Calculations for Extensions and New Build Projects
Changes to SBEM Calculations & BRUKL Reports from June 15th 2022
Since June 15th there have been some major changes to SAP Calculations and SBEM Calculations as the new 'Interim' Part L of the Building Regulations. came into action. You can read about changes that have affected SAP Calculations on my website blog.
In this page I will explain the main changes to SBEM Calculations and BRUKL Reports for non-domestic Buildings.
Key date: 19th Jan 2021- Future Building Standards launched by DLUHC (Dept for levelling up housing -& Communities).
Goal: A brave goal set to phase out fossil fuels in non-domestic buildings and move to low carbon heat sources/ renewable technologies.
Date it will really take affect: 2025
Following on from that meeting, the government set the wheels in motion to update the building regulations by rewarding the use of low carbon heat sources and encouraging the phasing out of fossil fuel technologies.
A year or so later the SBEM software has now been adjusted to allow for these newly introduced changes. These affect plans submitted post 15th June. For those submitted previously, the superseded Part L of the Building Regulations still applies for SAP Calculations and SBEM Calculations. There is a caveat though, these projects will need to be started within a year, or the new interim regulations will apply so check carefully with your local authority what their requirements are for your project.
Basically, the takeaway point is non domestic buildings will now need to meet targets that will be harder to comply than previously, specifically in three areas:
1/ CO2 Emissions Compliance
2/ Primary Energy Compliance
3/ Need to meet the minimum standards for building fabric and Building services
So what has changed? Here are 9 changes to help you see the main differences from the previous Part L requirements:
1/ Primary Energy Targets- This now includes the energy used to produce a fuel, for example the energy needed to extract oil from the ground. This will now be displayed as BPER and TPER (Building and target Primary Emission rates)
2/ Updated Carbon factors- Electricity has moved from being viewed as a discouraged energy source to an encouraged one. This is due to the phase out of fossil fuels in electricity production and an the use of more renewable technology.
3. New 'Foundation Area' measurements- Now includes conditioned (HVAC) areas in overall calculations to calc. the amount of PV used in the notional building (what the actual building is compared with). This will benefit buildings where entirely heated with a heat pump as the notional building wont add PV.
4/ Planning Classifications- removed and replaced with building types for more accurate modelling
5/ Shower Flow Rates now to be entered and will have an impact on water calculations.
6/ Rooflights- More U-Value details included, now an option to add u values of roof windows in horizontal plane.
7/ District heating network- now included as an option
8/ New more common HVAC introduced- Chilled ceilings, passive chilled beams, VRF Split Systems
9/ General construction database- More details and options following assessors feedback.
Overall, these changes will prove quite a challenge to begin with for all of us, clients, designers, architects and assessors alike. It will be more difficult than previously to achieve compliance if we plan using the same strategies and materials used throughout the last decade. That’s where I come in. I want to work with you on your next project and help it through this important stage. Why not call me to chat about your next project or I’m happy to help if you just want to bounce any questions you may have about a current project too.
www.sap2sbem.co.uk The professionals choice. l
