What are Approved Documents?

Building Regulations are the basic regulatory requirements for the design, construction, and modification of almost any structure within the United Kingdom.

The UK Governments give information on how to comply with certain building rules through publication of Approved Documents (England & Wales) or a Technical Handbook (Scotland).

Approved Document L ( England and Wales), Section 6 Technical Handbook for Scotland provides guidance on the conservation of fuel and power.

Approved Document Part L1a (England and Wales), Section 6 Technical Handbook New Dwellings Compliance for Scotland gives the requirements for energy compliance of a new dwelling. This usually requires a property to pass a SAP calculation. SAP stands for ‘Standard Assessment Procedure’ and is the government’s method for calculating the whole energy performance of a dwelling.

Approved Document Part L1b (England and Wales),  Section 6 Technical Handbook Existing Dwellings Compliance for Scotland gives the requirements for energy efficiency compliance of changes to an existing dwelling. U-Value Calculations can be used to demonstrate that the new thermal elements introduced with the changes meet the standards required.

There are other criteria that could mean a reduction in the insulation required e.g. if reduction of more than 5% in the internal floor area of the room is caused by the insulation then the insulation used, could be thinner.

Approved Document Part L2a (England and Wales), Section 6 Technical Handbook Non-Domestic New Buildings Compliance for Scotland gives the requirements for energy efficiency compliance of new buildings other than dwellings. This usually requires a property to pass a SBEM calculation. SBEM stands for ‘Simplified Building Energy Model’ and is the government’s method for calculating the whole energy performance of a building other than a dwelling.

Approved Document Part L2b (England and Wales), Section 6 Technical Handbook Non-Domestic Existing Buildings Compliance for Scotland gives the requirements for energy efficiency compliance of existing buildings other than dwellings. Like extensions to dwellings, U-Value calculations will one of the most likely way to demonstrate that the new thermal elements meet the standards required.

There are other criteria that could mean a reduction in the insulation required e.g. that “A reasonable test of economic feasibility is to achieve a simple payback of 15 years or less”.

This could be achieved with a payback spreadsheet but there is a good deal of information needed to complete this method of compliance.

So how can Mayplas help you with compliance to the Approved Documents.?

Mayplas is a market-leading manufacturer of thermal, construction materials with over 45 years of experience in insulation conversion.

We are experienced with using all the Approved and Technical Documents  and can calculate the most economical way of achieving compliance.

If it is new build:

• For dwellings we have in-house SAP assessors and
• For other buildings we can have SBEM calculations carried out by one of our Technical Partners.

If it is an existing building where U values are required, at Mayplas we consider what is the most economical way of achieving the required outcome with our products by:

• Producing U value calculations specifically for your project to show compliance.

Or

• Produce a payback spreadsheet to show compliance.