Approved Documents for Building Regulations 2000 published

The Department for Communities and Local Government has published new Approved Documents for Parts F, J and L of Schedule 1 in the Building Regulations 2000. These changes will have an impact on the construction and property sectors.

The new Approved Documents will:

•           Introduce new requirements and guidance for the installation and commissioning of fixed mechanical ventilation systems (Part F);

•           Ensure that combustion appliances function safely in airtight homes (Part J);

•           Improve the energy efficiency of new homes by 25 per cent (Part L).

The new Approved Documents, which come into effect on 1 October 2010, have essentially been introduced to improve energy efficiency in buildings (and, thus, help achieve the Government’s environmental targets for zero-carbon buildings.)