Building Regulations Explained: What do they mean and what are the new updates?

Overview

Homebuilding in the UK is undergoing a dramatic change due to the updating of Building Regulations in recent years, resulting in a transformation in how we construct new build homes and carry out alteration work to existing properties.

The general strategy of new Building Regulations aims to achieve zero CO2 emissions by 2050.This includes lowering the CO2 emissions from buildings and raising the threshold for current overheating, fabric and ventilation regulations as well as continuously aiming to improve the health, wellbeing and general safety standards of properties built in the UK.

What are Building Regulations?

Building Regulations aim to protect and enhance the environment, promote sustainable development, and encourage the conservation of fuel and electricity. Building Regulations change from time to time and are continuously reviewed and updated in line with government policy and technical developments. The regulations are made up of sixteen parts (sections) each lettered between Part A to Part S and accompanied by an approved document that will provide the legislation and methods to satisfy the regulations requirements. Our latest HBF overview of the Building Regulations is available here.

The Challenge

The built environment is currently responsible for around 40% of total UK emissions, 14% of which come from UK homes. The Future Homes Standard aims to further reduce carbon emissions from homes, comes into effect in 2025 and will mark a significant change in how new properties are constructed in the UK.

New Changes to Building Regulations

June 2022 saw the introduction of two brand new Building Regulations namely,Part S, Infrastructure for the charging of electrical vehicle and Part O, Overheating calculations and the heating performance of new dwellings.

Substantial updates have also been seen to the following sections:

• Part L – Conservation of fuel & power
• Part F – Ventilation
• Part J – Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
• Part R – Infrastructure for electronic communications

Most sections benefited from a 12-month transitional period will full implementation of the regulations as on 15th June 2023. Further amendments are anticipated later this year to Part M, access to and use of buildings, allowing for future adaptability of properties. In addition, amendments to Part K – Protection from falling, collision and impact are also expected later this year. If you want to take a closer look at what sections were changed and when, you can access our building regulations timeline here.

But what will these new changes mean for new build properties? Below we have provided you with a snapshot of how the changes brought in this June will act as a stepping stone to ease the transition towards the Future Homes Standard as we move towards 2025.

Part B (Fire Safety)

The Government is currently considering th e findings on it s latest consultation on the proposed amendments to Part B of the Building Regulations. Last updated in 2019, there are four main changes. These are still under consideration:

1. The provision of sprinklers to be installed in care homes.
2. The proposed removal of National Classifications BS476 in favour of the more modern BS EN 13510.
3. The introduction of a threshold height for dual staircasing at 30m on high rise buildings
4. Evidence for materials used on external walls to be A1 classification.

Part F (Ventilation)

Part F of the new building regulations explains the requirements for ventilation within buildings, including how to maintain indoor air quality and avoid condensation in residential structures. With increased air tightness in new build properties, ventilation is more important than ever before. Changes include:

1. A transition towards System 3 Central & Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (cMEV & dMEV) leading to System 4 whole house Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) for the FHS in 2025.
2. More generally the industry will begin moving away from System 1 Background Ventilation & Intermittent fans and it is unlikely that we will ever see a return to the System 2 Passive Stack Ventilation of the past.

Part L 2021 (Conservation of Fuel & Power)

New building regulations will come into effect from 15th June 2023 for all new properties commencing from that date forward. Changes include:

1. Document and photographic evidence that build quality & construction detailing conforms to the approved construction drawings & associated details.
2. Building Fabric improvements from the 15 June will need to achieve at least 31 per cent less carbon emissions than the outgoing Part L 2013.
3. The installation of electric central heating systems as a main priority. Heat pumps both ground and air source will also begin to play a more important role in the journey towards the Future Homes Standard.
4. The new minimum efficiency standards for U-value thermal performance of external walls will be 0.18W/m², 1.4W/m2 for windows and 1.4W/m2 for roofs. In addition to increased air tightness, new heating systems such as gas boilers must have a maximum flow rate temperature of 55°C.
5. For non residential dwellings a Reduction of carbon emissions by 27% will be required under Part L volume 2.

Part O (Overheating)

June 2022 saw the introduction of a brand-new regulation Part O-overheating. It provides recommendations on how to provide means of removing extra heat from residential structures due to fabric & solar gain. The regulation is aimed particularly at timber frame and apartment type properties. It offers users two approaches to calculating the thermal values of a new build property. The Simplified Method approach uses geographic location and orientation in addition to other detailed input values. The Dynamic Thermal Analysis TM59 calculator is a more accurate but equally challenging formula for demonstrating compliance to the new regulations and feedback has been offered to Government on ways of improving and refining the process.

The new laws ensure that consideration is made for the adequate provision & removal of surplus heat from the internal environment when designing and constructing new build properties. All residential and institutional buildings, including care facilities, student dorms, single-story homes, and high-rise apartment buildings, are subject to Part O compliance regulations.

Part S (Infrastructure for charging electric vehicles)

Approved Document S was another brand new regulation introduced in June of last year. It requires all domestic new build properties to be installed with a 7.2KW active electric vehicle charger taking around 5-8 hours to charge an average electric vehicle. The charger must be provided live & active on installation and its requirement is extended to parking courts and off plot allocated parking spaces for those properties not benefiting from having their parking provided within the immediate curtilage of the property. This has been challenging for the industry to provide and work is still ongoing.

Part R (Infrastructure for Electronic Communications)

This section was introduced on the 26 December 2022 which came with a 12 month transitional arrangement. Part R requires the installation of gigabit capable Infrastructure to new build properties and developments thus ensuring adequate access is delivered and achieved for fibre and telecommunications in new build residential properties.

Part J (Combustion appliances and Fuel Storage systems)

Part J was updated in October 2022 and saw the requirement for the installation of Carbon Monoxide detectors in new build dwellings being installed with a fossil fuel heating system.

To find out more about the changes and any future changes coming up as we move towards zero emissions by 2050, visit the HBF website.