NEW LEGISLATION – PARTS F, L AND P

New Building Regulations aimed at reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions came into force on 6th April 2006, despite representations from many quarters to delay their implementation because insufficient lead-in time had been given.

The new Approved Documents F (Means of Ventilation) and L (Conservation of Fuel and power) were released on 31st March 2006, and everyone involved in the construction process needs to understand the far reaching implications of the revised legislation.

Part L is split into 4 sections:

L1A – Conservation of Fuel and Power – New Dwellings

L1B - Conservation of Fuel and Power – Existing Dwellings

L2A - Conservation of Fuel and Power – New Buildings other than Dwellings

L2B - Conservation of Fuel and Power – Existing Buildings other than Dwellings

The tough new standards apply to all new buildings and when building work is carried out in existing buildings.  The improved standards mean that developers will need to make greater use of energy saving insulation, more efficient boilers and consider using Low or Zero Carbon Systems such a solar panels and mini-wind turbines to demonstrate compliance.

The new regulations will also improve compliance by requiring air pressure testing for new buildings, simplifying the process for calculating energy performance and establishing new competent persons self-certification schemes.

Approved Document P (Electrical Safety in Dwellings) has also been revised and released on the same date.

These documents are available to view and download free from the ODPM website.

The Isle of Wight Council Building Control consider that one of its roles is to help provide guidance on Building Regulations, and it is anticipated that we will provide a seminar on these changes in the near future.

In the meantime, however, please see our brief summaries of the main changes to the Building Regulations. It has obviously not possible to consider here the detail of each of the new Approved Documents, and reference should always be made to the Approved Documents and Building Regulations for further clarification.