There are significant changes ahead in the UK Building Regulations and everyone involved in the bathroom industry should be aware of what’s on the cards. We will all be affected, in some way, in the year ahead.

A positive approach
Sustainability and water efficiency are the current buzz words and the bathroom industry has been responding positively and quickly to the new demands from consumers and government for an eco-friendly approach to bathroom product design.
Consumers are becoming more ‘eco-aware’. There has been much in the media about the effects of our very existence on the earth’s natural resources. The demand for water and energy efficient products, rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling equipment has been growing.
The UK government has also been playing its part in generating a positive atmosphere of sustainability and have introduced a number of measures to ensure that newly built homes meet specific minimum ecological standards. The Code for Sustainable Homes and the Building Regulations Part G are just two examples of the new legislation affecting us.

“The Code for Sustainable homes became effective in May 2008 but it’s the new Building Regulations which are now concentrating our minds” says Yvonne Orgill, chief executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA). “2009 will be a busy year. The regulations have recently come out of consultation with the results due in April. Then if all goes to plan they will become law in October.”
In the Building Regulations Part G the government is proposing that all new buildings must be designed with water efficiency in mind so that the balance between water supply and demand can be maintained and sustainable supplies for the future can be secured.
It is suggesting that to reduce the demand for ‘wholesome’ water the use of ‘non-wholesome water’ (i.e. captured rainwater, or stored ‘grey water’ from bathing or washing) may be used to flush toilets. In new or significantly altered buildings separate pipework will be required and it will need to be correctly marked to avoid confusion.
“The consumption of water by the whole household must be considered in the future” says Orgill. “Bathroom retailers will need to be aware that they will have a major part to play in informing the customer – whether it be the end user or installer – about the new rules.”

Record Keeping
House builders are now required to rate all new homes against the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Sanitary appliances and white goods can have a huge effect on the water efficiency of a dwelling so in order to keep a track of appliances and fittings in Code compliant homes house builders will be required to record the details of the products they have installed. Using this record, the building’s owners will be able to maintain its water efficiency.
In addition, bathroom manufacturers will be required to declare the water consumption of each of their appliances and associated fittings. They will be required to list the specification of each product so that architects may choose those bathroom products which best match their designs and best meet the legal requirement to calculate the dwelling’s water consumption.

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