Advice on changes to building regulations

Climate change and an increase in extreme weather events have caused the government to update the Building Regulations, as part of its wider commitment to achieving net zero by 2050.

Globally, building operations and construction account for 40% of total carbon emissions, and so the sector has a major role to play in the shift towards positive environmental change.

Housebuilders, developers and businesses within the construction industry should be aware of the changes to building regulations, which took effect in June 2022 and are designed to support the move to more energy efficient buildings.

What is the context for these changes?

These changes are a stepping stone towards the anticipated 2025 Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard, which themselves are an interim step on the journey to the UK government’s 2050 net zero commitment.

The changes in force now are significant, and due to be followed in 2025 by new standards that will improve the reduction in carbon emissions even further. Buildings constructed under the current regulations will have to emit about 30% less carbon than previously, in 2025 this is expected to rise to a 75-80% improvement.

Changes to existing building regulations

• Existing building regulations: Ventilation: Approved Document F and Conservation of fuel and power: Approved Document L, have seen substantial updates, setting standards for the energy performance of buildings with the aim of reducing carbon emissions from domestic new builds by 30%, and in non-domestic builds by 27%.
• New building regulations: There are two new building regulations. Overheating: Approved Document O and Infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles: Approved Document S. Approved Document O introduces measures to limit solar gain, through shading devices and glazing design, as well as removing excess heat through increased ventilation.

Approved Document S details the work required by all new builds around the installation of EV charging points. It creates new obligations to install cable routes and electric vehicle chargers in new build parking spaces. It can also apply to existing buildings undergoing a material change of use or major renovations, and to mixed-use buildings undergoing certain building works.

The changes came into force on June 15, 2022, with certain exceptions where projects may continue under the old regulations: Where building notice, initial notice, or full plans for building work were submitted to a local authority before 15 June 2022 or where ‘substantial work’ on the particular building commences before 15 June 2023.

Introducing Harwood

Harwood was founded in 2005, with the objective of helping clients navigate industry legislation and delivering those clients specifically tailored solutions. The company offer services in the following areas:

• Approved Inspector building control services for construction projects across England and Wales, covering a range of sectors, including education, healthcare, residential, offices, and more.
• Construction consultancy including duty holder appointments / CDM Advisor services to duty holders, as well as health and safety analysis during construction and in specialist cases such as incident investigations, plus various fire safety and fire engineering services.
• Landscaping services including survey, design, implementation and compliance maintenance.

Harwood’s critical thinking helps anyone who wants to create structurally safe, environmentally sound and accessible buildings or outdoor spaces. By applying its experience, the company helps clients get the desired result, minimising hold-ups and frustrations. Harwood’s highly professional yet friendly approach – and pragmatic attitude – ensures the details that matter are taken care of. 

With a head office in Canterbury, Harwood has recently expanded, opening a new regional office in The Pinnacle in Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes. Headed up by Jason Lee, Building Control Manager, the Milton Keynes office will work closely with the team in Canterbury and already has some exciting projects in the pipeline.

In additional to taking on projects in a wider area, the new location will allow Harwood to recruit even more people for the talented team, working alongside the best in the business.