The building assessment industry, and its associated bodies and regulations, are full of abbreviations, which can be confusing at first glance to the uninitiated or those who are relatively new to the sector. Here Assessment Hive, who provide high-quality building control services in London and across the UK, have come up with this helpful list for you.
BREL Reports
‘BREL’ is the short form of ‘Building Regulations England Part L’.
Part L of the regulations set minimum energy efficiency targets for buildings across the UK. Any new property, as well as many extensions and conversions, will require an energy performance certificate (EPC) to measure how effective it is in retaining heat. The BREL report forms part of the Standard Assessment Procedure calculations which are essential in producing an EPC.
The reports should be produced at the ‘as designed’ and ‘as built’ stages of the process, and should include relevant pictures, before any design features of the property are either concealed or closed up ahead of completion.
For more details on our BREL report services, follow this link.
EPCs
‘EPCs’ Stands for ‘Energy Performance Certificates’.
These are legally required for any property which is sold, let or built (and has been since 2007). EPCs are graded from A (the most energy efficient) to G (the least energy efficient). The drive towards the UK’s net zero carbon emissions target, coupled with the need to eliminate fuel poverty, means that there is increasing legislative pressure to improve the EPC ratings of all properties.
All EPCs are valid for 10 years from the date of issue and they provide a snapshot of how energy-efficient a property is at a specific point in time. However, the accompanying reports will also include recommendations on how to improve your property’s rating in the future.
For more details on our EPC services, click here.
MEES
‘MEES’ stands for ‘Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards’.
These apply to commercial properties in the UK (including private rented properties). All owners and landlords must ensure their property has an EPC rating of E or above. However, by the year 2030, all tenancies must have a rating of C or above (with the deadline for all new tenancies two years before that).
This has a twofold benefit; it will help cut the UK’s carbon emissions, and it will improve the quality of propertiesin the private rented sector. It does mean, however, that owners and landlords may have to carry out a lot of work to make their property compliant with the new standards. This could range from installing energy-efficient light bulbs, to insulating the attic, to putting in a completely new boiler.
For more details on our MEES services, follow this link.
SAP Calculations
‘SAP Calculations’ stands for ‘Standard Assessment Procedure Calculations’.
SAP calculations are intrinsically linked to Energy Performance Certificates. They are the government-approved method of assessing the energy efficiency of new-builds, extensions and conversions and help to determine the building’s EPC rating, as well as demonstrating compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. Special software can be used to calculate how much energy a building will use over a year, its carbon emissions, as well as generate other reports (including BREL reports, mentioned above).
For more information on our SAP Calculations services, click here.
SBEM Calculations
‘SBEM’ stands for ‘Simplified Building Energy Modelling.’
It is the UK government’s approved way of calculating the energy efficiency of commercial premises. The calculations look at how much energy the property’s internal services (such as heating, ventilation and lighting) will consume over the course of a year.
These calculations will form part of the Part L report made to the relevant Building Control department at both the design and as-built stage. The main requirement is that the Building Emission Rate is lower than the Target Emission Rate.
More details of our SBEM Calculations services can be found here.
Building Control Services in London and Across the UK from Assessment Hive
Whether you need SBEM calculations in Kent, an energy performance certificate in Hertfordshire, or SAP calculations for a conversion anywhere in the UK, then come to Assessment Hive. We can provide all these services in a speedy, efficient and professional manner.
If you would like to know more about any of our services, you can also contact us by calling 020 3745 1093 or by clicking here and filling in the online form.
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