Changes to approved document L and F and new approved document O

On 15 December 2021 the government announced changes to the building regulations to help the UK deliver net zero. This includes a requirement for new homes to produce around 30% less CO2 than current standards, and a 27% reduction in emissions from other new buildings.

All new residential buildings, including homes, care homes, student accommodation and children’s homes, must also be designed to reduce overheating. Improvements to ventilation are also being introduced to support the safety of residents in newly-built homes and to prevent the spread of airborne viruses in new non-residential buildings.

The changes follow a public consultation and will 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

Transitional arrangements are in place which mean that if a building notice, initial notice, or full plans for building work are submitted to a local authority before 15 June 2022, then provided the building work commences by 15 June 2023, work on that building can continue under the previous standards.

Housing Minister Eddie Hughes said: “The changes will significantly improve the energy efficiency of the buildings where we live, work and spend our free time and are an important step on our country’s journey towards a cleaner, greener built environment.”

Ref https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-homes-to-produce-nearly-a-third-less-carbon

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• 15 June 2022 changes to Approved Documents.
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• Building Regulations exemptions.
• Building Regulations.
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