The Scottish Building Control Regulations Are Changing - 01st October 2010

Just as we are getting familiar with the last revision, the Scottish Building Control Regulations are changing again effective from the 01st October 2010.

I've just finished reafing them and they are very similar in many ways to the last set of regulations apart from sections on Energy and Noise.

From first glance it is apparent that there is a huge push to further reduce carbon emissions from dwellings such that there will be a substantial increase to the thicknesses of building fabrics in order to achieve the new requirements. For example we are currently required to provide a wall with a U-value of 0.27W/m2K which we can do with 145mm timber kit consturction filled with 140mm mineral quilt insulation and therafter clad in brick however under the new October regulations this standard wall construction will change by the addition of a 50mm quilt now within the cavity increasing wall thicknesses and material and labour costs on site. There will be a few detailing issues surrounding this that we (the industry) will need to get a greater handle on but that's what we have got to do for the greater good of the planet.

Also, Section 5 Noise has been re-written with what appears to be mandatory sound tests for all new build houses. This was never typically done. There is also a preference for sound tests to be done for attic conversions! It's all going to get costly.

As Architects we face the unenviable challenge of trying to work with material suppliers to ensure that the buildings and specifications we use will meet these new criteria but unfortunately we cannot monitor workmanship on site for all of the projects we are involved in. I suppose the question then is, who will re-train the tradesmen on site? The answer is obviously no-one. 'That's the way I've been doing it for 20 years son' will be the response.

Good luck everyone.