VOICES | CLARA BAGENAL GEORGE A small step Updated regulations uplift building standards and new thermal elements in existing buildings, but the inclusion of primary energy and dilution of energy forecasting disappoint, says LETIs Clara Bagenal George I n December, the interim update to the Part L and F regulations was published. Although it is an uplift in standards, industry has reacted strongly, saying that given our climate crisis this is a tiny step at a time when we need to be making huge leaps forward. Primary energy has been introduced against the recommendations of 80% of the consultation respondents. Primary energy use is a measure of the energy regulated by the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Regulations, such as lighting, heating and hot water. It is a complex metric, with factors that change over time. It will become increasingly irrelevant as the Grid decarbonises, and it favours gas over electricity, going against heat decarbonisation objectives. Instead, we must start regulating the energy used by a building. The proposed regulations put forward energy forecasting for buildings of more than 1,000m2 using CIBSE TM54, but this has been watered down in the 2021 Part L Regulations. Now, the energy forecast can be based on design calculations, benchmarks, CIBSE TM54 or other modelling tools. Moreover, most of the consultation respondents said the 30% carbon-regulated reductions proposed were not enough, yet this is what the 2021 regulations will provide. The Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard for residential new builds has been strengthened, but 72% said it should be a higher performance standard than this, and no change was made. Standards of new thermal elements in existing buildings have increased in line with the proposals (from 0.28 to 0.18 in walls), but 81% who responded to the question said the performance should be better than this. There has been an uplift in the efficiencies of building services in new non-domestic buildings in line with the original recommendations. We welcome the introduction of CIBSE TM54 modelling, but this has only been introduced for predicted energy use calculations, and it needs to be required for new homes, not just new non-domestic buildings. A new Approved Document O: Overheating has also been introduced, but more review is needed to understand if the points raised in the consultation have been incorporated. SPONSORED COLUMN | SCA Focus on fans A key component of smoke and heat control systems, the fan should be subject to regular assessments and a thorough maintenance regime. Following the release of a new Smoke Control Association guide, UK Axials Simon Plummer discusses fan maintenance best practice and the requirement to ensure life-safety equipment is fit for purpose E mergency-use fans for heat and smoke control systems are specically designed and manufactured for safety-critical applications. So it is imperative that they are maintained correctly to ensure they continue to offer building occupants the very highest degree of protection throughout the lifespan of the system. Modern, up-to-date equipment is required to be manufactured in accordance with the latest standards. However, existing plant that has been in place for many years may not comply with the 2015 version of EN 12101-3, so may need urgent attention. Repair and replacement of such critical components should only ever be carried out by the manufacturers authorised representative. For fans certied by a notied body, the substitution of a critical component by an alternative version of this component must be approved by the body. Recognising the need for further industry guidance on how best to maintain equipment in accordance with manufacturers maintenance procedures, the Smoke Control Association (SCA) in association with the Fan Manufacturers Association has produced a new industry guide to act as a reference document for maintenance and facilities companies, ensuring best practice in smoke extract fan maintenance. It is expected that the guide will raise awareness of the need to ensure that any powered smoke extract fans that are selected, manufactured and installed in accordance with EN 12101-3:2015 must then be maintained correctly to ensure life-safety equipment remains t for purpose. This will offer building owners or operators a reduced level of risk and liability, while also providing the highest level of smoke protection for building occupants. The product of a BSI working group members of which were from manufacturers, installers, test establishments and motor manufacturers the guidance document will also help those making decisions about the potential replacement of existing primary smoke extract or pressurisation fans, with new equipment designed, tested, certied and manufactured to the very latest standard. The guide is available as a free download at www.smokecontrol.org.uk/resources Simon Plummer is divisional manager UK Axials, a member of the SCA www.cibsejournal.com January 2022 17 CIBSE Jan 22 pp17 Clara Bagenal George SCA column.indd 17 23/12/2021 13:02