The Building Regulation's energy efficiency guidelines come into force on 6 April 2006 and the government has accelerated transitional arrangements in a bid to make a greater impact on climate change.

The government has confirmed that the revisions to Part L of the Building Regulations will come into effect on 6 April 2006. From then on, any building work must comply with the new regulations unless:

  • work started before 6 April 2006 in accordance with a building notice, full plans, initial notice or amendment notice;
  • where full plans are not required, a contract is entered into before 6 April 2006, provided the work starts before 1 October 2006;
  • full plans have been deposited and approved before 6 April 2006, provided the work is started before 1 April 2007;
  • a plans certificate or plans certificate combined with an initial notice has been given to a local authority before 6 April 2006, provided the work starts before 1 April 2007.
Any building work carried out under these transitional arrangements will be subject to the current Part L (2002) regulations and energy efficiency standards.

Housing and planning minister Yvette Cooper said: "Tackling climate change is one of the biggest long-term challenges we face. That is why on this occasion we need the building industry to comply with the new regulations more rapidly than normal.

"These new regulations, combined with those in 2002, deliver a 40% increase in energy efficiency standards in just four years, and cut householders' fuel bills, too."

The main requirement of Part L is that reasonable provision shall be made for the conservation of fuel and power by:

  • limiting heat losses through the fabric of the building;
  • limiting excessive solar gains;
  • limiting heat gains and losses from pipes, ducts and vessels used for space heating, space cooling and hot water storage;
  • providing energy efficient and properly commissioned fixed building services with effective controls;
  • providing the owner with information about the building and its services so that it can be operated and maintained to use no more fuel and power than is reasonable.
The ECA has applied to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) to operate a ‘competent person scheme' for Part L. The scope of the scheme would ensure that ‘competent' electrical contractors are responsible for providing energy efficient electrical services installations, and that they are properly designed, installed, tested and commissioned with effective controls.

The categories of electrical installations covered by this scheme, if approved by the ODPM, are: lighting installations; electrical heating installations; automatic/central control systems; and electrical metering and monitoring systems.

The ECA is also developing a course to help companies ensure they are complying with Part L.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor