News
Part L revisions would seek
further 25% cut in emissions
n
A revamp of Part L of the
Building Regulations is likely Willatts
PART L 2010
to require a further cut of 25 per cent
Paul
The thinking behind
in carbon emissions compared with
the move towards
the 2006 rules, it has emerged.
a flat-rate 25% cut
The change was revealed at the
CIBSE national conference, ahead
in building emissions
of the long-awaited release of the
consultation on the revised Part L • Previous UK government
document, which is expected to be thinking was to keep the same
published shortly. regulatory and compliance
Paul DeCort, an official at the framework, but the key issue to
Department of Communities consider was the mechanism for
and Local Government (DCLG), target setting.
gave delegates a summary of the • There was an option to retain
proposed revisions, stressing that Paul DeCort lays out the government’s thinking at the CIBSE national conference a 2002 notional building plus
the government intends to keep further improvement factor – a
the same overall regulatory and whereas a hotel’s biggest energy to be submitted with the plans to flat 25% improvement for each
compliance framework. load is hot water, which is much help building inspectors check that building.
Currently Part L requires a more difficult to cut. the specified materials are being • But, while this had familiarity,
uniform emissions reduction to If passed, the proposals would used during construction. This will it took no account of difficulties
be made on each new building, mean currently planned targets ensure that a design to achieve or opportunities for improving
regardless of whether it is a school, could be set for each different type a 25 per cent reduction in energy performance in different types of
hospital, hotel or office. For of building. on paper can still be achieved it in building.
2010 the government is looking DeCort also suggested that the reality. • So the Department for
to achieve the additional 25 per implementation date may have to Hywel Davies, technical director Communities and Local
cent target overall by using an be delayed by six months to October of CIBSE, said: “What this is Government (DCLG) developed
aggregate approach – which would, 2010, with timescales “becoming doing is saying that in some of the an alternative option to provide
for example, allow a 20 per cent increasingly challenging”. buildings it will be harder to make 25% on aggregate overall, rather
reduction to be made in one type Other important changes of the savings compared to others. than per building.
of building, while a 30 per cent emphasis include a change to What this does is to say, ‘You, Mr • This is because some buildings
reduction could be made more the calculation tools – but not to Engineer, give us your engineering are more able to deliver more than
easily in another. the calculation approach – and skills, be innovative, solve the 25%. The aim in Part L 2010 is to
DeCort said: “Ministers are ensuring the industry maintains problem’, which is much better for deliver a national target of 25%
sympathetic to this aggregate health standards in new energy engineers to work to.” when applied across the build
approach and welcome feedback efficient buildings and new homes. Rob Manning, CIBSE president- mix – with separate aggregates
when it hits the street.” When Part L is changed, DeCort elect for 2010, agreed with the for domestic and non- domestic
This aggregate approach would said, revisions would also be made aggregated approach: “It’s a much buildings. This, says, DCLG,
satisfy the different energy loads to Part F, which covers ventilation. more flexible system for designers maximises CO2 reduction.
found in different types of building. Air tightness of new homes is to work with. The challenge for the • The detailed proposals will
For example, reducing the lighting improving, he said, so ventilation industry is to start again to climb be laid out in a 600-page
load in an office by 25 per cent is needs to be maintained. the learning curve whilst the results consultation paper soon.
much easier than in a hotel because The revisions are also expected to of the Part L 2006 requirements are Source: DCLG
an office uses more lighting – require a new build’s specifications still being measured.”
Pyramid that holds secret of zero carbon
Engineers got a step closer to The first is energy efficiency,
eir
are a number of other ways, but the
W
learning what the definition of ‘net where energy demand is reduced jury’s out and we’ll be publishing
zero carbon’ for homes should be, to begin with. The second is carbon
Simon
the analysis of that consultation
at the CIBSE national conference. compliance – the industry’s target later this year.”
Paul DeCort, principal building emission rate – and looks at which Bill Bordass of the Useable
services professional at the on-site zero carbon technologies Buildings Trust said: “I compare the
Department of Communities and and connected heat can be used. consultation document, which is
Local Government (DCLG), told The third is allowable solutions. 100 rather obscure pages, with a US
delegates that it is expected to be “We’re not suggesting at this definition [of zero carbon], which is
based on the zero carbon ‘pyramid’ stage that we can reach net zero three sentences – this illustrates the
and should involve three steps in a carbon purely through building huge over-bureaucracy we’ve got
prioritised, hierarchical approach. regulations,” DeCort said. “There Bordass attacks bureaucratic approach around these things.”
www.cibsejournal.com May 2009 CIBSE Journal 7
CIBSEmay09 pp07 news.indd 7 5/1/09 2:45:51 PM
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