Building control application made before the latest change. But what now?

[davidmiller]

Hello I found out today from a window manufacturer that last year's changes need to be followed even though an application was made before the change. This is because it's when you buy them that counts not when you made the application.
I was wondering if anyone knows if this is the case with all/any other areas, like cavity insulation in particular.

 

[jeds]

Regulations are those in force when the application is registered. Window manufacturer's may not make windows to the old regs, in which case you won't be able to buy from them, but you might get them elsewhere. Insulation itself hasn't changed, it's just a question of how much you use.

 

[davidmiller]

Thanks.
Regarding the windows it was only the trickle vents we discussed. Apparently that went up. In one of the rooms there's is a patio door and side window. I would prefer to only have one of them with a vent.
As for the cavity insulation my main concern is as long as you can do it with a100mm has.

 

[davidmiller]

Regulations are those in force when the application is registered. Window manufacturer's may not make windows to the old regs, in which case you won't be able to buy from them, but you might get them elsewhere. Insulation itself hasn't changed, it's just a question of how much you use.

 

[wessex101]

Are the windows being installed under a FENSA approved installer scheme? I suspect they will have to comply with the requirements at the time of installation to apply for the certificate.

But as jeds said, assuming it was a Building Regulations Full Plans application and not a Building Notice then it is the Building Regulations that were in force at the time the application was registered that apply.

 

[tony1851]

Are the windows being installed under a FENSA approved installer scheme? I suspect they will have to comply with the requirements at the time of installation to apply for the certificate.

But as jeds said, assuming it was a Building Regulations Full Plans application and not a Building Notice then it is the Building Regulations that were in force at the time the application was registered that apply.

Yes, generally the work has to comply with standards in force at the time the application is registered. But I think there is a rule that if the work commences more than one year after registration, you have to comply with the new requirement? But not sure - I might be wrong?

 

[Loofah]

With windows I thought if the original didn't have a vent then the replacement didn't have to have one. Has that changed?

 

[davidmiller]

Are the windows being installed under a FENSA approved installer scheme? I suspect they will have to comply with the requirements at the time of installation to apply for the certificate.

But as jeds said, assuming it was a Building Regulations Full Plans application and not a Building Notice then it is the Building Regulations that were in force at the time the application was registered that apply.

Part of building regs. Windows are just a part of the project. Cheers

 

[kingandy2nd]

Yes, generally the work has to comply with standards in force at the time the application is registered. But I think there is a rule that if the work commences more than one year after registration, you have to comply with the new requirement? But not sure - I might be wrong?

This is what I’ve seen and I’m relying on to build my new garage with a 100mm cavity when I start in the spring.

Part L Transitional Provisions for Domestic Extensions 2022 - Quadrant Building Control

The Government has issued a new Approved Document Part L with guidance on works to existing buildings. The new edition of the Building Regulations Part L will come into force...

www.quadrantai.co.uk

 

[jeds]

Yes, generally the work has to comply with standards in force at the time the application is registered. But I think there is a rule that if the work commences more than one year after registration, you have to comply with the new requirement? But not sure - I might be wrong?

I think that is correct? Transitional arrangement.

PS. Just spotted Kingandy's post. Posted this one before I saw it but basically the same thing.

 

[davidmiller]

This is what I’ve seen and I’m relying on to build my new garage with a 100mm cavity when I start in the spring.

Part L Transitional Provisions for Domestic Extensions 2022 - Quadrant Building Control

The Government has issued a new Approved Document Part L with guidance on works to existing buildings. The new edition of the Building Regulations Part L will come into force...

www.quadrantai.co.uk

View attachment 292312

Do the new regs mean there's no way around a wider cavity then?

 

[kingandy2nd]

Do the new regs mean there's no way around a wider cavity then?

Taken from the same site, you can have a 100mm cavity if you have 90mm rigid insulation, leaving just a 10mm gap.

 

[tony1851]

I've seen this spec advised by several inspectors, yet the Kingspan U-value calculator says you can have a 50mm clear cavity and 75 PIR board against aac block, and you still get 0.18.

I'd be very wary of using a 10mm cavity; using partial-fill board in any case requires more care than - say - full-fill batts, but when you're down to a 10mm cavity, that must require extra care and are many bricklayers up to that?

Cavity walls were common from after WW1 and they were introduced to prevent water penetration to the inner skin (not, incidentally, to improve thermal insulation). The 2" cavity has been widely used for over a century and is 2" for a specific reason - to reduce the risk of mortar bridging.

 

[davidmiller]

Taken from the same site, you can have a 100mm cavity if you have 90mm rigid insulation, leaving just a 10mm gap.

View attachment 292385

Thanks if I have to do that I will but the snots from the brickwork will have to be kept to a minimum

 

[davidmiller]

I've seen this spec advised by several inspectors, yet the Kingspan U-value calculator says you can have a 50mm clear cavity and 75 PIR board against aac block, and you still get 0.18.

I'd be very wary of using a 10mm cavity; using partial-fill board in any case requires more care than - say - full-fill batts, but when you're down to a 10mm cavity, that must require extra care and are many bricklayers up to that?

Cavity walls were common from after WW1 and they were introduced to prevent water penetration to the inner skin (not, incidentally, to improve thermal insulation). The 2" cavity has been widely used for over a century and is 2" for a specific reason - to reduce the risk of mortar bridging.

Couldn't agree more about your second paragraph I was at a relatives flat the other night which by a massive coincidence I was a bricklayer on 20 years ago. I didn't like to tell him how much s#!+ I know is in his cavity walls.