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 

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!!!

HOME IMPROVEMENTS & BENEFITS OF CONSERVATORIES

There are numerous ways of refining a home such as changing windows, replacing your doors or just by beautifying each room. All of those home enhancement methods has their qualities and can help a home look much more up to date and better looking than before. But, if you have spare cash and want to make the decisive home improvement, then you must look into conservatories.

The conservatory is a construction which earlier was used most frequently as a place to grow flowers and plants. It is now being used as a casual area where people can sit and eat their dinner, socialize and relax. It can compensate for a small living area as it will allow many people to fit comfortably at any time of the year.

Conservatories are the best way of making a home a better place. They are a truly wonderful addition when installed at the back of a home and will even inspire you to spend more time in your garden as it offers great view of it. You can even customize your conservatory according to your taste and budget. So, if you want to putup some furniture, conservatory blinds or a certain type of flooring installed, go for it.

It will never become an isolated place at any time during the whole year as it is able to adapt to the outside temperature, ensuring that you neither get too hot or too cold when inside. It really offers you everything you could possibly want. Therefore, if you are thinking of making a home improvement this year, do yourself a favour and look into a conservatory. It is not just the great looks of a conservatory that you should think about as there is much more to conservatories than that as detailed below.

Home Value

No matter where you buy your conservatory, you may find that they add value onto the price of your home. This applies to detached, semi-detached or bungalows and it may make your home a more sought after property when you offer to sell as people are always looking for homes with a difference.

Customize Your Conservatory

Conservatories are no longera place restricted to grow flowers and plants during the winter months. You can now transform it into so many different things, whichever most suits both your lifestyle and family. An extension could be your living room area, play area for the kids or even a small gym.

Livelier Household

Conservatories are usually constituted of UPVC materials and double glazing which allows animmense amount of sunshine to enter into your home. Some of that sunshine can then pour into your conventional living room, so even if you are not present in your conservatory, you would still benefit from the extra light.

ExtraSpace

If yourfamily is growing, then you will welcome any amount of additional space. A conservatory can offer you and others the extra space at all times throughout the year, regardless of the weather.