Revised

PART L
Explained
S T E E L W I N D O W S
CI/SfB / / (31.4) / Xh2 / /
June 2006 Catalogue No. 260X

revi sed
PART L
expl ai ned...
Introduction
With effect from April 2006 a revised Building Regulations
Approved Document Part L (Conservation of Fuel and
Power) was published. This supersedes the Part L document
published in April 2002.
The revised Part L differs from its predecessor in a number
of fundamental ways:
It is published in four, rather than two parts covering New
Dwellings, Existing Dwellings, New Buildings Other Than
Dwellings and Existing Buildings Other Than Dwellings.
It scraps the three alternative routes to compliance in the
2002 document i.e. the Target U Value Method; the
Elemental Method; and the Carbon Index Method.
In respect of windows the new Part L makes no
differentiation between different framing materials.
Irrespective of the materials selected the designer must
achieve either a specified whole window or maximum
average U-value or a maximum centre pane U-value.
An alternative, where applicable, is a specified Window
Energy Rating.
The revised Part L offers the designer and specifier enhanced
flexibility in the manner in which they combine the
attributes of the various building components and services
to meet the target carbon emissions rating for the structure.
In this respect, no single building component can
accurately be described as complying with Part L but
rather can contribute towards the level of compliance
that designers must in future be able to demonstrate.
The revised Part L tightens the requirements for energy
efficient building components established by its
predecessor. It applies to windows in new build and
replacement situations.
As this brochure demonstrates, designers can continue
to specify steel windows with the confidence that they will
form part of the building envelope demanded by the
new regulations.
L1A Work in New Dwellings
The three routes to compliance set out in the 2002 version
of Part L are scrapped. In future The Target carbon dioxide
Emission Rate (TER) is required (see Definitions). Calculations
are required for both the designed and constructed
home and the Target Emissions Rate must be the lower
of the two.
The calculations (which require government SAP software)
take account of solar transmittance of the glazing as
well as heat loss, and so the energy aspects of the glazing
are taken into account.
For new dwellings the area-weighted maximum average
window U-value is 2.2 W/m
2
K. the worst individual
element can have a U-value of 3.3 W/m
2
K.
L1B Work in Existing Dwellings
There are alternative methods of meeting the requirements
of the revised Part L for replacement windows as follows:
Achieve a whole window U-value of 2.0 W/m
2
K, or
Achieve a glass centre pane U-value of 1.2 W/m
2
K, or
Achieve a window Energy Rating of Band E
Extensions
As a general rule the area of windows, roof windows
and doors in extensions should not exceed the sum of
25% of its floor area PLUS the area of any windows and
doors that, as a result of the building work, no longer
exist or are exposed.
The standard for new windows, roof windows or rooflights
in extensions should be as follows:
Achieve a whole window U-value of 1.8 W/m
2
K, or
Achieve a glass centre pane U-Value of 1.2 W/m
2
K, or
Achieve a Window Energy Rating of Band D
The U-value of any individual window, rooflight or door
should be no worse than 3.3 W/m
2
K.
Conservatories
Conservatories with a floor area less that 30sq m are
exempt from the Building Regulations. Conservatories
larger in area than 30 sq m have alternative requirements
as follows:
Achieve a maximum whole window U-value
of 2.0 W/m
2
K, or
Achieve a maximum glass centre pane value
of 1.2 W/m
2
K.
Heritage
Special allowance is made for buildings of historic,
architectural or conservation value. (See page 5).
L2A New Buildings Other Than Dwellings
As with document L1A, the designer must calculate total
carbon dioxide emissions for both the proposed and
completed building.
Windows and rooflights can have an area-weighted
maximum average of 2.2 W/m
2
K. In cases where the
building has a high internal heat gain there is allowance
for this U-value to rise to 2.7 W/m
2
K.
The U-value of any individual window, rooflight or door
should be no worse than 3.3 W/m
2
K.
Curtain Walling is now included within the scope of the
revised regulations as follows:
A limiting U-value of 2.2 W/m
2
K (area-weighted average)
or 3.3 W/m
2
K (for any individual element) should be
applied to the glazed area of the curtain wall. Display
windows are excluded from the regulations. There is no
limit on the design flexibility for display windows but
their impact on CO2 emissions must be taken into account
in calculations.
L2B Work In Existing Buildings
That Are Not Dwellings
There are alternative methods of meeting the requirements
of the revised Part L for replacement windows as follows:
Achieve a whole window U-value of 2.2 W/m
2
K, or
Achieve a glass centre pane U-value of 1.2 W/m
2
K
Achieve a Window Energy Rating of Band E
Display windows are excluded from these requirements.
PART L
The Revised Regulations
Exclusions
The following are specifically excluded from
the revised Part L:
1. Windows, doors and rooflights or roof
windows having less than 50% glazing
on the internal face.
2. Display windows, shop entrance doors
and similar glazing in buildings in use
classes A1, A2, A3 and D2.
3. Conservatories with a floor area less
than 30 sq m.
2 3
In cases where the building has a high internal heat gain
there is allowance for the whole window U-value to rise
to 2.7 W/m
2
K.
Extensions
These include conventional extensions as well as enclosing
existing structures that are partially enclosed (e.g.
covering over a courtyard).
The revised document differentiates between large and
small extensions. Where an extension is greater than 100
sq m in area and greater than 25% of the floor area of the
existing building it is to be regarded as a new building
and designers must refer to L2A for guidance.
For smaller extensions the alternatives are as follows for
new windows in extensions:
Achieve a whole window U-value of 1.8 W/m
2
K, or
Achieve a glass centre pane U-value of 1.2 W/m
2
K
Conservatories
Conservatories with a floor area less that 30 sq m are
exempt from the Building Regulations. Conservatories
larger in area than 30 sq m have alternative requirements
as follows:
It is often the case that existing buildings with steel
windows are buildings of an historic nature. As with its
predecessor the latest version of Part L also recognises that
there is a need to conserve the special characteristics of
historic buildings, taking fully into account the views
previously expressed by English Heritage.
Under the revised Part L special considerations apply if
the building on which work is to be carried out has
particular historic or architectural merit. Such buildings
are defined as follows:
A. Listed buildings
B. Buildings of local architectural and historical interest
and which are referred to as a material consideration
in a local authoritys development plan
C. Those buildings situated in conservation areas, national
parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and world
heritage sites where the local planning authoritys
conservation officer has advised that special
considerations should apply in the particular case
These definitions cover a wide range of properties, either
as individual structures or within the context of their
neighbourhood.
When undertaking work on or in connection with
buildings of special historic or architectural value, the
revised documents say the aim should be to improve
energy efficiency where, and to the extent that it is,
practically possible, provided that the work does not
prejudice the character of the host building or risk the
long-term deterioration of the building fabric or fittings.
The guidance given by English Heritage in its guidance
note Building Regulations and Historic Buildings first
published in 2002 should be taken into account.
A balance needs to be struck between historic building
conservation and energy efficiency improvements. The
local authoritys conservation officer should always be
approached for advice in these circumstances.
English Heritage is quite clear that window openings
establish the character of an elevation; they should not
generally be altered in their proportion or details, especially
when they are a conspicuous element of the design.
Particular instances where advice from the local authority
conservation officer would be beneficial include:
A. restoring the historic character of a building that had
been subject to previous inappropriate alteration e.g.
replacement windows, doors and rooflights
B. rebuilding former historic buildings e.g. after a fire or
in-filling a gap site in a terrace
C. making provisions enabling the fabric of historic
buildings to breathe, so to control moisture and
potential long-term decay problems
Historic Buildings
and others of special character
Document U-Value Centre Pane Value Relaxations
W/m
2
K W/m
2
K
L1A 2.2
N/A N/A
(New Dwellings) (maximum average)
L1B 2.0
1.2 N/A
(Existing Dwellings) (whole window)
Extensions
1.8
1.2 N/A
(whole window)
Conservatories 2.0
1.2 N/A
(more than 30 sq m) (whole window)
L2A 2.2
N/A
2.7
(New Non Dwellings) (maximum average) (with high internal heat gain)
L2B 2.2
1.2
2.7
(Existing Non Dwellings) (whole window) (with high internal heat gain)
Extensions
1.8
1.2 N/A
(whole window)
Conservatories 2.2
1.2 N/A
(more than 30 sq m) (whole window)
U
-
V
a
l
u
e
Achieve a maximum whole window U-value
of 2.2 W/m
2
K, or
Achieve a maximum glass centre pane value
of 1.2 W/m
2
K
Heritage
Special allowance is made for buildings of historic,
architectural or conservation value. (See page 5).
Definitions
TER is the Target carbon dioxide Emission Rate which is
defined as the minimum energy performance required
for new dwellings, expressed in terms of the mass of CO2
emitted as a result of the provision of heating, hot water,
ventilation and internal fixed lighting. The method of
calculating the TER is specified in L1A Page 16 of the
Approved Document.
U-values shall be calculated using the methods and
conventions set out in Building Regulations 443.
Scotland
The current version of the Building (Scotland) Regulations
came into effect in May 2005. The Scottish Building
Standards Agency was initiating a consultation in March
2006 on proposed changes to the regulations governing
energy efficiency with a view to bringing those changes
into effect from May 2007.
4 5
Crittall offers the designer and specifier a range of steel
windows, any of which can be used with confidence in
contributing to a design that meets the requirements of
the revised Part L of the Building Regulations which came
into force in April 2006.
All products are hot-dipped galvanised and Duralife
polyester powder coated to the specifiers colour choice.
Steel-framed windows also offer a slim profile and
unmatched strength for added security.
ALL CRITTALL STEEL WINDOW PRODUCTS MEET
THE CENTRE PANE U-VALUE OF 1.2 W/m
2
K.
The range of Crittall products include:
Corporate 2000 Range
A high performance steel window and door range particularly
suited to new build projects.
Indicative U-value range of 1.9 W/m
2
K 2.5 W/m
2
K
depending on configuration, glass type and size.
Centre Pane U-value 1.2 W/m
2
K using 4mm float, 4mm low
E soft coat and 20mm air gap (argon gas).
Corporate W20 Range
Extensively used in refurbishment projects and versatile
in design.
Indicative U-value range of 1.7 W/m
2
K 2.4 W/m
2
K
depending on configuration, glass type and size.
Centre Pane U-value 1.2 W/m
2
K using either 4mm float,
4mmlow E soft coat and 6mm air gap (xenon gas) or 4mm
float, 4mm low E soft coat and 8mm air gap (krypton gas).
Homelight Range
These offer the same size and styles as the original imperial
range of steel windows.
Indicative U-value for Homelight L 1.7 W/m
2
K 2.1 W/m
2
K
depending on configuration, glass type and size.
Centre Pane U-value 1.2 W/m
2
K using 4mm float, 4mm low
E soft coat and 6mm air gap (xenon gas) DG Range; or
4mm float, 4mm low E soft coat and 16mm air gap (argon
gas) L Range.
Full details on each product range with steel performance
technical information are available from Crittall on:
www.crittall-windows.com
Or contact:
Technical Department,
Crittall, Springwood Drive, Braintree, Essex CM7 2YN.
Tel: 01376 324106 Fax: 01376 349622.
Email: hq@crittall-windows.co.uk
Crittall is a member of FENSA.
FAQs
Q. When did the revised Part L come into effect?
A. On April 6, 2006.
Q. Will it apply to building work started before this date?
A. It will not apply if work started before April 6 2006
with full building plans approval. If plans have been fully
approved but work has not started before this date, it
must start by April 1 2007, otherwise the new regulations
will apply.
Q. Are Part L regulations mandatory?
A. Yes, they are.
Q. Do they apply throughout the UK?
A. No. They will apply in England and Wales. See separate
paragraph on Scotland. In Northern Ireland, amendments
to Part F of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland)
came into force in June 2006.
Q. Which part of the regulations apply if a new building
is constructed with areas used for accommodation and
for commercial purposes?
A. Approved Document L1A should be used for guidance
in relation to individual dwellings within the building
and Approved Document L2A for the non-dwelling
parts of a building e.g. in the case of a mixed use
development, for commercial or retail elements. NB:
the term dwelling refers to self-contained dwelling
units. Buildings that contain rooms for residential
purposes e.g. in nursing homes, are not considered to
be dwellings per se and so Approved Document L2A
would apply.
For residential projects Crittall offers:
Crittall Products
6 7
Crittall Windows Limited,
Springwood Drive, Braintree, Essex, CM7 2YN
Tel: +44 (0) 1376 324106
Fax: +44 (0) 1376 349662
Email: hq@crittall-windows.co.uk
www.crittall-windows.com
Crittall Windows Limited,
Scottish Regional Office
39 Durham Street, Glasgow G41 1BS
Tel: +44 (0) 141 427 4931
Fax: +44 (0) 141 427 1463
This publication gives a general description of the product and materials. It is the responsibility of the
user of this document to ensure that their use is appropriate for any particular application and that
such application complies with all relevant local and national legislation, standards, codes of practice
and other requirements. Crittall Windows Ltd hereby disclaim all liability howsoever arising from any
error in or omission from this publication and all consequences of relying on it. Crittall Windows
Limited also reserve the right to modify the details in this publication as products and specifications
are updated and improved.
Further Information
Building Regulations
Approved Document Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power)
Building Regulations 443 (2002) (U-values) NB: currently under review
Available from Department for Communities and Local Government
(formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister). Copies and
supporting information can be downloaded from the ODPM website at:
www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1130474
Building Regulations and Historic Buildings:
An interim guidance note on the application of Part L
Published by English Heritage (2002 reprinted 2004)
can be downloaded from the English Heritage website at:
www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1046
Crittall, Homelight, Corporate, and Duralife are registered trademarks.