HELPING TO SAVE THE PLANET

One of the many problems facing the UK is the fact that UK governments have ignored the problem of aging power stations for years. Likewise, excluding the last few decades, the government also ignored lack of insulation, inefficient boilers and poor lighting designs in UK buildings. Despite shortages of carbon-based fuels caused by homegrown strikes, overseas wars, OPEC decisions and Russian created shortages, British Governments have generally played ostrich and stuck their heads in the sand. This is why the present government is now frantically allowing the mass building of wind farms. The government (excluding Scotland) has also reluctantly accepted that some new nuclear power stations will have to be built. The net result of the "ostrich policy" is that the country as a whole has a massive carbon footprint. Wasted energy costs money. If the green lobby are right, the excessive CO2 emissions are also causing environmental problems. European Involvement To reduce waste and excessive carbon emissions, the European Union has directed its member states to combat the problem. To comply with European requirements new regulations have been introduced into the UK, namely :- 1) As from 7th April 2007 all new commercial buildings have to be assessed at design stage to ensure that they do not emit too much CO2. (See below for details.) 2) As from 1st January 2009 a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will be required for most non-domestic buildings when they are offered for sale or rent. (See below for details) New Commercial Buildings - BRUKL (Building Regulations UK Part L) Compliance Report (Design Stage.) When a new commercial building is designed, a BRUKL report should be submitted to the Building Control Body or Approved Inspector as part of the Building Control Application. If a BRUKL analysis is not submitted and the build starts, there is a danger that the developer could suddenly discover that the new structure does not comply with building regulations and that the completed building will not receive a completion certificate. To achieve a PASS, the fabric and building services should be no worse than the design limits set in the 2002 Regulations. In addition to this, the building must show a 15% or 20% CO2 emissions improvement, depending on the type of building involved. Furthermore, an additional 10% CO2 reduction must be gained through LZC, low and zero carbon energy sources. Naturally enough, it is expected that the design limits and improvement factors above will be tightened up via the ADL2A amendments in 2010, 2013, 2016 & 2019. New Commercial Buildings at "as Built Stage" In order to ensure that the original assumptions taken during the design stage have been implemented, the new building is re-inspected and variations noted, air pressure test results are carried out and checked against the original assumptions made during the design stage and then the SBEM model is re-run. If the building complies, a pass certificate will be provided to hand to the building inspector. In the event of the building failing, modifications will have to be made to the building to ensure that that building's CO2 emissions do not exceed the target set by the Building Regulations. Existing Commercial Buildings In the UK, as of the 1st January 2009 a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will be required for most non-domestic buildings when they are offered for sale or rent. The EPC must be made available to potential buyers or tenants. The reason for providing a certificate to the let the new owner / tenant know just how energy efficient the building that they are interested in really is. There is also a report provided indicating how the building's efficiency can be improved by implementing the recommendations. Failure to comply with this regulation can lead to maximum fine of £5000. How is the Commercial EPC produced? An energy assessor will make a detailed assessment / inspection of your building. During this assessment / inspection, information will be collected which includes dimensions, notes on the construction and fabric of the building and any mechanical and electrical services operating within it. These services are basically the lighting, heating, hot water provision, ventilation and air conditioning of a building. In addition, the energy assessor also notes control equipment monitoring the various services. Generally speaking, the more control on the services (e.g. optimum stop start.), the more efficient the building. Once the basic data has been collected, it is then and prepared for input into SBEM software. (Simplified Building Energy Model) The software then calculates the building's overall energy efficiency rating and generates a Commercial EPC along with an advisory report recommending ways on improving the rating obtained. Where requested by the client, these recommendations can be reviewed and further interpreted by the assessor who can also provide you with an additional report explaining, in greater detail the recommendations in the advisory report. Andrew Williams FRICS FCIOB Dip HI / CEA (Level 4) Tel Free-phone : 0800 298 9244 or info@andrewrwilliams.co.uk "Our business grows by referral; do you know someone who would benefit from our help?" For more company information visit our websites:- http://www.commercialepcinwarrington.co.uk/ http://www.andrewrwilliams.co.uk http://www.epcmerseyside.co.uk/ http://plans2extend.co.uk http://saverpig.com