This consultation set out the detailed proposals for changes to the Building Regulations. The consultation ran between January and April 2012.
Objectives of the consultation
The Section 2 of 4 of the 2012 building regulations consultation exercise covered Part L: Conservation of fuel and power. The consultation paper includes proposals for tighter carbon dioxide emission standards for new homes and non-domestic buildings, to take the next step towards 'zero carbon' standards, plus tighter performance standards for works to existing buildings. The paper also contains proposals to introduce, on a phased basis, requirements for additional energy efficiency improvements to be carried out when other specified works (e.g. extensions) are planned and Green Deal finance is available as an option to meet the up-front costs.
The other sections covered the following:
- Section 1 - Introduction to the consultation package and proposals on Parts A, B, C, K, M and N, Access Statements, security, Changing Places toilets and Regulation 7;
- Section 3 - Part P (Electrical safety - dwellings);
- Section 4 - The building control system.
Supporting papers
To download papers on changes to the building regulations that relate to the energy efficiency of buildings (Part L), please follow the links below.
- Consultation on changes to the Building Regulations in England: Section 2
- Consultation on changes to the Building Regulations in England: Section 2 - Proposed changes to technical guidance
- Consultation on changes to the Building Regulations in England: Section 2 - Consultation stage impact assessment
- Economic and analytical support for impact assessment of proposals to amend the Building Regulations in 2013
To view the full consultation please visit the DCLG website.
CIBSE response
A consultation workshop was held at CIBSE on Tuesday 6 March 2012, with speakers from DCLG, to discuss proposed changes to Building Regulations in England and collect comments from Members. CIBSE submitted responses to Sections 2 and 4 of the consultation. To read CIBSE responses, please follow the links below.
- Section 2 Form 1: Consequential improvements in existing buildings
- Section 2 Form 2: Remaining changes
- Section 4: The Building Control System
Working Group
CIBSE led the non-domestic working group advising the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) on planned changes to Part L for 2013. This was one of four working groups, alongside those looking at Domestic Standards, Compliance & Performance, and potential links between the Green Deal and Part L.
The non-domestic working group was chaired by Dr Foroutan Parand, Head of Building Physics at URS Scott Wilson. The group, which was made up of a wide cross section of industry participants, was asked to look at the potential to further reduce carbon emissions from new and existing non-domestic buildings. The review was undertaken within the broader policy constraints set by the Coalition Government, in particular the deregulatory agenda and the principle of "one in, one out". The working groups reported to BRAC in July 2011 with their recommendations.
The review considered the scope for further reductions in the carbon emissions from new and existing buildings. It also considered how compliance with building regulations can be improved, both in terms of ensuring that work undertaken complies with the existing requirements, and also looking at the gap between the performance delivered in finished buildings compared to the claimed performance of the design prior to construction.
Results of the consultation and next steps
The Government published a report summarising all the responses submitted to this consultation in December 2012. To read the report please follow the link below.