All Services > SBEM Calculations
SBEM is short for ‘Simplified Building Energy Model’ — a government scheme for deriving energy rating. The best way to remember it, is that SBEM figures form the commercial counterpart of SAP figures.
SBEM reports:
There are two formats for SBEM calculations: One covers new builds (L2A); the other deals with conversion and extension work (L2B). The most important purpose of SBEM figures is to create a BRUKL (Building Regulations Part L) report which generates a brand new EPC, or one that has recently been updated.
SBEM calculations are mandatory under Part L (England & Wales), Section 6 (Scotland), Part F1 (Northern Ireland) of Building Regulations. These are all documents relating to power & fuel conservation. SBEM calculations were introduced with the 2006 UK Building Regulations.
SBEM calculations are a prerequisite for any new or updated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and give a property rating ranging from one, to one hundred — the higher the number, the higher the efficiency. It is illegal to sell or rent out a commercial building that has no EPC.
For us to make SBEM calculations, our customer needs to provide the following information. The list is not exhaus-tive but it’ll give you a fair idea of what we need:
It’s important not to over-simplify SBEM calculations, however. Final figures are dependent on the nature of the construction: new build, conversion or extension. In all cases two reports are generated — new builds require ‘design stage’ and ‘as built’. reports. Conversions and extensions are governed by L2B SBEM Calculations and give rise to a ‘notional’ and a ‘proposed’ report.
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Two SBEM assessments are required: one at the beginning of the building project, and another at the end. We can produce SBEM calculations at Design and As-Built Stages.
Design Stage SBEM Calculations must be produced before building work starts, so you should submit an SBEM report and Building Control/ Warrant Application to a Building Control Body or Verifier (Scotland), without delay, or building work cannot start.
On completion, As-Built SBEM Calculations are needed to ensure that the finished building remains compliant.
SBEM calculations indicate the carbon footprint of the surveyed building as required under Building Regulations Part L. These calculations demonstrate energy costs and carbon emissions resulting from the proposed design.
Changes are often made as the project progresses, in consultation with architects, developers or customers to make sure that the building is always in full compliance with current regulations. We recommend that you engage an official accredited consultant before committing to your final design.
The short answer is, yes. Post construction — once all works have been completed according to SBEM specifications — an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is created using SBEM figures. If you have engaged us to carry your SBEM calculations we will supply your EPC free of charge.
Of course, it depends on the size and duration of your project. But as a rule of thumb Briary Energy sets itself a target for report completion within 5 to 10 working days following application.
Simple. It is illegal to sell or rent any commercial property that does not have a compliant EPC. Your building must pass its SBEM. You can see how important it is to carry out SBEM calculations before starting to build — if the build-ing does not reach building regulation standards, we can offer advice to improve the situation. Clearly remedial work becomes more and more difficult, not to mention more expensive as the project progresses.
Briary Energy offers wide-ranging support and guidance from start to finish of the whole SBEM process. Some of our competitors simply carry out calculations. Briary Energy offers our customers consultancy services to ensure you have all the data and information needed for an SBEM pass.
DSM software is designed to calculate data for new build commercial properties. It is also highly accurate and takes account of other external factors capable of impacting on energy consumption.
DSM software comes into play with large scale complex constructions such as airports, shopping centres, or sky-scrapers. But the software can prove very useful for those customers who want a more detailed analysis for their intended non-domestic project.
In commercial buildings we use Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) to provide a much more detailed and accurate assessment using a 3D model of your building. This model enables us to analyse:
Briary Energy typically use DSM for large developments such as hotels and office blocks.