EPC software delay

The release of the new software for calculating and producing energy performance certificates or EPCs of buildings has been delayed until the 27th March 2011. The Communities department has stated that this is because it wants to better understand the significant differences between the existing and new versions.
The updated version was due to be released in October to coincide with the new Part L which comes into force on the 1st October 2010.
This means that the old 2006 software can only be used in the intervening time. The energy modelling becomes more of a problem for engineers using different versions of the iSBEM. In these cases two sets of modelling will need to be used.
Although it is unlikely that buildings will be completed until some time after the 1st October there will be problems associated with issuing EPCs for new build projects completed before March 2011.
As a reminder EPCs are required when work to a building is complete or when a building is let or sold.

Passivhaus - Refurbisment Projects

Passivhaus are to produce a new standard for refurbishment projects. The ‘Passivhaus’ standard requires high levels of thermal insulation and airtightness. The new standard is to be called EnerPHit and there are two fundamental differences between the standards for new build and refurbishment. It is unlikely that the standard will be applied to conservation work. The standard varied from the standard for new build by relaxing the requirements for energy use for space heating and airtightness.
The energy requirement for space heating must not be greater than 25kWh/m2 per year as compared with 15kWh/m2 per year for new build. The airtightness requirement is a maximum of one air change per hour as compared with new build which requires a maximum rate of 0.6 air changes per hour.
The new standard will be launched next year and it will be interesting to see how the standard is rolled out. As always supervision and robust detailing will be the key but the initial survey will need to include a comprehensive analysis of the existing fabric.

Buildings at Risk

In 1998 the launch of English Heritage's Buildings at Risk Register was published. The register identified at least 1,428 of England's most important Grade I and II* listed buildings and structural scheduled monuments as being at risk of damage or loss if urgent steps were not taken to stabilise their condition.
There has been some progress with figures indicating that between1998 and 2007 there was a 17% reduction in the number of buildings at risk. However, since 2007 the figure appears to have remained constant. This has no doubt been due to the economic recession. The important issue is that the condition of these buildings is continuing to decline. For a long time, Oculus, who are based in the Georgian City of Bath, have been aware of two listed buildings that are at risk and located within this World Heritage Site.

Cleveland Baths, Hampton Row, Bath

Dating from 1815, Cleveland Baths are believed to be the oldest surviving public outdoor swimming pools in England. A diminutive Georgian crescent houses the changing rooms and Caretakers Cottage. The Cleveland Pool Trust carried out a feasibility study in 2006 and are currently undertaking a business plan, condition survey and scheme design with English Heritage grant aid.

King Edwards School, Broad Street, Bath

School, 1752. A scheme for use as a hotel was submitted but withdrawn in 2006. Works to repair the roof have been successfully completed. The threat of decay has therefore diminished but the building remains vacant. The owner has initiated discussions regarding reuse and a new application for hotel use has been submitted and is under consideration.

Other important buildings and monuments have not been so fortunate. If you want to let Oculus know of any buildings that you consider would benefit from a mention then please email us. If you want further information on the Buildings at Risk register then visit the English Heritage website.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/protecting/

Building for Life

A record 55 new housing schemes have qualified for a Building for Life standard this year, 50 per cent more than last year and the largest number in the eight years of the award, an initiative led by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and the Home Builders Federation.The schemes scored more than 14 out of 20 against the Building for Life criteria, the national standard for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods.Over half of all the schemes that achieved a Building for Life standard are in the South West (16) or in London (17). A self-build development in Bristol, Ashley Vale, is the first scheme of its kind to achieve a Building for Life standard.Why not visit the web site to read more.

http://www.buildingforlife.org/

Passivhause - Rural Regeneration in Hadlow

As the Approved Inspectors Oculus are pleased to announce the completion of the first certified Passivhaus educational building in the UK. James Anwyl designed and built the Rural Regeneration Centre for the prestigious Hadlow College in Kent. James is a founding partner at Eurobuild a company specialising in Passivhaus architecture and construction. It is well worth visiting the Eurobuild website (see below) where you can read more on Passivhaus, sustainable building. The building was part funded by SEEDA the regional development agency.

http://www.eurobuild.at/EUROBUILD/Home.html

Interestingly enough the Autumn issue of the BRE magazine Constructing the future has just been published (free in the Building magazine) The magazine has a good article on Passivhaus entitled ‘past present and future,.

Those interested in the sustainable refurbishemnt of existing buildings should also look at Building magazine, 03/09/10. The article entitled 'Trial and Error' describes the methods used to convert a period Edwardian building into a 'paragon of energy efficiency'.