The new Basic Document on Energy Saving of the CTE 2019.
The Royal Decree came into force on 21 December, one day after its publication in the Official State Gazette, and the modifications that are contemplated will be of obligatory application to new construction works and to interventions in existing buildings for which, in both cases, a municipal building permit is requested after a period of six months from its entry into force has elapsed.
The new Basic Document on Energy Saving is in line with recent national and European legislative initiatives on energy saving in different sectors and the promotion of renewable energies. Thus, new buildings constructed after the entry into force of the new regulation will have a high energy efficiency, which together with the increased contribution of renewable energy, will lead to a reduction in energy consumption of approximately 40% on average.
With the new DB-HE, which defines Nearly Zero Energy Consumption Buildings, the quality of the thermal envelopes of buildings will be improved and the use of the most efficient and sustainable technologies for their conditioning will be promoted, achieving greater comfort with the minimum energy expenditure.
The Document revises and updates the regulatory requirements for the energy performance of buildings in compliance with the provisions of Directive 2010/31/EU, which establishes the obligation to carry out this review periodically. The revision of energy saving requirements and the incorporation of energy from renewable sources in the building sector is also essential for the progressive progress towards a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050, an objective to which Spain has committed itself through international agreements at the latest Climate Summits.
Radon gas and fire protection
The new section of the 'Documento Básico de Salubridad', section HS6 'Protection against exposure to radon' is a partial transposition of Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM of 5 December 2013 laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation. This new section of the Code establishes the national reference level for indoor radon concentrations and sets out regulatory measures to limit radon penetration into buildings depending on the municipality in which the building is located. This limits the exposure of people to radon gas, thereby reducing the risks associated with it, as prolonged exposure to high radon concentrations is a risk factor for lung cancer.
The approved Royal Decree also includes changes in the 'Basic Fire Safety Document', where a modification has been made in the section on 'External propagation' to adapt the regulatory requirements to the transformation that is being experienced in the composition of the external enclosures of buildings in recent times, both due to technological innovation in the sector and to the growing demands of the regulations in terms of energy efficiency.
As a consequence of the regulatory approval, the Supporting Documents DA DB-SUA/3 'Slipperiness of floors', DA DB-HR/1 'Guide to the use of sound insulation quantities in relation to requirements' have also been modified and the new Supporting Document DA DB-HR/2 'Calculation procedure for indirect transmissions' has been published.
https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2019/12/27/pdfs/BOE-A-2019-18528.pdf
