Government has issued its consultation on proposed changes to Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Part F (Means of Ventilation) of the Building Regulations, planned to come into force in 2010. The lengthy document was released on 18th June, much later than anticipated and allowing barely three months for responses.
An immediate problem, said TRADA Regulations Consultant Rupert Scott, is that the paper is almost 790 pages long. ‘It will take time to digest the proposals, although key aspects have been known for some time because they were laid down in earlier policy documents. For example, Building A Greener Future (July 2007) made it clear that a 25% reduction in permitted CO2 emissions would be contained in the 2010 revision.'
He added, ‘The need for big improvements in air tightness, too, to achieve higher energy efficiency targets mean that it is necessary to look at the requirements in Part F at the same time, since they are working against one another to some degree.'
Government also wants to introduce improved energy efficiency standards for new non-domestic buildings, and in its Budget last year announced an ambition for all new non-domestic development to be net zero carbon from 2019. Among the proposed changes to Part L, therefore, is a phased improvement beginning with 25% in 2010. The energy efficiency of existing buildings is also addressed.
The consultation, in addition, proposes a range of measures, including a strategy for training and dissemination, designed to further improve the levels of compliance and performance in buildings.
Mr Scott will lead TRADA's response. ‘The document is the longest consultation yet issued. It is no light read and it will take time to digest, yet it is vital that businesses based on timber and timber frame understand the proposals and consequences.'
To assist, TRADA will stage a one-day members' workshop on 5th August 2009 at its High Wycombe offices to summarise the proposals and discuss the consequences, Non-members can also attend at the cost of £50.00 VAT, click here to download a booking form. ‘This will also provide additional ammunition for our official response, so it is important for members to attend. It is a pity it has to take place in the holiday period but Government has left us little choice by issuing the consultation two to three months later than we might reasonably have expected.‘
To book a place on the workshop please email your contact details to Louise Govier at .
The closing date for responses is 17th September 2009. To view the consultation document in full visit:
As announced last month, TRADA is running a related one-day members' workshop on the SAP software consultation (the major tool used by Part L for demonstrating compliance) on 23rd July 2009, again at High Wycombe. Non-members can also attend for £50.00 + VAT, to book a place click here. To view all the relevant documents and to comment on the consultation visit http://www.bre.co.uk/sap2009/page.jsp?id=1642.
