Do Building Regulations Only Apply to New Buildings ?
No. There are new regulations which effect replacement Prodcts as well as those in new dwellings.
What Are the Regulations?
New Approved Document L Of the Building Regulations of England and Wales, or Part J of the Technical Standards For Scotland, contain rules for the performance and assessment of glazing in new and existing houseing and new and existing non housing.
When Did the New Regulations Come into Effect?
All Contracts signed on or after 1st April 2002 Must Comply with Part L
All Contracts signed on or after 4th March 2002 Must Comply with Part J
What Do The New Regulations Mean?
These rules are based on U Values: i.e. The Measure by which insulation performance of any building material is assessed. A U Value for the whole window or door will be used: to comply with the new regulations. A U Value of 2.0W/m2 K or less must be achieved.
Norification of every installation, even a single replacement Window, now has to go to Local Authority Building Control.
Is Compliance Mandatory?
Yes. Compliance is mandatory for all replacement windows, regardless of material type, although there are limited exemptions, such as listed buidlings.
Compliance is mandatory on all windows, whether a single replacement or a full refurbishment.
How Do I Know My Window(s) Complies?
All PVC-U products manufactured with status & contour meet the requirements of Approved Document L when used with either a soft or hard coated low emissivity glass, (eg Pilkington K), combined with a minimum 16mm air gap. Your best assuracne is to use a FENSA registered insaller.
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Do I have To Use A FENSA Installer ?
No. You can even install the window yourself, but you should ensure, when making your purchase, that you specify the window has a U Value of 2.0W/m2K to meet the requirements of Approved Document L
You will also need to make an application to local Authority Building Control so that your installation can be inspected and appropriate documentation obrained. Lack of documentation may cause you problems, when you come to sell your property.
I Had New Windows Installed In March 2002 Will These Be Affected ?
No. In Fact, contracts signed before 1 April 2002, with installations completed before 1st July 2002 do not have.
What If We Are Only Replacing A Sealed Unit Or A Sash?
The requirments does not apply to repair works on part of the elements, such as replacing broken glass or sealed double glazing units, or replacing rotten framing members.
Are Conservatories Included in the Provision of Part L?
Conservatories are excluded if they are less than 30m2 and if they are unheated and separated from the host building, i.e. there is an adjoining door between the living area and the conservatory.
However, if the conservatory opens out into the building, without seperation, it is effectively an extension, in which case the new regulations will apply.
Does This Effect Any Other Building Regulations?
Compliance with Park L necessitates compliances with Part N glazing safety. With regard to other regulations, for replacement windows Part L only requires that the situation, such as fire egress and ventilation, is not made any worse by refurbishment.
Is There Always A Tint On Coated Glass?
Yes The Degree of tint varies between manufacturers, but all coated glasses are manufactured to an agreed British Standard and the tints are in line with the parameters laid down for the production of this kind of product.
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