The building regulations are split into many sections, Part L: Conservation of Fuel and Power relates to the energy efficiency of the building. Part L is then split down further into the following 4 sub sections that relate to the following sections:

L1a – New built Dwellings
L1b – Existing refurbished / extended dwellings.
L2a – New build non domestic buildings.
L2b – Existing refurbished / extended non domestic buildings.

What is Part F?

Part F - The Northern Ireland Technical Booklet, which is the equivalent of Part L1a.

What is CO2?

CO2 - Carbon Dioxide. Our government is committed to reducing emissions of CO2, the UK housing stock is a major contributor to the UKs CO2 emissions.

What is the DER?

DER - Dwelling Emission Rate. A measure of CO2 Emissions for a dwelling based on space heating, water heating and lighting energy consumption (within the dwelling), based on standard occupancy.

What is the TER?

TER - Target Emission Rate. All new dwellings have a target calculated, that is based on a notional dwelling that conforms to the previous 2002 revision of the building regulations.

What is SAP 2005?

SAP 2005 - Standard Assessment Procedure 2005. This is the method used to calculate the DER & TER, it is not applicable for commercial buildings and large houses with a gross floor area over 450m2.

What is an EPC?

EPC - Energy Performance Certificate. The EPC will be introduced nationally in June 2007, it will certify the energy performance of the building.

What is Design Air Permeability?

Design Air Permeability - A measure of how ‘leaky’ a property is, Part L1a requires all new build properties to achieve a figure of 10 m3/m2/hour or better, however a better standard may be specified with the DER calculation.

What is an Air Pressure Test?

Air Pressure Test - This is the method used for determining air permeability of a dwelling once built. The test is required to conform that the design air permeability has been met.

What are the Dwelling Types?

Dwelling Type - is defined as a group of dwellings on a site having the same generic form (detached, semi-detached including end-terrace, mid-terrace, mid-floor flat, ground-floor flat, top-floor flat) and where the same construction methods are used for each of the main elements (walls, floors, roofs etc). Small variations in floor area do not constitute a different dwelling type.

What does ATTMA stand for?

ATTMA - Air Tightness & Measurement Association, this organization will provide a list of members who are accredited to undertake air leakage testing.

What is HIP?

HIP – The Home Information Pack (HIP) will become become law for 4+ bedroom houses put up for sale after 1st August 2007, the HIP will include the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

What does SEDBUK stand for?

SEDBUK - Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK. A SEDBUK Rating gives an indication of how efficient a boiler is the higher the number the better. They are also banded on the same scale as white goods i.e. A to G, again with an 'A' Rating being the most efficient.

What is a U-Value?

U-Value - A measure of how well insulated a wall, roof, floor or window is.

What does TS1 stand for?

TS1 – Attma Technical Standard 1 is the air leakage testing standard that has been adopted as the air leakage testing standard within the building regulations.

What does SBEM stand for?

SBEM – Simplified Building Energy Model - SBEM provides an analysis of a building's energy consumption. It is used to calculate monthly energy use and carbon dioxide emissions of a building given a description of the building geometry, construction, use and HVAC and lighting equipment.