Planning, building and the environment
Proposed Changes to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations: A Consultation Paper

Proposed Changes to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations: A Consultation Paper

Published 18 June 2009
Closing date 17 September 2009
Type(s) Consultation documents, Legislation and policy
Site Planning, building and the environment
Product code 08BD05287
ISBN 9781409815327
Price Free

Summary

This consultation sets out the proposed changes to Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Part F (Means of Ventilation) of the Building Regulations that are planned to come into force in 2010.

The consultation also proposes a range of measures, including a strategy for training and dissemination, designed to further improve the levels of compliance and performance in buildings.

The consultation closes on the 17 September 2009.

Scope of consultation

  • The Government set out in its Building a Greener Future - Policy Statement (July 2007) that new homes will be net zero carbon from 2016. As steps to achieving this target, energy efficiency standards for new homes are to be improved by 25 per cent in 2010 and 44 per cent in 2013 relative to current 2006 standards.
  • The Government also wants to introduce improved energy efficiency standards for new non-domestic buildings, and in its 2008 Budget announced an ambition for all new non-domestic development to be net zero carbon from 2019. We are therefore proposing a similar phased improvement beginning with 25 per cent in 2010 and plan to consult on the further trajectory towards zero carbon new non-domestic buildings later this year.
  • Government is also committed to addressing the energy efficiency of existing buildings and the consultation therefore proposes appropriate changes to the requirements when people elect to carry out building work to existing buildings.
  • When the proposed energy efficiency standards in Part L are strengthened in 2010 there is likely to be a tendency to more airtight buildings. It is therefore necessary to propose changes to Part F of the Building Regulations at the same time to ensure adequate means of ventilation is provided.

The UK Government is currently considering transferring responsibility for Building Regulations in Wales to the Welsh Assembly, in which case these proposals will only apply in England.

Events

The Department convened Part L and F consultation workshops on 15 and 16 July 2009 respectively. If you were unable to attend these events copies of the presentations (external link) can now be downloaded from the AECOM website . 

Frequently Asked Questions and technical helpline

For general questions relating to the consultation you may find the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) webpage useful in the first instance.

For technical issue questions relating to this consultation, you should email your question to: PartFandLConsultationhelpdesk@bsria.co.uk 

Documents

The following documents are available for download below:

  • The consultation paper which has been divided into three volumes for ease of use.
  • A consultation stage impact assessment has been published to support this consultation document and can be found in Annex B to Volume 1 below.
  • A list of principal organisations who are being consulted.
  • A separate response form in Microsoft Word for submitting your comments.

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