Part L – SAP 10 & SBEM incl. EPC
Part L1 – Dwellings SAP 10
Approved Document L, Conservation of fuel and power, Volume 1 Dwellings
The standard assessment procedure (SAP) is the process whereby details of the building fabric, fixed building services: lighting, heating, hot water, air conditioning, mechanical ventilation and any systems used to control them will be entered into the SAP software.
It sets out how to define the TER and TFEE, and how to compare the building plans with those targets once they’re defined. The target emission rate (TER) is a measured by the software which indicates how much carbon dioxide is produced. The BER (building emission rate) is required to be lower. Other criterion are also required to achieve compliance including the target fabric efficiency rate (TFEE)
SAP 10.2, in conjunction with the 2019 edition of BRE 443, will be adopted for Building Regulations purposes in England from June 2022.
Part L2 – Other than Dwellings – SBEM
SBEM is a software tool developed by BRE that provides an analysis of a building’s energy consumption. SBEM is used for non domestic buildings in support of the National Calculation Methodology (NCM) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The changes to Part L 2013 of the Building Regulations have resulted in a requirement for a further 9% reduction (aggregate) in carbon dioxide emissions in order to achieve Part L compliance.
The tool helps to determine CO2 emission rates for new buildings in compliance with Part L2a of the Building Regulations (England and Wales) and equivalent Regulations in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Jersey. It is also used to generate Energy Performance Certificates for non-domestic buildings in construction, for sale or let.
SBEM was developed by BRE for the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Energy Performance Certificates
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is intended to inform potential buyers or tenants about the energy performance of a building, so they can consider energy efficiency as part of their investment or business decision to buy or occupy that building.
An EPC is required for a building when constructed, sold or let.
An EPC will provide an energy rating for a building which is based on the performance potential of the building itself (the fabric) and its services (such as heating, ventilation and lighting). The energy rating given on the certificate reflects the intrinsic energy performance standard of the building relative to a benchmark which can then be used to make comparisons with comparable properties.
On 1st April 2018, it became a legal requirement for residential landlords to ensure their Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have a minimum rating of E. The regulations initially only applied for a new tenancy to a new tenant and a new tenancy to an existing tenant.
