As part of the government’s drive to cut the UK’s carbon footprint and reduce our impact on the environment, all new non-domestic buildings will be required to be ‘zero carbon’ from 2019. This means they will have to produce no net emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere from heating, lighting or any other energy using activity. This is a highly ambitious target, but one that businesses should be able to comfortably achieve by making the right choices about the building materials, fixtures and fittings that they use. In the meantime, the government requires all new buildings to meet strict energy efficiency standards in order to minimise their carbon footprint.
The current building regulations covering energy efficiency are contained in Part L of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations as well as a number of more specific regulations. Part L is further split into two sections L1 and L2 with the former dealing with domestic buildings and the latter all non-domestic buildings.
The regulations specify the required insulation values of various elements of a building’s structure as well as coverings areas such as the maximum allowable area for windows, doors and other openings. The regulations also cover how airtight the building is, which can have a big impact on heating costs as this effects how much heat will be lost to the outside environment through drafts.
It is really important when selecting external industrial doors to make sure they comply with the part L regulations. They must provide an effective thermal barrier, be the right size for your building and provide a tight seal with the surrounding walls. If you get this wrong you could end up having to replace your doors at your own expense, adding significantly to your costs. We will be happy to advise you and provide full technical specifications for any of our products you are interested in so you can be confident that you are making the right choice.
To find out more about the different products we offer and how they can help you comply with building regulations, please use our online contact form or call us on 0800 072 3444.
HAG offers a wide range of products and services, if you would like further information call 0800 072 3444 now to speak to a member of our team.
