It’s all change for the building industry with the recent introduction of Part L and the Assigned Certifier role.
PART L
Building Regulations under Part L are concerned specifically with Conservation of Fuel and Energy. The Regulations provide for a substantial improvement in energy efficiency standards in Irish homes. They are aimed at ensuring that new housing stock in Ireland is built to the highest international standards, that they will be more economical to run and will have a much reduced detrimental impact on the environment.
The Regulations provide for:
- A 40% improvement in energy efficiency for new homes
- A 40% reduction in CO2 emissions
- A mandatory minimum renewable energy requirement in all new homes, such as solar heating systems or biomass systems
- Mandatory levels of energy efficient fixed light fittings
- Minimum standards on heating systems to ensure they are highly energy efficient and for heating system controls to minimise energy waste through excessive heating
- Air tightness testing, to ensure the homes are not leaking heat excessively
- Guidance on ensuring a minimum quality of workmanship and construction
- Consumer information on the efficient operation of the homeowner’s dwelling
- Commitment in the guidelines to review and improve targets to 60% in 2010 with the ultimate aim of achieving a zero carbon standard for new houses in the medium to long term
- New buildings should also be future-proofed to be easily upgraded to higher energy and
BER ASSESSMENT
Along with Part L of the Building Regulations, the Building Energy Rating (BER) Directive is compliant through assessment of dwelling plans. An assessment of the actual construction of the building is will only be part of the system on new builds. When the sale/rent of second-hand dwellings falls under the BER system and assessment of such properties commences, calculations of the energy rating of dwellings will rely on typical U-values for the type of construction used rather than – for instance – inspection of the insulation in the cavities of the walls of dwellings. In summary, BER is based on how the dwelling should perform, if it has been built according to the plans and building regulations. Conformance of actual construction to the plans does notappear likely to be carried out
ASSIGNED CERTIFIER
From March 2014 all new builds will require a nominated person, the Assigned Certifier, to take responsibility for the design and construction of the building. In conjunction with the builder the Assigned Certifier will have to certify the design of the building is in compliance with the building regulations prior to commencement stage. They will also have to set out an inspection schedule to ensure the build progresses according to the design. When the build is completed the Assigned Certifier will have to sign off on the build being compliant with the building regulations.
Hotfoot can provide a full service to support the Assigned Certifier when designing and building according to Part L of the building regulations. We can design and specify appropriate renewable energy systems and air tightness requirements to ensure compliance.
Who is the Assigned Certifier?
The Assigned Certifier can be one of the three following professions:
(a) Architects that are on the register maintained by the RIAI under Part 3 of the
Building Control Act 2007; or
(b) Building Surveyors that are on the register maintained by the SCSI under
Part 5 of the Building Control Act 2007; or
(c) Chartered Engineers on the register maintained by Engineers Ireland under
section 7 of the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (Charter Amendment)
Act 1969.
Who is the Design Certifier?
The Design certifier is also one of the above professions and their role is to provide the Assigned Certifier with certified designs of the construction ensuring compliance with the building regulations. The Assigned certifier and the design certifier can be the same person.
Who are Ancillary Certifiers?
Ancillary Certifiers are defined as:
A range of certifiers on most projects, including certifiers appointed by the Building Owner, by his design team and/or by the Builder. Ancillary Certifiers may include:
· Architects and Architectural Technologists/Technicians;
· Consulting Engineers (especially structural/civil and mechanical/electrical) appointed by the Building Owner to design, inspect and certify the relevant Building Control Regulations Code of Practice
· Designers (e.g. for piling, for mechanical/electrical work, for soil and waste pipework or for precast concrete elements) appointed by the Builder to design and certify the relevant elements of the works;
· other competent technical and trade persons that install products and/or test on completion; and/or
· the Builder, sub-contractors, suppliers and manufacturers, both in relation to certifying Design and Construction, and also in relation to components or assemblies supplied for the works, and/or in relation to tests.
Every certifier should exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence in the exercise of
their duties.
HOTFOOT IS NOW OFFERING A FREE 1 HOUR CPD AND PART L TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ALL ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS.
Please contact Simon today for more information: 01 2871172