Below is a list of thermal junctions that require photographs to comply with Part L, Appendix B of the UK Building Regulations (Approved Document L, Volume 1: Dwellings, 2021 edition, for use in England). These requirements ensure that photographic evidence demonstrates thermal continuity, insulation quality, and airtightness where applicable. Each junction is accompanied by an example of how the photograph should be taken to meet the regulatory standards, including sufficient quality, resolution, geolocation, and appropriate file naming to ensure compliance with Part L Photographic Evidence

1. Foundations/Substructure and Ground Floor for Part L Photographic Evidence

• Required Details: a. At ground floor perimeter edge insulation b. At external door threshold c. Below damp-proof course on external walls
• Example of How to Photograph:
  • Perimeter Edge Insulation: Take a clear, high-resolution photo showing the insulation material (e.g., rigid foam board) installed along the ground floor edge, capturing its continuity with the wall insulation. Use a wide shot to show the context and a close-up if details like joints or overlaps are unclear. Enable geolocation and timestamp, naming the file, e.g., "P1/1a" (Plot 1, detail 1a).
  • External Door Threshold: Photograph the threshold during installation, showing the insulation beneath and its alignment with the door frame and floor slab. Ensure the image is sharp enough to verify insulation thickness and continuity, named, e.g., "P2/1b".
  • Below Damp-Proof Course: Capture the insulation below the damp-proof course on an external wall before it’s covered, showing its connection to the floor insulation. Include a close-up if the material type or fit isn’t obvious, named, e.g., "P3/1c".

2. External Walls

• Required Details: a. Ground floor to wall junction b. Structural penetrating elements (e.g., lintels, columns)
• Example of How to Photograph:
  • Ground Floor to Wall Junction: Take a photo during construction showing the insulation continuity between the ground floor slab and the external wall (e.g., cavity wall insulation meeting floor edge insulation). Ensure the image is high-resolution to allow auditing of insulation fit, named, e.g., "P1/2a".
  • Structural Penetrating Elements: Photograph a lintel or column penetrating the wall, showing how insulation wraps around or mitigates thermal bridging. Include a close-up if the insulation detail is intricate, with geolocation enabled, named, e.g., "P2/2b".

3. Roof

• Required Details: a. Joist/rafter level b. Eaves and gable edges
• Example of How to Photograph:
  • Joist/Rafter Level: Capture the insulation between or over roof joists/rafters before ceiling installation, showing uniform coverage and no gaps. Use a wide shot for context and a close-up for clarity, named, e.g., "P1/3a".
  • Eaves and Gable Edges: Photograph the insulation at the eaves or gable edge, showing its continuity with wall insulation and any airtightness measures (e.g., membrane). Ensure high resolution and geolocation, named, e.g., "P2/3b".

4. Openings 

• Required Details: a. Window positioning in relation to cavity closer or insulation line b. External doorset positioning in relation to cavity closer or insulation line
• Example of How to Photograph:
  • Window Positioning: Take a photo of a window during installation, showing its alignment with the cavity closer or insulation line in the wall. Capture the surrounding insulation to demonstrate continuity, named, e.g., "P1/4a". One image per wall type is sufficient unless variations exist.
  • External Doorset Positioning: Photograph the doorset before final finishes, showing its position relative to the cavity closer or insulation, ensuring thermal continuity is visible. Use a close-up if needed, named, e.g., "P2/4b".

5. Airtightness

• Required Details:
  • Additional photographs for all details in 1–4 above to show airtightness details (only if not included or visible in continuity of insulation images)
• Example of How to Photograph:
  • Airtightness Detail: If airtightness (e.g., tape, sealant, or membrane) isn’t visible in the insulation photos for, say, the ground floor to wall junction, take a separate high-resolution photo showing the airtightness measure applied. Ensure geolocation and timestamp are enabled, named, e.g., "P1/5-2a" (linking to detail 2a).

6. Building Services

• Required Details: a. Plant/equipment identification label(s), including make/model and serial number b. Primary pipework continuity of insulation c. Mechanical ventilation ductwork continuity of insulation (for duct sections outside the thermal envelope)
• Example of How to Photograph:
  • Plant/Equipment Label: Photograph the label on a boiler or heat pump, ensuring the make, model, and serial number are legible in a high-resolution image. Name the file, e.g., "P1/6a".
  • Primary Pipework Insulation: Capture the insulated hot water or heating pipes, showing continuous insulation with no gaps, taken before concealment. Include a close-up if joints are present, named, e.g., "P2/6b".
  • Ventilation Ductwork Insulation: Photograph ductwork outside the thermal envelope (e.g., in a loft), showing insulation continuity along its length. Ensure clarity with geolocation enabled, named, e.g., "P3/6c".

General Requirements for Compliance of Part L Photographic Evidence

• Quality: Photographs must be digital, high-resolution, and clear enough for a qualitative audit by an independent assessor.
• Geolocation and Timestamp: Enable geolocation to confirm the location, date, and time of each image.
• File Naming: Include plot number and detail reference (e.g., "P1/3b" for Plot 1, roof eaves detail).
• Timing: Take photos at appropriate construction stages before details are concealed by follow-on trades.
• Additional Shots: Provide close-ups or multiple images if a single photo doesn’t fully capture the detail.

These examples ensure compliance with Part L, Appendix B, by providing verifiable evidence of thermal performance and installation quality, as required by the UK Building Regulations.

 

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for information on the forthcoming changes to building regulations in the UK check out this article The Future of SAP Calculations for UK Building Regulations