Conservation of fuel and power: Approved Document L, Volume 2 — Buildings other than dwellings

O N L I N E V E R S I O N Application 0.3 The guidance in Approved Document L, Volume 2 applies only to buildings other than dwellings. In a mixed-use building, this document should be consulted for building work in those parts of the building that are not dwellings. This document gives guidance for building work in both new and existing buildings. NOTE: Dwellings are self-contained units. This approved document applies to both of the following, which are not dwellings. a. Rooms for residential purposes. b. Buildings that contain only rooms for residential purposes. For dwellings, Approved Document L, Volume 1: Dwellings applies. 0.4 In the Secretary of State’s view, for the purposes of the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Regulations, a building means either of the following. a. The whole of the building. b. Part of a building designed or altered to be used as a separate premises. Common areas in buildings that contain multiple dwellings 0.5 For the common areas of buildings that contain more than one dwelling, the following guidance applies. a. If the common areas are heated, the guidance in this approved document should be followed. b. If the common areas are unheated, individual fabric elements should meet the minimum standards set out in Section 4 of Approved Document L, Volume 1: Dwellings. New buildings 0.6 Guidance for new buildings is given in Sections 1 to 9 of this approved document, Approved Document L, Volume 2. 0.7 For a conservatory or porch installed as part of the construction of a new building, the treatment of the conservatory or porch depends on whether both of the following have been achieved. a. There is adequate thermal separation between the building and the conservatory or porch. b. The building’s heating system is not extended into the conservatory or porch. If both (a) and (b) have been achieved, the conservatory or porch should be treated as if it were an extension being added onto an existing building. The guidance for new elements in existing buildings in Section 10 should be followed. If either or both of (a) or (b) has not been achieved, the conservatory or porch should be treated as a room in the new building. The guidance for the whole new building should be followed, including for building primary energy rate and building emission rate calculations. 0.8 For the first fit-out works in buildings, such as shell-and-core office buildings, guidance for new buildings covering first fit-out should be followed. For any subsequent fit-out works the guidance for existing buildings should be followed. 0.9 For constructing a building from modular subassemblies, or for relocating a modular or portable building, the guidance for new buildings should be followed, taking note of the special considerations for these building types outlined in Section 2. If the work extends an existing building, consequential improvements may also be required. Guidance is given in Section 12. 2 Approved Document L Volume 2, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010 O N L I N E V E R S I O N