the optional requirement of 110 litres per person per day,
as measured in either case in accordance with a methodology approved by the Secretary of State.
(3) This paragraph applies where the planning permission under which the building work is carried out-
(a) specifies the optional requirement in paragraph (2)(b); and
(b) makes it a condition that the requirement must be complied with.
Wholesome water consumption calculation
37. (1) Where regulation 36 applies, the person carrying out the work must give the local authority a notice which specifies-
(a) which of the requirements in regulation 36(2)(a) or (b) applies to the dwelling; and
(b) the potential consumption of wholesome water per person per day in relation to the completed dwelling.
Limits on application
Requirement G2 applies only when a dwelling is:
(a) erected; or
(b) formed by a material change of use of a building within the meaning of regulation 5(a) or (b).
G3 – Hot water supply and systems
(1) There must be a suitable installation for the provision of heated wholesome water or heated softened wholesome water to:
(a) any washbasin or bidet provided in or adjacent to a room containing a sanitary convenience;
(b) any washbasin, bidet, fixed bath and shower in a bathroom; and
(c) any sink provided in any area where food is prepared.
(2) A hot water system, including any cistern or other vessel that supplies water to or receives expansion water from a hot water system, shall be designed, constructed and installed so as to resist the effects of temperature and pressure that may occur either in normal use or in the event of such malfunctions as may reasonably be anticipated, and must be adequately supported.
(3) A hot water system that has a hot water storage vessel shall incorporate precautions to:
(a) prevent the temperature of the water stored in the vessel at any time exceeding 100 oC; and
(b) ensure that any discharge from safety devices is safely conveyed to where it is visible but will not cause a danger to persons in or about the building.
(4) The hot water supply to any fixed bath must be so designed and installed as to incorporate measure to ensure that the temperature of the water that can be delivered to that bath does not exceed 48 oC.
Limits on application
Requirement G3(3) does not apply to a system which heats or stores water for the purposes only of an industrial process.
Requirement G3(4) applies only when a dwelling is –
(a) erected;
(b) formed by a material change of use within the meaning of regulations 5(a) or (b).
G4 – Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities
(1) Adequate and suitable sanitary conveniences must be provided in rooms provided to accommodate them or in bathrooms.
(2) Adequate hand washing facilities must be provided in:
(a) rooms containing sanitary conveniences; or
(b) rooms or spaces adjacent to rooms containing sanitary conveniences.
(3) Any room containing a sanitary convenience, a bidet, or any facility for washing hands provided in accordance with paragraph (2)(b), must be separated from any kitchen or any area where food is prepared.
Limits on application
None
G5 – Bathrooms
A bathroom must be provided containing a wash basin and either a fixed bath or a shower.
Limits on application
Requirement G5 applies only to dwellings and to buildings containing one or more rooms for residential purposes.
G6 – Kitchens and food preparation areas
A suitable sink must be provided in any area where food is prepared.
Limits on application
None
Archived copies of Approved Document G
May 2024 Amendments to Approved Document G
Valid from 1 October 2024
PDF file: 72 KB, 7 pages
Approved Document G – 2015 edition with 2016 amendments
Valid from 1 March 2016 until 1 October 2024
The requirement in this edition was:
G1 – Cold water supply
G2 – Water efficiency
G3 – Hot water supply and systems
G4 – Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities
G5 – Bathrooms
G6 – Kitchens and food preparation areas
Including: Water efficiency calculator for new dwellings
PDF file: 347 KB, 55 pages
2016 amendments to Approved Document G
Valid from 1 March 2016 until 1 October 2024
PDF file: 72 KB, 2 pages
Approved Document G – 2015 edition
Valid from 1 October 2015 until 1 March 2016
The requirement in this edition was:
G1 – Cold water supply
G2 – Water efficiency
G3 – Hot water supply and systems
G4 – Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities
G5 – Bathrooms
G6 – Kitchens and food preparation areas
Including: Water efficiency calculator for new dwellings
PDF file: 487 KB, 55 pages
2013 amendments to the Approved Documents
Valid from 6 April 2013 until 6 April 2015
PDF file: 478 KB, 54 pages
Approved Document G – 2010 edition incorporating further 2010 amendments
Valid from 1 October 2010 until 1 October 2015
The requirement in this edition was:
G1 – Cold water supply
G2 – Water efficiency
G3 – Hot water supply and systems
G4 – Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities
G5 – Bathrooms
G6 – Kitchens and food preparation areas
PDF file: 1.86 MB, 48 pages
Approved Document G – 2010 edition
Valid from 6 April 2010 until 1 October 2010
The requirement in this edition was:
G1 – Cold water supply
G2 – Water efficiency
G3 – Hot water supply and systems
G4 – Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities
G5 – Bathrooms
G6 – Kitchens and food preparation areas
PDF file: 833KB, 45 pages
Approved Document G – 1992 edition incorporating 1992 and 2000 amendments
Valid from 1 January 2001 until 6 April 2010
The requirement in this edition was:
G1 – Sanitary conveniences and washing facilites
G2 – Bathrooms
G3 – Hot water storage
PDF file: 392KB, 18 pages
Approved Document G – 1992 edition
Valid from 1 June 1992 until 1 January 2001
The requirement in this edition was:
G1 – Sanitary conveniences and washing facilites
G2 – Bathrooms
G3 – Hot water storage
No download currently available
Approved Document G – 1990 edition
Valid from 1 April 1990 until 1 June 1992
The requirement in this edition was:
G1 – Deleted – no requirement
G2 – Bathrooms
G3 – Hot water storage
G4 – Sanitary and washing accommodation
No download currently available
Approved Document G – 1985 edition
Valid from 11 November 1985 until 1 April 1990
The requirement in this edition was:
G1 – Food storage
G2 – Bathrooms
G3 – Hot water storage
G4 – Sanitary conveniences
PDF file: 7.80 MB, 12 pages