Industry Update

Building Regulations (Parts F & L)

Approved Documents Part L (Conservation of fuel & power) and F (Ventilation) and other supporting material, have been made available since the 16 th March 2006 in preparation for the changes sanctioned to the Building Regulations - coming into effect on 06 April 2006.

Link here to download the Approved Documents (Online versions in PDF Format)

In brief, the revised Part L1A is based on a whole dwelling approach to reducing carbon emissions. The previous SAP 2002 methodology included Target U-value and Elemental Methods as routes to compliance under the old regulations. SAP has now been revised (SAP 2005) in line with the new regulations to encompass the required improvements for carbon dioxide emissions for the whole dwelling. The Target U-value and the Elemental Methods of compliance are not acceptable and SAP Assessment of the whole dwelling is the only route to achieve compliance to the revised Part L1A.

The revised Part L1A also requires air pressure leakage testing of dwellings. Building to Robust Standard Details (which is under revision as Accredited Construction Details) will avoid excessive air leakage and aid compliance. Although there is still design flexibility within the new regulations, L1(a)(i) states that reasonable provision should be made to limit heat gains and loses through the fabric of the building e.g. if a dwelling has a large renewable energy system, it would not be appropriate to allow this to completely compensate for a poor envelope.

All your Part L needs can be met via the Springvale Technical Advisory Service on:

Tel: 08457 697452 / 01457 863211 or email: technical@springvale.com

Transitional Arrangements for Part L & F 2006 coming into effect on 6 th April 2006

All new building work post April 2006 must comply with the revised Part L 2006 regulations unless:

• Work has started before 6 April 2006 in accordance with a building notice, full plans, initial notice or amendment notice
• Where full plans are not required to be deposited, a contract is entered into before 6 April 2006, provided that the work is started before 1 October 2006
• Full plans have been deposited and approved before 6 April 2006, provided that work is started before 1 April 2007
• A plans certificate or plans certificate combined with an initial notice has been given to a local authority before 6 April 2006, provided that work is started before 1 April 2007

Any building work carried out under the transitional arrangements will be subject to Part L 2002 regulations and efficiency standards.

Link here for CLG News Release 2006/0029

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European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) was published in January 2003. The Directive has far-reaching implications for the owners, operators and developers of all buildings in Europe (both domestic and non-domestic) and will play a vital role in delivering step-change in buildings-related energy efficiency. However, practical implementation of the Directive has been very demanding and the essential preparatory work has been slow to develop in all 25 EU Member States. The EPBD was enforced in January 2006.

Key provisions of the Directive are:

• minimum requirements for the energy performance of all new buildings
• minimum requirements for the energy performance of large existing buildings subject to major renovation
• energy certification of all buildings (with frequently visited buildings providing public services being required to prominently display the energy certificate)
• regular mandatory inspection of boilers and air conditioning systems in buildings

Link here for more details or Download full EPBD document here (PDF)

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CLG Circulars Related To Building Regulations

This is where you can keep up to date with what is happening within Government that affects the UK Building Regulations.

Link here for more details

The CLG has a 'Environment' page on its website - this page describes the work CLG is undertaking in its policies, programmes and operations towards tackling climate change and protecting the environment. It also highlights key elements of current & future policy such as the Code for Sustainable Homes and Energy Performance Certificates.

Link here.

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Home Information Pack

Starting from 1st June 2007 all domestic properties will require a Home Information Pack (HIP) to be provided to prospective buyers when marketed for sale.  A mandatory part of this HIP is the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which provides information on the energy efficiency, heating costs and carbon emissions of the property.

It is anticipated that up to 4 million properties annually will require energy assessment through both the HIP process and similar initiatives in the social housing & private rented sectors. All EPC’s will be produced by accredited & licensed Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA) and in order to join an accreditation scheme a candidate must first gain an approved qualification.

To read the Government's statement about this policy initiative click here

Update May 2007:

The Government is today announcing that Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs) will be implemented from 1 August instead of 1 June 2007.

The main changes as a result of this announcement are:

• HIPs and EPCs to start on August 1, implemented on a phased basis. From August 1 packs - including energy performance certificates - will be required for the sale of four bedroom properties and larger. These are the properties which are the most energy inefficient. Packs will be phased in for smaller properties as sufficient energy assessors become ready to start work.
• Until the end of the year, people will be allowed to market their properties as soon as they have commissioned a pack - rather than being made to wait until they have received them.
• As a temporary measure, EPCs up to twelve months old will be allowed when the property is put up for sale and government will consult further on the long-term arrangements for the age of EPCs.
• The Government will also be inviting councils and registered social landlords to work with them to introduce EPCs on a voluntary basis in social housing, for example at the time of stock transfers. The Government will therefore lead the way in efforts to tackle climate change, whilst providing work for energy assessors in advance of the full implementation of HIPs and EPCs.

For further information on the announcement click here.

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The Code For Sustainable Homes

The ‘Code for Sustainable Homes’ was published by the CLG on 13th December 2006 (Document here).  The code is intended to be the drive for efficient affordable housing and is based on the current EcoHomes assessment.  It will become the single national standard for sustainable homes; used by house builders as a guide to development, and by buyers to assist in their choice of home.

It will also form the basis for future updates to Building Regulations in relation to Carbon Dioxide emissions from and energy use in homes – therefore offering greater regulatory certainty to developers and the chance to differentiate themselves as sustainability champions.

In the short-term the code is voluntary but ministers are considering making assessment under code standards mandatory in the future.

Link here to CLG press notice.

Update April 2007:

Technical guidance to help the building industry deliver key improvements to the energy efficiency of new homes has been published by Communities and Local Government on 5th April 2007. As the Code for Sustainable Homes comes into effect, the manual sets out the requirements for the Code, and the process by which a Code assessment is reached.

It aims to make the system of gaining a Code assessment as simple, transparent and rigorous as possible. It will help deliver homes which use less energy and produce fewer harmful carbon dioxide emissions as well as cutting down on water used and waste generated. The Code will also give homeowners better information about the running costs of their homes.

The Government has set the ambitious aim that all new Homes will be zero carbon by 2016 and the Code will be the measure by which this target is assessed. The guidance will explain to Code Assessors, home builders, product manufacturers and consumers in a simple and transparent way how the Code levels can be achieved.

Link here

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New Homes to be Zero Emission by 2016

The government has announced in the December 2006 pre-budget report that the majority of new homes built in the UK should be Zero-Carbon by 2016. This target is to be achieved by exempting such homes from Stamp Duty for a temporary period, starting next year - at present more than a quarter of the UK's annual Carbon Dioxide emissions come from housing.

The plans for Zero-Carbon homes come in advance of a CLG announcement that will underline policies regarding future Building Regulations that will guarantee that homes become even more energy-efficient.

Link here for more details