The Building Safety Act requirements for principal designers actually arrived in October 2023 but it wasn\u2019t really until the beginning of 2024 that the industry started to adjust.<\/p>\n
April saw the introduction of a register for building inspectors amid concerns the system would fall apart. However, much like the millennium bug, the date passed without the predicted disaster. This in part was due to an extension of time to July for inspectors to pass competency exams. There remains concern this will not be long enough and that a further extension (possibly to October) will be required.<\/p>\n
Pressure is likely to ramp up on other professions and trades to evidence how they are competent. We are already seeing clients requesting evidence of competency in tenders. If you haven\u2019t started looking at how this will affect your practice, the next six months will be critical. One option is to seek formal accreditation to BS 99001 (quality management systems in the built environment) which is a bolt-on for practices that already have ISO 9001.<\/p>\n
Updated in March, the latest changes to Part B saw some clarity at last on requirements for buildings over 18m in height to have two staircases as well as some additional guidance on evacuation lifts.<\/p>\n
However, this is unlikely to be the last change to Part B as BS9991 is expected to be released this autumn with further updates to the approved document.<\/p>\n
One key change to look out for could be that natural smoke control is phased out in favour of pressurisation systems. If that does happen then architects will need to review projects to ensure they can accommodate all of the equipment associated with pressurisation systems, such as air delivery ducts, air release shafts, pressure relief vents and other critical components.<\/p>\n
In light of Awaabs\u2019 Law, which addresses damp and mould, we can expect a hardening of the requirements for the specification, installation and testing of mechanical ventilation systems. It could mean that all extract fans will need to be installed by competent registered installers.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the focus in Part L on air tightness is likely to lead to a greater uptake of mechanical extract ventilation (MEV), and continuous mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) along with an increase in the minimum whole dwelling ventilation rate from 21 to 31 l\/s in three-bedroom houses.<\/p>\n
Part G has seen minor changes already as a result of the release of Part T (see below). However, we expect the government to set out a proposed reduction from the current restriction of 125 l\/pp\/pd to 105, then to 100 and eventually to 90 l\/pp\/pd over a 10-year time frame.<\/p>\n
We can expect a consultation to be released in the autumn, reviewing guidance to reduce the estimated 600,000 A&E admissions each year from falls, slips and injuries around the home. Expect to see additional requirements for handrails, surfaces and safe manoeuvrability around homes. I would also expect guidance to be clarified on glass in balustrades and guarding such as Juliet balconies.<\/p>\n
The Future Homes and Buildings consultation closed in March and we can expect to see updates to Part L as a result (unlikely to be implemented until 2025 or even 2026).<\/p>\n
The consultation essentially concluded that the fabric-first approach has reached the point where there is a worthwhile return on investment. Therefore, it is unlikely we will see significant changes to current U-values, with the probable exception of glazed elements, where gains are still possible.<\/p>\n
Instead, the focus will be on delivering fossil-fuel-free heating and the phasing-out of gas boilers. This is likely to result in a requirement for heating in new housing to be supplied by heat pumps. Radiators will need to approximately double in size to operate effectively with heat pumps, so we can expect to see a wholesale move towards underfloor heating. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We expect yet another government consultation on Part M in 2024, with the potential to mandate M4(2) Accessible & Adaptable as a minimum standard, leaving the current M4(1) Visitable standard to apply by exception only.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This October will see the implementation of this brand-new requirement for non-residential buildings. The new approved document provides technical guidance on the design and layout of universal toilets, ambulant toilets and general toilet cubicle requirements. Architects will need to ensure that projects that are not expected to start before next April have been designed to meet the new guidance.<\/p>\n In conclusion, there is no slowing down in the list of changes to building regulations, and architects will need to keep up to date with all the changes through planned CPD.<\/p>\n Geoff Wilkinson is managing director of Wilkinson Construction Consultants<\/a>. He will be hosting AJ\u2019s Building Safety Masterclasses<\/a> in October and November<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Building Safety Act requirements for principal designers actually arrived in October 2023 but it wasn\u2019t really until the beginning of 2024 that the industry started to adjust. April saw the introduction of a register for building inspectors amid concerns the system would fall apart. However, much like the millennium bug, the date passed without …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80389,"featured_media":712305,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[745],"tags":[14379,3311,69959],"yoast_head":"\nPart M: Access and use of buildings<\/span><\/h3>\n
Part T: Toilet accommodation<\/span><\/h3>\n