| |
|
|
Building Regulations Part L/J – Conservation of Fuel and Power
The thermal performance requirements for all domestic and commercial buildings are set out by the Government in the Building Regulations, Part L for England and Wales and Part J for Scotland.
The October 2002 update of these Building Regulations had a significant impact on the UK construction industry, increasing thermal insulation thickness’, requiring the consideration of thermal bridges and air leakage plus the verification of compliance. On the 1st January 2006 further amendments to the current regulations will be implemented.
To assist the Sarnafil Contractor and Client better understand the new Approved Document and its implications on Sarnafil roofing systems, Sarnafil Ltd has published a free to industry guide document "A Guide to Part L Compliance”. Produced with the aim of providing the most authoritative understanding of the implications and responsibilities imposed on membrane roofing under the regulations currently available, the guide provides a logical tour through the current regulations and the anticipated 2005 amendments. This document, together with a wide range of Sarnafil roofing system components, enable a building to be designed and constructed to meet, and exceed, the Government’s current requirements.
The guide was researched and compiled by Sarnafil Technical Manager, Nigel Blacklock, with valuable input from Kingspan Insulation Ltd, SFS intec Ltd, the Building Research Establishment and Norwich City Council Building Control.
The 20-page guide encompasses:
- Government Policy
- What is Part L?
- Use of Guidance
- Compliant Design
- Thermal Bridging
- Air Leakage
- Certification and Guarantees
- Part J
Written with highlighted ‘key’ statements, photographic references, relevant tables and calculations in a succinct style, the document highlights some of the key impacts of these regulations including:
- The requirement to calculate the impact of the thermal bridge of a rigid steel fastener. This typically means an increase in the insulation thickness of between 10mm and 20mm, unless using a thermally broken fastener. To assist in the elimination of thermal bridging, Sarnafil Ltd have introduced a range of thermally broken fasteners (the SBT & SFT) and the thermally broken and airtight Double L rainwater outlet.
- The measurement of air leakage, which at present is part of the current guidance document, is likely to become mandatory in the 2005 revision. New Sarnafil products, such as the Double L outlet and the standard incorporation of a quality sealed vapour control layer assist in eliminating air leakage.
- The importance of solar reflectivity is again included within the 2002 Building Regulations. However, the demand to take account of this is expected to increase in the 2005 edition. Fortunately, standard light grey Sarnafil membranes have a 50% solar reflectivity, while white Sarnafil membranes have an improved figure of 90%.
A “Guide to Part L Compliance“ is accompanied by a CD-ROM containing over 150 Part L/J related standard details, all of which can be downloaded from the Standard Details section of this Internet site. To order a copy of the guide, please click here.
For further information, please click here.
© 2006 Sarnafil Ltd. Legal Disclaimer
|
|
