Vent-Axia Launches New Guide to the Building Regulations

I stumbled across this story earlier today and thought it well worth a mention.

Vent-Axia, the brand leader in low carbon ventilation solutions, has introduced a new, step-by-step ventilation guide designed to help explain recent Building Regulations changes to private and social housing new-build specifiers.

“Amendments to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations issued in October 2010 have effectively re-written the rules for domestic ventilation” says Lee Nurse, Vent-Axia’s Marketing Director. “The drive to reduce carbon emissions places much greater emphasis on correctly designed and specified ventilation systems, competent installation and verified performance. This new Guide looks in detail at these three key areas and explains how specifiers can achieve compliance”.

The Guide provides an overview of new Building Regulations Part L, the document covering fuel and power, and Part F, means of ventilation, with a summary of the implications for ventilation. These cover airflows, background ventilators and noise (Part F) and minimum efficiencies of motors and heat exchangers (Part L).
From here the Guide looks at the impact of these changes on the four key ventilation systems covered in the Building Regulations, Intermittent Fans (System 1), Passive Stack (System 2), Centralised (MEV) and Decentralised (dMEV) Continuous Mechanical Extract Ventilation (System 3) and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) (System 4). It includes helpful working example calculations and specific information on particular Vent-Axia solutions, including the Lo-Carbon Centra, Quadra and Sentinel Kinetic systems.

Specifiers will also find the new Vent-Axia Guide useful in outlining the future direction of Building Regulations at landmark dates in 2013 and 2016. The Guide also offers advice on how contractors can be trained to ensure the systems they install meet requirements laid out in the Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide 2010 which accompanies the Building Regulations. With the industry currently developing a system where competent installers can help developers get better ventilation performance in SAP, this will be of growing importance.

Vent-Axia’s new product development programme is directed towards fulfilling the requirements of the Building Regulations with a comprehensive range of low carbon technologies and solutions.

http://www.vent-axia.com/files/catdownloads/part%20fand%20l%20brochure%2...

Or alternativley youcan visit: Building Regulations  for a full listing and description of all the terms and rules.

Relaxation of Planning rules.

As those of you who follow my blog are aware I am always on the look out for changes to building and planning regulations and have recently came across a news story on the BBC website about some changes. Although the changes are in Northern Ireland there is no doubt in my mind that they will soon be bought in to affect in the rest of the UK in the coming months. 

The following post is from an interview with Minister Edwin Poots and although it is dated 18th March it has only just caught the public's attention;

From next month homeowners in Northern Ireland will find it easier to carry out home improvements.

Small extensions, conservatories and some roof alterations will be allowed without the need to seek planning permission first.

Environment Minister Edwin Poots announced the changes on Friday.

He said: "The measures will increase the range of householder development that no longer needs planning permission."

Changes will include small house extensions and conservatories, roof alterations, porches, sheds and green houses, oil and gas storage containers and chimneys, and flues and decking.

"The new arrangements will also introduce new domestic permitted development rights for renewable energy technologies such as solar panels, heat pumps and biomass fuel storage containers", Mr Poots added.

"I want to make it easier for homeowners to undertake these types of minor developments to their homes."

From 6 April, homeowners will be allowed to install domestic micro-generation equipment including solar panels, ground and water source heat pumps and biomass fuel storage without planning permission if within set limits.

Previous rules stating extensions had to be within 10% of the existing house size to avoid the need for planning permission will also be relaxed.

The fitting of dormer windows and rear extensions will not require official consent when the changes come into effect.

Mr Poots made sure to emphasize there will not be a total relaxation of planning requirements.

He said: "Importantly the new rules strike a balance between freeing homeowners to make improvements and limiting the size of an extension so that neighbours are protected.

"It is important to point out that larger more intrusive extensions will still require full planning permission."

My personnel opinion is that they are most certainly doing the right thing in relaxing the regulations for planning permission, especially if it encourages people to look at ways of saving energy and doing their bit for the planet. I also think that some of the rules already in place are a little to strict and that when they revised in March 2013 we will see a significant change in the way we have to go about applying for planning permission.

For all the full rules and regulations please visit the link below.

Building Regulations 

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Well I must say the weather we are having just lately is lovely. I found myself sitting in my garden last night just watching the world go by whilst sipping a nice ice cold can of beer. Then as the night started to draw in I decided to move in to the conservatory. It was at this point I thought to myself how lost I would be without it.

It sounds silly, but I really couldn't be without it now. Don't get me wrong it wasn't cheap but it's certainly one of the best things I have ever bought. Not only for the fact of it adding value to the property but also for durability it has. Things like when the family come round for dinner. I'm not a fan of dining in front of the T.V and would much rather sit to a table. So every weekend we have people over for either Sunday dinner or a Saturday night takeaway and sitting in the conservatory stops everyone getting transfixed on what's on the box and not talking.

Obviously not everyone can afford to buy one as prices usually start around the £4000 mark. Having said that though they are a well worthy investment. The process is not the quickest and there are things that you need to do before building such as getting planning permission and making sure it meets certain building regulations. Despite all this though having the finished product on your house is really a site to behold, well that's if it's done correctly!

I would say though research what it involves before you go making a decision and hiring a builder. A good site I found to get my information from is called Just Ask Dino. It has lots of helpful advice and also gives you the opportunity to speak to professional builders for their take on your situation. I will post the link underneath in case anyone needs some help with the rules and regulations for conservatories.

Hope this helps someone out there as it helped me out massively.

Building Regulations for Conservatories 

Building Regulations and Home Extensions

When you are thinking about home extensions, before you start, you need to know certain building regulations. Individuals, who are not aware of these regulations, mostly run into a series of problems in the long run. Understand these house extension building regulations so that you stay on the right track and start building soon.

The most important thing that you need to remember before you start building is the fact that you must obey all the building regulations that are set in place. Those who don’t obey these regulations will need to start over or at least resolve what the inspector recommends. This is why you need to know the regulations before you start drawing out your plans and building your extensions. I have read of a few people that have planned to build a conservatory but because they did not check out or meet the building regulations for conservatories they were then made to tear down the building. This is something that no one would want to have to do so make sure you follow the regulations to the book.

When drawing out your plans for you extension you must be able to have the exact height that the extensions are going to be. The inspector will ask these types of questions and you need to show your measurements. Once, the plans have been finalized, there should be no need to make the building any different than your approved measurements.

The length of the expansion must also be determined as well as documented for the inspector. Again, this has to be included in the plans that you are submitting. If you do not get the correct measurements you could end up ruining the extension completely. Make sure you are complying with all the regulations otherwise you are going to spend a lot of time fixing your plans before you even start building.

Regulations pertaining to safety also need to be obeyed when you start building. Once everything has been set up, an inspector will walk through to make sure that everything is safe and ready to go. If you miss even a small thing during the process at all, you may not get the approval stamp that you are hoping for and instead there will be more adjustments to make.

Once the inspector walks through your newly constructed extension, you will be able to get the final approval subject to the fact that you followed the regulations as well as made sure that everything has been set in place for safety purposes. If the inspector notices anything out of the ordinary, they will obstruct to make sure that you are responsive of the changes that need to be made.

There are a few structures that you can build without getting involved into any kind of inspection or house extension building regulations. Structures for instance garden sheds and garages can be built without the necessity to call an inspector. Look into the list of structures that you may build without worrying about too much hassle. Although some people think that you do not need building regulations for conservatories, this is just a myth. Any structure over a certain size MUST meet building regulations and safety regulations.

Home extension building regulations are not difficult to find and follow. The fact is, you must be certain that you are obeying rules in order to construct a structure that will stay strong for many years to come. Make sure you understand the regulations thoroughly so that you know what needs to be done.

Conservatory Madness!!!

Countless homeowners have considered the option of adding a new conservatory into their homes in order to increase the living space in their home, increase the value of their home, or just to sit back and enjoy the feeling of the outdoors. Regardless of your reasons for designing a new conservatory, you will be able to create a tailor-made design with personalised windows, doors, and floor plan. You can even use plain double glazing with decorative double glazing in order to construct the wonderful conservatory for your home. But before you think of doing so you will need to speak to your local authorities with regards to building regulations for conservatories and planning permission for conservatories, as in most cases, not all, you will have to meet certain requirements.

AdditionalGround Space for Your Home

Ground space is frequently at a premium in many homes and who wouldn't gain from the addition of extra living space or an activity room? A conservatory is a multi-purpose room that can be used for any purpose at all.Usually added to the rear of a property, they are generally private areas that can be used by any member of the family or even visitors.

Panoramic View

Gardens and other backyard spaces are becoming more and more significant every day to most of the homeowners. Not only we spend time and play with our kids, let the pets roam the garden but we also sit and relax, prepare and eat meals, and even entertain our guests in gardens and on patios. A conservatory is not only an extension of our home but can also be an extension of the garden itself; a spectacular way to amalgamate indoor and outdoor areas.

Personalized Conservatory Designs

By using contemporary materials and high quality double glazing products a conservatory design can be created to match your precise requirements and needs. You can make your own conservatory design so that it has the exact kind of windows and doors that you like. You can even choose the height of the wall, type of doors, and the timbre of the roof.

Different Styles of Conservatory

Lean-To - The lean-to conservatory is typically the inexpensive and simplest conservatory designs. Also known as the sun room, it offers an accessible way to include a conservatory on any property even the height restricted homes such as bungalows. Also this particular one does not tend to need planning permission for this conservatories design.

Edwardian - The rectangular shape of the Edwardian style conservatory means that it is also known as a Georgian conservatory. Its form allows you to utilize every inch of new area that you create.

Victorian - A Victorian style is pretty comparable to an Edwardian style conservatory except that it also includes either three or five facets to give a more rounded design. This provides a panoramic view of the garden and offers a maximum level of sun light within the conservatory itself.

Gable - The Gable conservatory does not involve any drainage or guttering and normally comprises of a design element such as a sunburst. The high pitched roof provides a real sense of space to any newly constructed conservatory.

P Shape - The p shape is possibly the largest of all the conservatory designs and blends both a lean-to conservatory and either a Victorian or Edwardian design.

If you still are unsure as to whether a conservatory is the right choice for you or if your just curious as to the processes involved I have found a very good website which will shine a lot of light on it. I shall post the link to them site below.

Planning Permission for Conservatories

Thanks again for following my blog, until next time!!!