For Part O, including BSR Gateway 2 submissions, housing developers must consider the potential for solar gains in communal corridors – even where no communal heat distribution pipework exists.
Solar gains can contribute to overheating risks, impacting occupant comfort and safety. However, in some cases, dynamic thermal modelling may not be necessary. Where corridors are fully enclosed with no glazing or external exposure, a clear statement confirming the absence of solar gain may suffice.
It’s important that design teams assess each communal area individually and provide appropriate justification. This ensures compliance with BSR expectations and avoids unnecessary modelling effort.