The construction industry is facing a “triple whammy” over changes to the Building Regulations, writes Andy Pearson.
It has emerged that energy efficiency targets set out in the proposed revisions to Part L will be more difficult to meet because of changes to the environmental regulations that govern the manufacture of insulation.
Under the Part L proposals, contractors and housebuilders must use thicker insulation. However, the new environmental legislation says the HCFC gases used to make insulation must be phased out.
In addition, the DETR is proposing to change the way U-values are calculated, which will result in energy efficiency targets that are harder to meet.
It is feared that the combination of changes will lead to an increase in the thickness and cost of insulation and force housebuilders to design wider cavities in homes to accommodate the thicker insulation.
One insulation manufacturer said the DETR had failed to inform the industry about the number of changes facing the industry. He said: “The DETR could have informed the industry about the environmental legislation changes when it announced the proposed changes to Part L. These will change the current design for houses and mean thicker walls and wider cavities. I’m amazed the industry has failed to keep pace with the new regulations; it is in for a big shock.”
The DETR denied that it had failed to inform the industry of the changes. A spokesperson said the Part L revisions could be moved back if the environmental legislation had an adverse effect on the industry.
He said: “Part L is currently out for consultation and anybody with an interest in it should make their point now. It’s true that people will need a higher performing insulation but we have kept the industry informed.”
