Building rules may impact on dentists

As part of the government’s drive to go zero carbon for new builds by 2019, changes are to be made to current building regulations.

These alterations are being brought in to make all non-domestic buildings more energy efficient.

The changes are being made to part L2B of the Building Regulations, which currently state, 'the construction of an extension triggers the requirement for consequential improvements in buildings with a total useful floor area greater than 1000m²'.

The consequential improvements referred to are energy efficient measures that would need to be put in place should work on an extension go ahead. This can be anything from changing the light bulbs to installing double glazed windows.

This hasn’t really had much of an impact on the dental industry previously, as there aren’t many practices that are bigger than 1000m².

However, the revisions to part L2B will make all building other than dwellings responsible for making consequential improvements should they expand.

In some cases this will add up to an extra 10% in additional building costs to the total price of the extension.

Older buildings are more likely to be affected by this legislation as putting these consequential improvements into effect could be expensive.

Of course, for dentists who operate from an older building and are not looking to expand there is no cause for alarm. But any dentist looking to buy should be wary of an older building and the potential extra costs of investing in one carries.

For dentists seeking to acquire a new practice or expand, making the next move will need careful consideration.

Specialist dental project management consultancies like Roger Gullidge Design are available to give advice.

With extensive knowledge of building regulations and experience of how these changes will affect the dental industry, their assistance could be of great help. By seeking the right professional help, ways can be found of alleviating the potential costs of complying to consequential improvements.

At first the cost of complying with the revised regulations may seem a little intimidating, but the advantages of imposing them are clear to see. These changes will force all businesses to take a massive step forward ecologically. Contemporary dentistry will be laying the foundations for a more energy efficient industry, moving on from the improvident buildings of yesteryear. Implementing advanced technological design and energy efficiency, the modern dental practice will facilitate a greener future.

Reference

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADL2B_2010.pdf

 

 Roger Gullidge Design is a specialist design and project management consultancy specialising in the dental sector. Call 01278 784442 for more details or visit
 www.rogergullidgedesign.com

 Roger Gullidge has more than 20 years experience in providing interior design and architecture services to the dental practice sector and beyond. After training, Roger completed various
 projects in the USA before returning to the UK to work with several design consultancies before setting up Roger Gullidge Design. Roger is a keen advocate of using well-designed spaces
 to create a positive environment for living and working

 

Favorite
Get the most out of your membership by subscribing to Dentistry CPD
  • Access 600+ hours of verified CPD courses
  • Includes all GDC recommended topics
  • Powerful CPD tracking tools included
Register for webinar
Share
Add to calendar