Martyn Bridges, director of technical communication and product management at Worcester Bosch, shares his thoughts on two new changes to regulations and standards.
The heating industry is constantly evolving. This is mainly thanks to new innovative technology continuously being introduced, legislation being amended and consumer habits changing.
The responses to these changes vary, but usually government bodies or trade organisations update or introduce regulations and standards. For better or worse the rest of the industry then must adhere to these new policies.
Here are two recent changes that showcase both ‘better’ and ‘worse’.
PART B OF THE BUILDING REGULATIONS
Late last year, the Approved Document B: Fire Safety of the Building Regulations was introduced after the Grenfell Tower disaster, implementing new criteria for all materials forming part of the external wall in high rise dwellings.
In the revised document, we can see that the use of combustible materials on external walls of highrise residential buildings will no longer be allowed, an understandable and necessary change.
However, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have confirmed that conventional condensing boiler flues with a polypropylene inner duct do not meet this and therefore will be banned.
The issue is that most domestic boiler manufacturers use flue systems made with a polypropylene inner flue duct. So, according to the new regulation, this type of flue can no longer be fitted.
Part B is an example of a regulation that hasn’t taken into account certain measures that are already in place, and not consulted the wider industry. The polypropylene inner flue duct on a condensing boiler flue is well protected by the steel exterior, meaning it is not exposed to any fire that may occur inside a dwelling.
From my personal point of view, the requirement to meet the new standard is inappropriate and that changes to the existing regulations have not considered essential items such as flue pipes and have made allowances for cladding that is either installed incorrectly or that is not fire retardant.
Changes or relaxations to the regulations can sometimes take several months to occur, this could cause residents distress as they may be without heating or hot water if their boiler fails before a solution is introduced. Something that could have been avoided. MHCLG have issued guidance on how Local Authority Building Control can allow a relaxation of this and have ordered a review of this regulation which somewhat confirms there is belief that an oversight has occurred.
BRITISH STANDARD 7593
There are examples of new regulations or standards that are rightly introduced and bring solutions, instead of potential further problems.
The most recent is BS 7593. This is the British Standard code of practice for the preparation, commissioning and maintenance of domestic central heating and cooling water systems.
BS 7593 has now made it mandatory for a system filter to be permanently installed into heating systems.
This is the first time the fitting of a permanent in-line filter is required in addition to a chemical clean and fresh water flush before an inhibitor is added.
Over time, central heating system water accumulates harmful dirt and debris all of which can cause considerable problems. System filters are devices which can capture and remove this debris and potentially prevent detrimental issues in the future.
The positives here are that having a mandatory in-line system filter installed means the heating system will be significantly less likely to break down. It also will maintain a boiler’s efficiency, ultimately reducing carbon emissions as well as heating energy bills for the homeowner.
This is a positive example of the industry responding to wider, nationwide policies. With Net Zero now an official government target, multiple standard changes, like the new additions to BS 7593, are essential to ensure we hit that.
In summary, I do not envy those who have to make these decisions and amends. They have to take multiple things into account.
However, I do implore them to continue consulting with the industry the changes will directly affects. After all, it will be us who ultimately develop the sensible solutions to meet these new regulations, so being brought in at the very beginning can only make the process more effective, not slow it down.