A lengthy consultation period has been followed by the publication by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) of the new draft Part L Approved Documents (ADs).  These updated Building Regulations will come into effect on 6th April 2006.

The current two ADs will be replaced by four which will separately cover new and existing dwellings and new and existing non-dwellings.  Although the new Building Regulations do contain significant changes.  The CAB and its members (of which CDW is one) are working to ensure that the implications for customers are minimal.  We will continue to update this site with additional information that will help our customers to understand the new regulations.

All of the options for compliance under the current Building Regulations are replaced by a carbon dioxide emissions rating.  the "Target Emissions Rating" (TER) is a calculation of the maximum carbon dioxide emissions allowable resulting from the energy consumption of the whole building.  the TER is determined by the building's engineer.

ADL1 - DWELLINGS

ADL1A - New Dwellings                A maximum average U value of 2.2Wm2K is being imposed.

ADL1B - Existing Dwellings          For replacement windows, extensions and conservatories, little has changed,
                                                      apart  from the average window U value  for metal frames reducing to 2.0Wm2K
                                                      It is still permissible to use glazing with a centre pane U value of 1.2Wm2K
                                                      to demonstrate compliance for all replacement windows.
 

ADL2 - NON DWELLINGS

ADL2A - New buildings other than dwellings
                                                       This is similar to the requirement for dwellings but compliance can be based
                                                       on whether the building is air conditioned or naturally ventilated.  There
                                                       is an upper limit of 2.2W/m2K (except in exceptional circumstances where
                                                       it can rise to 2.7W/m2K).

ADL2B - Existing buildings other than dwellings
                                                       There is little change from the current building regulations and it is still
                                                       permissible to use glazing with a centre pane U value of 1.2W/m2K to
                                                       demonstrate compliance for all replacement windows.

Further information on the above as of 20th April 2006 from SAPA Building Systems is available here.