Building standards technical handbooks 2022/23: events and resources

Latest news

December 2023 – The April 2024 edition of the Technical Handbooks are now published.

These handbooks are applicable from 1 April 2024. Information on the New Build Heat Standard that this edition implements is available. 

December 2023 – an addendum to the June 2023 Technical Handbooks is now published. 
A minor addendum update to the published June 2023 Handbooks. In addition to minor corrections to text, changes to note are:

Domestic Handbook.

• Annex 2.B – text added to reinforce provisions in regulation 8 on external wall cladding systems and specified attachments.
• Section 5 – updated text replacing previous ‘Noise and Airtightness Testing’ document now included as Annex 5.A.
• Section 6 – guidance on U-values of roof windows updated in clauses 6.1.2 & 6.2.1 and Annex 6.A.
• Section 6 – updated text replacing previous introductory volume to the 2015 ‘Accredited Construction Details’ document now included as Annex 6.C. Referenced in clauses 6.2.3 & 6.3.9
• Section 6 – updated text replacing previous ‘Noise and Airtightness Testing’ document now included as Annex 6.D. Reference in clauses 3.A.2 and 6.2.5.
• Clause 7.2.4 – clarification on application of minimum distances around charge point locations.
• Clause 7.2.6 – clarification on works which constitute ‘enabling infrastructure’. 

Non-domestic Handbook.

• Clause 2.0.7 – expanded text on existing and traditional buildings to reference current fire safety review work.
• Annex 2.E – text added to reinforce provisions in regulation 8 on external wall cladding systems and specified attachments.
• Section 5 – updated text replacing previous ‘Noise and Airtightness Testing’ document now included as Annex 5.A.
• Section 6 – updated text replacing previous introductory volume to the 2015 ‘Accredited Construction Details’ document now included as Annex 6.E.
• Section 6 – updated text replacing previous ‘Noise and Airtightness Testing’ document now included as Annex 6.F.
• Clause 7.2.4 – clarification on application of minimum distances around charge point locations.
• Clause 7.2.6 – clarification on works which constitute ‘enabling infrastructure’. 

March 2023 - June 2023 Technical handbooks

The consultation in 2021 included a proposal to introduce requirements for electric vehicle charging into building regulations for new buildings and those subject to major renovation.

The Scottish Government response on this element of the review was published in August 2022 and regulations made in November 2022.

Those changes are now introduced as a new standard - 7.2 (Electric vehicle charging) within Section 7 (Sustainability).  In consideration of the deferment of the December 2022 energy standards and the later publication of this new version, the planned date of introduction of 3 April 2023 was amended to 5 June 2023.

December 2022 Handbooks are now updated as the February 2023 Handbooks.

This reflects the revised in force date of 1 February 2023. Both volumes are reformatted and a number of small corrections made to text.  Any changes other than small corrections or references are noted on page 2 of each volume.  These changes do not affect compliance of designs progressed under the December 2022 edition.

Events

At present, no events for the June 2023 changes are scheduled.

Resources

A summary presentation on the new standard 7.2 (Electric vehicle charging)  is available below:

• Electric Vehicle Charging Standard from June 2023 Presentation

The presentations summarising changes to Fire, Energy and Environmental standards are available below:

• Fire Safety Standards from June 2022 Presentation
• Energy Standards from February 2023 Presentation
• Ventilation and Overheating Standards from February 2023