Part R - Electronic communications

Approved Document R - Electronic communications

Publication title: Approved Document R - Physical infrastructure for high speed electronic communications networks 
Date published: April 2016
Date valid from: 1 January 2017 - 26 December 2022

Summary

Approved Document R contains guidance on high speed electronic communications networks, i.e. the use of physical infrastructures within a building to ensure it may be connected to a broadband network.

Previous version

• Approved Document R: physical infrastructure for high speed electronic communications networks¹.

This version

This Approved Document introduced a requirement for in-building physical infrastructure which enables copper or fibre-optic cables or wireless devices capable of delivering broadband speeds greater than 30 Mbps to be installed.

The requirement applies in England to new buildings and to existing buildings that are subject to major renovation works and applies both to dwellings and to buildings other than dwellings.

Approved Document R took effect on 1 January 2017 for use in England. It does not apply to work subject to a building notice, full plans application or initial notice submitted before 1 January 2017.

This was the first edition of the Approved document. The subsequent Approved Document since this edition has been split into Volume 1² and Volume 2³.

1. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/517789/BR__PDF_AD__R__2016.pdf
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications/building-control-applications/building-control/approved-documents/part-r-electronic-communications/approved-document-r-volume-1
3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications/building-control-applications/building-control/approved-documents/part-r-electronic-communications/approved-document-r-volume-2-physical-infrastructure-for-high-speed-electronic-communications-networks