Legislation - Building Regulations

(Non-Dwellings) – Part L 2006

In the UK, amendments to the Building Regulations have been used to transpose articles 4, 5 and 6 of the EPBD. This amendment requires all new non dwelling buildings to produce 27% less carbon than previously allowed. It also requires improved energy efficiency of renovated buildings. Commercial buildings are covered by guidance documents L2A and L2B, which relate to new build and existing buildings respectively.

The following provides an explanation of the recommendations set in the Building Regulations – Part L2:

• L2A introduces the methodology of calculation of the energy performance of the building and relates it to the Target carbon dioxide Emission Rate. It also defines the limits on design flexibility as related to aspects of the building.
• L2B introduces the concept of “Consequential Improvements”. This requires improvements to the energy efficiency of a building (area > 1000m2) to be carried out if the following alterations are being carried out:
• An extension
• The initial provision of fixed building services
• The installed capacity of fixed building services being increased.

Consequential improvements should be carried out to at least 10% of the value of the principal works. The following improvements are considered viable if they have a payback of less than 15 years:

• upgrading heating, cooling and air-handling systems which are more than 15 years old
• upgrading lighting systems that don’t meet the required lamp efficacy
• installing energy metering
• upgrading thermal elements and windows which don’t meet expected thermal insulation levels.
• Increasing on-site low and zero carbon energy generating systems (although the required payback period is reduced to 7 years for these items)

L2B also includes a list of controlled services and fittings. If these are being altered / replaced, they should meet the standards indicated in the guidance.

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