Building Regulations

A review has taken place about revising and updating building regulations and the following recommendations have been agreed.

•  Changes to building regulations will be made at the same time every three years on a “cycle” of specific “Parts” of the regulations
•  No “Part” will be revised more than once every two cycles (every six years), with the exceptions of Part L and F
•  These “cycles” will be in 2010, 2013 etc a programme is listed
•  There will be a six-month period between publication and introduction

Part F: Ventilation

Revised guidance for ventilation will come into effect in October 2010. The revision has shown that it is essential to ensure that Part F standards are not undermined by making buildings more airtight to meet higher Part L standards. The main task of Part F is that ventilation in the future assists the dwelling in meeting zero carbon targets.

There are a number of proposed provisions for Part F which include:-

•  Increased ventilation for more airtightness in dwellings
•  Mechanical ventilation noise limits and commissioning

Part J: Heat Producing Appliances

The revised regulations are due to come into force on 1st October this year, these will include:-

•  New guidance on domestic oil tanks
•  Carbon monoxide alarms for solid fuel appliances
•  Air supply for combustion in air tight homes
•  Improved guidance on bio-fuel technology
• Guidance on plumbing from condensing boilers

Part L1A: Conservation of Fuel & Power – New Build

These are the main changes to the Approved Document:-

•  Exemption from the energy efficiency provisions for extensions consisting of a conservatory or porch has been amended to grant the exemption only where the existing walls, windows or doors are retained, or replaced if removed, and where the heating system of the building is not extended into the conservatory or porch.
•  Before building work can begin a CO2 emissions rate calculations must be carried out and given to the Building Control Body with a list of specifications used in the calculations. This is in addition to the emissions rate calculation required to be submitted after completion.

Technical Guidance

•  The annual CO2 emission rate of the completed dwelling will be calculated using SAP2009 and must not exceed the target set by reference to a notional dwelling with an additional overall improvement of 25% compared to 2006 standards
•  Notional dwelling now includes a party wall heat loss of zero. This means that the targeted improvement of 25% is in addition to treating party walls.
•  Secondary heating is counted as part of the annual CO2 emissions rate of the completed dwelling only when actually provided for and credit is allowed wherever low-energy lighting is installed.
•  Some of the reasonable limits for building fabric and services performance specifications are strengthened.
•  Revised guidance for avoiding thermal bridging and construction joints.
•  New provisions and guidance are being introduced to limit heat loss from a swimming pool basin where this is constructed as part of a new dwelling.

Part L1B: Conservation of Fuel & Power – Existing Dwellings

These are the main changes to the Approved Document:-

•  Exemption for conservatories as in Part L1A.
•  List of work that need not be notified to Building Control is amended to include the installation of thermal insulation in a roof space or loft space when this is the only work carried out and the work is not carried out to comply with any requirements in the Building Regulations.

Technical Guidance

•  The guidance is generally based upon an elemental approach to demonstrating compliance, with additional guidance that provides greater flexibility. The main technical changes comprise a general strengthening of energy efficiency standards that are considered reasonable for work on thermal elements, controlled fittings and controlled services in existing dwellings.
•  Guidance is given for historic and traditional buildings which may have an exemption from the energy efficiency requirements or where special considerations apply.
•  Amended guidance is given where an extension is a conservatory or porch that is not exempt from the energy efficiency requirements.
•  Guidance is given for the renovation of a thermal element through the provision of a new layer or through the replacement of an existing layer has been explained.

Above information provided by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF)