Welcome to Part L Area of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA)
An increasing number of builders and developers in the UK are enjoying the benefits of Timber Frame construction – engineered quality, speed of build, greater efficiency, fewer defects, environmentally sound.
Comply without costing the earth
Approved Document L1A is significantly different from anything that has gone before.
It now requires a ‘whole house’ approach to demonstrating compliance – requiring developers to meet an overall energy performance target for the home.
This means the demise of the Elemental Method and Target U-Value Method to demonstrate compliance. There is also a greater emphasis on ensuring that the building construction meets the standards assumed at the design stage and that the heating and hot water systems are correctly commissioned.
The new regulations provide a strong incentive for developers to make much greater use of low and zero carbon technology.
Consequently, timber frame is increasing in popularity as a construction method because of its suitability for modern buildings, and because it can help private and public sector housebuilders and developers comply with the new regulations so easily and cost-effectively.
To find out more about Comfort & Cost please download the document by clicking here.
The UK Timber Frame Associations solution to the new Part L1A:
Guidance on how Timber Frame can comply with the April 2006 Building Regulation for the Conservation of Fuel and Power. Key points about the regulation, the route to compliance and how timber frame can help including The 140mm Solution are covered.
A high-performance timber frame specification is capable of delivering a highly cost-effective and significant contribution towards the total energy savings requirement. Also well constructed timber frame dwellings can comfortably deliver significantly better levels of air permeability than the required limit.
As well as energy savings, building in timber frame saves CO2. During 2005, about 50,000 timber frame units were built in the UK saving approximately 200,000 tonnes of CO2, equal to the emissions from 70,000 small cars each driving 10,000 miles.
On the back cover a space has been left for Members to apply a label with their contact details and logo so that this can be given out to both existing and potential clients and customers. Hence special bulk order discounts are available.
Click here to download a copy.
Part L
Building Regulations for England and Wales relating to energy conservation and ventilation in new homes came into force on 6 April 2006. Updated Part L Regulations are set to come in force October 2010.
There were two Approved Documents that replaced the 2002 edition of Part L1 (Conservation of Fuel and Power)for dwellings:
Approved Document L1A for work in new dwellings
Approved Document L1B for work in existing dwellings
There was also a new Approved Document F that covered ventilation.
The Government has imposed strict new deadlines for compliance with the new regulations. All major building work without full plans approval by 6 April must comply with the 2006 regulations, while any work that already has approval must begin within 12 months in order to comply with the existing 2002 regulations.
To read the current consultation document, click here. UKTFA has submitted a formal consultation response on behalf of its Members.
The Conservation of Fuel and Power Regulation for Northern Ireland will also be amended in due course and is likely to be based on a similar approach as England and Wales.
Download PDF of our Part L summary document by clicking here.
Order our extensive guidance document by clicking here.
