Approved document L - Revision history

Editor at 13:46, 25 March 2026

2026-03-25T13:46:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:46, 25 March 2026
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	The Building Regulations set out requirements for specific aspects of building design and construction. Regulation 26 of the building regulations states that “Where a building is erected, it shall not exceed the target CO2 emission rate for the building…”, and Schedule 1 – Part L Conservation of fuel and power states that provision for conservation of fuel and power shall be made by: limiting heat gain and losses and providing building service which are efficient, have effective controls and are properly commissioned and that information is provided so that the building can be operated efficiently.		The Building Regulations set out requirements for specific aspects of building design and construction. Regulation 26 of the building regulations states that “Where a building is erected, it shall not exceed the target CO2 emission rate for the building…”, and Schedule 1 – Part L Conservation of fuel and power states that provision for conservation of fuel and power shall be made by: limiting heat gain and losses and providing building service which are efficient, have effective controls and are properly commissioned and that information is provided so that the building can be operated efficiently.

−	In 2026 Regulations were passed to make amendments to the Building Regulations 2010 (the 2010 Regulations) to implement the Future Homes and Buildings Standards of which Part L is core. ~~The~~ Future Homes and Buildings Standards ~~aim~~ to ensure that new homes and non-domestic buildings are built with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency, so that buildings constructed to these standards will not require retrofitting to become zero carbon in use as the electricity grid decarbonises. These [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-future-homes-and-buildings-standards-building-circular-012026/the-future-homes-and-buildings-standards-building-circular-012026-letter Future Homes and Buildings Standards amendments were published on 24 March, 2026], coming into force on 24 March 2027, except regulations 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 that come into force for higher-risk building work and work to existing HRBs on 24 September 2027, subject to transitional provisions.	+	In 2026 Regulations were passed to make amendments to the Building Regulations 2010 (the 2010 Regulations) to implement the Future Homes and Buildings Standards of which Part L is core. These introduce the Future Homes and Buildings Standards aiming to ensure that new homes and non-domestic buildings are built with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. This is so that buildings constructed to these standards will not require retrofitting to become zero carbon in use as the electricity grid decarbonises. Approved Document F, Volume 1: relating to ventilation in dwellings was also amended as this is inherently related to efficiency in buildings. These [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-future-homes-and-buildings-standards-building-circular-012026/the-future-homes-and-buildings-standards-building-circular-012026-letter Future Homes and Buildings Standards amendments were published on 24 March, 2026], coming into force on 24 March 2027, except regulations 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 that come into force for higher-risk building work and work to existing HRBs on 24 September 2027, subject to transitional provisions.

	= Approved documents =		= Approved documents =
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	A series of approved documents provide general guidance on how different aspects of building design and construction can comply with the Building Regulations.[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conservation-of-fuel-and-power-approved-document-l Approved Document L: Conservation of fuel and power], deals with energy efficiency requirements.		A series of approved documents provide general guidance on how different aspects of building design and construction can comply with the Building Regulations.[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conservation-of-fuel-and-power-approved-document-l Approved Document L: Conservation of fuel and power], deals with energy efficiency requirements.

−	There are four parts to Approved Document L:	+	There are four parts to Approved Document L::

	* Approved Document L1A: Conservation of fuel and power (New dwellings).		* Approved Document L1A: Conservation of fuel and power (New dwellings).

Editor at 04:23, 25 March 2026

2026-03-25T04:23:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:23, 25 March 2026
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	The Building Regulations set out requirements for specific aspects of building design and construction. Regulation 26 of the building regulations states that “Where a building is erected, it shall not exceed the target CO2 emission rate for the building…”, and Schedule 1 – Part L Conservation of fuel and power states that provision for conservation of fuel and power shall be made by: limiting heat gain and losses and providing building service which are efficient, have effective controls and are properly commissioned and that information is provided so that the building can be operated efficiently.		The Building Regulations set out requirements for specific aspects of building design and construction. Regulation 26 of the building regulations states that “Where a building is erected, it shall not exceed the target CO2 emission rate for the building…”, and Schedule 1 – Part L Conservation of fuel and power states that provision for conservation of fuel and power shall be made by: limiting heat gain and losses and providing building service which are efficient, have effective controls and are properly commissioned and that information is provided so that the building can be operated efficiently.
		+
		+	In 2026 Regulations were passed to make amendments to the Building Regulations 2010 (the 2010 Regulations) to implement the Future Homes and Buildings Standards of which Part L is core. The Future Homes and Buildings Standards aim to ensure that new homes and non-domestic buildings are built with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency, so that buildings constructed to these standards will not require retrofitting to become zero carbon in use as the electricity grid decarbonises. These [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-future-homes-and-buildings-standards-building-circular-012026/the-future-homes-and-buildings-standards-building-circular-012026-letter Future Homes and Buildings Standards amendments were published on 24 March, 2026], coming into force on 24 March 2027, except regulations 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 that come into force for higher-risk building work and work to existing HRBs on 24 September 2027, subject to transitional provisions.

	= Approved documents =		= Approved documents =

109.76.23.3 at 00:45, 19 August 2022

2022-08-19T00:45:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:45, 19 August 2022
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	= Requirements =		= Requirements =

−	Key ~~criterion~~ described in Approved Document L include:	+	Key criteria described in Approved Document L include:

	# The designed carbon emission rate (Dwelling Emission Rate (DER) for self-contained dwellings and individual flats (excluding common areas) and Building Emission Rate (BER) for buildings other than dwellings) must not exceed the Target Emission Rate (TER) for a notional building of similar type, size and shape. Both are expressed in kgCO2/m2 per year.		# The designed carbon emission rate (Dwelling Emission Rate (DER) for self-contained dwellings and individual flats (excluding common areas) and Building Emission Rate (BER) for buildings other than dwellings) must not exceed the Target Emission Rate (TER) for a notional building of similar type, size and shape. Both are expressed in kgCO2/m2 per year.

Designing Buildings at 07:57, 14 June 2022

2022-06-14T07:57:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:57, 14 June 2022
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	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

		+	* 15 June 2022 changes to Approved Documents.
	* 2013 changes to the approved documents for part L of the building regulations.		* 2013 changes to the approved documents for part L of the building regulations.
	* Accredited construction details ACDs.		* Accredited construction details ACDs.

Designing Buildings at 10:12, 16 December 2021

2021-12-16T10:12:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:12, 16 December 2021
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	The 2013 edition of approved document L1A for new dwellings, introduced Target Fabric Energy Efficiency rates (TFEE) to sit alongside Target Emission Rates. The TFEE is the minimum energy performance requirement for a new dwelling. The Dwelling Fabric Energy Efficiency (DFEE) rate is the actual energy performance of the new dwelling. The DFEE must not exceed the TFEE. See Target fabric energy efficiency rate for more information.		The 2013 edition of approved document L1A for new dwellings, introduced Target Fabric Energy Efficiency rates (TFEE) to sit alongside Target Emission Rates. The TFEE is the minimum energy performance requirement for a new dwelling. The Dwelling Fabric Energy Efficiency (DFEE) rate is the actual energy performance of the new dwelling. The DFEE must not exceed the TFEE. See Target fabric energy efficiency rate for more information.
		+
		+	= 2021 changes =
		+
		+	On 15 December 2021 the government announced changes to the building regulations to the help UK deliver net zero. This includes a requirement for new homes to produce around 30% less CO2 than current standards and a 27% reduction of emissions from other new buildings, including offices and shops.
		+
		+	The changes follow a public consultation and come into effect from 15 June 2022, paving the way for the Future Homes and Buildings Standard in 2025, which will mean all future homes are net zero ready and will not need retrofitting.
		+
		+	Alongside amendments to the Building Regulations, 5 new Approved Documents were published:
		+
		+	* Approved Document L, volume 1: dwellings
		+	* Approved Document L, volume 2: buildings other than dwellings
		+	* Approved Document F, volume 1: dwellings
		+	* Approved Document F, volume 2: buildings other than dwellings
		+	* Approved Document O covering overheating
		+
		+	For more information see: Changes to approved document L and new approved document O.

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings =
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	* Building log book.		* Building log book.
	* Building regulations.		* Building regulations.
		+	* Changes to approved document L and new approved document O.
	* Changes to Building Regulations Part F.		* Changes to Building Regulations Part F.
	* Controlled fitting.		* Controlled fitting.

Editor at 10:00, 21 October 2021

2021-10-21T10:00:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:00, 21 October 2021
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	The 2013 edition of approved document L1A for new dwellings, introduced Target Fabric Energy Efficiency rates (TFEE) to sit alongside Target Emission Rates. The TFEE is the minimum energy performance requirement for a new dwelling. The Dwelling Fabric Energy Efficiency (DFEE) rate is the actual energy performance of the new dwelling. The DFEE must not exceed the TFEE. See Target fabric energy efficiency rate for more information.		The 2013 edition of approved document L1A for new dwellings, introduced Target Fabric Energy Efficiency rates (TFEE) to sit alongside Target Emission Rates. The TFEE is the minimum energy performance requirement for a new dwelling. The Dwelling Fabric Energy Efficiency (DFEE) rate is the actual energy performance of the new dwelling. The DFEE must not exceed the TFEE. See Target fabric energy efficiency rate for more information.

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* 2013 changes to the approved documents for part L of the building regulations.		* 2013 changes to the approved documents for part L of the building regulations.
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	* Roof insulation.		* Roof insulation.
	* Simplified Building Energy Model.		* Simplified Building Energy Model.
		+	* Standalone: The new way forward in non-domestic ventilation.
	* Standard Assessment Procedure.		* Standard Assessment Procedure.
	* Target emission rate.		* Target emission rate.

Editor at 10:42, 23 September 2021

2021-09-23T10:42:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:42, 23 September 2021
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	* Target emission rate.		* Target emission rate.
	* Target fabric energy efficiency rate.		* Target fabric energy efficiency rate.
		+	* The effects of subframe systems on the overall thermal performance of external rainscreen walls.
	* Thermal bridging and the Future Homes Standard.		* Thermal bridging and the Future Homes Standard.
	* Zero carbon homes.		* Zero carbon homes.

Editor at 16:36, 27 August 2021

2021-08-27T16:36:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:36, 27 August 2021
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	* National Calculation Method.		* National Calculation Method.
	* Non-domestic building services compliance guide.		* Non-domestic building services compliance guide.
		+	* PAS 2038:2021 Retrofitting non-domestic buildings for improved energy efficiency
	* Roof insulation.		* Roof insulation.
	* Simplified Building Energy Model.		* Simplified Building Energy Model.

Editor at 11:22, 12 May 2021

2021-05-12T11:22:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:22, 12 May 2021
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	* Target emission rate.		* Target emission rate.
	* Target fabric energy efficiency rate.		* Target fabric energy efficiency rate.
		+	* Thermal bridging and the Future Homes Standard.
	* Zero carbon homes.		* Zero carbon homes.
	* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.		* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.

Editor at 11:30, 6 May 2021

2021-05-06T11:30:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:30, 6 May 2021
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	* Floor insulation.		* Floor insulation.
	* Future Buildings Standard shortcomings raised.		* Future Buildings Standard shortcomings raised.
		+	* Is hydrogen the heating fuel of the future?
	* Lighting energy numeric indicator.		* Lighting energy numeric indicator.
	* Limiting fabric parameters.		* Limiting fabric parameters.