I read with surprise that the new Parts L and F and EPBD will not be issued until April 2006 (BSj 08/05) as I’ve had emails from the ODPM stating they will be issued in December 2005.

I believe it makes little difference in any case, as I would expect any new buildings/major refurb projects would, or should, be incorporating measures to achieve similar targets. Any structure built now should stand the test of time – ie the next 20–30 years, when CO2 levels will be reduced not just by 20%, but by 30–40%. It will, however, have some effect

on commercial developments, where measures are more difficult to implement in practice.

I feel the more important questions are when and what performance standards will be set for existing buildings. Many owners are uncertain about what they will have to do to bring their buildings ‘up to scratch’ and whether, if they receive a poor Energy Certificate rating, this will reduce value.

At least if this criteria was issued in outline format, it would give the industry and building owners and designers some idea of what to expect and how to plan for implementation.

At present, there is much speculation.

Source

Building Sustainable Design

Postscript

A spokesman for the ODPM wouldn’t give a specific date, but says: “It’s our intention to implement Parts L and F by Spring 2006”.

Simon Flatt, managing director, Flatt Consulting