Download Consultation Paper
The Government consulted on options for revising Part G of the Building Regulations addressing sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency in buildings. CIBSE submitted a response on 5/8/09
This consultation followed a wide ranging review of Part G of the Building Regulations to deliver two Government commitments:
- to introduce into the Building Regulations a whole-building water efficiency standard of 125 litres per person per day for new homes; and
- to review how Part G and the associated guidance addresses hot water safety.
The main areas covered were:
- Proposals to update and bring Part G (Hygiene) and the guidance in the associated Approved Document into line with current standards, legislation and industry practice;
- The proposed inclusion of a new section on cold water services which would specify locations within the building where a supply of "wholesome" water is required, and which in turn makes it possible to allow the use of "non-wholesome" water in other locations, such as the use of captured rainwater for toilet flushing;
- Proposals that bring into effect the Government's policy on water efficiency;
- Proposed measures to provide for consistent safety of hot water systems; and
- A request for more information on the costs and benefits to allow further exploration into the possibility of limiting the temperature of water delivered to sanitary appliances to prevent scalding.
The Government was keen to support a provision that would help reduce the risk of scalding incidents from sanitary appliances, and was aware of the support this would have from stakeholders. However, their initial analysis suggested that the costs of such measures would be considerably out of proportion to the benefits they would deliver. Unfortunately, this meant it was not currently possible for government to bring forward a definite proposal for consultation. However, as part of this consultation they invited more information to be provided to inform their analysis.
CIBSE submitted a response to this consultation based upon comments from Policy and Consultation Committee, the Society of Public Health Engineers and individual members.