Part L - 2010

Building Regulation changes on the way

The Government has announced to Parliament the regulations that make amendments to parts L, F and J of the Building Regulations [conservation of fuel and power means of ventilation and combustion appliances and fuel storage systems respectively]. The changes will take effect from October 2010. The revised Approved Documents and Compliance Guides will be made available by the beginning of April, together with a summary of responses of last year's consultation exercises.  

The Euroclad technical team will give links to all relevant documents as soon as they are made available. technical

Breaking News:

More info published on the BLOG -The government has published guidance for revised Part L that will come into effect October 2010 - click here

Latest Technical Paper - release from Euroclad Technical Office

Briefing on Energy Performance of Building's Directive

What is Part L and Part F?

The Government is using Part L to bring about the efficient use of energy within new and Existing buildings and is split into 4 sections L1(A/B), L2(A/B). Section L1 covers new and existing dwellings and L2 is applicable to all new and existing non-domestic buildings, such as offices, hotels and warehouses. Part L aims to limit the maximum energy usage from M & E plant and strives for better quality of construction to reduce building air leakage.

Part F is the ventilation equivalent to Part L which specifies the required energy efficiency of air handing plant, supply and extract ventilation in both local and centralised systems

The changes to Part L will require a 25 per cent improvement above current standards for every new home. An aggregate approach for improvement of new non-domestic buildings will deliver an improvement of 25 per cent overall, rather than for each individual building. This is because there is greater variety among non-domestic buildings and some will be much easier than others to make efficient. The changes to Part L will increase the minimum levels of energy efficiency for building fabric and services, so that CO2 targets cannot be achieved through renewables alone. This reflects the principle of reducing overall demand for energy. The measures will also apply to work carried out on existing buildings, including extensions and conversions, fabric renovations, replacement windows and boilers.

Part F has been revised with new requirements and guidance for installation and commissioning of ventilation systems. This will help to maintain indoor air quality and avoid adverse health effects that could otherwise have occurred due to the greater tendency to more airtight buildings arising from the Part L changes.

Part J, which covers combustion appliances and fuel storage systems, has also been revised to ensure that they continue to function safely in more airtight homes. The changes include the removal of technical disincentives to the wider use of biomass heating systems.

Why are the regulations being changed?

Energy is top of all politician's agenda - both in the UK and Europe were a key driver of the government policy is the Energy Performance of Building's Directive [EPBD]. This sets a wide range of targets that have to be met together with a testing timetable.

For background briefing on EPBD click this link

The Government set out in its 'Building a Greener Future' Policy Statement (July 2007), that new homes will be net zero carbon by 2016. To achieve this target, energy efficiency standards for new homes are to be improved by 25% in 2010 and 44% in 2013 relative to current 2006 standards. Likewise the government plan is for non-dwellings to be net zero carbon by 2019.

With the Government aiming for all new non-domestic buildings in the UK to be zero carbon by 2019, they intend to consult with industry on how this will be achieved. It is likely that following a 25% step change in 2010 similar changes will follow in 2013 and 2016, in line with the domestic scheme changes.

What are the main changes in 2010?

New Buildings

Either a flat or aggregated 25% improvement is to be implemented although the details are still under discussion, it means that the Government is attempting to reduce the inequalities in the current calculation methods.

• • Compliance to Part L must be shown by an approved National Calculation Method [NCM]
  • Shell Builds will require full part L Building Emission Rate [BER] and Target Emission Rate [TER] calculations based on proposed 1st use/occupier of the building.
  • Design stage submission of Part L calculation required at planning stage.
  • Calculated U values may increase by up to 50% if a non 'approved construction' is used.
  • Commissioning plans required at planning approval stage to Building Control.
  • Energy Performance Certificate [EPC] recommendations report will have to be submitted to the building occupier.

• Existing Buildings

  • • Consequential improvements will be required if the habitable/conditioned area increases.
    • Specific fan powers are 'improved' requiring lower velocities and requiring bigger fans and ducts.

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