Approved Document
Non-statutory guidance supporting Building Regulations in England; check current consolidated versions.
Tenders, compliance, procurement
Reference hub for acronyms and official sources
A stable bookmark for tender language and primary publishers. We do not control external sites: always confirm you are reading the current edition or consolidated guidance your lawyer or building professional expects.
Acronyms and terms
Short definitions as used in UK kitchen procurement, facilities management, and residential operations. Practical glosses, not legal definitions. Use the filter to jump around quickly.
AD BS British Standard
Published standards referenced in specifications, testing, and warranties.
CAFM Computer-aided facilities management
Systems that hold assets, jobs, and sometimes cyclical replacement programmes.
DLO Direct labour organisation
In-house repairs and maintenance delivery for some social landlords.
EPC Energy performance certificate
Energy rating for dwellings; interacts with letting rules and retrofit planning.
FRA Fire risk assessment
Structured assessment under operational fire safety regimes where applicable.
FSO Fire Safety Order
Common shorthand for the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales.
HA Housing association
Registered provider of social housing; often uses framework and programme procurement.
HMO House in multiple occupation
Defined category with licensing and management duties where thresholds are met.
LABC Local Authority Building Control
Building control service route for many domestic and small commercial projects.
MEES Minimum energy efficiency standards
Rules affecting letting of private rented stock below certain EPC bands, subject to exemptions.
PBSA Purpose-built student accommodation
Operational and design context differs from licensed HMOs even when kitchens look similar.
RFQ Request for quotation
Structured ask used before appointment; clarity here reduces variation risk.
RP Registered provider
Regulator of Social Housing registered provider, including many housing associations.
SOR Schedule of rates
Priced list for repairs or cyclical items, sometimes used alongside frameworks.
SV Social value
Tender scoring for wider community, training, or local benefit where the buyer weights it.
Official sources (UK)
Entry points for building regulations, fire safety law at a high level, licensing context, and energy performance. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own regimes: confirm jurisdiction before you rely on a link.
- UK GovernmentBuilding Regulations: Approved Documents (England)Consolidated guidance supporting compliance; always confirm the edition your project uses.
- legislation.gov.ukRegulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005Primary legislation text for England and Wales; operational fire safety regimes sit around this framework.
- UK GovernmentFire safety: guidance documentsGateway page for fire safety guidance aimed at responsible persons and building safety contexts.
- legislation.gov.ukHousing Act 2004Establishes licensing and housing health and safety rating system frameworks used by local authorities.
- UK GovernmentHouses in multiple occupationHigh-level licensing overview; local authorities publish detailed standards and fees.
- UK GovernmentEnergy performance of buildings (England and Wales)Introductory EPC guidance; MEES detail for landlords sits in separate policy pages.
On this site
Tools and long-form guides that pair with this reference page.
- Resources and toolsRFQ checker, replacement prioritisation, and links to topic hubs.
- Topic hubsAmenity, fire safety, and licensing variation entry points.
- Kitchen logistics glossaryOn-site delivery language for residential programmes.
- Residential RFQ scorecardNarrative scorecard for kitchen supply tenders.