Part L photos for new homes
Since June 2022, Approved Document L in England asks for photographic evidence of how the energy-saving details on each new home were built. The photos go to the energy assessor for the BREL report and are available to building control.
What it is for
The aim is to close the gap between the design and what is built. Photos taken as the work goes in show that insulation, airtightness and the junctions were built as designed, before they are covered up.
What to photograph
Take clear photos of each plot, at the stage each detail is visible, typically:
- ground floor insulation and its edge details
- wall insulation, including at corners, around openings and at the junctions with floors and roofs
- roof and loft insulation, including at the eaves
- windows and doors fitted, with their seals and cavity closers
- airtightness details and service penetrations
- heating and hot water: insulated pipework, cylinder and ventilation as installed
Check the list your energy assessor and building control body expect: the details vary with the design.
Make the photos useful
Each photo should show the plot and the detail clearly, with something for scale where it helps, and be dated. Keep them in order, plot by plot, so nothing is missed when the work is covered up.
Getting them to the assessor
The energy assessor uses the photos to produce the BREL report at completion. Agree early how they want them, and send them plot by plot rather than all at the end.