From April 1^st 2002 new Building Regulations come into force , making great changes to the way that Installers must work. Every time a boiler or hot water cylinder is changed, the whole heating system must be checked and brought up to the new standards of efficiency and control.

The regulations themselves are written in a very open way, but they refer to documents which give clear advice for any installer or homeowner. The two main documents are The Good Practice Guide 302 (GPG302) and Central Heating Standard Specification (CheSS – GIL059), these give two levels of control that will be deemed to satisfy the regulations; “Good Practice” and “Best Practice” .

What is required?

• When a boiler or cylinder is replaced, the whole heating system must be checked and upgraded if necessary. This will ensure that the boiler will be able to work to its declared efficiency. (There is no point in fitting a new highly efficient boiler on an inadequate system).
• The new boiler or cylinder must meet efficiency standards – SEDBUK for the boiler BS for the cylinder. (Medium duty cylinders DO NOT satisfy these).
• For the system to be compatible with the higher efficiency boilers, it should be fully pumped.
• The system must have a boiler interlock.
• If a bypass circuit is fitted, an automatic bypass valve must be used. (Slumber or Bypass radiators are only acceptable on solid fuel systems).
• The controls fitted should be either Good or Best practice as defined in CheSS or GPG302)
• When completed the system must be commissioned to ensure that all components are installed and functioning properly.
• When the system is handed over to the householder, operation and maintenance must be explained to the user and instructions left with proof of commissioning. ( A completed and signed Benchmark Logbook is accepted).

Controls requirements are laid out below. For more details, see CheSS or GPG302.

Good  Good Practice                                            

Stored Hot Water Systems                               

Programmers (Preferred with independent times for CH/DHW)
Room Thermostat
Cylinder Thermostat
Motorised Valve (s)
Radiator thermostats throughout*
Automatic Bypass Valve** 

Combi Boilers

Timeswitch
Room thermostat
Radiator thermostats throughout*
Automatic Bypass Valve**

Best Practice 

Stored Hot Water Systems

Programmable room thermostat with capability to control DHWRoom thermostat
Cylinder thermostat
Motorised valve (s)
Radiator thermostats throughout*
Automatic bypass valve** 

Combi Boilers

Programmable room thermostat
Radiator thermostats throughout*
Automatic bypass valve** 

* Radiator thermostats should be used on all radiators except where the room thermostat is fitted.

** If a bypass circuit is used, then an automatic bypass valve must be fitted. 

For stored hot water systems, Sundial S, W and Y Plans satisfy Good practice and Smartfit satisfies Best Practice. 

On Combi systems, use ST6100 and a room thermostat for Good Practice and a programmable thermostat for Best Practice.

Documentation:

TACMA - A new guide - How to comply with the revised building regulations 2001/2002. This guide supports the official guidance  covering the use of controls in boiler based, gas and oil fired domestic central heating installations within the revised Building Regulations, Part L1 for England & Wales and Part J for Scotland.
Click here to read.

Guidance notes from the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes entitled "The Domestic Heating & Hot Water Guide to the Building Regulations 2001 - Part L1" is available from the DTLR - Click here to read.

A leaflet on the Building Regulations Part L1 will be available in all merchants.
Click here to read.

Benchmark Logbook.
Click here to read.

Visit the TACMA website to download a copy of the Building Regulations Part L1.
Click here to visit.