News
22 April 2010
Changes to existing Building Regulations pave the way for warmer, more fuel efficient and eco-friendly buildings.
Changes have recently been made to the existing building regulations to make our homes, shops and offices warmer and cheaper to run as well as ensuring that this country moves forward with its commitment to lowering carbon emissions.
Key changes are as follows:-
Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency: This came into force on 6th April 2010 and:
• Introduces a minimum water efficiency standard for all new homes;
• Extends safety provisions to all types of hot water systems;
• Requires thermostatic mixing valves to be fitted on baths in all new homes
New changes effective from October 2010 are as follows:-
Conservation of Fuel and power will require a 25% improvement above current standards for every new home and will also increase the minimum levels of energy efficiency for building fabric and services so that CO2 targets can be achieved through renewables alone. The measures will also come into play when people elect to carry out work to existing buildings , including extensions and conversions, fabric renovations, replacement windows and boilers.
Ventilation: the maintenance of indoor air quality to avoid adverse health effects that might have occurred due to the tendency towards developing more airtight buildings, which are a direct result of regulatory pressure to achieve more stringent fuel and energy efficiency requirements.
Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems: The changes will ensure that combustion appliances can continue to function safely in more airtight homes. A new requirement has been introduced for the provision of Carbon Monoxide alarms when installing all solid fuel appliances.
If you are planning on building new homes, extending or converting your existing home, replacing your windows and or boilers and need further information on the building regulation requirements and assistance with completion of the relevant documentation associated with such requirements, contact Hayley Kennedy on 01782 205 00.
The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have changed since this article was published. Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.
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