Source: AD L Appendix B, paragraph B7
The photographic evidence requirements for a BREL submission sit in Approved Document L Appendix B, paragraph B7. The list below follows AD L B7's exact structure and numbering. Use this as the master checklist. AutoBREL's per-project checklist is built from the same list, so when the site team works through AutoBREL they are working through B7 in order.
B7 sets these general rules at the top of the list:
Photographs should be of typical details as listed below.
Each photograph should be unique to that property.
One photograph per detail. Close-up images only when necessary.
Photographs are taken at the appropriate construction stage for each detail when completed, but before closing-up works.
Metadata: How AutoBREL evidences uniqueness and stage
Two of B7's requirements are about more than just what the photo shows. "Unique to each property" means the photo has to be tied to this site, this dwelling, and not mixed up with another. "At the appropriate construction stage" means the photo has to demonstrably have been taken at the right point during the build, not retro-fitted at the end.
In practice, an Approved Inspector or auditor needs to see:
That the photo was taken at this site (not another one).
That it was taken during construction (not after the fact).
That it ties to this dwelling's project file (not mixed up with a neighbouring plot).
The standard way to evidence all three is photo metadata: GPS location, date and time, and a project / plot reference. AutoBREL captures all of this automatically on every photo:
GPS location of the site at the moment of capture.
Date and time the photo was taken.
Project and plot reference.
The B7 item number the photo is captured against (1a, 2b and so on).
The site team does not have to do anything extra. The metadata is embedded as the photo is taken and travels with it into the evidence pack. If a question comes up later, the audit trail is already there.
The six categories follow.
1. Foundations / substructure and ground floor
B7 requires photographs to show thermal continuity and quality of insulation in these places:
1a. At ground floor perimeter edge insulation.
1b. At external door threshold.
1c. Below damp-proof course on external walls.
Practical note: these are typically captured before the floor finish goes down and before any external render is applied below DPC. AutoBREL prompts the site team to capture each of 1a, 1b and 1c separately.
2. External walls
For each main wall type, B7 requires photographs showing thermal continuity and quality of insulation for:
2a. Ground floor to wall junction.
2b. Structural penetrating elements.
B7 also includes a note specific to blown-fill cavity walls: photos should show clean cavities and clean brick ties with very limited mortar droppings.
Practical note: "for each main wall type" means if the dwelling has more than one wall type (for example, brick at ground floor and timber frame at first floor), each one gets its own set of 2a and 2b photos.
3. Roof
For each main roof type, B7 requires photographs showing thermal continuity and quality of insulation at:
3a. Joist / rafter level.
3b. Eaves and gable edges.
Practical note: cold roofs (insulation at ceiling level) get 3a at joist level. Warm roofs (insulation at rafter level) get 3a at rafter level. 3b applies to both.
4. Openings
For each opening type (one image per wall or roof type is sufficient), B7 requires photographs showing thermal continuity and quality of insulation, with photographs of:
4a. Window positioning in relation to cavity closer or insulation line.
4b. External doorset positioning in relation to cavity closer or insulation line.
Practical note: B7 only needs one image per opening type per wall or roof type. You do not have to photograph every window if the install detail is repeated.
5. Airtightness
B7 requires additional photographs for all details 1 to 4 to show airtightness details, only if not included or visible in the continuity-of-insulation image.
In other words, item 5 is not a separate set of locations. It is a supplementary photo at the same locations as 1, 2, 3 and 4 where the airtightness layer (membrane, parge coat, taped junctions) is not already clearly visible in the insulation photo.
Practical note: at sites with good site practice, a single well-framed photo at each location often captures both the insulation and the airtightness layer. AutoBREL flags where a supplementary airtightness photo is needed based on what is visible in the 1 to 4 captures.
6. Building services
For all plant associated with space heating, hot water, ventilation, and low or zero carbon technology equipment within or on the building, B7 requires photographs of:
6a. Plant / equipment identification label(s), including make / model and serial number.
6b. Primary pipework continuity of insulation.
6c. Mechanical ventilation ductwork continuity of insulation (for duct sections outside the thermal envelope).
Practical notes:
Every piece of plant gets a 6a photo: boiler, heat pump, MVHR unit, PV inverter, battery, hot water cylinder and so on.
6b applies to heating and hot water primary pipework. Capture the lagging continuity, particularly where pipework runs through unheated areas.
6c applies specifically to MVHR or other mechanical ventilation duct where the ductwork passes outside the thermal envelope (a loft void, an unheated cupboard). Internal ducting inside the envelope is not the focus of 6c.
Photo quality (AD L Appendix B, paragraph B8)
B8 sets out the quality requirements: photographs should be digital and of sufficient quality and high enough resolution to allow a qualitative audit. Close-up photos may be needed where a long shot does not show the detail clearly enough.
In practice: a modern phone camera is fine, daylight or good artificial light, the relevant detail in focus, and a second close-up if the long shot does not show what the auditor needs to see.
How AutoBREL works through the B7 list
AutoBREL's checklist is organised around B7's six categories with the same 1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5, 6a, 6b, 6c numbering. The mobile app prompts the site photographer for each item in turn and records date, time, location and project reference automatically.
Where a dwelling has multiple wall types or roof types, AutoBREL clones the relevant sub-items so each type has its own set of photos.
For item 5 (airtightness), AutoBREL reviews the 1 to 4 captures and asks for a supplementary photo only where the airtightness detail is not already visible in the insulation shot.
Tags: evidence, checklist, ad-l, b7, b8, capture.