Conservation of Fuel and Power: Building Regulations Part L / Scottish Technical Standards Part J / Northern Ireland Building Regulations Part F

Under these 2002 regulations, new build dwellings are required to achieve a specific level of thermal performance.

Additionally, and for the first time within a Building Regulation, extension, adaptation, renovation, and refurbishment activity must generally meet similar requirements

There are three methods to show compliance, namely the ‘Elemental’ method, the ‘Target ‘U’ Value’ method and the ‘Carbon Index’ method.

As with most Building Regulations, the correct specification of materials will be dependant on the construction details and the relevance of Part L to the project.

Generally, exterior doors or windows which achieve a ‘U’ value rating of 2.00 w/m2k
(1.8 w/m2k in Scotland) will be suitable for ‘Part L’ projects.

However, in certain situations, products which do not meet this standard may be acceptable.

For example, where a highly insulated structure exists, and these components constitute a relatively small proportion of the overall envelope.

Additionally, in refurbishment situations, a door can be replaced with any other providing the overall glass area is less than 50% of the overall door and frame dimension.

As the regulations are policed by a number of bodies including Local Authority Building Control and the NHBC, it is important to understand your obligations before specifying or ordering products, and if necessary seek advice from relevant professionals.

MOBILITY (Access and Facilities for Disabled People): Building Regulations Part M / Northern Ireland Building Regulations Part R

Wider doors and thresholds with reduced heights are required by Building Regulation Part M. The range includes products to meet these requirements. Further informatin available on request.

Resistance to the Passage of Sound: Building Regulations Part E / Scottish Technical Standards Part H / Northern Ireland Building Regulations Part C

Selection of solid core interior doors improves the acoustic insulation performance over standard hollow core products. In addition, SoundSure FD30 interior doors and the SoundSecure FD30 entrance doorsets are designed to meet the requirements of Part E, as well as other Building Regulation performance criteria.

Ventilation: Building Regulations Part F / Scottish Technical Standards and Northern Ireland Building Regulations
Part K

These regulations provide for the level of background ventilation in habitable rooms. Alpha 24 windows are supplied with head ventilators fitted as standard, to assist compliance