Changes to UK Building Regulations and Environmental Assessment Standards
Submitted by admin on February 16, 2006 - 05:02.
A number of Building Regulation changes are to be enforced in late 2005/early 2006 as a result of United Nations treaties, European Union directives, United Kingdom White Papers and Acts of Parliament. This will improve the regulatory system and enable a better correlation between design standards and as-built performance.
Energy Performance Certificates, EPC
The EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) has been instrumental in the review of building regulations, which become UK law in January 2006. Energy Performance Certificates must be prominently placed on all buildings open to the public and commercial buildings built, sold or let by 4 January 2006, and will enable prospective purchasers and tenants to be more aware of building’s energy performance.
Part L of the UK Building Regulation: (Conservation of fuel & power) – currently under review, to be re-issued in 2005.
The proposals for the amended Building Regulations require that buildings reduce the carbon emissions associated with the operation of all new buildings. This can be achieved using a mix of energy efficiency and renewable energy generation on site. This will affect new build standards including the refurbishment of existing structures, and is likely to require assessment using BREEAM & EcoHomes standards.
The Office of Deputy Prime Minister notes that there is a continuing need to consider how the design and construction of buildings needs to adapt due to the impacts of climate change.
BREEAM - (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).
Increasingly, planning authorities are looking to BREEAM & EcoHomes Standards (the homes version) as a way of assessing planning applications. BREEAM is used to assess new and existing buildings and the standards are continually revised, becoming even more demanding.
BREEAM independent assessment awards credits for the performance of buildings. Operational energy use has the heaviest weightings, due to the associated CO2 emissions. English Partnerships are one of many organisations within the building industry to adopt the sustainability standards for all new homes, retail, office and industrial buildings built on its land (approx 6,000 hectares) stating that the rating of ‘Very Good’ must be achieved under BREEAM standards.
Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for Energy Rating:
The SAP rating now takes account of energy generated onsite using renewable technologies like photovoltaics and microwind.
The SAP rating scale (1-100) has been set so that SAP 100 is achieved at zero-ECF (Energy Cost Factor). It can rise above 100 if the dwelling is a net exporter of energy.
Changes to building regulations are likely to refer to the Carbon Emission Rates, calculated by the SAP as a method of demonstrating compliance for new developments.
A high rating will yield obvious promotional advantages to building designers, owners and occupiers. In addition, increased building efficiency will result in reduced energy costs, which can be marketed as a unique selling point to potential tenants, and in return will generate higher rental incomes.
Energy Performance Certificates, EPC
The EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) has been instrumental in the review of building regulations, which become UK law in January 2006. Energy Performance Certificates must be prominently placed on all buildings open to the public and commercial buildings built, sold or let by 4 January 2006, and will enable prospective purchasers and tenants to be more aware of building’s energy performance.
Part L of the UK Building Regulation: (Conservation of fuel & power) – currently under review, to be re-issued in 2005.
The proposals for the amended Building Regulations require that buildings reduce the carbon emissions associated with the operation of all new buildings. This can be achieved using a mix of energy efficiency and renewable energy generation on site. This will affect new build standards including the refurbishment of existing structures, and is likely to require assessment using BREEAM & EcoHomes standards.
The Office of Deputy Prime Minister notes that there is a continuing need to consider how the design and construction of buildings needs to adapt due to the impacts of climate change.
BREEAM - (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).
Increasingly, planning authorities are looking to BREEAM & EcoHomes Standards (the homes version) as a way of assessing planning applications. BREEAM is used to assess new and existing buildings and the standards are continually revised, becoming even more demanding.
BREEAM independent assessment awards credits for the performance of buildings. Operational energy use has the heaviest weightings, due to the associated CO2 emissions. English Partnerships are one of many organisations within the building industry to adopt the sustainability standards for all new homes, retail, office and industrial buildings built on its land (approx 6,000 hectares) stating that the rating of ‘Very Good’ must be achieved under BREEAM standards.
Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for Energy Rating:
The SAP rating now takes account of energy generated onsite using renewable technologies like photovoltaics and microwind.
The SAP rating scale (1-100) has been set so that SAP 100 is achieved at zero-ECF (Energy Cost Factor). It can rise above 100 if the dwelling is a net exporter of energy.
Changes to building regulations are likely to refer to the Carbon Emission Rates, calculated by the SAP as a method of demonstrating compliance for new developments.
A high rating will yield obvious promotional advantages to building designers, owners and occupiers. In addition, increased building efficiency will result in reduced energy costs, which can be marketed as a unique selling point to potential tenants, and in return will generate higher rental incomes.
