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Benchmark Log Book

The Regulations refer to a 'commissioning certificate' and indicate that the Benchmark log book is suitable for this purpose and will be available in the equipment packaging for the following product categories:

	Gas fired boilers
	Gas fired combined primary storage units (CPSU)
	Oil fired boilers (some manufacturers)
	Unvented water storage vessels

Vented storage vessels will be provided with an adhesive label attached to the vessel that will fulfil the function of a 'commissioning certificate'.

Benchmark log books have been produced in consultation with the DTLR. If the log book does not indicate this on the front cover, the manufacturer will supply the correct version.

Only manufacturing companies who hold a Benchmark licence will be eligible to use the Benchmark logo and the approved log book working and layout (Benchmark is registered as a European Collective Mark by the Central Heating Information Council Ltd. And the content is copyright).

Check the list of licence holders on www.centralheating.co.uk

Did you know that you home is behaving badly?
In the UK, nearly 30% of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere comes from generating the electricity we use to run our homes. It is a fact that £5 billion is wasted on energy in the UK every year.

The Government is committed to improving energy efficiency to meet stringent national and global energy saving targets. With the help of the Energy Saving Trust and the recent revisions to the Building Regulations, we are moving closer to being an energy efficient Britain.

From April 2002, the Building Regulations (Part L1) for England and Wales changed in some very important ways. Existing homes now come under the Building Regulations' remit because of the need to reduce energy loss.

They require householders to install more energy efficient options when replacing windows, central heating boilers and controls or hot water cylinders.

What is the purpose of the Building Regulations?
The Building Regulations deal with the minimum standards for buildings. The Regulations are designed to ensure the health, safety and welfare of people in and around buildings and to encourage energy conservation.

What do the Building Regulations apply to?
The Building Regulations may cover work you do to your home. You need to comply with Building Regulations when:

	Building an extension to your home
	Building a garage extension to your home
	Carrying out a loft extension
	Making certain internal alterations within your home
	Installing or altering the position of a heating appliance
	Installing a hot water storage system
	Replacing windows and doors

You can bring your home in line with the new Building Regulations by adding cavity wall insulation, or external wall insulation to a depth of 250mm, and ensuring that all windows and external doors are draught proofed.

How to ensure your work meets the Building Regulations?
If you are planning home improvements or self-build projects, such as loft conversions or extensions, you should take professional advice or consult the Building Control department of your local authority.

Every installation must be certified as being installed and commissioned by a competent person. The routes to this are:

1. for a competent person to self-certify the work, using an approved 'commissioning certificate'
or
2. to apply through the local authority Building Control

The Government defines a competent person as:

	A CORGI registered installer for gas installations
	An OFTEC registered technician for oil installations
	A HETAS registered installer for solid fuel systems
	A registered operative who complies with Building Regulations G3 for unvented hot water systems
	A FENSA register installer for glazing
	A BBA approved or BSI registered firm for cavity wall insulation
	An INCA registered firm for external wall insulation

Proof of compliance
If you are having central heating or glazing work carried out in your home, you can ensure the work is in compliance with the new regulations by asking for one or the following:

Benchmark log book for central heating and hot water systems Where there is a CORGI, HETAS or OFTEC installer, they should be asked to leave a Benchmark log book or other approved commissioning certificate on completion of their work.

Certificate from FENSA for glazing If you choose a company that is registered with FENSA (Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme), a certificate will be supplied to you by the FENSA database. A certificate of compliance will also be forwarded by FENSA to the local authority.

A completion certificate from the Building Control

How the new regulations affect domestic heating and glazing
From April 2002, the changes in the Building Regulations affect how your installer replaces your boiler or makes changes to you heating controls.

Boilers must meet new energy efficiency requirements and every installation involving a boiler or hot water storage system must be certified as having been installed and commissioned correctly (see: How to ensure you work meets the Building Regulations).

The new Building Regulations also outline the minimum standard of thermal installation for replacement windows. Ultimately this means that 'low emissivity', or low E double glazing, is likely to be needed for all new and replacement windows. In addition, all new and replacement doors should be draught proofed.

Achieving more that the minimum
The new Building Regulations are only a minimum standard. You can do a lot more around the house to make it more energy efficient. By adopting other recommended energy efficient measures, you can save up to £200 a year.

The Energy Efficiency Installer network provides a qualified, audited network of heating, glazing and insulation installers, who can give you specific advice on how to improve the energy efficiency of your home further. For more general advice or to get details of a local Energy Efficiency Installer, contact your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012.

From 1st April 2002, the Building Regulations for England and Wales - Part 1 - change in some very important ways. These changes now cover existing homes as well as new properties.

The new Building Regulations reflect the far greater importance the Government is putting on energy efficiency. From now on, if you are replacing a boiler or hot water vessel, or controls or making changes to the system, you will have to demonstrate that you have carried out the work in accordance with the regulations.

This leaflet explains what equipment you will need to install and how you can be confident that you have complied with these important changes in the way you work.

You will have to install boilers which meet new energy efficiency requirements as measured by the SEDBUK ratings scheme. The level of efficiency varies slightly between fuel types, and we provide details later. Minimum efficiency requirements also apply to hot water storage vessels. See the back page of this leaflet for details of where to find information.

As well as Part L1, Part J has been updated which brings in other aspects of what you do - for example, the positioning of flue terminals.

Every installation involving a boiler or hot water vessel will need to be certified as being installed and commissioned by a competent person. The routes to this are:

i) For a competent person to self-certify the work, using an approved 'commissioning certificate'.
ii) Apply for approval through the local Building Control body.

For the purposes of the new regulations the Government has defined a competent person as:

	A CORGI registered installer for gas installations
	An OFTEC registered technician for oil installations
	A HETAS registered installer for solid fuel systems
	Registered operatives who comply with Building Regulations - G3 for unvented hot water systems.

This provides a straightforward route for a competent person to self-certify their work using a 'commissioning certificate' such as the Benchmark log book. Most installers are familiar with the Benchmark log book, but this has been redesigned to meet the requirements of the new regulations in consultation with the Government. There's a Benchmark log book included with over 90% of new boilers and unvented hot water storage vessels sold. A Benchmark label will be attached to vented cylinders which must also be completed.

Make yourself aware of the key features of the new regulations if you want to be confident that you are complying with them. You should note that the new Building Regulations still relate to new build properties, and whilst their scope increases, the principles are similar.

We cannot provide detailed information in this leaflet, only a brief outline of most of the important aspects you need to know and understand.

Replacing boilers or hot water vessels in existing dwellings
The replacement of a boiler or hot water storage vessel has to meet requirements of the Building Regulations ADL1 form 1st April 2002. To be confident these requirements are met, this would entail the following:

Boiler and heating system considerations:

	Insulation all primary pipework, which is altered or replaced and is outside the heated space.
	If the boiler requires a bypass to be fitted, then use an automatic by-pass valve as well as any minimum pipe length specified in manufacturer's instructions.

Other forms of heating:

	Warm air heating units should meet the requirements of BS EN778:1998.
	Insulation should be provided on any ducts that are newly installed or changed.

Hot water vessels:

	For vented systems, replacement copper cylinders should be labeled as conforming to the relevant British Standards, ie BS1566 & BS3198.
	Cylinders labeled type P are only suitable for pumped primary systems. Type G should ideally be pumped but can be used on gravity systems.
	Unvented systems should either be labeled as complying with BS7206 and/or certified by the BBA, WRc or other accredited body.
	Primary Stores should demonstrate compliance by meeting the requirements of the 1999 WMA performance specifications form thermal stores.
	All the pipes connected to a hot water vessel should be insulated for at least a metre in length or up to the point at which they are concealed to limit summer heat loss from the vessel. This includes the primary flow and return connections and the vent pipe.

Controls:

The opportunity should be taken to improve the system controls.

Fully pumped systems:

	For fully pumped systems the control system should provide time and temperature control to both the heating and hot water circuits and a boiler control interlock.
	Fit TRVs on at least those radiators in the sleeping areas if not already fitted.
	If a room thermostat is not fitted, then one should be fitted in a room without a TRV.
	Provide time control if not present by fitting - A full programmer or - A standard programmer or - A mini programmer or - Time switches.
	No time control is required for the hot water circuit where the hot water is produced instantaneously, such as with a combi boiler.
	Ensure that the controls are wired so that when there is no call for heat from either the heating of the hot water circuits the boiler and pump are switched off.

Semi Gravity Systems:

	The preferred option is to convert to a fully pumped system.
	If this is impractical, choose a boiler capable of operating on a semi-gravity systems and upgrade the controls to include: - A cylinder thermostat and zone valve to control the hot water temperature and provide a boiler interlock - A room thermostat - A programmer or time switch - TRVs on the radiators at least in the sleeping areas.

Check with your supplier that the boiler or hot water vessel selected meets these minimum requirements.

For a copy of the comprehensive 'The Domestic Heating & Hot Water Guide to the Building Regulations 2001 - Part L1', please visit www.centralheating.co.uk (and others) and download a copy. Alternatively call 0845 600 2200 or fax 01926 423 284.

Other sources of information you may find helpful:
The Boiler Efficiency Database of boilers that includes the SEDBUK values, is available at www.boilers.org.uk

The Energy Saving Trust provides the database in a regularly updated publication called 'The Little Blue Book of Boilers'. A copy can be obtained by calling 0845 727 7200.

Good Practice Guide 302 if followed, will ensure full compliance for controls with the Regulations. Available from 01926 664258 or via www.heatingcontrols.org.uk

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