New Regs - EPC

[Dave Jones]

The new regs put the onus on the builder to document everything and if they dont you dont get an EPC which means you cant sell / get mortgage.

 

No way the majority of builders are ready or even aware of this.

 

Great step forward though, particularly like the condition that geo-location needs to be on to stop the legoland firms using a generic set of photo's

 

 

 

 

Sets of photographs need to be taken which are unique to each property. For example, in a block of flats or row of houses, one set for every plot is needed rather than a sample. 
 
1. Foundations/substructure and ground floor, to show thermal continuity and quality of insulation in the following places:
a. At ground floor perimeter edge insulation.
b. At external door threshold.
c. Below damp-proof course on external walls.
2. External walls: for each main wall type, to show thermal continuity and quality of insulation for the following:
a. Ground floor to wall junction.
b. Structural penetrating elements.
3. Roof: for each main roof type, to show thermal continuity and quality of insulation at the following:
a. Joist/rafter level.
b. Eaves and gable edges.
4. Openings: for each opening type (one image per wall or roof type is sufficient), to show thermal continuity and quality of insulation with photographs of the following:
a. Window positioning in relation to cavity closer or insulation line.
b. External doorset positioning in relation to cavity closer or insulation line
5. Airtightness: additional photographs for all details 1–4 to show airtightness details (only if not included or visible in continuity of insulation image).
6. Building services: for all plant associated with space heating, hot water, ventilation and low or zero carbon technology equipment within or on the building, show the following:
a. Plant/equipment identification label(s), including make/model and serial number.
b. Primary pipework continuity of insulation.
c. Mechanical ventilation ductwork continuity of insulation (for duct sections outside the thermal envelope).
What should the photos look like?
The Part L document tells us that:
•    Photographs should be of good enough quality that an independent auditor can look at them and verify what is being shown without ever having been to site or worked on the project. More than one image of each detail may be needed, i.e. close ups and the whole item.
•    Geo-location should be enabled to confirm the location, date and time of each image. This is a key requirement which we think will catch a lot of people out. Most smart phones have this feature but it’s often not switched on by default.
 

[ProDave]

About time.  Self builders do this anyway.  The mass market builders have been left for too long to "self police" and proven incapable or unwilling to do that, so they are now being forced to do things properly.

[SteamyTea]

I wonder what the sanction is for not complying, £100 fine?

[Nickfromwales]

14 minutes ago, SteamyTea said:

I wonder what the sanction is for not complying, £100 fine?

I wonder who will check for duplicate images.

[SteamyTea]

17 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said:

I wonder who will check for duplicate images.

Dr. Algorithm

 

[Kelvin]

I was chatting to my groundswork guy today about this. He told about some guys building 6 houses in the town. The had one house worth of insulation that they fitted. BC came and checked it. They then took it out and put in the next house and boarded up the previous house. Only the last house was insulated.