An analytical approach to assessing the need for regulatory submission

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing shift toward the digitalisation of building permitting, fuelled by the belief that it can significantly enhance the efficiency of the permitting process. However, previous research on automatic compliance checking has largely remained disconnected from the broader permitting process of the built environment. Our work on developing a reference building permitting process model (RBPPM) has identified four distinct decision points common to all the jurisdictions considered. The first of these decision points is 'is a submission required?", which anecdotally consumes a large proportion of time and effort available within authorities. This study uses the RBPPM to define this question and then uses systematic semantic and logical analysis to examine how automation can support the answering of the question for individual cases. The study’s aim is to alleviate pressure on the system, and demonstrate how explainable, rule-based interactions can be developed with accuracy, efficiency and assurance. The study takes the English building regulations for technical compliance as its example and applies a systematic semantic and logical analysis to the provisions found in the text. The results demonstrate a generic approach to making regulatory guidance accessible for practice and research.