Keeping track of building regulations can be time-consuming and hard to decipher all of the information.
If you’ve seen our previous article, you’ll already know about the new building regulations that came into effect last month. But some other questions may have cropped up since then.
So, it’s the perfect chance for us to answer them in this article and cover any additional changes.
We’ll cover:
- Recap: What Are the New Building Regulations?
- What Happens if the Regulations Aren’t Adhered To?
- A List of the Regulations and What’s Changed
- Properties in the Planning Process and What This Means for You
Recap: What Are the New Building Regulations?
Some significant changes happened in the industry last month (June 2022). The updated regulations impact several Approved Documents and primarily target new non-domestic buildings, existing non-domestic and new and existing housing.
The changes have occurred to improve the overall energy efficiency of buildings and positively contribute toward the targets in place to achieve Net Zero by 2050. Although there’s a long way to go, action is being taken now to reduce our carbon emissions and reduce the impact construction plays in this.
To put things into perspective, around 40% of the UK’s total energy consumption comes from heating and power usage. In the hope to reduce this, the new building regulations will help the country reach the important carbon goals for longevity.
What Happens if the Regulations Aren’t Adhered To?
Although you’ll already be aware of what can happen if building regulations aren’t met, the same applies to the new regulations.
If the newly updated building regulations aren’t adhered to, you’ll likely encounter an enforcement notice, a hefty fine, and legal action will be considered.
To ensure you’re completely covered, reach out to a supplier that offers cost-effective and compliant designs and provides professional expertise and support.
At FrameX, all our products adhere to current and future building regulations – without compromising performance or quality. We’re committed to producing and supplying the most compliant designs on the market with excellent customer service.
A List of the Regulations and What’s Changed
- Part A: Structure
- Part B: Fire Safety
- Part C: Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture
- Part D: Toxic substances
- Part E: Resistance to the passage of sound
- Part F: Ventilation (changed and updated)
- Part G: Sanitation, hot water safety & water efficiency
- Part H: Drainage & waste disposal
- Part J: Heat conducting appliances and fuel storage system
- Part K: Protection from falling, collision & impact
- Part L: Conservation of fuel and power (changed and updated)
- Part M: Access to and use of buildings
- Part N: Glazing safety – impact, opening and cleaning
- Part O: Overheating (new document)
- Part P: Electrical safety
- Part Q: Security – dwellings
- Part R: Physical infrastructure for high-speed electronic communication networks
Part F: Ventilation
Part F has been updated to ensure that sufficient levels of ventilation are still provided.
- Whole-dwelling ventilation rate: although previous documents required you to meet regulations, these have now been updated and changed. To see a full table breakdown, see the Approved Part F Document* (Volume 1, section 1, pg. 10).
- Ventilators: the equivalent area of background ventilators required has been changed in the 2021 Part F Approved Document. See the Approved Part F Document* for more information (Volume 1, section 1, pg. 8).
- Purge ventilation: although there are no huge differences in this section, some minor changes have been made and need to be considered. See the Approved Part F Document* for more information (Volume 1, section 1, pg. 8).
- Whole dwelling ventilation: Under the new regulations is a requirement to provide at least 0.3 litres per second per m2 of internal floor area (all floors). Internal doors should allow air to flow through the dwelling by providing a minimum free area equivalent to a 10mm undercut in a 760mm wide door. See more in the Approved Part F Document* (Volume 1, section 1, pg. 10).
For more changes see Part F Approved Document.
Part L: Conservation of fuel and power
- New non-domestic builds will need to produce 27% fewer CO2 emissions.
- Domestic and non-domestic builds must have a max flow temperature of 55°C.
- Updated windows and doors mustn’t have a considerably lower performance level than the products they are replacing.
- All new dwellings will have to carry out an Energy Assessment (SAP) to demonstrate compliance with the new regulations.
For more changes see the Part L Approved Document.
Part O: Overheating
These regulations are the first of their kind, and they only apply to new residential-type buildings. These regulations are in place to protect the occupant’s health and welfare.
For an in-depth breakdown of the regulations, see the Part O Approved Document.
Properties in the Planning Process and What This Means for You
If any of the following documents have been submitted to a local authority before the 15th of June: a building notice, an initial notice, or full building plans, and the commenced work doesn’t take place until 2023, the project and plans can continue to move forward as proposed.
However, if you haven’t been quick enough to meet this date and your project plans don’t align with this period, the transitional arrangements will no longer apply. Instead, the new legislation will have to be adhered to.
For Compliant and High-Quality Products, Get in Touch With FrameX
If you’re a designer, builder, installer or architect, you need to know the new building regulations and ensure your projects are fully compliant for the future.
If you want to explore our range of compliant designs, ask all the questions you have and receive expert industry support – get in touch today!
