Information
Building Regulations
Premdor offers solutions to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations. The following summarises the requirements of the key regulations, and offers advice on how to meet the standards.
Conservation of Fuel and Power
Building Regulations Part L / Scottish Technical Standards Part J / Northern Ireland Building Regulations Part F.Under these regulations, new build dwellings are required to achieve a specific level of thermal performance. Additionally, and for the first time within a Building Regulation, extension, adaptation, renovation, and refurbishment activity must generally meet similar requirements.
There are three methods to show compliance, namely the 'Elemental' method, the 'Target 'U' Value' method and the 'Carbon Index' method.
As with most Building Regulations, the correct specification of materials will be dependant on the construction details and the relevance of Part L to the project.
For most applications exterior doors or windows which achieve a 'U' value rating of 2.00 W/M2K (1.8 W/M2K in Scotland) will be suitable for 'Part L' projects. However, in certain situations, products which do not meet this standard may be acceptable. For example, where a highly insulated structure exists, and these components constitute a relatively small proportion of the overall envelope. There are also specific applications which require a higher level of thermal performance.
Additionally, in refurbishment situations, a door can be replaced with any other providing the overall glass area is less than 50% of the overall door and frame dimension.
As the regulations are policed by a number of bodies including Local Authority Building Control and the NHBC, it is important to understand your obligations before specifying or ordering Premdor products, and if necessary seek advice from relevant professionals.
In situations of non-compliance, inspectors can request removal of product, and require replacement with a suitable item.
As a manufacturer supplying a range of products through distributors into a wide variety of projects, Premdor is unable to be fully prescriptive regarding use of it's products. However, we offer the following advice:
- Establish the requirements of your project, by consultation with builder, architect or other professional involved in the work.
- Use the 'Part L' indicators in this Range Guide to establish if your selected product is likely to be suitable. These icons will relate to product on the page, so for clarification on any specific product, consult the 'U value information shown.
- Part L (green icon) - suitable for most 'Part L' projects. A 'U' value of 2.00 w/m2k or better is achieved by these products.
- Part L (amber icon) - suitable for refurbishment projects as the glazed area of the door is less than 50% of door and frame area.
- Part L (red icon) - only suitable for non 'Part L' projects.
- Always consult the 'U' value information shown alongside the specific product prior to purchase.
- Products supplied on a made to order basis cannot be returned, so if in doubt, ask Premdor.
Mobility
(Access and Facilities for Disabled People): Building Regulations Part M / Northern Ireland Building Regulations Part R.
Wider doors and thresholds with reduced heights are required by Building Regulation Part M. The Premdor range includes products to meet these requirements.
Resistance to the Passage of Sound: Building Regulations Part E / Scottish Technical Standards Part H / Northern Ireland Building Regulations Part C.
Selection of solid core interior doors improves the acoustic insulation performance over standard core products. In addition, Premdor's SoundSure FD30 interior doors and the SoundSecure FD30 entrance doorsets are designed to meet the requirements of Part E, as well as other Building Regulation performance criteria.
Ventilation: Building Regulations Part F / Scottish Technical Standards and Northern Ireland Building Regulations Part K.
These regulations provide for the level of background ventilation in habitable rooms. Alpha windows are supplied with head ventilators fitted as standard, to assist compliance.
Fire Safety: Building Regulations Part B / Scottish Technical Standards Part D & E / Northern Ireland Building Regulations Part E.
Ensuring that the escape route requirements of Building Regulations Part B are available, Alpha windows can be supplied with non-locking ironmongery on specific window types, to achieve the clear opening required for escape in the case of emergency.
Window products suitable for these applications are shown coded in red, and should be specified with non-locking ironmongery.
Certified fire doors can be supplied for the protection of escape routes, people and property as required by the regulation.
Premdor fire doors have been tested for compliance to BS476: Part 22 and are made and supplied under the rigorous control of the BWF Certifire Scheme.
