What is BS 3632?
First published in 1963, BS 3632 is the British Standard to which residential park homes (and some lodges) are built. This standard is published by The British Standards Institution (BSI), a UK body responsible for producing standards for businesses and products. The purpose of the BSI is to ensure best practice and excellence.
All Omar and Wessex park homes and luxury lodges, and some Regal lodges are built to BS 3632.
In 2015 the British Standard for park homes was updated to be more in-line with conventional forms of housing and to ensure that park homes were suitable for permanent residential use. A main focus for BS 3632:2015 was to improve energy efficiency; this has helped to reduce the environmental footprint of residential park homes over recent years.
The latest 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 2024, all new Omar and Wessex park homes and lodges will be constructed to the revised 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.
How do I know if my park home is built to BS 3632?
All park home manufacturers who are members of the NCC (National Caravan Council) participate in their Self Certification Scheme to ensure conformity with BS 3632. Every home is manufactured to a rigorous program of test and inspection and NCC manufacturer members undergo stringent audits and inspections which are carried out by the NCC. Each home is then issued with a Manufacturers Declaration of Compliance certificate and NCC badge when despatched to the park.
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 defined 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 now been included.
General improvements
- Identification – Homes will now have the serial number identification markings in at least three set places.
- Sound insulation – Improvements to testing have been put in place ensure sound insulation is to the stated standard’s normal range.
- 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, including a note on condensation to help owners mitigate the risk.
These changes have resulted in genuinely superior park homes and lodges with significant improvements in terms of energy efficiency, safety and overall standard.
What’s the difference between BS 3632 and EN 1647 Lodges?
Lodges can be built to BS 3632 or EN 1647. EN 1647 is the European standard for caravan holiday homes, which are suitable for temporary, or seasonal holiday use only, whereas BS 3632 lodges are built to the residential standard for park homes and are suitable for permanent residence (depending on the site licence) and all year round use.
Energy Rating Certificate
Although not a requirement of the British Standard for residential park homes, NCC manufacturer members are required to issue all homes with an Energy Efficiency Calculation, so you can compare just how energy efficient your home is!
What are U-Values?
U-values measure how effective a material is as an insulator; the lower the U-value, the better the material is as a heat insulator.