Dokumentation af bygningsreglementets tekniske bestemmelser – Danish Technical Documentation Guidance for Final Building Completion
The official guidance document, Dokumentation af bygningsreglementets tekniske bestemmelser i forbindelse med færdigmelding af byggeriet, is issued by the Danish Authority of Social Services and Housing (Social- og Boligstyrelsen). As a municipal ordinance supplement under the Danish Building Regulations (BR18), this second edition, dated January 1, 2023, provides the framework for documenting compliance with technical provisions when a construction project reaches the final notification stage (færdigmelding). It serves as a regulatory bridge between functional requirements and the physical evidence required by building authorities.
The scope of this guidance encompasses technical chapters of the building code where specific individual guides are not already present. It excludes documentation for fire (Chapter 5) and structures (Chapter 15) for high-risk categories (BK2-4 and KK1-4), which are governed by Chapter 28 and Chapter 29. Regulated domains include access conditions (Chapter 2), waste systems (Chapter 3), drainage (Chapter 4), energy consumption and climate impact (Chapter 11), and indoor climate factors such as sound, light, and ventilation. A significant addition in this version is the requirement for documenting a building's climate impact through LCA calculations.
This document establishes that documentation must form a cohesive whole, ensuring traceability from technical drawings to descriptive text. It provides specific proposals for material formats, including calculations, test reports, and operation and maintenance (DKV) manuals.
General Requirements for Final Notification
In accordance with §40, stk. 2, nr. 3, the documentation must confirm that the finished building complies with all technical provisions. This includes overall descriptions, assumptions, calculations, drawings, and measurements. The intensity of documentation depends on the project's complexity; for instance, an unheated conservatory requires less documentation than a hospital.
- Consistency: There must be a general correlation and traceability between technical descriptions and drawings.
- Methods: Documentation can utilize descriptive text, drawings, photo documentation, or diagrams.
- New Construction: The guidance is primarily targeted at new builds, requiring adaptation for other project types.
Energy Consumption and Climate Impact (§250 - §298)
Documentation for Chapter 11 is divided into energy frame calculations, heat loss frames, and component requirements. It must prove that heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting are designed to avoid unnecessary energy waste.
- Climate Impact: Buildings must undergo a climate impact calculation as per §297. Certain buildings must adhere to a limit value defined in §298.
- Energy Frame: Documentation must include building type, U-values (including thermal bridges), and energy data for supply systems like heat pumps or solar cells.
- LCA Calculations: For buildings with a heated floor area exceeding 1,000 m², two calculations are required: a total calculation and a adjusted calculation to verify limit compliance.
Fire Safety for Brandklasse 1
For buildings categorized as Brandklasse 1 (Fire Class 1), documentation must explain the usage category and risk class. This specifically applies to detached and semi-detached single-family houses.
- DKV-plan: An operation, control, and maintenance plan must be developed upon completion.
- Technical Material: Includes site plans, fire plans, and section drawings showing building placement relative to boundaries and neighbors.
- Standard Solutions: Documentation should describe how fire safety is executed in accordance with pre-accepted solutions (præ-accepterede løsninger).
Technical Installations and Indoor Climate
Chapters 17 through 22 govern the documentation for sound, light, thermal climate, water, and ventilation. These installations must be documented to ensure they do not pose a risk to health or safety and operate efficiently.
- Acoustics: Documentation includes sound insulation between units, reverberation times, and technical installation noise reports.
- Lighting and View: Evidence must cover daylight levels, electrical lighting plans for workspaces, and views to the outside.
- Ventilation: Requires documentation of air quality, heat recovery efficiency, and functional testing (funktionsafprøvning).
Frequently Asked Questions
What documentation is required for the climate impact of a building?
According to §297 and §298, documentation must include an LCA calculation based on standard EN15978 to ensure the building stays within defined limit values.
Does this guidance apply to existing buildings?
While targeted at new construction, the principles for energy consumption apply to extensions (§271-273) and conversions (§274-279) of existing buildings.
What is a DKV-plan and when is it required?
A DKV-plan is an operation, control, and maintenance plan for fire safety that must be prepared and submitted upon the final completion notification.
How should accessibility be documented for new buildings?
Documentation must cover access paths to and within the building, including dimensions for stairs, handrails, and elevator car sizes as per Chapter 2 and Chapter 10.
What specific energy values must be documented?
Documentation must include minimum requirements for the climate envelope, U-values for windows (Eref), and SEL-values for ventilation systems.
Are functional tests required for technical installations?
Yes, functional testing (funktionsafprøvning) is required for elevators, lighting control, ventilation, and heating systems to ensure they meet performance standards.
