L2A: SBEM calculations for newly constructed buildings

L2A: SBEM calculations for newly constructed buildings

In order to demonstrate compliance with Approved Document L2A you must provide your Building Control Officer with a SBEM calculation for each new commercial building.

SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) is the Government’s approved methodology for calculating the energy performance of non-domestic buildings. All new buildings must achieve a building CO2 emission rate (BER) no greater than a target CO2 emission rate (TER). The SBEM calculation process is in two stages:

  1. Design-stage

  2. As-built stage

Our experienced SBEM assessors can guide you smoothly through compliance, from concept to completion. Our service includes all the support required to ensure every building achieves a pass.

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How Energytest can help

Fast and accurate SBEM calculations at a competitive price.

Comprehensive advice and support to ensure you arrive at the most economic and feasible solution to achieve compliance.

One fully-inclusive fee covering:

  • Design-stage and as-built SBEM calculations.
  • U-value calculations.
  • Energy Performance Certificates.
  • All the consultancy required to ensure every building achieves a pass.

Single-source-solution for Building Regulation compliance. As well as providing your SBEM calculation and EPC, we have the requisite accreditation to undertake your commercial air leakage test, including the ability to test large buildings (“level 2” accreditation). For mixed use developments we can also provide SAP calculations, Part G water calculations and extract fan flow rate testing.

Where Planning conditions have been applied, we can provide Energy Statements and BREEAM assessments as required.

Where more in-depth analysis is required we can provide daylight calculations, natural ventilation calculations, and thermal comfort analysis, all by Dynamic Simulation Model.

Design-stage SBEM calculations

Design-stage SBEM calculations, showing a pass, must be provided to Building Control before you start on site.

We shall assess the buildings based on the design-specification provided. If a pass is not achieved we shall put forward cost effective options to achieve a pass. For example, improvements to the mechanical and electrical specification, increase in insulation, better performance glazing, or a more air-tight construction (see air leakage testing).

Once a satisfactory specification has been agreed we shall issue design-stage SBEM reports for submission to Building Control.

As-built SBEM calculation

As-built SBEM calculations must be provided to Building Control as part of their final sign-off procedure.

Upon completion of the construction works we shall update the design-stage SBEM calculations to incorporate any changes to the design, manufacturer details for all heating systems and the as-recorded air permeability rate.

We shall then issue as-built SBEM reports and an Energy Performance Certificate.

What do I need to provide to the SBEM assessor?

  • Floor plans, elevation drawings, section drawings and a site plan;

  • Construction specification;

  • Mechanical and electrical specification; and

  • Details of any renewable technology, such as solar hot water or photovoltaics.

Large extensions

Approved Document L2B defines a large extension as an extension which has a total useful floor area that is both:

  1. greater than 100m2, and

  2. greater than 25% of the total useful floor area of the existing building.

Large extensions are regarded as new buildings and as such must comply with the requirements of Approved Document L2A. This includes the requirement to submit SBEM calculations.

What our clients say:

“We have used Energytest to produce all of our SAPs and SBEMs for the last 5 to 6 years. After working with other energy consultants we stuck with Energytest for a number of reasons.  They are very quick to respond with quotes and queries and there is always someone on the other end of the phone. Even if the assessor who produced your calculations isn’t available everyone at Energytest is more than happy to look over the calculations and has the knowledge to answer your query.

They provide more than just a calculation service, they are also problem solvers finding the thermal solutions to make sure our designs pass. I have recently been very impressed with the service we received on a large commercial project. On the calculations for this particular project they produced an additional report alongside the SBEMs detailing how and where we could reduce the specification to significantly save on the build costs whilst meeting the requirements of Part L.

The new email link quote, instruction and invoice service is very easy to use and enables us to communicate information with our clients quicker and more precisely. I would recommend any fellow professional to use Energytest.”

L Gittens – bi Design Architecture

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