What is Part L of the Building Regulations and how might it apply to my building?
The latest edition of Part L was introduced in April 2006 and saw the introduction of target CO2 emission rates for buildings. This tightening of performance criteria for building fabric, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and lighting systems such that a naturally ventilated building will need to be 23% more efficient and, an air-conditioned building 28% more efficient than under the previous regulations. Part L applies to all buildings although separate regulations cover dwellings and non-dwellings as well as new build and the refurbishment or alteration of an existing building. All new buildings need to be constructed in accordance with Part L however, Part L generally only applies to alteration of an existing building over 1000m2 unless the modification is increasing the capacity of the installed fixed building services or adding fixed building services where none were present originally.
