An Actis CPD which shows how to comply with changes to Part L and prepare for the Future Homes Standard has been approved as a Royal Institute of British Architects approved training module.
The CPD, which looks at how to ensure professionals meet the targets laid down in the revised building regulations, gives guidance on how to meet revised energy efficiency targets which see new build homes having to reduce carbon emissions by 31% over previous levels.
Tomorrow’s Insulation Solutions for Future Homes Standards is the second Actis CPD to have earned RIBA approval, the other being Addressing the Performance Gap with Reflective Insulation.
The fourth in Actis’ series of popular professional CPD certified training programmes, it looks at different tactics to help achieve the greater goal of building Net Zero by 2050, such as the increased importance of having a ‘fabric first’ approach.
The CPD will look in detail at ways to improve U-values, reduce thermal bridging, address the performance gap and improve air tightness. And to ensure these changes don’t create a problem in the other direction, it will look at how to ensure there are no issues with overheating.
RIBA-approved CPDs are worth double the points of a standard CPD and are therefore much prized by members, with 76% of them choosing training which has been specifically approved by the professional body.
The CPD also looks at SAP 10, the latest update to the Standard Assessment Procedure, which is incorporated within the revised Part L regulations and designed to ensure correct thermal modelling junctions are used.
The Standard Assessment Procedure is used to work out the predicted energy use and emission rate of a dwelling. It assesses how much energy will be used, how much of it will be lost or gained, how efficient the home is at retaining heat, and ensures minimum fabric energy efficiency requirements are met.
This summer’s Part L changes are another step in the direction towards far more stringent energy efficiency requirements for new homes, which will be laid down under the forthcoming Future Homes Standard, expected to be in place by 2025.
That in turn will play a key role in enabling the UK Construction industry to meet its 2050 net zero target.
Both will be promoted via RIBA’s website and the Institute’s monthly newsletter and are also available via Actis, which has already received a number of bookings from architectural practices and building control specialists across the country.
Specification and technical teams at Actis, as members of the RIBA CPD Providers Network, will also have a chance to present at some of its 20 annual roadshows.
All RIBA-approved CPDs must meet strict criteria, be educational, innovative and balanced, address relevant statutory issues and have a clear learning outcome.
They are designed to provide solutions to design problems and are likely to address sustainability issues, correct product application and legislative information.
Actis regional specification manager and co-author of the CPD, Amaret Chahal, explained: “Making sure everyone is confident in understanding the Part L changes and what it means for us to futureproof our buildings, is the main focus of this RIBA-approved CPD. We’ve simplified and summarised all the changes that are happening now, while making it clear that this is ultimately another stepping stone towards the Future Homes Standard.
Actis UK and Ireland technical director Thomas Wiedmer, who created the CPD with Amaret, added:
“In order to achieve this 31 per cent uplift over current regulations we have to focus on ensuring the fabric of the building is the main driver of energy efficiency. This will need to be combined with more use of efficient building technologies.”
The nearly 200-year-old RIBA champions better buildings, communities and the environment and works with government to improve the design quality of public buildings, new homes and new communities.