Walker Energy Analysis can undertake Building Regulations Part L Volume 2 compliance assessments for all non-domestic properties.

What is Part L Volume 2 Compliance?

The purpose of Part L Volume 2 is to conserve fuel and power in all non-domestic buildings. Generally speaking commercial buildings use more energy through lighting and ventilation than domestic properties, which is why greater emphasis is placed on reducing carbon emissions during the non-domestic design process.

Part L compliance involves bringing CO2 emissions and building primary energy below a calculated target based on the size and type of your building. Being compliant in this area is a key factor in the design and building stages of any commercial building.

Who is Part L Volume 2 for?

Building Regulations Part L Volume 2 applies to all new and existing commercial buildings in England. These regulations outline the current target CO2 emission rate (TER)  and target primary energy rate (TPER) for commercial buildings.

CO2 emissions and primary energy is calculated using a number of factors, including:

• Building size.
• Fabric energy efficiency.
• Use of energy such as heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting.

To be compliant with Part L, your calculated CO2 emissions and primary energy must be lower than a notional building of the same size with a set of notional equipment efficiencies.

How do you become Part L compliant?

Meeting Part L regulations requires collaboration with the building owner, architect and  the design team. The regulations should inform key design decisions, such as fabric, heating, ventilation, lighting, controls and equipment selection.

The aim of Part L is to improve long-term sustainability of a building or property. Compliance will also  lead to construction cost savings and less materials used on site, as well as a lower long-term energy costs.

Typical approaches to Part L compliance include:

• Increase insulation.
• Improved air tightness.
• Reducing thermal bridging.
• Ensuring highly efficiency LED lighting is used
• Lighting sensing and controls.
• Reducing ventilation fan power.
• Renewable technology (See LZC page).

Software

We use IES Virtual Environment 3D modelling software to create highly accurate calculations of building CO2 emissions, which consists of:

• Building geometry, location and orientation
• Thermal performance (U-values, air tightness)
• Building services (HVAC)
• Lighting
• Controls

Whether you are an architect, developer, consultant or contractor, our fully qualified Level 5 energy assessors can provide expertise to demonstrate compliance with building regulations and assist in optimising your project from concept stage.