BRUKL Calculations for Part L2A (SBEM calculations and ‘As Designed’ EPCs)
The government’s Approved Document ‘Conservation of fuel and power’ and are listed as four documents. The areas covered under these four documents are detailed and a good understanding of them can be time consuming, so here are some basic facts and descriptions:
AD L1A
This covers new residential dwellings and compliance is calculated through SAP calculations, the aim of the SAP calculation will be to determine whether the proposed building is within a maximum permitted carbon foot print. Once the calculation has determined that the building design complies, construction can take place. Upon completion of the building the assessor is notified and an EPC can be provided.
AD L1B
This covers services within an existing building that requires conformity to Building Control (refurbishments, extensions etc) and conformity is achieved by the manufactures certificate of approval by the EPBD.
AD L2A
This covers new commercial buildings and compliance is calculated through SBEM or DSM software. The aim of the calculations will be to determine whether the proposed building is within a maximum permitted carbon footprint. Once the calculation has determined that the building design complies, construction can take place. Upon completion of the building the assessor is notified, and an EPC can be provided. Note that the commercial compliance can be a little more complicated than the residential. Very often only a ‘Shell and Core’ are designed leaving the first tenant to complete the process. In this instance an ‘assumed’ fit-out is calculated by the shell and core assessor. This assumption will allow the shell and core to pass AD L2A. The first fit-out occupiers should receive a ‘Data Reflection Report’ that will then be passed on to the design team. Note that the design team can vary the ‘assumed fit-out’ in accordance with the occupiers requirements. The first fit-out tenant’s energy assessor should be able to examine the fit-out proposal and the Data Reflection Report and advise on the final AD L2A compliance.
AD L2B
This covers services within an existing building that requires conformity to Building Control (refurbishments, extensions new fit-outs etc) and conformity is achieved by the manufactures certificate of approval by the EPBD.
Note, from experience the first fit-out tenants seldom receive a Data Reflection Report which can lead to friction between landlords and first fit-out tenants. Having been privy to these issues the Building Energy Practice issues a simplified version as well as the Data Reflection Report for shell and core calculations, an example of which can be provided.