Non Domestic SBEM Ratings

SBEM Ratings for Non-Domestic Buildings to achieve Building Regulations Part L2 compliance

The 2006 revision of the Part L2A Building Regulations stipulated an improvement factor of between 23.5 and 28% over 2002 standards for the energy performance of new buildings, depending on their ventilation strategy. These figures included a potential 10% contribution from Low or Zero Carbon (LZC) technologies to help meet these targets.

Information about location, built form and building service etc are required at design stage to assess the potential performance of the building. Careful co-ordination is required between the whole project team to ensure that the proposed design will meet the Target Emissions Rate (TER). Informed decision making at the beginning of the program may result in reduced costs e.g. specifying practical levels of insulation and carefully assessing the benefits of more efficient building services.

Calculations carried out for Building Regulations compliance also form the basis of the calculations for an SBEM Energy Performance Certificate. This can only be produced by an accredited consultant on CLG approved software. Unlike the Building Regulations stipulations there is no minimum performance requirement specified by the SBEM EPC. The certificate will merely highlight the potential performance of the dwelling as designed and how this compares with others within the national stock. It is also important to note that whilst the notional building for Building Regulations compliance utilises the same ventilation strategy as the actual building, the notional building used for EPC calculations will always be naturally ventilated. It will therefore be more onerous to achieve a high rating, i.e. a band, when designing an air conditioned building than a naturally ventilated alternative.

E & J Energy Services Ltd will provide a comprehensive report covering all aspects required in Part L2 of the Building Regulations 2006, and if required, a full set of recommendations to achieve a pass.