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Other Legislation

In addition to the Planning Permission, Building Regulations, EPBD and the subsequent of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 there are a couple of other pieces of legislation that building owners may find relevant.

Compliance with the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2007 includes a requirement for a certificate describing the energy efficiency of the whole building to be prepared and made available on sale or rent of buildings. This certification process involves the inspection of the building to obtain basic details of the building fabric, building services (heating, lighting and air conditioning systems) and other equipment used in the building.

Other inspections that may need to be carried out are:

  • the ‘F-Gas Regulation' (European Regulation (EC) 842/2006), which came into force on 4 July 2007, requires regular inspections of some refrigeration systems to test for leakage of fluorinated greenhouse gas refrigerant from systems.
  • Refrigeration systems containing cfc or hcfc refrigerants may already be subject to regular leakage testing under European Regulation (EC) 2037/2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer
  • Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000, may apply to air conditioning systems with an installed power in excess of 25 kW.

In addition the EN378 standard for Safety and Environmental Requirements requires the installation of fixed leak monitors in refrigeration and air-conditioning machinery rooms. It also includes the special requirement to ensure safety in air-conditioned spaces in Category A occupancy buildings if a sudden leak into an occupied space would exceed specified concentrations. Typically, this could occur with direct expansion split systems.

Category A buildings include those that have restricted movement such as dwellings, residential institutions (hotels, hospitals, prisons, schools) and public places such as courts, theatres, public transport termini, supermarkets, restaurants, etc. Installation of appropriate gas leak detectors in such buildings can be made where appropriate.