The government’s draft of Part L of the Building Regulations needs serious reworking if it is to succeed, according to representatives of the construction industry.

The new Part L will incorporate the European Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) and is intended to play a key role in meeting UK emissions reduction targets. But feedback from the industry at a recent conference shows that the draft document raises more questions than answers.

Unclear issues include how the industry will find the manpower to provide ‘regular’ checks on air conditioning systems and boilers; what measurement tool will be used to calculate energy performance; whether buildings will have to display energy labels in public.

At a conference hosted by the Directive Implementation Advisory Group (DIAG) representatives of architects, building service engineers, building control officers and developers expressed concern over these omissions from the document.

While the construction industry is undoubtedly behind the principles of energy efficient buildings, it will require more detail than is currently in the draft document if it is to to achieve the goal.

(See feature page 49)

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Building Sustainable Design