Meeting the Challenges of Approved Document L Wales

The proposed New Regulations were made on 21st January 2014 and will come into force on 31st July 2014, the primary aims are to achieve:

• 8% improvement over the 2010 Part L carbon emissions for domestic buildings
• 20% improvement over the 2010 Part L carbon emissions for non domestic buildings.

Transitional Arrangements

The current proposal for the ‘Transitional Provisions’ for the Implementation of the new Approved Document L is as follows:

Any Building Regulations Applications lodged prior to 31st July 2014 will not have to comply with the amended Approved Document L and still be subject to Approved Document L 2010 edition.

This is subject to the work commencing within 1 calendar year of the implementation date i.e. an application lodged by 30th July 2014 can comply with the current edition of Approved Document L on the basis the site works commence prior to 30th July 2015.

Implementation of Domestic Fire Safety (Wales) Measure 2011

In February 2011 the National Assembly for Wales passed the Domestic Fire Safety (Wales) Measure. This enables the National Assembly for Wales to introduce Regulations making automatic fire suppression systems compulsory in all new and converted residential properties. It is the intention to make it mandatory under the Building Regulations that a suppression system (sprinklers) is included in all new and converted domestic properties.

Transitional Arrangements

The current proposal for the ‘Transitional Arrangements’ for the implementation of Fire Safety measure via Approved Document B is that the legislation will be phased in as follows:

30 April 2014

For new and converted Care Homes (as defined in the Care Standards Act 2000), Children’s Residential Homes, Hospices, Halls of Residence, Boarding Houses and certain Hostels.

1 January 2016

For new and converted houses and flats (including sheltered accommodation)

Any Building Regulation Applications lodged prior to these dates will not have to comply with the amended Approved Documents, subject to the work commencing within 1 calendar year of the implementation date i.e. an application lodged for a Care Home on the 31st March 2014 can comply with the current edition of Approved Document B, on the basis the site works commence prior to the 31st March 2015.

In-House Seminars

If you would like HCD to provide an in-house seminar on the changes to Approved Document L or our other seminars, please contact: