CDP are able to assist with many aspects of obtaining Planning Permission, Building Regulations Approval and associated requirements.  In particular, CDP can provide the following services:

 

• Planning statements, incorporating feasibility reports into the use of renewables/LZC technologies

 

• TAN 22 advice

 

• SBEM Level 4 Assessments

 

• SBEM Level 5 Assessments

 

• Operation Energy Performance Modelling in accordance with TM54

 

• Thermal dynamic simulations and overheating checks in accordance with CIBSE AM11, TM52 and TM59

 

• Daylight calculations

 

• Air tightness testing (ATTMA accredited)

 

 

 

SBEM

 

A Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) calculation, is a government defined process in accordance with Part L2 of the Building Regulations, introduced in 2007. It is the calculation of the energy performance of a particular commercial building in comparison to the energy performance of a ‘notional’ building, to determine whether the performance of that building complies with the requirements of Part L2 of the Building Regulations.

 

There are two Stages associated with the SBEM; firstly, the Design Stage Assessment and, secondly, the As-Built Stage Assessment. Both stages will normally be required by Building Control. The ‘As-Built’ Stage assessment generates the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

 

 

 

EPCs for Commercial Developments

 

There is a general requirement for a commercial EPC to be provided for all new and existing commercial developments. This legislation is also intended to encourage owners and tenants to choose energy efficient buildings when seeing new accommodation and to improve the energy performance of buildings and commercial developments that they occupy.

 

There are a few classifications of buildings for which an EPC is not required, eg

 

• places of worship

 

• some temporary buildings

 

• buildings with exceptionally low energy demand

 

• stand-alone buildings of less than 50m2

 

The EPC is generated from the SBEM, and has to be carried out by an accredited on-construction energy assessor.

 

CDP are qualified Commercial Energy Assessors and can therefore carry out SBEMs and EPCs for commercial buildings.

 

 

 

EPCs For Newly Constructed Dwellings

 

CDP are qualified Domestic Energy assessors and can carry out SAP calcultions and EPCs on all new doemstic properties. As Building Services Designers we are well placed to provide advice as to the most appropriate services systems to achieve the required energy rating.

 

From 2008, legislation has been in place enforcing the requirement for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to be provided for all new dwellings.

 

The intention of the EPC is to promote energy performance of buildings within the European Community.  This legislation is also intended to encourage owners and tenants to choose energy efficient buildings when seeking new accommodation and to improve the energy performance of buildings that they occupy.

 

The EPC is generated from the SAP and has to be carried out by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor.

 

 

 

Thermal Bridging - Psi-Value Calculations

 

Thermal bridging contributes greatly to the overall heat losses in buildings. Psi-values are used to calculate the heat loss at a heat losing junction, for example where a ground floor meets an exposed wall.

 

Calculating Psi values can contribute to a betterment in SAP and SBEM calculations. This is particularly important following changes in Building Regulations as Appendix K accredited construction details cannot be used for the new Standards and default Psi values are worse.

 

CDP have experienced energy assessors who can carry out 2D and 3D Psi value calculations using specialist software.

Summer Overheating Calculations

 

Included within Part L2 of the Building Regulations, there is a requirement that all newly constructed commercial property does not ‘overheat’, according to parameters detailed within Part L2.

 

CDP have the experience and capability to carry out ‘Summer overheating’ checks and, as building services consultants, the knowledge to offer appropriate advice. This also includes full checks against CIBSE TM52 and TM59 using IES or Bentley software.

 

 

 

Energy Audits

 

CDP are able to carry out energy studies and audits of commercial and residential buildings.

 

The definition of an Energy Audit is “an inspection, survey and analysis of energy flows for energy conservation in a building, process or system to reduce the amount of energy input into the system without negatively affecting the output”.

 

If appointed to carry out an Energy Audit, CDP would carry out a full survey of the respective building and its system, including the building fabric and pattern in energy use.  We would then provide a report and advice into improving energy efficiency, without detrimenting performance. This report would include advice into the use of renewable technologies, where appropriate.

 

 

 

Sustainability Statements

 

Increasingly the planning process requires that a formal statement is included on how a proposed development will contribute towards local sustainability. Many local authorities now set minimum standards for performance against BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes and may require that developer give due consideration to a wide range of measures to encourage local sustainability at an early stage of the proposed design.

 

CDP have the necessary experience to provide sustainability statements to accompany planning submissions for mixed use and other developments and will work with you to produce documentation which shows a clear and robust analysis of options. Our services include: -

 

• Analysis of targets set by planning and implications for development;

 

• Consideration of applicability of low and zero carbon technologies;

 

• Pre-assessment advice on BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes;

 

• Validation of targets set by planners and commercial or other justification for adopting a lower target.

 

Our guidance will enable you to understand at the earliest stages what the implications of the planning requirements are on your proposed designs and provide answers which will show a robust approach to planning officers. capability to carry out ‘Summer overheating’ checks and, as building services consultants, the knowledge to offer appropriate advice.

Dynamic Thermal Simulations

 

CDP have the necessary experience and knowledge, particularly with respect to building services elements and BREEAM certification to carry out full dynamic thermal simulations. We use CIBSE AM11 approved software and can therefore meet the required BREEAM criteria. Dynamic Thermal Simulation takes a holistic view of the building and simulates how it reacts dynamically with the external conditions. Using detailed real climatic data for the building’s location this detailed analysis allows calculation not only of what the peak loads on the building may be but also at what time of the day they will occur.

 

This provides design teams with the information required to assess the performance of natural ventilation and other passive design techniques make glazing/fabric/solar shading decisions prove compliance with Building Regulations and size and select HVAC systems correctly.

 

Details of the energy and environmental performance of the building such as annual energy consumption and running costs heating/cooling loads thermal comfort of occupants and carbon emissions can be reviewed and the design can then be modified in order to optimise the energy and environmental performance of the building. The simulation results can also be used to fine-tune the heating and cooling systems and avoid any over-design of plant.

 

Dynamic Thermal Simulation can determine which mode of ventilation is best suited to your building in terms of design location and end-use be it natural mixed-mode or mechanical ventilation. The simulation takes full account of building height and location fenestration openings stack effect and wind forces. Dynamic Thermal Simulation can test ventilation strategies such as natural ventilation the use of atria sizing of vents/openings night-time cooling and automatically opening vents.

 

Dynamic Thermal Simulation also provides design teams with the information required to size and select HVAC systems correctly. Dynamic Building Simulation takes into account the effect of any other aspects of the design included to control internal temperature such as the use of thermal mass and solar shading.

 

One of the key design challenges with natural ventilation strategies is predicting internal summertime temperatures. Dynamic Thermal Simulation can address this issue by calculating air flows and internal summertime temperatures.

 

We frequently carry out CIBSE TM52 and 59 assessments to ensure that buildings do not overheat and provide comprehensive reports detailing our findings.

 

 

 

Building Regulations Approved Document O: Overheating (England and Wales)

 

New Building Regulations were published in 2021. Approved Document O has been included as part of the Regulations to aid designers in mitigating the risk of overheating in new residential buildings/dwellings.

 

The aim of Requirement O1 of Approved Document O is to protect the health and welfare of occupants of a dwelling by reducing the occurrence of high indoor temperatures. Within the requirements, there are two methods of determining compliance:

 

• A simplified method for limiting solar gain and maximising natural ventilation potential through window sizing or design; or

 

• Dynamic thermal modelling method which predicts the internal conditions and energy demands of a building at short time intervals using weather data

and building characteristics.

 

CDP have the necessary competence, knowledge, and experience to carry out dynamic thermal modelling calculations and to provide advice and guidance to assist with achieving compliance with Approved Document O.