Omar Group is delighted to announce its adoption of the newly revised British Standard BS 3632:2023. This standard, originally established in 1963 and published by The British Standards Institution (BSI), sets the benchmark for quality in residential park homes and luxury lodges.
In 2015, the British Standard for park homes underwent a significant update to improve energy efficiency and other aspects of design, moving them closer to traditional housing standards. This change has contributed to a notable reduction in the environmental impact of residential park homes.
The new standard, BS 3632:2023 has continued to build on the principles of the previous standard. As we move to a more sustainable future, this revision incorporates: improvements to heat loss through the external structure; enhancements to ventilation, and vapour control measures have been included to mitigate the risk of condensation within the structure of the home. The new standard also includes enhanced safety features and improved guidance and clarity for both manufacturers and owners.
From February, all new Omar and Wessex park homes and lodges will be constructed to the new standard BS 3632:2023 at no extra cost to the customer. All Regal BS 3632 lodges will be constructed to the new standard by September 2024.
BS 3632:2023 Main Improvements:
Energy Efficiency
• Improved Thermal Insulation – the new standard includes improvements to the U-values of floors and walls, meaning a warmer home and lower energy bills.
• Thermostatic Radiator Valves Fitted as Standard – Thermostatic valves are the best way of getting the heating in your home to just the right temperature, meaning greater levels of comfort and energy savings too!
Improvements to ventilation
• Trickle ventilation – Every room now requires a permanently open vent to improve air quality and reduce condensation; wardrobe ventilation has also been increased.
• Roof ventilation – this section has been significantly re-written to enhance the instruction and includes roof designs which previously were not covered by the standard.
• Moisture control – Improved energy efficiency has increased the risk of condensation entering the external structure of the home; the new standard now includes performance criteria to address this.
Enhanced Safety
• Alarms – Smoke and heat alarms are now required to be installed to a specified grade and category.
• Means of Escape – All entrance doors are now required to meet means of escape requirements.
• Exterior Window and Door Safety – The new standard includes enhanced safety features including protection from falling from a window opening.
• Steps, Platforms and High-Level Bunk safety – Guidance has now been included for better protection where these features are included in a home.
• Internal doors – A minimum clear opening width has been added.
General improvements
• Sound insulation – Adjustments to the testing frequency range have been made.
• Alternative and renewable energy systems – These technologies are now incorporated within the standard, including the ability to provide energy for park homes via distributed energy systems that supply multiple homes.
• Owner’s Handbook – The Owner’s handbook has been improved, along with a section on condensation to help owners mitigate the risk.
• Identification – Homes will now have the serial number identification markings in at least three set places.
These changes have resulted in genuinely superior park homes and lodges with significant improvements in terms of energy efficiency, safety and overall standard.