On 15 June 2022, changes were made to the Approved Documents which make up the Building Regulation requirements, according to the Planning Portal. The changes affect Approved Document F (Ventilation) and Approved Document L (Conservation of fuel and power), and introduce two new documents, Approved Document O and Approved Document S1.
Approved Document F has been split into two volumes: Volume 1, Ventilation for Dwellings, and Volume 2, Ventilation for Buildings Other than Dwellings. Approved Document L has been consolidated from L1A, L1B, L2A and L2B into Volume 1, Energy Efficiency for Dwellings, and Volume 2, Energy Efficiency for Buildings Other than Dwellings1.
The two new documents cover separate subjects. Approved Document O focuses on overheating in domestic properties or similar commercial premises such as student accommodation, and states that the relevant dwellings should aim to limit unwanted solar gains in summer and provide the means to remove heat from inside the property. Approved Document S covers infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles, applying to new buildings, material change of use, major renovations and mixed use. It requires the related works to include the installation of an EV charger or cable routes with the ability to provide the relevant supply1.
The Planning Portal reports that the change in requirements comes alongside a wider aim of reducing the UK's carbon emissions, with a goal of becoming net-zero by 2050, and that this will be aided by a 30 per cent reduction in carbon emissions in new build homes and 27 per cent in new commercial buildings as a result of the adjustments1.
| Document | Change |
|---|---|
| Approved Document F | Split into Volume 1 (Ventilation for Dwellings) and Volume 2 (Ventilation for Buildings Other than Dwellings) |
| Approved Document L | Consolidated from L1A, L1B, L2A, L2B into Volume 1 (Energy Efficiency for Dwellings) and Volume 2 (Energy Efficiency for Buildings Other than Dwellings) |
| Approved Document O | New; overheating in domestic properties and similar premises |
| Approved Document S | New; infrastructure for charging electric vehicles |
"Building work will have to adhere to the new building regulations if the initial notice is submitted after the 15 June 2022."
Why it matters for households
The ventilation and energy efficiency requirements apply to the fabric and services of a new dwelling, which shape how much energy a home needs to run and how well it manages moisture and air quality. The overheating document addresses summer heat inside the home, a factor in comfort and in whether cooling equipment is needed. The EV charge point requirements for new build homes under Part S determine whether a new home is delivered with a charge point or with cable routes and a supply capable of supporting one, which affects the cost and disruption of adding charging later. Households weighing charging costs may also note the difference between domestic and public charging, covered in why public EV charging VAT is higher than home charging, and the option of charging an EV alongside a home battery.
What happens next
Building work must adhere to the new building regulations if the initial notice is submitted after 15 June 2022. Where an initial notice was submitted before 15 June 2022 and work begins before 15 June 2023, the previous building regulations apply. Both the new and previous documents are available through the relevant Approved Document pages on the Planning Portal website1. No further dates are given in the announcement.
Sources1 cited
- Recent updates to Approved Documents | Planning Portal Blog, blog.planningportal.co.uk