February 18, 2002—Amendments to the UKs Building Regulations Part L come into effect on April 1, 2002. There are many new features in the changes to the Regulations that may be unfamiliar to designers, builders, building services contractors and building control inspectors.
To help those concerned understand their duties, the Building Research Establishment (BRE), an executive agency of the UKs Department of the Environment, has set up a Web site with guidance on how to comply with the changes, and answers common questions.
The key changes are:
- Part L of the Building Regulations has been sub-divided into L1 (covers dwellings) and L2 (covers ‘other’ types of buildings).
- New requirements to address the performance of air-conditioning and ventilation systems.
- Requirements of lighting systems will include luminaries in certain buildings.
- Information to be provided to enable building occupiers to operate and maintain the building and its services effectively.
- Replacement work on windows, heating, hot water, air-conditioning and ventilation and lighting will now be controlled.
—Katherine Dobson
Supplied by Workplacelaw Network
