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WHAT DOES PART L MEAN TO YOU
From October 2010 the key changes to Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Building Regulations come into effect. Hilson Moran’s Sustainability Group has summarised the key changes and examines how this will affect building design in the future.
The target set out by Part L 2010 is to reduce building CO2 emissions by 25% when compared to the 2006 target. The approach of the regulations differs for residential and commercial buildings but both mean the construction industry will face a considerable challenge in meeting these new targets.
A integrated approach to energy savings from the design team will be required, considering all aspects of the building’s design during the initial stages of a project to ensure it will comply with the new regulations.
For residential buildings, target U-values have been improved along with relevant system efficiencies. However it is likely that designers will have to exceed these to meet the new 2010 emissions standard, especially if electric heating is proposed. The frequency of air tightness testing has also been increased in an effort to ensure that what is promised on the drawings board is delivered on site.
For offices, U-values are unchanged but system efficiencies have been significantly tightened. Again, it is probable that the designer will have to improve on these further still to meet the requirements and additional plant and riser space may be required to fulfil this. Low energy lighting and daylight dimming can give significant emission reductions and should be considered where possible. Additionally, all buildings will now have to undergo solar gain tests which will place limits on glazing type and height.
Although the 2010 regulations will mean buildings will have to work harder to meet energy efficiency requirements, it is unlikely that designers will be required to implement renewables to meet the new targets.
L1A - New Dwellings
• 5 criteria for compliance, as 2006.
• 2010 Target Emission Rate (TER) 25% less than 2006 TER. This is a flat 25% to be applied regardless of dwelling type (flat, detached, terraced, etc).
• TER to be calculated using SAP 2009.
• CO2 emission factors for various fuel types have changed.
• Design stage SAP calculation to be provided to Building Control, along with list of specifications used in calculations before start of building work.
• Fabric U-value targets have been lowered.
• Minimum efficiencies for building systems have been improved.
• Guidance relating to pressure testing has changed, with number of dwellings to be tested roughly doubled.
• Accredited Construction Details (ACD) scheme has been extended. Designers can now claim a credit in SAP calculations for specifying ACDs, or assume worst case thermal bridging factors if using unaccredited details.
L1B - Existing Dwellings
• Revised guidance for conservatories fitted to existing buildings.
• Fabric U-value targets have been lowered for refurbishments.
• Amended guidance for work on historic buildings.
• Revised guidance on what constitutes renovation of a thermal element.
• No consequential improvements unless dwelling is greater than 1000m².
L2A - New Non-Domestic Buildings
• 5 criteria to comply with, as 2006.
• 2010 TER 25% less than 2006 TER. However, this is to be applied using an aggregate approach meaning that some building types will have to achieve more than 25% and others less. The finalised factors will be released in the 2010 National Calculation Methodology (NCM) guidance which has yet to be published. The idea behind this is that all building types will pay roughly the same amount towards CO2 abatement. As the percentage savings are likely to vary according to the activity in the NCM database, the CO2 reduction target will be different for each building.
• CO2 emission factors for various fuel types have changed.
• Design stage CO2 calculation to be provided to Building Control, along with list of specifications used in calculations before start of building work.
• Fabric U-value targets are unchanged.
• Minimum system efficiencies for building systems have been improved.
• New solar gain tests that limit the g-value of glazing depending on glazing height. This applies to all building types whether mechanically cooled or not.
• Accredited Construction Details (ACD) scheme has been extended. Designers can now claim a credit in CO2 calculations for specifying ACDs, or assume worst case thermal bridging factors if using unaccredited details.
• Commissioning plan to be provided to Building Control to enable them to check commissioning details.
L2B - Existing Non-Domestic Buildings
• Revised guidance for conservatories fitted to existing buildings.
• Fabric U-value targets have been lowered for refurbishments.
• Amended guidance for work on historic buildings.
• Revised guidance on what constitutes renovation of a thermal element.
• Commissioning plan to be provided to Building Control to enable them to check commissioning details.]
• Revised guidance on consequential improvements.
For more information and assistance with your project please contact Matt Kitson, Director of Sustainability. |
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