Last edited 04 Nov 2015

Non-domestic building services compliance guide

The Non-Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide provides guidance for the installation of fixed building services in new and existing non-domestic buildings to help achieve compliance with the energy efficiency requirements of the building regulations.

It is published by the government and provides more detailed information on the guidance contained in Approved Document L2A: Conservation of fuel and power in new buildings other than dwellings, and Approved Document L2B: Conservation of fuel and power in existing buildings other than dwellings

The latest version was published in 2013 and came into effect in April 2014. It is concerned with the design, installation and commissioning of:

Conventional means of providing primary space heating, domestic hot water, mechanical ventilation, comfort cooling and interior lighting.
Low-carbon generation of heat by heat pumps and combined heat and power systems.

It sets out recommended minimum energy efficiency standards for components of building services systems. For systems installed in new buildings, the standards are design limits. For new or replacement systems and components installed in existing buildings, the standards represent reasonable provision for complying with the building regulations.

It also provides supplementary information regarding good practice that exceeds the minimum standards, such as Microgeneration Certification Scheme standards.

The structure of the guide is:

Section 1: Introduction and summary of energy efficiency standards.
Section 2: Gas, oil and biomass-fuel boilers.
Section 3: Heat pumps.
Section 4: Gas and oil-fired warm air heaters.
Section 5: Gas and oil-fired radiant heaters.
Section 6: Combined heat and power and community heating.
Section 7: Direct electric space heating.
Section 8: Domestic hot water.
Section 9: Comfort cooling.
Section 10: Air distribution.
Section 11: Pipework and ductwork insulation.
Section 12: Lighting.
Section 13: Heating and cooling system circulators and water pumps.

The European directives that set the framework governing fixed building services include:

The Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC which provides a background for establishing the requirements for energy-related products.
Energy Labelling Directive 2010/30/EU – This provides a system for labelling energy-related products such as lamps and washing machines.
Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC – This promotes the use of energy from renewable sources.
Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU – This encourages energy efficiency to ensure that the EU meets the 20% energy consumption reduction comittment by 2020.
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2013/31/EU – This directive sets out the minimum energy performance and the methods for calculating the performance of buildings, as well as inspections of heating and air conditioning units.