SBEM
The recent changes to the Building Regulations have been partly driven by the requirements of the EU's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which requires that all new buildings are subjected to an energy calculation and must meet certain performance standards. (There are also requirements for energy calculations on existing buildings when they're sold or let.)
SBEM is for buildings other than dwellings
The overall strategy for such calculations in England and Wales is given in the National Calculation Methodology (NCM). The NCM states that SAP 2005 is the calculation methodology to be adopted for dwellings. For building other than dwellings, there are two possible approaches: SBEM (which will probably be applicable in most cases) and approved thermal simulation tools (which are more likely to be used in more complicated situations). SBEM has also been adopted in Scotland under Section 6 Non-Domestic 2007 and in Northern Ireland under Part F2 2006 .
Interfaces to SBEM
SBEM itself is the core calculation routine developed by the BRE on behalf of the government. The BRE have also developed a basic interface to SBEM. This interface is called iSBEM. The term "SBEM" is often loosely used to refer to the calculation routine and the interface which the BRE has developed for it. Strictly speaking, "SBEM" should refer only to the calculation routine itself.
Commercial software companies such as BuildDesk may provide their own interfaces with SBEM. BuildDesk has taken this opportunity to launch an approved and more user-friendly interface for SBEM called Carbon Checker. There is also an option to develop more complex detailed simulation model calculation tools (DSMs). The current list of Government approved software for Part L2A of the Building Regulations is available at the National Calculation Methodology web site.
Carbon dioxide emissions are calculated
SBEM calculates the amount of carbon dioxide which the proposed building will emit. The emissions per square metre per year is called the Building Emission Rate (BER) and is compared to the associated Target Emission Rate (TER). The TER is calculated by considering a notional building (based on the geometry of the proposed building) and applying certain standard improvement factors.
SBEM calculation
To calculate the BER and TER, SBEM assesses the energy demands of each individual space in the building in accordance with the activity conducted within that space. Different activities can result in different periods of occupancy and different required air temperatures, as well as varying requirements for lighting and hot water supply. The demand for heating, cooling and lighting is calculated by carrying out an energy balance based on monthly average weather conditions. The energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions are calculated by considering these demands in relation to the details of the building services.
Compliance
The SBEM calculation also passes data to a compliance checking module, which assesses the building to see if it complies with the minimum required standards for the energy performance of the building fabric and services.
Read more on SBEM compliance criteria. |
 |
|
We have staff qualified as Competent Persons for the relevant carbon dioxide calculations using the SBEM procedure. Calculations performed by such Competent Persons can be accepted without further checking by Building Control.
BuildDesk is also happy to produce SBEM calculations for projects in Scotland under Section 6 Non-Domestic 2007 and Northern Ireland under Part F2 2006.
Contact us for a SBEM calculation.
BuildDesk's user friendly and approved interface for SBEM: Carbon Checker.
Download a 14 day free trial of BuildDesk Carbon Checker. |
|
