[Update: Part L changes ] P
art L is the section of the Building Regulations that deals with the conservation of heat and power used in new and existing buildings, both domestic and commercial. It also sets out the requirements
for Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) calculations and carbon emission targets for dwellings and the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) for buildings other than dwellings. Since it was first introduced it has received a number of revisions, the latest of which came into effect in England and Wales on 1 October 2010.
Changes Each update to Part L has represented a step change in the energy efficiency of buildings, and reflect improvements in technology. The latest revisions to Part L have been implemented as part of the government’s drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and represent an average 25 per cent improvement in efficiency targets over the 2006 regulations. There’s no doubt about it, the requirements laid out in Part L targets are tough, and deliberately so. However, one major advantage of the new legislation is that it gives flexibility of design, which means that a wide range of options are available to give the best opportunity to reduce carbon emissions. It also means that electrical contractors will be able
to get involved in discussions about design and product specification early on in the construction process. Contractors who understand the implications of Part L will bring valuable insight into the comparative efficiencies of various aspects of building services, and may even find themselves having
significantly more influence over building services decisions than in the past.
There’s no doubt about it, the requirements laid out in Part L targets are tough, and deliberately so
Sections Part L is now divided into four sections and covers all buildings. Approved Document L1A covers new dwellings, while L1B focuses on work carried out in existing dwellings. Approved Documents L2A and L2B cover new buildings and existing buildings other than dwellings, respectively. We will cover each of these Approved Documents in
turn.
Part L1A – New Dwellings This Approved Document covers all new dwellings, except for those buildings containing rooms for residential purposes, such as nursing homes and student accommodation. (Approved Document L2A for New Buildings other than Dwellings covers these types of buildings). A good example of Part L1A’s scope is a small flat, for a member of staff or an in-house manager in a non-domestic building, as it would not result in the whole building being treated as a dwelling. There are five main criteria to be considered, and the main changes that affect the fixed electrical services are:
n Fixed internal lighting Low energy lighting fittings must have luminous efficacy greater than 45 lamp lumens/circuit watt and total output greater than 400 lumens. Reasonable provision would be to install fixed low energy light fittings in the most frequented
Winter 2010 ECA Today 55
SHUTTERSTOCK
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