Grace Period for Part L Building Regulations Ends Today

THE GRACE PERIOD for compliance with the updated Part L Building Regulations ends today, 15 June 2023.

The Part L Building Regulations establish the benchmark for energy efficiency and carbon emissions of both new and existing buildings. They currently serve as an interim solution until the implementation of the Future Homes and Building Standard which aims to ensure that all new homes, starting from 2025, generate 75% to 80% fewer emissions.

To accommodate the completion of projects already initiated under the previous Part L regulations, the government granted a one-year grace period which concludes today, 15 June 2023. From this date affected parties must comply with the new measures.

Key Takeaways 

Key takeaways from the Part L update include:

• Emphasis on a fabric-first approach to building performance, focusing on airtightness, insulation, and eliminating thermal bridging.
• Use of energy-efficient walls, floors, windows, and roofs to reduce reliance on technology and associated energy costs.
• New carbon emissions targets: new homes must produce at least 31% less carbon emissions, while non-domestic builds need to produce at least 27% less.
• Introduction of new minimum energy efficiency standards, including updated U-values for walls, windows, roof lights, and doors.
• Implementation of the Primary Energy metric to measure heating efficiency and required energy.
• Adoption of SAP10 methodology, replacing SAP 2012, for measuring and setting metrics and targets.
• Builders and developers required to provide photographic evidence at each build stage to demonstrate compliance with regulatory standards.
• Inclusion of a SAP10 Building Regulations England Part L (BREL) report as a prerequisite for completing and handing over a building, with the report serving as evidence of construction conformity.

Achieving Part L Compliance

Alex Minett, Head of Product & Markets at CHAS

Alex Minett, Head of Product & Markets at CHAS, outlines the obligations of each trade under the updated Part L Building Regulations:

“Architects should closely examine building designs to incorporate energy-efficient measures like orientation, shading, and the utilisation of renewable energy sources.

“Meanwhile, builders face the challenge of adapting to newer energy-efficient designs, materials, and construction methods. This includes ensuring that the building envelope is well-insulated to minimise heat loss and reduce thermal bridging. They may also require thicker insulation materials and need to be prepared to implement measures for airtightness, such as vapour barriers, tapes, and sealants.

“Plumbers and HVAC technicians must focus on installing more efficient heating and ventilation systems while increasing the utilisation of renewable energy sources like solar, thermal, or heat pumps. They may also be responsible for maintaining heating and hot water systems in existing buildings, ensuring they operate efficiently and meet the requirements outlined in Part L.

“For electricians working on more efficient lighting systems, such as LED, and installing sensors and other lighting controls to minimise unnecessary energy consumption will be nothing new. However, they will also have an increasing role in installing renewable energy sources like photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind turbines.”

All trades should take necessary steps to provide certification to verify that their work meets the required standards. In particular, builders and developers can avoid potential rework, construction delays, and financial penalties by maintaining detailed records of the materials and systems used during construction, supported by step-by-step photographic evidence.

COMMENTARY

Tried-and-tested methods offer best approach

Steve Callow, Housing Manager, MPA Masonry

Steve Callow, Housing Manager, MPA Masonry, said: “Part L’s grace period comes to an end today. Now legally enforceable, housebuilders and developers cannot say they’ve not had the time to introduce the measures needed to ensure compliance with a new era of low-carbon and energy-efficient homes.

“The good news is that many developers are already able to meet the requirements with available build methods in masonry, at least from a fabric first perspective. Cavity wall construction offers a perfect example, especially when complemented by the latest guidance from the Future Homes Hub masonry Part L guidance, allowing developers to have no trouble achieving the required U-Values.

“The real challenge at hand will be for those using alternative build methods, with a heavier reliance on timber, glass and metals, which do not possess the same thermal qualities as concrete and brick. This means more modification of a non-traditional build method, with specialist labour requirements needed to meet the standard, resulting in reduced efficiency and greater waste. Sometimes, tried-and-tested methods offer the best approach. This is the case with Part L.”

Increased focus on carbon calculations

Dr Stephen Hamil, Innovation Director at NBS

Dr Stephen Hamil, Innovation Director at NBS, said: “Now that the Part L grace period is ending, the message is clear to specifiers that they must select materials with sustainable outcomes in mind.

“This highlights the importance of the early design process – where the biggest impact can be made. It’s the perfect opportunity to choose materials that insulate, use less energy, and lower the carbon impact across the whole lifecycle of the building.

“Increased focus on carbon calculations is also likely – architects will need to demonstrate a clear focus around the primary energy use of structures to meet building regulations. In order to do so, accessing accurate construction product data will be critical for lower carbon decision-making.”

Importance of photographic evidence

Maria Hudson, Zutec CMO

Maria Hudson, Zutec CMO, added:  “It’s important not to underestimate the importance of photographic evidence, now an essential criterion to achieve Part L compliance. Contractors and developers should take the necessary steps to communicate this across all site teams, regardless of whether the project is underway or due to commence. They will need to take high-quality images at every stage of the build to prove the correct protocol has been followed. Without it the asset cannot be passed by the EPC and BREL inspector and, as a result, cannot be deemed complete or occupied.

“Luckily with the latest digital platforms, capturing, collating, and curating the right pictures in real-time is easy to achieve and those looking to avoid the administrative headache across multiple developments should seriously consider investing in this service.”

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