Photographic Evidence for As Built SAP Calculations – Oh, this is a big one, and boy is it causing some frustration and confusion out there!
What changed?
As from June 2022 when Part L changed, there has been a requirement for the developer to provide Photographs of certain elements of the build to confirm that what was designed has indeed been undertaken. It’s been intorduced to try and ensure that the quality of the build matches that of the design.
In other words, reducing what is known as the performance gap. Build quality, to which this helps to address, but also occupancy behaviour and limitations of energy models all contribute to the performance gap.
So, what’s the requirement?
Part L approved Document states:
1/ Photographs should be taken for each dwelling on a development as a record during the construction of a property. The photographs should be made available to the energy assessor and the building control body. Anyone may take the photographs.
2/ Photographs should be taken of typical details as listed below and should be unique to each property. One photograph per detail should be recorded and taken at the appropriate construction stage for each detail as its completed, but prior to closing up works.
Photographs to show the thermal continuity and quality of insulation:
- Ground floor/external wall and door thresholds
- Ground floor perimeter insulation
- Structural penetrating elements, lintels for example.
- Both clean and filled cavities
- Roof junctions with the wall at eaves and gables
- At openings and their junctions/positioning within the walls and roofs
- Air tightness details if not part of the above
And for all Building Services, heating, hot water, ventilation and renewables plant/equipment – identification labels, and photos of insulated pipework and ducting as applicable.
The above is just a summary; we provide two documents once the design calculation has been completed which provide full details of what’s required
3/ The Photographs themselves must be digital and of a quality that we can see what’s being shown. Therefore, sometimes more than one of the same junctions may be required.
Geolocation must be enabled to confirm the location, and likewise the date and time when the photograph was taken. And finally, the photograph must be labelled stating which plot it refers to and what the detail shows.
What an Assessor checks for:
For an assessor, since March of 2025, we cannot undertake an as built assessment without the required photographic record.
We now have specific guidance on what to look for, if it’s not there then the consequences can be significant.
For example, let’s look at lintels, as a structural penetrating element. The photograph should show the lintels in position, and to identify the lintels a photo of its label or sticker would be sufficient.
If, however, the lintel is different to what was in the design calculation, or the photograph missing, then we would have to change the psi value in the thermal bridging calculation within SAP to default, and by doing so it may make the calculation fail overall.
The point is, is that the photographic record confirms the design, if we can’t see that confirmation via the photographs provided then we have no choice but to revert to the worst-case scenario in our input, and that will put the pass at risk.
Format and reports for photographs.
I do get emails with a whole load of photos, unlabelled, missing the Geolocation, undated and I’m expected to use these as part of the as built checks. I’m afraid these get returned as unacceptable.
All photographs must be compiled into one document where all the requirements for labelling are met, then checking them off becomes a straightforward process. If they are not, then I will spend extra time sorting through them, and someone will be paying for my time to do so.
Apps to make life simpler
Fortunately, there are several Apps out there that make this whole process very easy for you. Download the App and then start taking photos using a smart phone. You can input the building address and plot reference. The app will geo locate and date them for you, some will have prompts for the type of junction etc that is required to save labelling it, and will compile all the photographs into a neat file that you can give to an assessor and building control upon the building’s completion.
Below are a few:
https://www.mysitewitness.com/
https://sitemate.com/uk/photos/photographic-evidence-app/
In summary:
Providing a Photographic record is mandatory for new build dwellings
Download an App to make life easier!
Compile the required photographs as soon as construction starts and throughout the contruction and fit out period
Submit your completed file with the other documentation required at as built stage.
If in doubt, ask for advice, we’re the experts!