The update of the Building Regulations ‘Part L 2010’ has had a significant impact on construction projects and design teams

The impact of carbon compliance affects all aspects of the project from design to final commissioning and use.

Developers:

1. Understanding Low Carbon policies will enhance the planning applications and improve project budgeting and the Business Case.
2. Low Carbon considerations impact the building form and services solutions.
3. Existing projects will require completing within time frame to ensure new compliance criteria is applied.

Design Team / Consultants

1. Building Regulations Part L triggered for a greater scope of construction projects.
2. Carbon reduction in design, energy conservation and renewable energy measures considered at early stage.
3. Updated calculations tools and methodologies incur additional calculation complexity.

Contractors

1. Further requirement for site management to ensure quality is achieved.
2. Design variations to be communicated with design team without delay to ensure CO₂ implications are accounted for.
3. Increased commissioning duties in particular ventilation systems for domestic developments.

Key changes include:

Project Timing ‘Part L implementation’

• 2006 Building Regulations still apply if the relevant documents and permission were given by the local authority before 1 October 2010, providing work is commenced by 1 October 2011.

Improved standards ‘25% carbon reduction’ above 2006 regulations

• Aggregated reduction in CO₂ emissions of 20-30% compared to 2006 designs, depending on the particular building usage.
• New National Calculation Methodology, overheating criteria revised
• DEFRA values for ‘actual emissions’ for electricity production now adopted

Electrical systems penalty ‘23% increase in carbon content fuel factor’

• Electric heating fuel factors updated disadvantaging direct electric heating systems
• More difficult for heat pumps to solely provide low carbon solutions

The DCLG forecast that this policy will deliver a saving of around 2 Million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2020.

For advice on 2010 Part L Building Regulations please contact:

Mark Sales : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   Tel: 01883 331630