Latest Building Regulations as circulated by MARC.
On the 19th January 2021, the Government published a raft of documents around new building regulations. These refer to changes that will take place for early 2022, proposals for new non domestic buildings, and when replacing existing systems.
The main points of note for manufacturers & specifiers is the move to low temperature heating for new properties, and that when replacing full heating systems, the new system will need to be low temperature (55 degrees). This will have an impact on some of the product ranges that can be specified. So what are manufacturers doing in order to assist?
At Designed Mechanical Solutions Ltd, we work alongside established manufacturers such as MHS Radiators & Modutherm Ltd who are already prepared for this legislation, and have been for sometime. (Please visit www.mhsradiators.co.uk & www.modutherm.co.uk to view their respective product portfolios)
With regards to MHS Radiators in particular, the MHS Decoral 97 range is already being utilised by some of the UK's leading housing developers as they get ready for the new regulations. The Decoral Range is a lightweight aluminium sectional radiator available in Horizontal & Vertical models. Being constructed of aluminium means that not only is there a better heat transfer (thus quicker heat up time), but users can benefit from an increase in heat output of up to 12% against its steel counterparts within a smaller model size footprint. This means when trying to utilise lower system temperatures, there is a range of radiators to assist with that purpose. (This range is also available in LOT20 compliant electric models as well).
At Modutherm Limited, the "ALIRA" range of ASHP, has been designed with total flexibility in mind, and with an extensive range of both Indoor & Outdoor units that focus on efficiency, performance, and also low noise levels.
The Alira outdoor air source heat pump (pictured above) is a highly efficient unit. It is both quiet, and available in a range of 5 models from 16kW - 32kW. Using air as the source of energy, the Alira utilises advanced technology to provide sustainable heating and hot water. The Alira can be cascaded (up to 4 units) for larger projects and comes complete with the Luxtronik controller. However, when using a BMS system, there can be an unlimited number of units used. This unit has also been awarded a prestigious Red Dot Award for its modern and efficient design.
These products are just a few of many ways in which Designed Mechanical Solutions Ltd (in conjunction with MHS Radiators & Modutherm Ltd) is helping our clients adjust to the current & future building regulations.
To get a better understanding of the latest legislation, please find below extracts on the most recent up to date information from MARC regarding these latest regulations:
We are today publishing the Future Homes Standard Summary of Responses and Government Response: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-future-homes-standard-changes-to-part-l-and-part-f-of-the-building-regulations-for-new-dwellings and the Future Buildings Standard consultation: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-future-buildings-standard.
These standards set out a pathway towards creating homes and buildings that are fit for the future, and a built environment with lower carbon emissions and homes adapted to the overheating risks caused by a warming climate.
By making our homes and other buildings more energy efficient and embracing smart and low carbon technologies, we can improve the energy efficiency of peoples’ homes and boost economic growth while meeting our targets for carbon reduction.
The Future Homes Standard Consultation Summary of Responses
In October 2019, we launched the first stage of a two-part consultation on Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations. We proposed an ambitious uplift in the energy efficiency of new homes through the introduction of a Future Homes Standard. We expect that homes built to the Future Homes Standard will have carbon dioxide emissions 75-80% lower than those built to current Building Regulations standards, which means they will be fit for the future, with low carbon heating and very high fabric standards.
The interim uplift to energy efficiency requirements will act as a stepping stone towards the full Future Homes Standard, and should result in a meaningful and achievable 31% carbon emissions saving compared to the current standard.
This two-stage approach to implementing the Future Homes Standard is intended to support industry to prepare and position itself to build to the full standard: ensuring that a sufficient supply of low carbon heating and an appropriately-skilled workforce is in place; and that our housing supply commitments can still be met.
The Future Homes Standard Consultation Summary of Responses is available to view on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-future-homes-standard-changes-to-part-l-and-part-f-of-the-building-regulations-for-new-dwellings
The Future Buildings Standard Consultation
The Future Buildings Standard consultation builds on the Future Homes Standard by setting out energy and ventilation standards for non-domestic buildings, existing homes and to mitigate against overheating in residential buildings.
The consultation proposes changes to the Building Regulations from 2021 onwards and primarily covers new and existing non-domestic buildings. We also set an ambition for non-domestic buildings called The Future Buildings Standard, to be implemented from 2025.
This new standard is designed to transition non-domestic buildings to low-carbon heat sources for heating and hot water. This in turn means that new buildings constructed to the standard will be fit for the future with the ability to become zero carbon over time as the electricity grid and heat networks decarbonise.
The consultation includes an interim uplift of Part L and Part F requirements for new and existing non-domestic buildings, and for existing homes. It also proposes some changes to requirements for new homes, including to the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard; some standards for building services; and to guidance on the calibration of devices that carry out airtightness testing. Finally, it details a new standard for mitigating overheating in new residential buildings.
You can view the Future Buildings Standard Consultation on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-future-buildings-standard and respond to the consultation here:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FutureBuildingsStandard/.
The consultation will run from 19th January until 13th April 2021
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If you are a Developer, M&E Contractor, M&E Consultant, or an architect, and would like more information on the products and services we provide at Designed Mechanical Solutions Ltd, please contact us directly on either MOB: 07881 225 135 or [email protected]