Amendments to Part F of the Building Regulations in Northern Ireland, including the supporting Technical Booklet guidance, are expected to have a significant impact on glass and glazing products in residential and non-residential buildings. High performance, energy efficient glass and windows are expected to play a crucial role in delivering nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB) in Northern Ireland.
Following an earlier consultation, The Department of Finance (DoF) has published new Technical Booklet guidance to Part F1 (conservation of fuel and power in dwellings) of the Building Regulations in Northern Ireland. Applicable from 30th June 2022, the changes apply mainly to new dwellings and are envisaged as an interim step towards nearly zero energy requirements for new dwellings.
For new dwellings, the Dwelling carbon dioxide Emission Rate (DER) for the proposed dwelling must not be greater than the Target carbon dioxide Emission Rate (TER) based on a notional dwelling of the same size and shape. The new guidance requires new dwellings to better the Target carbon TER by at least 40% for new houses and 25% for new flats.
Limiting values have been set for each element of the building fabric, although achieving the TER may require better performance. The new limiting U values for fenestration elements are summarised in the table below.
| Element |
Limiting U values for new dwellings (W/m2K)
|
Area-weighted average
|
Maximum at any point
|
Windows, roof windows, glazed rooflights, curtain walling and pedestrian doors
|
1.4 |
3.0 |
There have been no changes to the requirements for existing dwellings (including replacement windows and doors), which remain as follows:
Standards for controlled fittings
|
| Fitting |
Standard |
| Window, roof window, or rooflight |
Window Energy Rating (WER) band C or U value = 1.6 W/m2K
|
| Doors with >50% of internal face glazed |
U value = 1.8 W/m2K
|
| Other doors |
U value = 1.8 W/m2K
|
We manufacture a range of low emissivity glass for enhanced
thermal insulation that can help windows and doors achieve the above U values.
To access the new Technical Booklets for Northern Ireland, please
click here.
Through our hub, we will monitor developments as the Part F 2022 consultation progresses and report on the implications as they emerge.
If you have any questions on the proposed amendments to Technical Booklet Guidance to Part F for 2022 in Northern Ireland and what the implications might be for glass, please complete our
online contact form, selecting 'Architect' or 'Trade' as the Enquiry Type and 'Part L' as the Nature of Your Enquiry.