Gwynne Anthony 2020

ART506 Dissertation 2019. Anthony Gwynne . 84 requirements of the Building Regulations for solid wall insulation is unrealistic and problematic as it traps water and increases the risk of condensation and mould growth (This was also the conclusion of SPAB – see paragraph 3.1.5). Instead of a U-value of 0.3 for upgrading existing walls they increased the U-value to 0.6 and has had less problems of trapped water, condensation and mould growth. In his opinion, design flexibility would allow higher insulation levels in the roof and floor to offset the higher wall U-values. ‘No completion certificate issued on this project as some of the requirements of building control officer too difficult to achieve without harmful damage to historic fabric’. ‘The Building Regulations are guidelines, and this should be remembered’. 6.5 Conclusion of questionnaire analysis The questionnaire survey summarised in Figure 44 has achieved its overall aim to gain a better understanding of how property professionals (architectural designers, builders and property owners etc) view the Building Regulations and Approved Documents as providing enough guidance for new works applied to traditional, historic and listed buildings. All those surveyed had carried out at least one project to a traditional, historic or listed building within the past two years. Less than one third was conservation accredited but most were aware of what vapour permeable materials were and the harm that using non-vapour materials did when applied vapour permeable construction. Although most property professionals produced a vapour permeable specification for the works, less than half of the consents issued formally through the planning/listed building/building control processes required the use of vapour permeable materials. Almost all those surveyed expressed concerns that the Approved Documents to the Building Regulations did not provide enough guidance for new works to traditional/historic/listed buildings- they favour modern building solutions. In one instance, it was claimed that property professionals and building control surveyors favoured the application of modern materials to that of breathable materials as it can be used is a defence against litigation if problems occur.