Building Control Internal Wall Insulation

foofi22

Hi
I going to insulate some of my solid walls (internally).

Do I need to notify building control?

If I do need to, are there any consequences of not doing so?

Thanks

nickperry68

Have a look here:
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/76/energy_saving/5

FreeBear

foofi22 wrote: »

I going to insulate some of my solid walls (internally).

If you haven't already done so, have a chat with the guys over at Mike Wye - Depending on the age of your home, you might find some of the modern products to be unsuitable. I've used them in the past, and they are a mine of information.

foofi22

FreeBear wrote: »

If you haven't already done so, have a chat with the guys over at Mike Wye - Depending on the age of your home, you might find some of the modern products to be unsuitable. I've used them in the past, and they are a mine of information.

Thanks. I'm going for a wood fibre based system, so I'm quite familiar with Mike Wye. Good to hear other people recommending them.

The insulation won't meet the regulations (due to doors being in the way) - but then would they prefer I did nothing?!

foofi22

nickperry68 wrote: »

Have a look here:
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/76/energy_saving/5

Looks like it does according to this:

Making significant changes to thermal elements (walls ,roofs or floors) would normally require Building Regulations approval and require the thermal insulation of the element to be upgraded to a reasonable standard.

phil24_7

I really wouldn't bother informing building control unless you plan on ratting yourself out once it is done!

Do the best you can with the structure and materials at your disposal. If money is too big a factor then do it over a longer period of time.

casper_g

foofi22 wrote: »

The insulation won't meet the regulations (due to doors being in the way) - but then would they prefer I did nothing?!

From the Planning Portal page, it looks like there is some recognition that work to existing buildings may not meet regs:

Planning_Portal wrote:

Where a solid wall upgraded by the installation of insulation then it must meet the minimum energy efficiency values set out in the Approved Documents.
However, if such an upgrade is not technically or functionally feasible, the element should be upgraded to the best standard which can be achieved within a simple payback of no greater than 15 years.

As others have said, though, there's something to be said for leaving Building Control out of it, especially if you plan to stay in the property for some time.

foofi22

phil24_7 wrote: »

I really wouldn't bother informing building control unless you plan on ratting yourself out once it is done!

Do the best you can with the structure and materials at your disposal. If money is too big a factor then do it over a longer period of time.

If I didn't inform them but for whatever reason in the future they found out - what could they do? Presumably not make me take it out? (house isn't listed etc)

phil24_7

Nothing. It isn't a structural element. They couldn't force you to upgrade it as any future work (rip off and replace) wouldn't meet the 15 year criteria.

I had my cellar dug our by a very good builder that was a family friend. Building control weren't contacted (It was the first works done on my house and I was naive to the process). When they were involved in my extension they saw it and they didn't care. I explained what was done and when and he said "that's one way of doing it, it seems fine!".

stator

The main problem is if you sell the house and have to declare that work was done and building control wasn't informed. The buyer's may pull out.

FreeBear

foofi22 wrote: »

I'm going for a wood fibre based system,

I'd be very interested in how you get on with that and also how much of a difference it makes.

I'd been looking at Thermalime from Anglia Lime as one alternative to EcoCork from Secil. Although I may end up using Kingspan boards with an air gap behind them (mainly due to ease of use).