New Building Regulations L1 Presented by Robert Eglington Regional Director of MLM Building Control.

New Building Regulations L1

Presented by Robert Eglington

Regional Director of MLM Building Control

New Building Regulation L1

The new Regulations have been published and the approved documents are currently in draft form only

The proposed date of implementation of the changes is April 6 2006

We understand the Statutory Instrument and final documents will be published in March 2006


The ODPM issued the 300 page consultation document in July 2004

They invited comment from across the entire building industry including all professional bodies

The document was made up of 12 sections


Section 1 – Regulatory impact assessment

Section 2 – New document ADL1A Section 3 – New document ADL1B Section 4 – New document ADL2A Section 5 – New document ADL2B Section 6 – Possible future

performance standards


Section 7 – Implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

Section 8 – Calculations methodologies of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

Section 9 – Adaptation Strategy Section 10 – Dissemination strategy


Section 11 – Code of practice on consultation

Section 12 – Response form


Draft regulatory impact assessment An assessment of national benefits An assessment of costs on certain

building types An indication of the impact on certain

buildings An explanation of the reasons behind the

proposed changes


Draft regulatory impact assessment Purpose – “to further improve the energy

efficiency of buildings in response to the aim declared in the Energy White Paper and the aims set out in article 1 of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive”

Background – the 2002 changes increased thermal performance by 25% at a increased cost of up to 3% on construction


Draft regulatory impact assessmentEnergy White Paper To achieve substantial reductions in CO2

emissions Encouragement to improve in energy

efficiency Encouragement of the selection of

energy sources and generating technologies that produce much less, or no, carbon


Draft regulatory impact assessmentEnergy White Paper The target is to achieve a 60% reduction

in carbon emissions by 2050 Buildings account for 50% of UK carbon

emissions Savings in the construction of new

buildings and to the upgrading of the existing stock can therefore be significant


Draft regulatory impact assessmentEnergy White Paper The plan is also for the future with a

review every 5 years Work has already commenced on the

proposals for 2010 to 2020


Draft regulatory impact assessmentOptions Option 1 – Do nothing Option 2 – Information and Education Option 3 – Amending Part L of the

Building Regulations


Draft regulatory impact assessmentPreferred choice – Option 3 Amending the Building Regulations Introducing other legislation to complete

the transposition of the other elements of the EPBD - The Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act

Supportive training programme


Draft regulatory impact assessment Extra costs for dwellings are estimated

as being from £323 for flats to £1170 for a detached dwelling

Increased costs for commercial work are estimated at £19/m² and £7/m² for industrial buildings – these costs do not include ‘Consequential Improvements’


Draft ADL1A Work in new dwellings The new SAP 2005 will be the only way of

showing compliance Elemental and target U values will no

longer be permissible as ways of showing compliance


Draft ADL1A Work in new dwellings The new SAP will be a transparent calculation

that will remove the ability of designers and checkers to interpret the guidance

There will be minimum U values imposed to constrain design opportunities

Sample air pressure testing will be imposed in a similar way to sound testing - major Housebuilder objections!

There may be a ‘Robust Option’ as an alternative to the pressure testing regime


Draft ADL1A Work in new dwellingsThe 5 criterion to showing compliance that

will need to be followed are1. Predicted carbon dioxide emission from

proposed dwelling does not exceed the target


Draft ADL1A Work in new dwellings2. The performance of the building fabric

and the heating, hot water and fixed lighting systems should be no worse than the design limits

3. The dwelling has appropriate passive control measures to limit solar gains

4. The performance of the dwelling, as built, is consistent with the Dwellings Emissions Rate


Section 2 – Draft ADL1A Work in new dwellings

5. The necessary provisions for energy efficient operation of the dwelling are put in place


Draft ADL1A Work in new dwellingsLimiting U Value standards (W/m²K)

Element Area-weighted dwelling average

Worst individual sub-element

Wall 0.35 0.45

Floor 0.25 0.45

Roof 0.25 0.35

Windows, rooflights, doors etc

2.2 3.3


Draft ADL1A Work in new dwellings The air pressure test standard will be set at

10m³/m² per hour at 50 Pa There will be a honeymoon period for failure to

meet this standard until 31 October 2007 Testing arrangements will be split into those

using and those not using accredited construction details

Those that have adopted accredited construction details - a pressure test should be carried out on each dwelling type


Draft ADL1A Work in new dwellingsDwellings that have not adopted accredited

construction detailsTesting to be minimum ofa. 2 units of each dwelling type in the

developmentb. 5% of each dwelling type – can be reduced to

2% if the testing was successful on the first 5 dwellings tested

c. The sample to concentrate in the earlier completed dwellings of each type


Draft ADL1B Work in existing dwellings Type of work covered by the approved document Extensions Creating a new dwelling through a material change of

use Material alterations to existing dwellings The provision of a controlled fitting The provision or extension of a controlled service The provision or renovation of a thermal element


Section 3 – Draft ADL1B Work in existing dwellingsLimiting U-value standards (W/m²°K) for small elementsEg Metre box scenario

Element Limiting U-value

Wall 0.70

Floor 0.70

Roof 0.35

Windows, Doors etc 3.30


Section 3 – Draft ADL1B Work in existing dwellingsStandards for thermal elements (W/m²°K)

Element Standards for new elements in an extension

Standards for replacement elements in an existing dwelling

Wall 0.30 0.35

Pitched roof – insulation at ceiling level

0.16 0.16

Pitched roof – insulation between rafters

0.20 0.20

Flat roof or roof with integral insulation

0.20 0.25

Floors 0.22 0.25


Section 3 – Draft ADL1B Work in existing dwellings

Window areas are restricted to 25% of the floor area of the extension plus the area of any windows or doors which, as a result of the extension works, no longer exist or are no longer exposed

Special options will be made to allow for conservatory type extensions


Section 3 – Draft ADL1B Work in existing dwellings Replacement boilers to be of a condensing type or

traditional in some limited existing circumstances Guidance is given on solar heating systems Recommendations are made on water treatment in

heating systems in hard water areas Additional controls for high efficiency luminaires


Section 3 – Draft ADL1B Work in existing dwellingsHistoric BuildingsSpecial considerations can apply to Listed buildings Buildings in a conservation area Buildings of local architectural or historic interest Buildings within National Parks, areas Outstanding

National Beauty and World Heritage sites


Draft ADL1B Work in existing dwellingsRenovation of thermal elements Where more than 25% of the surface area of

a thermal element is being renovated, a way of showing compliance with the regulation would be to upgrade the whole element in question


Section 4 – Draft ADL2A Work in new buildings other than dwellings

The proposal is to raise the overall standard of energy performance by about 27%

The elemental approach to design will no longer be acceptable

A nationally agreed methodology to achieve an overall energy performance standard must be adopted


Section 4 – Draft ADL2A Work in new buildings other than dwellings

The proposed methodology will be more flexible and building specific - SBEM

The flexibility in the methodology will be constrained by a series of poorest acceptable benchmarks

The use of LZC heating systems are allowed for and compensation for their use are within the calculation method


Draft ADL2A Work in new buildings other than dwellings

The proposals make pressure testing a legal requirement



New regulations will be drafted requiring submission of certificates for the building and its systems

New regulations will be drafted requiring regular inspection of air-conditioning systems and the submission of reports



The calculation method for energy will a comparative study against the notional building

The carbon improvement in buildings will be up to 20% with a further 10% allowance if no LZC energy systems are adopted

The air pressure test standard remains at 10m³/m²h at 50 Pa


Draft ADL2A Work in new buildings other than dwellings – Table 4, limiting U-value standards

Element Area weighted average value - U value W/m²K

For any individual element – U value W/m²K

Wall 0.35 0.7

Floor 0.25 0.7

Roof 0.25 0.35

Windows* and rooflights

2.2 3.3

High usage entrance doors

6.0 6.0

Vehicle access 1.5 4.0



A failure to meet air permeability tests can be made up for by re-examining the energy standard calculation and making any necessary adjustments

There will be honeymoon period for the testing of buildings under 1000m² until 31 October 2007.



As an alternative to air pressure testing on buildings under 500m² an allowance of 15m³/m²h at 50 Pa can be used in the energy calculation method. Compensatory features can then be installed

Large, complex buildings may be subjected to an alternative approach to air pressure testing



There will be a 5 step approach for compliance applicable to new buildings

1. Predicted carbon dioxide emissions from the proposed building does not exceed the target

2. The performance of the building fabric and the building services system should be no worse than the design limits

3. The building has appropriate passive control measures to limit solar gains



4. The performance of the building, as built, is consistent with the Building Emission Rate

5. Providing information


Draft ADL2B Work in existing buildings other than dwellings

Types of work covered include; Consequential improvements An extension A material change of use A material alteration The provision or extension of a controlled service or

fitting The provision or renovation of a controlled element



Where the work involves the first fit-out of a ‘shell’ constructed under these guidelines the design should be as if it were all ‘new-build’

Allowances are made for ‘Historic buildings’



Consequential Improvements - Regulation 17D.-(1) applies to a building with a total useful floor area over 1000m² where the building work includes an extension, fixed building services or an increase to the capacity of any fixed building services



Where this regulation applies, such work, if any shall be carried out to ensure that the building complies with the requirements of Part L – see Table 7 for trigger values

The regulation does not require anything to be done that is not technically, functionally and economically feasible – this has been defined



Element Threshold value Improved value

Cavity wall 0.70 0.55

Other wall type 0.70 0.35

Floor 0.7 0.25

Pitched roof ceiling level 0.35 0.16

Pitched roof between rafters

0.35 0.2

Flat roof 0.35 0.25



Consequential improvements include; Where there is in increase in the installed

capacity of heating or cooling plant -To upgrade any thermal element served by the

plant with increased capacity To replace any existing window or door within the

area served by the plant with increased capacity



There is no limit to the value of this work where there is an increase in the installed capacity of the plant, only that it must be cost effective – the 10% capital value rule does not apply

If the value of this work exceeds 10% then further consequential improvements are not required



In addition the 10% rule, based on the value of the principal works, applies and requires certain other elements in addition to those previously mentioned, to be upgraded including

Heating and cooling systems more than 15 years old need to be upgraded or replaced

Inefficient lighting systems, to install energy metering The provision of an LZC energy system as long as a 7 year

simple payback can be shown



When carrying out a Material Change of Use reasonable provision would be to include;

Replacement windows Controlled upgrading of any renovated

thermal elements



For extensions over 100m² and greater than 25% of the existing building ADL2A should be adopted – this currently includes air pressure tests

For extensions less than 100m² alternative values given below should be adopted



Element Standard for new elements in an extension

Standard for replacement elements in an existing building

Wall 0.30 0.35

Pitched roof – insulation at ceiling level

0.16 0.16

Pitched roof – insulation between rafters

0.20 0.20

Flat roof with integral insulation

0.20 0.25

Floors 0.22 0.25



Windows – see table below OR the ratio that is present in that part of

the existing building to which the extension is to be joined



Building type Windows and personnel doors as a % of the exposed wall

Rooflights as a % of the area of the roof

Residential buildings 30 20

Places of Assembly, offices and shops

40 20

Industrial and storage buildings

15 20

Vehicle access doors and display windows

As required N/A


The future Our proposed standards are still lower than some

other EU countries – e.g. Denmark and Switzerland

Aspirational U values for 2010Item Indicative U value

Roof 0.1

Wall 0.2

Windows, doors etc 1.4

Floors 0.2


The future Air permeability standards are likely to be reduced

to 5 or 7m³/m²h to bring us into line with standards currently in operation in countries such as Germany and Holland

It should be noted that in Switzerland the current standard is set at 3.6 m³/m²h


ImplementationTransitional provisions These have not yet been confirmed and we

await further advice from the ODPM


Any Questions?

New Building Regulations L1 Presented by Robert Eglington Regional Director of MLM Building Control.

Documents

new building regulations

new regulations

construction of new

new document adl2b section

new document adl2a section

new document adl1b section

new document adl1a section

carbon slide