SBEM is the Simplified Building Energy Model. This is a government approved methodology which is used to calculate the energy required to heat, cool, ventilate and light a non-residential building over a 12-month period when used under ‘normal” circumstances.
Approved Document L2A of the Building Regulations states that all new buildings must be designed and built to a standard such that the calculated Building CO2 Emission Rate (BER) is no worse than a defined Target CO2 Emission Rate (TER).
The amount of carbon dioxide created by the buildings use is utilised to assign the building a numerical rating. The lower the rating, the more energy efficient the building is deemed to be. The primary purpose of the calculations is to produce a BRUKL (Building Regulations United Kingdom Part L) report in order to create a new or updated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
There are several different types of commercial buildings which need an SBEM calculation. SBEM Calculations are a mandatory requirement for any heated, new commercial building exceeding 50m2 floor area including:
- Offices
- Warehouses
- Retail units
- Restaurants
- Leisure centres
- Retirement homes
SBEM Calculations are vital to illustrate the building’s compliance with Part L (England & Wales), Document F (Northern Ireland) and Section 6 (Scotland) of the Building Regulations.
SBEM calculations come in two forms:
- L2Afor new build commercial premises
- L2Bfor extensions and conversions of commercial premises
New Build Commercial Premises L2A
New Build SBEM Calculations are split into two reports
- Design Stage Report
- As Built Report
Design Stage Report
- Before construction begins the construction details of the property are assessed and approved
- The SBEM calculations software produces a TER rate and demonstrates whether the building is BER compliant
- A Predicted Energy Assessment is produced
As Built Report
- Following the completion of construct, the property details are re-assessed, and final details included, such as boiler model or air tightness score
- The Built Report produces the final EPC
Extensions and Conversions of Commercial Premises L2B
Extensions and Conversions of Commercial Premises are split into two reports:
- Notional Report
- Proposed Report
Notional Report
- Our Experts will assess the construction details of the entire property in addition to the proposed extension or conversion.
- The collected data is inputted into SBEM calculations software to produce a TER rate and demonstrate that the building is BER compliant
Proposed Report
- The proposed report will use the data for existing elements
- For any new or upgraded elements, our experts will assess the actual performance data
- The collected data is input into SBEM calculations software to produce a TER rate and demonstrate that the building is BER compliant
- The performance values of the proposed elements must be lower than the benchmarked standards in order for the property to pass and be compliant.
- The overall BER measurements must be lower in the proposed report than in the notional report.
- If the buildings SBEM calculations show that the building’s performance values are all lower in the proposed report than the notional report, a new EPC will be produced which will replace the property’s existing EPC.
The SBEM should be completed at the earliest opportunity after being granted planning permission and before construction. This period gives our experts the best opportunity to offer solutions and ensure compliance. If you are also working to BREEAM on your development, your SBEM results will have a big impact on the credits available to you.
