When your parents tell you that homes are just not built as they used to be, its worth reminding them that more buildings collapsed during the 1890’s than at any time before or after. This disastrous period prompted an extension to the fire prevention legislation, introduced after the Great (although probably only great for builders of the day) Fire of London to bring structural integrity under the watchful eye of Central government. Since then sanitation (toilets & stuff), energy efficiency, ease of access and much more is deemed to warrant scrutiny and approval by our local authorities.