Metropolitan Building Act 1855

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Metropolitan Building Act 1855
Act of Parliament
Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (1837).svg
Long title An Act to amend the Laws relating to the Construction of Buildings in the Metropolis and its Neighbourhood.
Citation 18 & 19 Vict. c. 122
Territorial extent "The Metropolis" as defined in the Metropolis Management Act 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 120), in England
Dates
Royal assent 14 August 1855
Commencement 14 August 1855 [a]
Repealed1 January 1895
Other legislation
Amends
Amended by Statute Law Revision Act 1875
Repealed by London Building Act 1894
Relates to Factory and Workshop Act 1891
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the The Metropolitan Building Act 1855 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The Metropolitan Building Act 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 122) was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, concerning standards for buildings within the London "Metropolis", which was separately defined as part of the Metropolis Management Act 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 120) passed in the same year. The act was used to regulate the construction, alteration, and safety of buildings within the city, and is the precursor of modern building regulations.

Contents

Provisions

Part I contains which buildings are in scope (which includes all new buildings and alterations to buildings), and sets out rules for the structure and thickness of walls, roofs, chimneys, stairs, and particulars for party walls. It goes on to set a structure for district surveyors, including granting them powers to inspect and enforce the rules. [1]

Part II covers dangerous structures, defining them and giving city commissioners powers to deal with them [1]

Part III goes into detail on party structures [1]

Part IV covers the miscellaneous provisions, particularly around the powers of courts [1]

Part V repeals previous acts [1]

Legacy

The whole act was repealed by section 215 of, and the fourth schedule to, the London Building Act 1894 (57 & 58 Vict. c. ccxiii).

Notes

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Fletcher, Banister (1882). The Metropolitan Building Acts: A Text-Book for Architects, Surveyors, Builders etc.