OCDEA Technical Bulletin

For On Construction Domestic Energy Assessors

Issue 34 | July 2012 All content National Energy Services, Ltd

Welcome to the latest issue of the OCDEA Technical Bulletin The bulletin is intended to bring assessors up to date with conventions for collecting energy data and the latest news regarding the NHER Plan Assessor software and the NHER Accreditation Scheme. I N T H I S IS S U E New SAP conventions on the way Fabric Energy Efficiency for Part L 2013 CO2 performance in new housing Appendix Qtechnical papers Ask our Experts New Scheme Operating Requirements Updated As-Built EPC checklist Constructive Details Handbook available now NHER Plan Assessor v5.5new features NI Building Regulations The contents of this technical bulletin may supersede certain scheme rules or requirements appearing in the Product Rules, Inspection and Reporting Requirements, training manuals or elsewhere. Members must therefore ensure that they have read and understood this document.

New SAP conventions on the way

A new set of SAP conventions will shortly be published by DCLG. These arose primarily because of our NHER OCDEAs seeking clarification from us on specific points and pointing out to us that assessors from other schemes were adopting a different approach. This led to NHER proposing a set of new conventions, or clarifications to existing conventions, to the Conventions Group. They were then discussed and amended where appropriate. Thank you to those assessors who contributed to this process. Once the conventions document is published by DCLG, we will add it to our NES one Useful Documents section and advise you of their release via Top Tips and via the NHER Plan Assessor News Page on the NES website. Key points in the new conventions will include: A requirement that OCDEAs are already familiar with are the Appendices and Tables within the latest SAP document. The DCLG SAP conventions do not aim to duplicate information already within this document but aim to provide further guidance and clarification. In cases where there may appear to be a conflict, the conventions document is the one to follow. The choice of Built Form used for determining the ENE2 (FEE credit) for a Code for Sustainable Homes assessment may be different to that required for the EPC assessment. In such circumstances it is necessary to undertake two SAP calculations, one for the CSH and one for the EPC. This is to ensure that the appropriate description appears at the top of the EPC. In the case of BFRC rated windows, the U-value and g value are taken from the front of the certificate. The g value is that for the window as a whole, incorporating the frame factor. The g values for BFRC windows are usually less than 0.5 and should be checked if greater. In the case of the manufacturer declared option, the data needed is the U-value, the g value for the glazing and the frame factor. Documentary evidence of these data is required.

Thermal bridging
Clarification that the following junctions in Table K1 have no ACDs associated with them and so no ACD reference number: E8, E9, E16, E17, P1, P2, P3, P5. If no calculated value is available use the default value. The only exception is E16 (corner), for which it is acceptable to use the value of 0.09 W/mK from the accredited column in SAP Table K1, provided that the construction around the corner is the same as the rest of the wall and is not interrupted by any structural elements.

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(Continued from page 1) In recent years, air tightness and avoiding thermal bridging have risen up the agenda and they present considerable challenges for those on site. The research calls for simplicity in the design and construction of new homes with a recognition that simple construction details, clearly communicated to those on site, will stand the best chance of being built as intended. The report is available at: www.nhbcfoundation.org/ Researchpublications/NF41/tabid/500/ Default.aspx

Summer overheating
It is important that the guidelines set out in SAP Appendix P are adhered to in assessing whether or not there is cross ventilation and the extent of window opening. Issues to consider include the presence or otherwise of fire doors and the degree to which security concerns prevent windows being left open at night, e.g. ground floor flats. It is acceptable to use these conventions immediately as they are already NHER conventions, but they will become compulsory for all schemes on the date that DCLG announces when they are published.

CO2 performance in new housing

If the energy consumption of an occupied home is greater than its designer predicted, then its carbon dioxide emissions will also be higher than predictedthis is the CO2 performance gap. There appears to be a growing body of research evidence that new housing is failing to deliver the anticipated levels of CO2 emissions. Low and zero carbon homes: understanding the performance challenge, a report published by the NHBC Foundation, reviews the evidence that supports the existence of the CO2 performance gap and explores its potential causes. The report concluded that, contrary to some of the views expressed on the topic to date, there is no single cause. Instead it identifies a multitude of possible causes and issues that may contribute, from the earliest stages of design through to postconstruction checking. All of these issues need to be understood and dealt with if the CO2 performance gap is to be minimised. The report scrutinises the entire process of building a new home through the various stages with a series of recommendations to mitigate the effects. It considers the ability of the SAP assessment model to make an accurate prediction of the energy use of homes, given the large number of variables and the accuracy of the data inputs. It reinforces the need for the use of approved software by well-trained, experienced SAP assessors to reduce the scope for error.

Appendix Q technical papers

BRE has published technical papers on two new technologies that are often queried in relation to SAP. The first outlines the principals relating to voltage optimisers in SAP. A voltage optimisers is an item of equipment installed to change the voltage delivered to electrical fittings and outlets on electrical circuits within a building and designed to reduce the overall electrical usage. The second outlines the principals relating to the treatment (in SAP) of electrically-led MicroCHP; which primarily produces electricity but also recovers and uses the waste heat in a dwelling. Both papers are available on the Appendix Q website (at the bottom of the page): www.sap-appendixq.org.uk/page.jsp? id=5 Most technologies that originally required Appendix Q have now been included in SAP 2009, with the exception of SAPPIV (Solar Air Preheat Positive Input Ventilation) and Dynamic Insulation. More information of the technologies currently assessed via Appendix Q can be found here: www.sap-appendixq.org.uk/page.jsp? id=43

Fabric Energy Efficiency for Part L 2013

In support of the consultation proposals for Part L 2013, Zero Carbon Hub in collaboration with AECOM has produced the following reports: Fabric Energy Efficiency for Part L 2013Worked Examples and Fabric Specifications contains worked examples and fabric specifications; gives some example fabric specifications to achieve 'Interim FEE' and 'Full FEES' on a range of dwelling types. www.zerocarbonhub.org/resourcefiles/ Fabric_standards_for_2013_worked_exa mples.pdf Fabric Energy Efficiency for Part L 2013Classification Methodology for Different Dwelling Types expands on the information within the main DCLG consultation document regarding the Fabric Energy Efficiency (FEE) methodology, gives some guidance on dwelling classification and encourages feedback, especially from those of you who already have experience of designing and/or building to FEE levels, e.g., where Code for Sustainable Homes Ene2 FEE credits (Nov 2010 version) have been sought. www.zerocarbonhub.org/resourcefiles/ Dwelling_Classifications.pdf

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| New SAP conventions on the way | Fabric Energy Efficiency for Part L 2012 | CO2 performance in new housing | Appendix Qtechnical papers | Ask our Experts | New SORs | Updated As-Built EPC checklist | Constructive Details Handbook | NHER Plan Assessor v5.5 features | NI SAP conventions Page 2 of 8

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Ask our Experts

Question: I have a block of flats that
is currently being built. Can I use the air pressure test for the whole building for each individual dwelling?

In general it is best to ensure that the report is from a BINDT registered individual or that the organisation that the tester works for is BINDT registered, this is in keeping with the regulation. (See www.bindt.org.) Ultimately, the decision is down to the BCB and if you can provide written confirmation that a non-standard certificate meets their requirements then this would also be acceptable.

as heat loss elements to an unheated space if the spaces are unheated, heated only intermittently or heated only to a low level, or as if they were external elements but with their U-value reduced by a factor of 2 if the spaces are heated o a different pattern to that of the dwelling (e.g. commercial premises). The first bullet point is relatively straightforward and for roofs and floors it should be read as is, i.e., they should be assumed to have zero heat loss if they are adjacent to similarly heated areas. However, walls should follow Convention 5.03 and follow party wall guidance and an appropriate option should be picked. The second bullet point deals with completely unheated areas or sections with frost protection only. This could include unheated corridors adjacent to flats. In this scenario they would be treated in the normal heat loss way. All walls, roofs and floors could have an appropriate adjustment made to their U-value for the sheltering effect. The last bullet point is more complex: this is when there is a commercial space adjacent that is heated to a different heating pattern than the dwelling. Improving the U-value by a factor of 2 is applicable to floors and roofs as described. For walls, Convention 5.03 and Party wall options should be used. Extract of SAP convention 5.3 reads: In the context of U-values, party wall includes any wall between the dwelling and another hated space which can be: another dwelling commercial premises a heated corridor or stairwell in a block of flats a heated common area.

Answer: The short answer is No;

however, if the Local Building Control Authority is willing to accept the whole building air pressure test as being sufficient to cover the relevant paragraphs in ADL1A (5.18-19) then this one pressure test result can be used. It would still be subject to the +2 confidence factor in all dwellings.

Question: I am a bit confused as to

what to do when the dwelling is part of a larger premises. What do I use, DCLG Convention 5.03 or section 3.5 of the SAP document?

Answer: The SAP conventions should

be read in addition to the normal SAP document. They either clarify what is said in the SAP document or contain specific examples where a slightly different methodology should be used. In time, SAP updates will include these conventions or provide additional options to cater for issues in a more appropriate way. When it comes to buildings which are part of a bigger property, for example a flat in a joint development above retail outlets or as part of a larger block or a house being built adjacent to existing buildings, there are a number of options depending on the precise scenario. SAP 3.5 should be read first: it gives clear guidance of what to do with Uvalues of elements that are adjacent to different spaces: 3.5 Dwellings that are part of larger premises In the case of a dwelling that is part of a larger building where the remainder of the building is used for non-domestic purposes, the elements between the dwelling and the remainder of the building are considered: to have zero heat loss if the spaces adjacent to the dwelling are normally heated to similar levels as the dwelling, or

Question: Air pressure test certificates

what is acceptable?

Answer: The Building Regulations are

quite clear as to what the requirements are for measuring the air-tightness of a building. Regulation 20B(4) stipulates: (4) A local authority is authorised to accept, as evidence that the requirements of paragraph (2)(a)(ii) have been satisfied, a certificate to that effect by a person who is registered by the British Institute of Non-destructive Testing in respect of pressure testing for the air tightness of buildings. This is further clarified in ADL1A Paragraph 5.15 in that the ATTMA approved procedure should be used and that all equipment should be UKAS tested every 12 months. It goes on to say in Paragraph 5.16 that the certificate should confirm to the BCB that the tester has received the appropriate training and is registered to test the type of building concerned. We have had members raise concerns over self-accredited persons carrying out tests and providing certificates to energy assessors. We do not consider that this satisfies the requirements stated above.

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| New SAP conventions on the way | Fabric Energy Efficiency for Part L 2012 | CO2 performance in new housing | Appendix Qtechnical papers | Ask our Experts | New SORs | Updated as-built checklist | Constructive Details Handbook | NHER Plan Assessor v5.5 features | NI SAP conventions Page 3 of 8

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New Scheme Operating Requirements

DCLG has issued an amendment to the Scheme Operating Requirements (SOR). There are very few major changes overall. However, there are some aspects that you may particularly want to note. New members and those returning from suspension will have quality assurance checks at a higher rate than before. Now 5% for six months or five reports minimum. New members have been re-defined as those who have just completed training, those who are new to the scheme and those who have not lodged in the last six months. There is now more lenience on the tolerance of the absolute DER change. Rather than just a straight 4%, a difference of 1 kgCO2/m2/yr (so 1 point on the DER) must not be breached as the total of all changes. This means low carbon houses are not so easily penalised for subtle errors. The method for calculating the absolute DER difference has been defined. Each incorrect entry that the QA assessor notices is made, the difference noted and then changed back to the original entry. The sum of all the individual differences makes up the absolute difference. At the end the auditor will make all the changes to get the true DER. The evidence required for QA checks has been further amended and clarified. This should be enough to allow an independent assessor to recreate the same EPC.

The rest of the evidence required is as-built: confirmation of any design changes from the developer, any air pressure test certificates and a copy of any relevant thermal bridging documents or other sign off documents.

document available from the DCLG section of the NES one, useful documents. With this in mind, we have also updated our Building Regulations 2010 As-Built EPC checklist. This should assist developers and assessors in ensuring that all the relevant declarations, sign off sheets and other information is provided; an electronic version is available in the NES one Useful Documents section.

The full list of items that are required to be uploaded or sent to us for Quality Assurance checks is available in section 3.17 of the Scheme Operating Requirements

It is broken down by the two processes that make up of a new build EPC, first the design: specification documents that dictate the size (plans, elevations) and thermal elements of the property, what thermal bridging details and U-values are to be used and whether any other special features are to be used.

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| New SAP conventions on the way | Fabric Energy Efficiency for Part L 2012 | CO2 performance in new housing | Appendix Qtechnical papers | Ask our Experts | New SORs | Updated as-built checklist | Constructive Details Handbook | NHER Plan Assessor v5.5 features | NI SAP conventions Page 4 of 8

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Constructive Details Handbook available now

In the previous edition of the OCDEA Technical Bulletin (Issue 33) we described the thermal bridging handbook. The handbook, published by the joint BBA/RDL Constructive Details Ltd is now available. You can download and view the free handbook by visiting: http://constructivedetails.co.uk/resources/ The junctions incorporate aircrete blocks and are for partial fill external wall (16 details) and full fill party wall (5 details). Another handbook of the same junctions but for a fully filled external wall cavity is already under assessment. The table on the right compares the values in the handbook to those achievable using default, ACD and ECD values. The CDL values are expressed as a range because the value varies according to the U values of the two elements of the junction. In most cases substantial improvements are available from using the Constructive Details junctions. The handbook provides a construction checklist and should prove useful for any of your clients using aircrete blocks with partial cavity fill.

Ref E1 E2 E3 E4 E5 E6 E7 E10 E11 E12 E13 E16 E17 E18 P1 P4 P5

Default 1 1 0.08 0.1 0.32 0.14 0.14 0.12 0.08 0.48 0.08 0.18 0 0.12 0.16 0.24 0.04

ACD 0.5 0.3 0.04 0.05 0.16 0.07 0.07 0.06 0.04 0.24 0.04 0.09 0.06 0.12

Constructive Details 0.28 - 0.38 0.004 - 0.01 0.058 - 0.060 0.035 - 0.046 0.039 - 0.05 0.029 - 0.081 0.05 - 0.160 0.00 0.058 - 0.093 0.064 - 0.128 0.02 - 0.036 0.04 - 0.057 0.048 - 0.087 0.065 - 0.073 0.04 - 0.056 -0.08 - -0.052 0.035 - 0.046 0.052 - 0.072 0.041 - 0.087 0.69 - 0.71

ECD

NHER Plan Assessor 5.5new features

NHER Plan Assessor v5.5 is currently being tested in preparation for BRE approval and subsequent release. Version 5.5 will continue to be available to use alongside Plan Assessor v5.4.2 to give time for users to get used to the new program, which replaces the underlying Microsoft Access database with an infrastructure based around SQL. However, no further enhancements will be made to the Access version and so, to benefit from new features, users will need to switch to the SQL version. In this article, we preview some of the new features to give you some idea of the benefits of switching. A: Manage your databases from within NHER Plan Assessor

(Continued on page 6)

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| New SAP conventions on the way | Fabric Energy Efficiency for Part L 2012 | CO2 performance in new housing | Appendix Qtechnical papers | Ask our Experts | New SORs | Updated as-built checklist | Constructive Details Handbook | NHER Plan Assessor v5.5 features | NI SAP conventions Page 5 of 8

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(Continued from page 5)

Benefits of the new SQL server based infrastructure

The switch to SQL provides an underlying infrastructure that enables us to both refine existing features and add powerful new ones. The new software will run alongside Microsoft Office 2010 and other software than conflicts with Microsoft access. It also provides a better platform upon which to build in features that will enable users to be more effective via tools such as templates, global updating and database management. Here are some of the things you will be able to do in NHER Plan Assessor v 5.5: View, copy, add a description and manage all your databases from within NHER Plan Assessor (A) Search for URNs/text across any databases Delete batches of records securely (B) Manage your list of assessors, clients and developments across all databases; edit them from within a record (C) Combine data from multiple databases into one single database, should that work for you; improved filtering makes a single database a workable option (D) Search and filter more easily within the new Products Characteristics Database viewer (E) Access your heating (and future) templates from all databases. Organise and view more information about your templates Produce lists and results information from NHER Plan Assessor and paste them into a document or spreadsheet to help generate reports or summaries (F) D: Update existing 5.4.2 databases easily C: Edit assessor, client and development from within a record

B: Delete batches of records

(Continued on page 7)

E: Search and Filter the PCDF easily

F : More on-screen results Click on a he adline to re ad othe r a rticle s in this b ulle tin
| New SAP conventions on the way | Fabric Energy Efficiency for Part L 2012 | CO2 performance in new housing | Appendix Qtechnical papers | Ask our Experts | New SORs | Updated as-built checklist | Constructive Details Handbook | NHER Plan Assessor v5.5 features | NI SAP conventions Page 6 of 8

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(Continued from page 6) Group your records in a more flexible way: they can now belong to more than one group; edit the name of your groups; Imported records can be automatically assigned to a group to find them easily. Previous projects automatically become groups (G

Other new features

Check and save reports for an individual record without first having to open the report or create a particular report for a set or records more easily. Code outputs in Excel ExportCSH Level, FEE and percentage pass/fail figures Update floor U-values across multiple records (H) Enter both a community space heating boiler and a community hot water boiler (I) User definable fieldscreate and populate your own fields (text or pick list).

G: Group records flexibly

H: Improved batch updating system including floors

Create new databases easily

I: Engine updates to include community space heating and separate community hot water

Updated open screen with multiple filters

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| New SAP conventions on the way | Fabric Energy Efficiency for Part L 2012 | CO2 performance in new housing | Appendix Qtechnical papers | Ask our Experts | New SORs | Updated as-built checklist | Constructive Details Handbook | NHER Plan Assessor v5.5 features | NI SAP conventions Page 7 of 8

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Northern Ireland Building Regulations Part F

Northern Ireland is introducing new building
regulations Part F on 31 October 2012. This will specify SAP 2009 for the calculations and the majority of the provisions will be the same as Part L for England and Wales. Where there will be differences these are detailed in this article. TER Where the fuel is mains gas, B30K, renewable energy, dual fuel or any fuel with an emissions factor that is less than that of mains gas, the TER calculation is the same as for E&W Part L: TER = (CH x FF x EFAH + CL x EFAL) x (1-improvement factor) CHemissions associated with the heating and hot water CLemissions associated with lighting FFfuel factor (see table 2.1 in the F1 Technical Booklet) EFAHratio of the SAP 2005 emissions factor to the SAP 2009 emissions factor for the relevant fuel (heating and hot water) or for mains gas if the FF is 1 EFALratio of the SAP 2005 emissions factor to the SAP 2009 emissions factor for electricity Improvement factor 40% For all other fuels the NI TER includes an additional factor of 1.14: TER = (1.14 x CH x FF x EFAH + CL x EFAL) x (1improvement factor) Design Water Use In England & Wales, if the design water use does not exceed 125 L/person/day, there is a 5% reduction in the hot water use for the SAP calculation. This does not apply in Northern Ireland. EPC The NI OCEPC will continue to include a new-build benchmark SAP rating. This benchmark is the SAP rating for an oil-heated dwelling that complies with the regulations. From 31 October 2012, all NI OCEPCs must be produced using SAP 2009 software, even if the Building Regulations submission was under SAP 2005/Part F1 2006 (SAP convention 1.05). NHER Plan Assessor v5 software will enable you to transfer files from NHER Plan Assessor v4.5 so that EPCs can be issued. OCDEAs who intend to issue NI OCEPCs after 31 October 2012, who have not already passed the SAP2009/Part L2010 CPD, will need to pass this before that can issue NI OCEPCs. www.nesltd.co.uk/content/online-course-changes-part-l1aand-sap A pre-publication draft of the Part F 2012 Handbook is available at: www.dfpni.gov.uk/tb_f1_prepublication_draft_2nd_06-06-12.pdf

AB OUT OUR B ULL ET INS

We trust you find this edition of the technical bulletin useful. If there are any areas you would like to see covered in future editions drop us a line at [email protected] Back copies of all bulletins are available in the Useful Documents section of NES one. Registration 01908 442277 [email protected] Compliance 01908 442288 [email protected] Technical Support Helpdesk 01908 442105 [email protected] Support Website support.nesltd.co.uk Assessment Support 01908 442240 [email protected] Training enquiries 01908 442254 [email protected] NES one Credit Top up line: 01908 442299
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