ECA calls for Members responses to two new DPCs

ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association) is urging Members to have their say on two important documents which are available as Draft for Public Consultations (DPCs). A DPC is an opportunity for Members to review and comment on any of the content. All comments are reviewed as part of the process and there is therefore a genuine opportunity to provide input and potentially eaffect change.  

Members are strongly encouraged to review the documents relevant to their work and submit comments where appropriate.

The two documents at DPC stage are as follows:

PAS 3652:2026 Household heat batteries – Performance characteristics – Method for measurement 

This Publicly Available Specification (PAS) describes a method for measuring the performance characteristics of household heat batteries for central heating and/or hot water. 

This PAS covers household heat batteries that: 

1. are for daily charge/discharge operation, supplying central heating via a central-heating system and/or domestic hot water (DHW); 
2. are electrically heated, having a rated electrical input up to and including 18 kW and for use on single-phase or three-phase supplies; and 
3. store thermal energy as sensible heat or latent heat. 

It does not cover measurements of the safety performance of electrical appliances conforming to BS EN IEC 60335-1, those of the acoustical performance of fan heaters conforming to BS EN IEC 60704-2-2. Or indirectly heated household heat batteries. 

Status: Public comments open until 19 April 2026. 

HSE Building Regulations – Approved Document B   

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR), Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have issued a consultation on proposed amendments to Approved Document B: Fire Safety. 

Proposals to amend Approved Document B to:   

1. undertake small but important clarifications and technical changes to the guidance within Approved Document B  
2. consolidate guidance for designing building work on existing buildings  
3. introduce a threshold whereby the guidance within Approved Document B should not be applied when combustible elements of structure are used  
4. revise and update guidance on external wall systems and balconies and review the scope of the ban on combustible materials in and on external walls  
5. recommend the provision of evacuation lifts in residential buildings above 18m and clarify the guidance for non-residential buildings  
6. update terminology on 'sheltered housing', introducing the new term 'specialised housing' in its place and include provisions for alarm coverage in these building types to be a minimum of Category LD1.   
7. introduce updated guidance on roofs, including new provisions for the incorporation of photovoltaic (PV) panels   
8. increase in the fire resistance rating of open-sided car parks 

Status: Public comments open until 17 June 2026. 

ECA will continue to monitor both consultations and update Members on outcomes. Should Members wish to get any advice on their responses, they can contact the ECA Technical Helpline. 

Visit ECA’s Draft for Public Comments page for more information.