Latest ACD News and Updates
Training and Certification Schemes for Approved Certifiers of Building Design for Scotland
Re-appointment of Local Authorities as Building Standards Verifiers
Kevin Stewart, Scottish Government Minister for Local Government and Housing, has re-appointed all 32 local authorities as building standards verifiers for the next appointment period from 1 May 2017. In a departure from the previous appointments, local authorities are being appointed for different periods based on their performance under the current performance framework. Local authorities with strong performance are being appointed for six years. Those authorities with good performance but have aspects of their service that would benefit from improvement are being appointed for three years. Those authorities with poor performance are being appointed for one year. More detailed information (including a list of affected Local Authorities) is available here:http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/verification/
eBuildingStandards.scot portal to go live on 24th August 2016
Scottish Government are making changes to the way building standards applications can be made. Scotland's new eBuildingstandards.scot online applications service will go live on August 24, 2016. This will enable the electronic submission of applications for building warrants and other related forms such as completion certificates. Online applications will be simple, save applicants time and money and will be delivered more swiftly, enabling Local Authorities to start considering applications sooner. Certificates of Design can be submitted via the system but certifiers should note that these should be uploaded by applicant or agent submitting the Building Warrant application. i.e. where Certifiers are not acting as the building warrant applicant or agent, then Certifiers should continue to issue Certificates of Design to your clients in the usual way.
eBuildingstandards.scot will be launched and accessed through the eDevelopment.scot home page – a new single landing page leading to both the new eBuilding Standards service and also to the ePlanning service launched in January 2016. There is a single eDevelopment.scot login process, so if you are already registered on ePlanning.scot, you will be able to use the same login details for eBuildingstandards.scot.
More information is available here: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/Development-Management/ePlanning
Technical Handbooks 2016 (revised and published 1 June 2016)
Updates to the Technical Handbooks (Domestic and Non-Domestic) have been published - 1 June 2016. The changes include:
Other than a small number of minor changes to correct typographical errors, the handbooks remain as the October 2015 versions.
Technical Handbooks and Key Supporting Guidance can be accessed here
New “Customer Journey” Guidance for Home Owners (May 2016)
A “Building Standards Customer Journey” guidance document has just been published by Building Standard Division. The document provide guidance to homes owners who are considering doing building work or home improvements. It explains the roles and responsibilities of the home owner in relation to the building standards process and gives helpful guidance to those who intend to carry out building work, including highlighting and promoting the benefits of using Approved Certifiers of Design, as well as reference where to seek help and find Approved Certifiers.
The guidance also reminds readers that the building owner (or tenant) is legally responsible for making sure that all building work meets the building regulations and that the building owner therefore needs to ensure the right building professionals are used for the initial design and building work through to completion.
The Customer Journey can be accessed here: www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/bscj
New SBEM release for October 2015 standards and changes to the registration of testers within the UK air tightness testing industry
2015 energy standards – new non-domestic buildings
In support of forthcoming energy standards, iSBEM v5.2f is now published by BRE on the NCM website - http://www.ncm.bre.co.uk/. This implements the new targets set out within the 2015 Non-domestic Handbook. This is the version which will be used in support of building warrant applications from 1 October 2015 and is made available to enable designers to investigate solutions to the new standards and to support development of third party FI-SBEM and DSM tools under the new standards. It cannot be used for EPC production at present.
The companion 2015 NCM Modelling Guide for Scotland, which describes the application of the new target setting specification, is available at www.scotland.gov.uk/s6-2015.
Airtightness testing of new buildings – Industry changes from 1 January 2015
During 2014, industry and government have worked towards a rationalisation of the airtightness testing industry in the UK. In support of this, a Minimum Technical Competence (MTC) document and a suite of National Occupational Standards (NOS) to support the defined function of airtightness tester were developed. From 1 January 2015, recognition of competence of air tightness testers within building regulations in Scotland will be on the basis of their registering organisation implementing requirements for Minimum Technical Competency and application of the new UK NOS for Air Tightness Testing.
Each registering organisation will publish and maintain a list of current individuals or organisations registered to undertake air tightness testing and the categories of buildings they are registered to test. Further information on these changes, on registration schemes and the criteria that apply to them is available at www.scotland.gov.uk/soundairtesting. A separate more detailed letter has gone to local authority building standards managers and will be available shortly here. An update to include these changes in section 5.4 of our Sound and Air Tightness Testing companion document will be made shortly.
November 2014
Update on ACD Schemes
Letter from Dr Stephen Garvin, Head of Certification to ACD members and stakeholders
ACD Scheme updateNovember 2014
BRE & Elmhurst Energy – EPC Schemes update
Elmhurst Energy has acquired the BRE EPC Schemes. The ACD Schemes are unaffected by this development. All ACD enquiries should continue to be directed to BRE at the East Kilbride site.
If you are interested in the EPC situation, The web link below offers essential detail, including contact points for enquiries for existing and prospective EPC members. All EPC Scheme enquiries should use the contact detail shown on this web site. https://www.bre.co.uk/accreditation/epctransition
October 2014
ACD Certificate production during periods when the Certifier is not available
Q. I’ve booked a holiday or am otherwise unavailable on the date a client wants the Certificate of
Design issued. Can I get a colleague to take on this task for me?
A. Yes, if your colleague or locum is a fully accredited Certifier of Design and produces the Certificate
EPC using his/her own ACD membership details.
Q. Can I allow a locum to use my password to generate a Certificate of Design under my membership
details?
A. No. User names and password access to the EPC system are not transferable. Any such action
would be a serious breach of the terms under which ACD membership was offered and could result
in the suspension or expulsion of both parties from the ACD Scheme. If such an event occurred,
BRE would immediately inform Building Standards Division of an expulsion or suspension.
Q. If I did pass my membership log on details to a third party what other issues could it cause?
A. Your Professional Indemnity Insurance may be invalidated. The insurers may refuse any future
claim(s) and leave you and your firm in an exposed position.
Any Certificate of Design produced by a third party using your log in details can be declared invalid (& uninsured) and may have to be redone at your expense. Building Control would have to be advised, along with your client. Such activity could potentially be viewed as fraudulent behaviour, subject to the specific circumstances. Other Certification Schemes may not offer membership if you have had a suspension or expulsion for unauthorised activity.
It is important to note that access details for the ACD system are personal to you. They should not be shared with anyone. You are not authorised to delegate production of a Certificate of Design using your membership details. To do so would be a serious breach of the terms under which membership is offered. You may also invalidate your Professional Indemnity Insurance if such an action were to happen.
SELECT Awards Update
SELECT recently held their prestigious award ceremony at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow to recognise firms in the electrical sector across a range of 10 categories. The topics included an award, sponsored by Scottish Government, for those who were best in the Promotion of Certification. This is a welcome development as it reinforces the message that Certification is the preferred route to show compliance within the Scottish Building Standards system. Early reports were that the awards event was a resounding success and generated a highly positive attitude for all involved. If you would like more details of the award categories please click this web link: www.selectawards.org/
Announcement on changes to Section 6 (Energy) Scottish Building Standards
On Monday 06th October 2014 the Scottish Government’s Building Standards Division (BSD) will publish the new Building Standards for Section 6 (Energy). The revised Standards will be effective from October 2015. This period of notice has been chosen to allow industry enough lead time to plan and accommodate any necessary adjustments triggered by the revised Standards.
BSD will offer a dedicated page, within their website, detailing the new Oct 2015 Standards. This page will also have information on an action plan and how to use the collaboration facility of the website.
The current standards remain in force until October 2015; therefore it is important that BSD web site users refer to the correct web page (and standard) when referencing and progressing their project.
What will these changes mean in practice?
All new build projects will continue to need to demonstrate compliance with the prevailing Standards. Approved Certifiers of Design will need to demonstrate competence against the requirements of the new Oct 2015 standards. All BRE ACD members will be advised, in a timely manner, by the Scheme on any necessary action needed for training and accreditation requirements needed to retain their ACD Status. A further note is expected to be issued by BSD on the 06 Oct 2014, relevant details will be also be published on the ACD website. The ACD Schemes will keep members updated as we receive any other relevant detail.
Building Standards Division
September 2014
BUILDING STANDARDS CERTIFICATION – DEVELOPING A FUTURE VISION AND STRATEGY
The Building Standards Division (BSD) of Scottish Government will host a workshop in Edinburgh on 24th September to map out the future for Certification within the Building Standards environment. The event will be attended by a cross section of representatives from Construction, Certification Schemes, Building Control Officers and Government officials. The purpose of the workshop is to develop the future vision of Certification and a strategy to achieve this. One key objective within this activity will be to change perception to make Certification a service of first choice for the Construction sector and its clients.
Output from the workshop will be disseminated through the channels agreed by the participants. It is safe to say that the confidence and commitment shown by all involved is being interpreted as an extremely positive portent for the future of Certification.
This is a timely moment to remind your key clients that Certification has positive tangible benefits. Please feel free to send a copy of the BRE ACD Flyer to your clients and help refresh understanding and uptake of Certification: ACD Flyer
Scotland Excel event 01 Oct 2014
Scotland Excel offers the opportunity to attend a Construction Collaborative Tendering Event at Paisley Town Hall on Wednesday 1st October 2014, 10.30-12.30pm. Energy Assessors are encouraged to investigate this event to determine what opportunities there may be for you. See the web link for more detail and how to book: Scotland Excel
Scottish Government - Building Standards Division BSD Certification
August 2014
One day Certification Awareness Seminars
Local Authority Building Standards Scotland (LABSS) in association with the Certification Scheme Providers will present a series of seminars to be held at venues in Inverurie, Stirling and Ayr.
The purpose of the Seminar is to raise awareness of certification and promote the compliance of building standards in Scotland through joint working between Local Authority Verifiers and the Certifiers. Building Standards staff will get a better insight into the actual schemes and the benefits to the compliance agenda. It will also give speakers and delegates the opportunity of sharing past and present experiences of the schemes and hopefully build a better working relationship with our “Partners in Compliance”.
Who should attend?
Attendance is open to all those with a professional interest in Building Standards system in Scotland i.e. Architects, Designers, Certifiers, Verifiers, Clients and their advisors.
For more detail and booking information please use this link:
LABBS Certification Seminars 2014
July 2014
As we enter the holiday season, Certifiers should plan ACD Certificate production to take account of any leave period. it is important to note that ACD Certifiers registration codes are not transferrable. Access codes, issued to allow production of a Certificate of Design, are personal to the Certifier. This authority cannot be delegated or passed on to a third party. If any Certifier account were to be compromised, it could be grounds for suspension from the ACD Scheme. Please ensure that your Registration details are secure and do not allow anyone else to make use of them. The ACD Scheme will take the view that, in the unlikely event that an unauthorised process was used to issue a Certificate of Design, it would be uninsured, invalid and require a full revisit to the Certification process.
June 2014
Delivering building energy assessments under Section 63 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act
Background
Scottish Government have recently published responses to our consultation on the form of regulations to be made under section 63 on the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
Scottish Government response to original consultation
Scottish Government response to form of regulations consultation
In addition to the Scottish Government’s responses to the consultation, a timetable for implementation has also been published. It is intended that regulations will be laid in the Scottish Parliament later this year (2014), with legislation coming into force in Autumn 2015. A short summary of the Scottish Government’s approach is set out below.
Summary of proposed new regulations, processes and duties
Secondary legislation (regulations) will require owners of eligible existing non-domestic buildings to take ‘Action on Carbon and Energy Performance’ and assess and improve their building. This will consist of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), Recommendations Report (already required under EPBD), plus an ‘Action Plan’ which identifies an improvement target and the action the building owner will take in response.
Initially, regulations will apply to buildings with a conditioned floor area over 1,000 m², with the need for assessment and action being triggered by the sale of a building or the lease to a new tenant (as per EPBD). Initial implementation will therefore cover a relatively small proportion of all property transactions. Exemption from the need to assess the energy efficiency of the building under s.63 will apply to those buildings which already meet newbuild emissions target under the 2002 building standards or which have a comprehensive Green Deal Plan. To enable assessment, functionality within NCM software will automatically calculate improvement targets for energy and emission savings based upon the application of a range of prescribed measures, as relevant to the existing building. The Action Plan will then record whether the owner either intends to implement prescribed measures or meet the target by implementing alternative measures and also whether they will defer improvement by reporting operational energy use on an annual basis.
Timetable for implementation
Scottish Government intends to finalise the section 63 regulations and develop guidance on the basis of the draft regulations. The current timeline for developing the policy through to bringing the regulations into force is as follows:
s.63 – creation of assessor/adviser role
The intention is to build on the current Approved Organisation structure and ND EPC assessor role by creating an additional competency for ’s.63 assessors’. The Section 63 assessor role is being defined in relation to the relevant elements of the UK Energy Adviser and DEC NOS. The role will be supported by new functionality within the Scottish EPC register enabling lodgement of XML for both Action Plans and operational ratings assessments. Two new assessment tools are in development.
s.63 software - NCM tools / Action Plan
Production of an Action Plan setting improvement targets for energy and emission savings for qualifying buildings and reporting on improvements is being delivered through additional functionality within SBEM. BRE were contracted to develop and implement new functionality that integrates with the SBEM specification and implement this within a new version of the iSBEM tool.
Once building data necessary for EPC production is already present, this functionality will enable an assessor to:
The s.63 beta version of iSBEM v5.2 (with ‘Action Plan’ functions) will be made available to interested parties on request once register system integration testing is complete in late May. BRE NCM
s.63 software – ‘ORScotland’ / DECs and Advisory Reports
Where an owner of a qualifying building chooses to defer improvements, this will require annual operational ratings to be reported via lodgement of data to produce a Display Energy Certificate. A Scottish version of the current ‘ORcalc’ tool, developed under licence from DCLG, will be made available for this purpose. This tool will produce Display Energy Certificate and Advisory Report XML for separate lodgement to the Scottish EPC register.
Further information will be published as it becomes availabl
EPC requirement for New Buildings in Scotland
Since 30 June 2013, the Scottish EPC register has had the facility to receive both SAP and SBEM/DSM EPC lodgements for new buildings.
As part of changes introduced at the start of 2013, it is a requirement that, where a new building is the subject of a building warrant applied for on or after 9 January 2013, the EPC submitted on completion must be produced from data lodged to the Scottish EPC register. Such EPCs can only be produced by an EPC assessor who is a member of an Approved Organisation (AO) appointed by Scottish Ministers.
This means that since 30 June 2013 all EPCs produced on completion of post 09 Jan 2013 building warrants will require to first be lodged to the Scottish EPC register by an EPC assessor.
EPCs produced on completion of pre 09 Jan 2013 building warrants may still be produced by any party, acceptable to the Verifier, via approved software and submitted to the local authority with a completion certificate for checking. However, if the applicant wishes the EPC data for their building to be recorded on the Scottish EPC register, they now have the option of choosing to use an EPC assessor.
Further information may be found in the BSD guidance leaflet EPC – 11, available at: BSD EPC - 11 Flyer
April 2014
The latest ACD Newslatter is available for download on this link.
ACD Newsletter April 2014
September 2013
Update on the implementation of new Scottish Building Standards - Energy
An announcement was made on 25th September 2013 regarding the next set of energy standards within the Scottish building regulations. This followed a consultation process which took responses from a variety of interested parties.
Analysis of the consultation responses is now complete. Similarly, the output from the reconvened Sullivan Panel is just about complete. Ministers were briefed recently on both the consultation analysis and information from the draft Sullivan Report. Ministers took a view on the next steps for energy standards and an announcement on the timing and level of the next standards was made at the Central Belt Construction Summit in Glasgow on Wednesday 25th September.
The Minister for Planning, Derek Mackay, announced that the Scottish Government will introduce revised standards, broadly as consulted upon, to deliver a 21% reduction in emissions from new homes and a 43% reduction in emissions from new non-domestic buildings but that these will be deferred until October 2015 to enable industry and government to use that additional time in support of successful delivery of the new standards.
To take forward the technical aspects of the review, the Scottish Government’s Building Standards Division (BSD) will reconvene their Departmental Working Group to review the range of issues flagged by consultees. Once the final Working Group meeting has been held, both the consultation and Scottish Government response will be published. The intention is that the publication of this document will be early November. BSD will then issue an update on the proposed programme for implementation of the new standards.
Press release at: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Drive-for-greener-buildings-483.aspx
August 2013
ACD Summer 2013 Newsletter
Download the newsletter here.
Low Carbon Skills Fund
The need to develop Low Carbon Skills in Scotland is recognised as a priority area by the Scottish Government. Skills Development Scotland (SDS) are offering financial support for eligible applicants to the Low Carbon Skills Fund to assist firms and individual who which to upskill.
The Low Carbon Skills Fund gives employers in Scotland with up to 250 employees the opportunity to apply for up to £12,500 towards employee training costs. By increasing expertise in this growth area we can harness the opportunities offered by our natural resources to make Scotland a world leader in sustainable energy. BRE’s energy training courses are eligible for funding by the LCSF.
If you would like to more details of the LCSF, please visit the Skills Development Scotland web site.
You can download their application form here. Please remember that you should submit an application to SDS before committing to any low carbon skills training.
Low Carbon Skills Fund Application.
Skills development Scotland Helplines:
Employers 0800 783 6000
Individuals 0800 917 8000
You can download their application form here. Please remember that you should submit an application to SDS before committing to any low carbon skills training.
BRE Green Deal
Green Deal training courses will also attract LCSF support. For more details on how to enagage with Green Deal use this link: Green Deal Advisor Training
January 2013
Scottish Government’s review of Energy Standards – Consultation Notice
Tthe Scottish Government is now consulting on Lower carbon buildings - a review of energy standards and guidance within Scottish building regulations. The consultation can be accessed at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/publications/pubconsult
Written responses to this consultation are invited and should be returned by: by 15 April 2013.
Please send your response with the completed Respondent Information Form to: buildingstandards@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or by post to:
Michelle Williamson
Building Standards
Denholm House
Almondvale Business park
Livingston
EH54 6GA
If you have any queries, please contact Michelle on 01506 600408
December 2012
New build EPCs (Domestic and Non Domestic) registration
New build EPCs (Domestic and Non Domestic) are required to be lodged to the Register operated by the Energy Savings Trust, with effect from 09 January 2013. This requirement will have an impact on who will be authorised to produce such EPCs. The Scottish Government has stated that only members of Approved Organisations (AOs) can register these EPCs. Mandatory CPD for Certifiers may be required to maintain Scheme membership. Current members of BREs Approved Certification of Design (ACD) Schemes will be offered the opportunity to apply for membership of the EPC Scheme that corresponds to their ACD membership.
The mechanism to lodge newbuild EPCs will effectively be the same as for existing building EPCs - submission of EPC data to the register via Approved Software by a member of An Approved Organisation who's competency included production of newbuild EPCs. Remembering that this will only be a requirement for new buildings which are the subject of a warrant applied on or after 9 January 2013. All new buildings which are built to a warrant applied for before that date can continue to be produced by someone who is not an AO member and will be subject to checking by the verifier as part of their duty of reasonable inquiry.
Building Standards Division has revamped their web site
BSD has improved their website, making it more user friendly and accessible.You may want to refresh your browser link and review the updated format.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards
October 2012-10-02
Introduction of the EPC Register and lodgment fees
New combined EPC register - update
The switchover to produce EPCs using RdSAP v9.91 and lodgement of data to the new combined register went live on 1st October 2012. Please note that the facility to capture non-domestic EPCs and SAP EPCs will be enabled from 9th January 2013.
Introduction of an EPC lodgement fee
The introduction of an EPC lodgement fee will be linked to the requirement to lodge EPC data to the new combined register. Accordingly:
The lodgement fee is set at £1.38 (£1.15 + VAT) for domestic EPCs and £6.43 (£5.36 + VAT) for non-domestic EPCs. VAT is currently payable at the standard rate of 20%.
Please note lodgement fees charged by the EST are additional to the standard Certificate fees. VAT is charged on the entire transaction at the prevailing rate.
September 2012
Review of 4 sections of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004: Technical Handbooks
Please note that the Scottish Government are now consulting on the vreview of 4 sections of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004:Technical Handbooks. The 4 sections that are being consulted on are Section 0 (General), Section 2 (Fire), Section 3 (Environment) & Section 4 (Safety), and Section 7 (Sustainability). The 4 consultations can be accessed at:
The Scottish Government are inviting written responses to these consultations
by 12 December 2012.
Please send your response with the completed Respondent Information Form to: buildingstandards@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
or by post to:
Michelle Williamson
Building Standards
Denholm House
Almondvale Business park
Livingston
EH54 6GA
All queries should be directed to Michelle on 01506 600408
Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 Section 63
The Scottish Government response to the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 Section 63 consultation can now be accessed online,click here.
OPERATING FRAMEWORK FOR APPROVED ORGANISATIONS
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES NEW AND EXISTING BUILDINGS
The framework set out in the above document clarifies how this and supporting functions may be achieved within the operating requirements of an AO appointed by Scottish Ministers. It signals important changes to how and who can produce an EPC.
Key dates are 01 October 2012 and 09 January 2013 further detail will be issued to members of the BRE EPC Scheme in the near future. You can read the detail in the Framework using the web link at the foot of this article. Listed are some of the key headings.
The documented operating processes of each AO must address the following functions:
- Integrity and operational resilience
- Accreditation of energy assessor members
- Administer the operation of energy assessor members
- Maintain records to facilitate effective operation of the scheme and periodic audit
by the Scottish Government
- Audit by Scottish Government (this list also defines the functions of an Approved
organisations subject to audit by the SG).
It is recommended that you review the document to be aware of the content and what action it requires of the Approved Organisation.
Scotland/epc/Operating_Framework_for_AOs_EPC_New_&_Existing_Buildings_Sept_2012.doc
June 2012
The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012
What is the relevance of the EPBD Amendment ?
The key message contained within the 2012 Amendment, which becomes effective from 01 Oct 2012, signals the requirement for one or more registers of energy performance data, from which the EPC & supporting documents will be produced. The range of data to be included in the production of the EPC will change, as will the method to generate it and its supporting documents. In effect this means that new build and existing non domestic EPCs will required to be lodged on the new registers. There will also be compulsory registration fees levied for each EPC produced. These costs are a universal direct charge by the register keeper.
Key areas mentioned in the EPBD 2012 Amendment are:
You may find it useful to review the explanatory note which was distributed along with the The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012.
The links (below) are to the relevant EPBD legislation that govern production of Energy Performance Certificates.
Links to EPBD legislation:
The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012
www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2012/190/EPBD 2012 Ammendment
The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2008
www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2008/389/EPBD 2008 Ammendment
The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008
www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2008/309/EPBD 2008
April 2012
FINAL CONSULTATION REPORT AND SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
The Scottish Government has been published its response to the Consultation Document on:
(1) Introduction of an Energy Performance Certificate lodgement transaction fee, upon the creation of a database for Non-Domestic Buildings and
(2) Introduction of a transaction fee for the lodgement of Energy Performance Certificates for Dwellings on the Home Energy Efficiency Database (HEED)
The outcome of this consultation has important implications for Certifiers as demonstrated below. Please take the time to review the report and consider what action you should take to inform your clients and amend your systems to accommodate these issues. Click here to access the full consultation response.
Section 63
Section 63: Energy Performance of existing non domestic buildings: Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009
February 2012
Green Deal and BRE Scotland
It is necessary to be a member of an existing Approved Organisation (EPC Scheme) in Scotland to be able to participate in Green Deal. BRE can offer access to Green Deal for those who wish to become Assessors. Installers have a different route which BRE can also assist you with. If you would like to be added to the Green Deal mailing list and receive free updates and information on how you can take part, please e-mail your contact details to this address: simh@bre.co.uk
Please include your name, contact number, e-mail address, Company name and if you want details on Assessors, Installers or other Green Deal updates. ACD Certifiers who want to be eligible for Green Deal should contact the BRE ACD Scheme to get details on fast-track EPC membership and be ready to benefit from Green Deal opportunities. acd@bre.co.uk
January 2012
Certification Register
Building Standards Division has advised of technical issues impacting access to the on-line certification register. As an interim measure, they have listed details on their web site of Approved Bodies and Certifiers, click here to review. BSD will advise when this technical issue has been resolved.
SAP Consultation
The consultation on SAP 2012 has now started. Click here to access the Consultation documents.
The Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation consultation
Reference Number: 11D/886 - Open Date: 23/11/2011 Close Date: 18/01/2012
This consultation seeks your views on the details of the Green Deal and ECO policies that are to be implemented in secondary legislation and under the energy licensing framework. DECC would like to hear from as wide a range of stakeholders as possible including, in particular, those organisations with an interest in operating within the framework and members of the general public including those who might be considering investing in energy efficiency.
The Energy Act 2011 made provisions for the development of a Green Deal and a new Energy Company Obligation (ECO) to replace the existing Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) and the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP), which will both expire in 2012.
Green Deal is a market led framework that will allow individuals and businesses to make energy efficiency improvements to their buildings at no upfront cost. Central to the Green Deal is a finance mechanism that will allow access to the finance needed for the improvements with repayment, in instalments, attached to the electricity bill.
Underpinning the delivery of the Green Deal is the ECO. ECO will place one or more obligations on energy companies requiring them to generate a specific amount of credit by facilitating the installation of energy efficiency measures in homes in Great Britain before a set deadline. ECO has been designed to fit within the Green Deal framework and provide support, in the domestic sector, where Green Deal finance alone is not enough.
How to obtain the Consultation documents and respond:
Click here to visit the DECC's web site
November 2011
Consultation on the creation of a Non Domestic EPC Register in Scotland
The Scottish Government have opened a consultation inviting responses on the introduction of an EPC lodgement transaction fee. It also asks for views on the creation of a database for non-domestic buildings EPCs and their lodgement on the Home Energy Efficiency Database (HEED).
Click here to access details of this consultation and to register your response.
March 2011
BUILDING STANDARDS VERIFICATION - IMPROVING CHOICE IN VERIFICATION OF BUILDING STANDARDS
Scottish Government seeks response to a Consultation
The Government has invited responses to their consultation regarding the Verification service provided by Local Authorities. You can access details of the consultation on the Scottish Government's web site. The response document can also be downloaded from this source. Please note that all replies should be sent as advised in the documentation, not to the ACD Scheme. Click here to access The detail within the Verification section of the current consultations page.
January 2011
BRE Scotland Training is awarded ISO 9001
BRE Scotland is proud to announce that, following a rigorous and detailed assessment process in January 2011, they have been awarded ISO 9001. This prestigious standard is an indication of the quality, professionalism, expertise and exacting attention to detail offered by BRE Scotland's training team. If you would like to discuss training needs, please email trainscotland@bre.co.uk or call the Training Manager on 01355 576200.
You can find out more about ISO9001 from this link ISO 9001 Quality Management
BRE awarded excellent ratings by Scottish Government audit
The Building Standards Division (BSD), of the Scottish Government, published their audit report on the BRE Approved Certifier of Design (ACD) Schemes, Domestic and Non Domestic, addressing Section 6 (Energy) Scottish Building Regulations. As Scotland's only provider of both Schemes, BRE was delighted by the positive outcome of the audit which occurred in October 2010. BSD's report identified areas where BRE is delivering excellent practice in key areas of ACD operations. The audit findings unequivocally demonstrates BSD's confidence that BRE is providing exemplary standards for ACD and that the service is in very safe hands.
The full audit report can be downloaded from the Scottish Government's website using this link: Audit Report
Air conditioning inspection
The requirements for buildings with air conditioning units with an effective rated output of more than 250kW was introduced on 4 Jan 2009. This was extended to include all other systems with an effective rated output of more than 12kW from 4 Jan 2011, with first inspections to be completed by 4 Jan 2013.
BRE is in contact with BSD to establish what impact these requirements may have for ACD Scheme members. Click here to review the BSD guidance on the Inspection of Air Conditioning Systems in Existing Buildings.
October 2010
The updated Scottish Building Regulations became active on 1st October. All Certification submitted from this date must comply with the 2010 regulations.
September 2010
All Certifiers of Design and Co-ordinators to be aware that the updated Scottish Building Regulations come into force on 1st October 2010. For more details please click here
August 2010
Guidelines to use Schedule 1, Form Q and to use Staged warrants in Certification for Approved Certifiers of Design are now available. This information is important and should be reviewed by all ACDs. Please see the link on the Technical information page for more detail.
July 2010
Compulsory CPD courses for Certifiers can be booked directly on-line. All ACD's are required to attend the relevant course to maintain their Scheme membership. Courses are running throught the year and can be accessed from the web link below.
April 2010
Changes to the 2010 Building Regulations have been indicated, this month, by the Building Standards Division of the Scottish Government. The new regulations will come into force on 1st October 2010. All BRE ACD's should be aware of the new regulations. Details of training on the new regulations will be sent to directly to all ACD's.
Important 2010 Building Regulations for all current ACD's.
Section 6: Energy (Domestic) Training
Section 6: Energy (Non-Domestic) Training
Update from the Building Standards Division (BSD)
Procedural Guidance on Certification including information to be submitted with a Building Warrant Application
BSD has published version 2 of the above guidance document which now includes Annex B covering information requirements for energy design. Annex A provides guidance on structural information to be submitted with the building warrant application. The guidance was developed by the SER/ SABSM/ BSD Liaison Group with the intention of promoting consistency of approach to assist both Approved Certifiers and Verifiers. To open the document click here
Please notify all interested parties that the document has been extended to include Annex B.Information is contained in Section 3 under the heading Specialist Consultants. Additional information is included in the "Which statutory obligations apply" part of the Construction Works Procurement Overview section. A link to the overview is provided at the end of the specialist consultants section. Note also the extended section regarding the removal of Crown immunity from building regulations and made it clear that warrantable work for Crown clients can also be certified.
The Scottish Government News Release about the introduction of the Approved Certifier
Registration Mark (logo) has been published on the SG web site
Updates to the Scottish Building Regulations including Section 6 (Energy) are available from their web site. Please see the Technical Information page for more detail click here
October 2009
ACD Scheme audit by the Building Standards Division of the Scottish Government.
March 2009
New Energy and Carbon Standards: 2010
January 2009
BRE Global reaches milestone in Scottish Approved Certifiers of Design Scheme Section 6 Energy
For more information
E: Approved Certifiers of Design
T: +44 (0)141 4474999
or via one of our local offices