Calculations for Extensions and New Build Projects
SBEM Calculations & BRUKL Reports
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New Build 'Design Stage' SBEM calculations.
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New Build 'As Built' SBEM calculations
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SBEM Calculations for extensions
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Calculations for renovations on existing buildings.
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New Build EPC's
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Problem solving a non-compliant building and helping the project achieve a pass.
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HMO SBEM calculation
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BRUKL Reports
If your project falls into one of the above categories then we can help you find compliance. Please fill in the online form with some brief details of the project or simply give me a call on 07800 654321 and we can discuss the best options for your project.
A note about the Building Regulations change
On June 15th 2022 the Building Regulations changed, making it harder for commercial buildings to achieve Part L Compliance. This is primarily due to the move away from oil and gas as a rewarded energy source and instead a shift towards electricity as a rewarded choice (Over the last decade the use of renewable technology has increased in electricity production). You can read about some of these changes here.
How can your new project achieve Part L Compliance? I will work with you or your project team on cost effective solutions that will help the project achieve compliance. Please feel free to get in touch to discuss, or send me some project information via my online form and I'll happily advise. Please remember that projects in the 2010 building regs have until June 2023 to complete.
What is the difference between SBEM Calculations and SAP Calculations?
Volume 2 of Approved Document L of the Building Regulations (ADL2) applies to buildings other than Dwellings (Essentially Commercial Buildings). This document focuses on Non-Domestic (commercial) buildings. Obviously, the building standards and energy demands for where we work we would expect to differ somewhat from the home and therefore these 2 Part L Approved Documents reflect these expected differences.
The Building Regulations still requires that, like SAP Calculations, most new buildings with a floor area of over 50m2 (and certain non residential extensions or conversions) will require SBEM calculations leading to a BRUKL Report and later an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) for Building Control approval. The methodology to produce these reports and calculations in SBEM is very different from the methodology used in SAP 10 (Standard Assessment Procedure).
What is an SBEM Calculation?
SBEM is an acronym for 'Simplified Building Energy Model'. This is an approved calculation method produced by the BRE (Building Research Establishment). The SBEM calculations are produced using a software programme which enables the qualified user to produce detailed building calculations leading to a BRUKL report or a non-domestic EPC (Energy Performance Certificates) on either existing or new non-Domestic buildings. Incidentally, the basic software is provided by the government and is free to download for all, so, if you fancy a further look why not give it a go!
What is a BRUKL Report?
'BRUKL' in Brukl Report is an acronym for 'Building Regulations United Kingdom Part L'. These reports, like Residential New Build SAP Calculations, are required by Building Control to prove the designed or newly built property complies with Part L or the Building Regulations. The calculations are required at three stages:
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As Designed SBEM Calculations or BRUKL Report
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As Built SBEM Calculations or BRUKL Report
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The EPC (Energy Performance Certificate), taken from the As Built Calculations.
How are BRUKL Reports and SBEM Calculations made?
The proposed new building, extension or conversion is firstly measured and geometrically split into separate 'Zones' or areas which have been separated by the assessor depending on the use of that area. The fabric of that zone is then added and the Space Heating, Water heating, HVAC, lighting and renewables also added. At the end of a complex project, an SBEM calculation may well have up to 100 zones!
The report will also have recommendations for improvements with approximate payback periods, some generated based on the information and some the assessor may add after carefully studying the proposal.
As Designed SBEM Calculations & BRUKL Report
These calculations are taken from the plans and planned specification for the new building, extension or conversion. Although quite a few details usually haven’t been decided at this stage, relatively accurate calculations can still be formulated to ensure the building (or conversion/extension to an existing commercial building) passes the standards. Ideally, I like to give the calculations a little ‘wiggle room’ at this stage, just in case there is an unexpected change of specification when the building is built. Once compliant I will send you a BRUKL report which building control will accept and works may commence.
What will be needed for you to produce a BRUKL Report?
For a new building from plan I will require:
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Planned use of building
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The plans of the proposed building showing a north point (scaled or labelled)
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The elevation drawings
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HVAC systems planned (If known at this stage, I can work around those)
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Any planned renewable technologies
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Lighting systems
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Specification of building fabric and openings
As Built SBEM Calculations & BRUKL Report
These calculations reflect the actual new building, fixtures and fittings. Provided the changes have been few, this is quite straight forward and naturally follows on from the ‘As Designed’ Calculations. There are usually a few tweaks and actual data from the building is now imputed (For Example the heating systems Make and Model etc.). One word of caution though: Any major changes or product substitutions could affect the ‘As Built’ calculations and cause them to fail. Its crucial to keep me informed as and when these happen.
Checking early could save you £££ and a major potential headache later.
If the calculations don’t pass in the first instance, I do have a few low cost methods to help the property be compliant but in reality there isn't much I can do if there has been major thermal downgrades. Neither you nor me would want to be in that situation! The key is good communication and I love being involved in your project as it progresses.
When we have the calculations ready, I will send you these to sign off as valid and we then produce the BRUKL Compliance Report (and possibly the EPC if requested) to present to Building Control for building sign off.
The EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)
This is based on the ‘As Built’ Calculations and will be valid for 10 years or until there has been some major thermal changes to the property (eg. Heating system upgrade). Unlike the EPC for existing buildings, at present there is no requirement for me to visit the property, I can use the information provided from the ‘As Built’ Stage to produce the certificate. It is possible to produce an EPC if I haven’t been involved in the previous stages however please contact me if this is the case, it can be a little more complex but not impossible.
How long will a BRUKL Report or SBEM Calculation take?
I usually say around a week. This allows a little bit of time should any useful information be missing from your submitted documents or there a few hidden complexities.