The Building Regulations

In the UK, Government-stated, long-term targets for the reduction of CO2 are implemented through the Conservation of Fuel and Power Directive and through three relevant Building Regulation approved documents. These are:

• Part L (England and Wales)
• Section 6 (Scotland)
• Part F (Northern Ireland)

Approved Document (AD) L is divided into two parts:

• AD L1 - Dwellings
• AD L2 - Buildings other than dwellings

Each part is sub-divided further into sections for ‘New Build’ and ‘Refurbishment’.

New Build
Following extensive consultation with industry in 2004/5, Part L has been substantially revised to include a 23-28% reduction in carbon emissions from new buildings and to introduce a new National Calculation Method for new buildings other than dwellings (AD L2).

The result is a less prescriptive, more performance related approach, allowing designers flexibility to achieve savings against a notional building designed to 2002 standards by a variety of means. Compliance with the latest revision of Part L becomes mandatory in England and Wales from April 2006. Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland will follow in summer 2006
with similar regulations. Section 6 in Scotland is expected to follow a similar format in 2007.

CO2 emissions targets can be met by a combination of means, such as:

• Efficient insulation and better detailing of the building
  envelope.
• Air-tight construction of the building envelope.
• Energy efficient appliances and fittings (e.g. boilers and lighting).
• Automatic controls and building management systems.
• Use of zero-emission technologies such as solar water heating and photovoltaics.

Over the years, well-proven cladding systems have been developed using pre-finished steel for the outer and/or inner skin of the building envelope. Highly insulated, air-tight cladding systems, with well designed junctions and interfaces can make a
significant contribution to reducing the overall carbon emissions of a building over its lifetime.

Refurbishment
“Reasonable improvement” for the conservation of fuel and power shall be made whenever building work is being carried out, where it is “cost effective” according to criteria contained in ADL2B. Any extension or significant refurbishment to a building, must meet
defined criteria, documented within ADL2B, including improvements to the existing building.

Established pre-finished steel over cladding and other refurbishment solutions are available to meet these requirements.