Metropolitan Buildings Office facts for kids
The Metropolitan Buildings Office was a special group created in London, England, in 1845. Its main job was to make sure buildings were built safely and correctly. They wanted to improve homes and shops. They also made rules to keep people healthy and safe from dangerous activities. In 1855, another group called the Metropolitan Board of Works took over their duties.
Contents
Why the Office Was Formed
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act for regulating the construction and the use of buildings in the metropolis and its neighbourhood. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 7 & 8 Vict. c. 84 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 9 August 1844 |
The Metropolitan Buildings Office was set up by a law called the Metropolitan Buildings Act 1844. This law was passed to help make London a better and safer place to live.
The main goals of this new office were:
- To make sure drains worked well and kept areas clean.
- To ensure streets were wide enough for fresh air to move around.
- To control dangerous activities like those involving explosives.
- To manage other harmful activities.
- To hire people to check that the new rules were followed.
Areas Covered by the Act
The new rules applied to a large part of London and its surrounding areas. This included many parishes (like neighborhoods) on both sides of the River Thames.
The law also allowed for the rules to be extended. If London grew even more, the Act could cover new places. These new areas could be up to about 12 miles (19 km) away from Charing Cross, a central point in London.
How the Office Worked
The job of making sure the Act was followed was given to important local leaders. These included the Lord Mayor and aldermen of the City of London. It also included local judges, called justices of the peace, from nearby counties.
These leaders divided their areas into smaller districts. They then hired special "district surveyors" for each district. These surveyors were the people who checked buildings. The main office for the Metropolitan Buildings Office was at 6 Adelphi Terrace.
Some very important buildings had different rules. These buildings were checked by special "official referees." This group included royal palaces, bridges, and prisons. Famous places like the British Museum and Covent Garden Market were also in this group.
However, buildings owned by dock and railway companies were completely free from these new building rules.
New Building Rules and Controls
Starting from January 1, 1845, the Office brought in many important changes:
- Builders had to tell the district surveyor two days before starting work. This applied to new buildings or changes to old ones.
- Strict rules were put in place for how thick walls should be. There were also rules for room height and materials used for repairs.
- The rules also covered how to divide existing buildings. They also set standards for chimneys, fireplaces, and drains.
- All new houses had to have a backyard of a certain size.
- New streets had to be at least 40 feet (12 meters) wide. Or, they had to be as wide as the tallest building on that street, whichever was wider.
- Small streets, like alleys or mews, had to be at least 20 feet (6 meters) wide. Or, they had to be as wide as the tallest building there.
- Every alley needed to have two entrances. One of these entrances had to be open from the ground up.
The Office Closes Down
In 1855, a new law called the Metropolis Management Act 1855 was passed. This law created a new group called the Metropolitan Board of Works. All the duties and powers of the Metropolitan Buildings Office were then given to this new board.
