4 minute read
The new regulations are here!
On 15th June 2022 the long awaited new versions of Part F and L and brand new Parts O and S came into force in Building Regulations for England. The four new Approved Documents introduce many key changes in the way new build homes are constructed, and, in regards to Part L, is an interim step towards the Future Homes Standard in 2025.
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Jason Hewins New Build Dwellings Manager Part L 2021 is the first revision to Part L in almost ten years. The new version introduces new compliance metrics, tougher fabric standards, reduced carbon emissions and changes to the compliance processes. There have also been changes aimed at reducing the performance gap which has seen the introduction of the requirement for photographic evidence of the construction.
This is a significant addition and will require various photographs to be taken throughout construction and supplied to the energy assessor and Building Control Body. There has been much industry discussion and debate on how this will work in practice, and to support our members Elmhurst released its ‘Guide to photographic evidence in new homes’.
Since Part L and SAP 10.2 were published last December, Elmhurst has been working hard to ensure Design SAP 10 achieved approval by the BRE as soon as possible. Unfortunately since December there have been a number of revisions to the SAP 10.2 methodology and ‘test cases’ used for the BRE approval process, which has resulted in difficulties for all SAP software providers to achieve approval. In
order to ensure SAP 10 software could be ready for the 15th June a new approval process was devised by BRE and BEIS which comprises a phased process.
The first to achieve phase 1 approval
Elmhurst was delighted to be the first SAP software provider to achieve phase 1 approval status on the 10th June. This enabled us to release our first version of Design SAP 10 to members on the 13th June; the first SAP software provider to do so. Since then we have also achieved full approval ensuring our members could model the impact of all heating systems in their SAP assessments.
Whilst many of the changes to Part L are fairly familiar for builders, the introduction of Part O aimed at reducing the risk of overheating in new homes has presented a new challenge. Part O offers two routes to compliance; the simplified method and the detailed method.
Useful tools for members
To assist our members Elmhurst has released a simplified method calculation tool. The tool allows entry of data needed for the simplified method, assesses if compliance has been achieved and provides an output report that can be sent to clients and Building Control Bodies. The tool is available to all members free of charge.
The detailed method requires dynamic thermal analysis using the established CIBSE TM59 methodology. Interestingly as the compliance standards required by Part O begin to be understood, many builders are now starting to favour the detailed method to ensure their designs achieve compliance with an element of design flexibility. Demonstrating competence
Due to the complex nature of dynamic thermal analysis individuals responsible for demonstrating compliance are required to be suitably trained and competent. To help the industry meet this challenge Elmhurst has launched an Overheating Competency Scheme. Individuals who join the scheme are deemed to have a high level of competence to complete overheating risk assessments in accordance with the requirements of Part O. The scheme has seen great interest is growing quickly as the implications of Part O are realized.
Other regions around the UK
In regards to the rest of the UK each devolved administration sets its own energy efficiency standards in Building Regulations. Wales has now published their next revision to Part L and also their own version of Part O, both of which come into force on the 23rd November 2022. Likewise Scotland has announced its next revision to Section 6 of the Building Standards and a new standard for assessing overheating risk both which will commence on 1st December 2022. Both regions will adopt the SAP 10 methodology and Elmhurst awaits details of the BRE approval processes for each region which will allow us to start work on implementing the new compliance standards into Design SAP 10. Northern Ireland has introduced a new version of Technical Booklet F1 on 30th June, however they remain on the SAP 2009 methodology for now.
The introduction of new Building Regulations is always a challenge for industry as it gets to grips with new standards and processes. This year is an unprecedented event for the industry; never before have all four regions of the UK changed Building Regulations in the same year. Elmhurst continues to work hard to support its members through these changes and our support team is here to answer any queries you may have.
