Technical Information
Training and Certification Schemes for Approved Certifiers of Building Design for Scotland
September 2014
The Building Energy Performance Assessment support website
This website was created to support UK building energy performance assessments that are produced using the National Calculation Methodologies for energy rating buildings (NCMs). The NCMs are a range of assessment methodologies comprising: the Standard Assessment Procedure for Energy Rating of Dwellings (SAP), Reduced Data SAP (RdSAP), which is used to assess existing dwellings, and the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM)*, which is used to assess non-domestic buildings. The website also supports assessments undertaken using the BREDEM (BRE Domestic Energy Model) assessment methodology, the parent methodology upon which SAP and RdSAP are based.
In order to assess a building's energy performance, information is needed that describes the energy performance of the building fabric and building services. Such product performance data is either generic, determined by the materials and type of product used (‘type data’) or specific, where validated individual branded product performance data has been made available (‘product data’). Product performance data is normally held in the Product Characteristics Database (PCDB), which can be accessed from this website.
Typically, the performance of a product recognised as a new technology is initially assessed using data held in the Appendix Q database, which can also be accessed from this website, and undertaken as an adjunct to the SAP assessment. Consequently, this information cannot currently be used in RdSAP assessments, which is a simplified version of the SAP assessment developed for assessing existing dwellings. Product performance data held in the SAP Appendix Q database will generally migrate to the PCDB when a new version of SAP/RdSAP is released, enabling RdSAP assessors to access this data. Product performance data will remain in the Appendix Q database until obsolete versions of SAP have been withdrawn or where it is impractical to include it within the PCDB.
The listing of product performance data in the databases does not denote any form of approval or endorsement of that product, actual or implied, nor does it imply that the building’s energy performance rating is better than that obtained using alternative products. The Building Energy Performance Assessment support weblink: http://www.ncm-pcdb.org.uk/sap/index.jsp
Weblink for SAP 2012 details
Contact Details
August 2014
Lower Carbon Buildings – A Review of Energy Standards and Guidance Within Scottish Building Regulations
The Consultation Report and Scottish Government Response to the review of energy standards has been published. Copies can be downloaded from this web link:
Review of Energy Standards
April 2014
The Scottish Government has published its response to the Consultation on Form of Regulations for Non Domestic Buildings – Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009: Section 63. This document signals significant changes to how Non Domestic building owners will be required to action energy efficiency measures on their properties. The report outlines a timetable of actions leading up to implementation coming into force in autumn 2015.
The section 63 regulations will now be finalised together with supporting guidance on the basis of the draft regulations, taking into account the consultation responses including:
Work is in progress to develop the EPC Electronic Register to receive documents from section 63 assessments and record work carried out to improve such buildings including operational ratings.
It is intended that both regulations and supporting guidance will be published in early 2015 and brought into force in autumn 2015. This will allow around seven months for property owners to prepare for the changes.
Within Chapter 2 of the Energy Act 2011 there is a duty on Whitehall Ministers to regulate for energy efficiency of private rented sector non-domestic buildings towards the end of this decade. There is a good deal in common between this future policy for England & Wales and our Section 63 development work.
Further information on publication and implementation will be made available on the Building Standards Division web pages on the Scottish Government website.
Section 63 Consultation Response Apr 2014
December 2013
Building Standards Division Improvements to Certification Register
The new improved Certification register has been launched and can be accessed at: http://www.certificationregister.co.uk/.
Key improvements include:
November 2013
Certification Register User Guidance
This guide will be particularly helpful if this is your first time using the
Certification Register. You may wish to read the entire document before using the Register if you are unsure about what information should be entered into a particular box or to the meaning of search results. Further guidance is available from the Building Standards Division Administrator - contact details can be found at the end of the guide.
Detail of the guide includes how to locate:
Certification Register User Guide
July 2013
BSD has issued guidence on changes to the EPC Register functions that take effect from 30 June 2013
Click here for full details.
BSD have published a summary guide which provides detail on the main changes introduced to the mandatory standards and associated guidance for 2013. The changes involve Sections 0, 2, 3, 4 and 7 of the Technical Handbooks.
Click here for summary guide.
June 2013
Certification technical handbooks
The Building Standards Division (BSD) of the Scottish Government recently advised that the Certification Technical Handbooks are now available on-line. You can also access related research using the web links below:
Research – research published in support of the Technical Handbooks
The following sustainability research projects have now been published:
Development a user guide to enhance biodiversity and promote ecology of sustainable schools
Research project to Develop Guidance for users of Sustainable Schools
Update on Recent Consultation on Section 63, Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009
The responses to the Consultation on the format of the regulations for section 63, Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 have now been published on our website, click here to view.
March 2013
Update to Scottish Government FAQs on EPCs
The Building standards Division of the Scottish Government has updated it's EPC guidance and refreshed the FAQ list. Please take time to review this information to gain current information on the production requirements for EPCs. EPC FAQ from BSD
January 2013
Scottish Government Consultation
REVIEW OF THE BUILDING (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2004: TECHNICAL HANDBOOKS - SECTION 6: ENERGY
This consultation presents proposals for the improvement of energy efficiency and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions arising from both the construction of new buildings and where work is carried out to existing buildings. This aspect of the performance of buildings is addressed by the standards and guidance within section 6 (energy) of the BSD Technical Handbooks. This consultation presents technical proposals to deliver further reductions in emissions and seeks views on these proposals and their introduction in 2014
The Scottish Government invites you to respond to the Consultation. You should use the consultation questionnaire provided or clearly indicate in your response which questions or parts of the consultation paper you are responding to as this will aid their analysis of the responses received. This consultation, and all other Scottish Government consultation exercises, can be viewed online on the consultation web pages of the Scottish Government website.
If you have any queries in relation to the consultation process, please contact Michelle Williamson, at the Scottish Government, on 01506 600408
Non Domestic EPC Register for Scotland
The Non Domestic EPC Register for existing buildings Non Domestic EPCs in Scotland went live on the 28th January 2013. There was also a release of iSBEM v4.1e which is needed to facilitate the registration of your non domestic EPCs to the register. The Scottish EPC register will accept lodgement of XML for non-domestic building assessments for existing building (and for new buildings which are the subject of a building warrant applied for on or after 9 January 2013).
iSBEM v4.1e can be downloaded here.
Scottish Government update to EPC FAQs
The Scottish Government has published an updated FAQ containing important and relevant information on the production and display of EPCs. You may wish to review this document using this web link.
RdSAP Conventions update V6.0 - issue 6
The RdSAP Conventions (v6.0 – Issue 6) have been agreed and approved by the RdSAP Conventions Group. Membership of the group is open to all Accreditation Schemes as part of the on-going work to standardise the assessment process, and to ensure a uniformity of approach, that will assist Accreditation Schemes and Energy Assessors. The Group has been set up with the approval of DCLG.
These conventions must be applied by all accredited EPC Certifiers (and DEAs in England & Wales). This also applies to those assessors currently in training. To enable Accreditation Schemes, training providers and assessors to manage the implementation process successfully the conventions must be applied from 14 January 2013. These conventions will be included as part of future quality assurance checks of the relevant assessments you have undertaken and the Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) you produce, thereafter.
The conventions are designed to improve the quality and accuracy of EPC. The conventions will, therefore, supersede any previous assessment process. With this in mind, further conventions are being discussed and developed by the Conventions Group and these will be released in stages. RdSAP Conventions v6.0 - Issue 6
October 2012
Compliant software for Section 6 (Energy) it is important that you are using a compliant version of software. Check your version against the list published by the Scottish Government of approved software using this link
www.scotland.gov.uk/S6 Approved software
Software enquiries to produce an EPC for existing buildings should refer to this link
www.scotland.gov.uk/EPC Software
September 2012
New Scottish EPC register - Introduction of lodgement fee in accordance with regulation 10A of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008, as amended.
Following previous emails, Building Standards have confirm details on how the introduction of a lodgement fee for EPCs will be implemented. This contains detail on existing Non Domestic EPC fees that you should note.
New combined EPC register - update
Work is progressing to enable switchover in lodgement of RdSAP EPCs to v9.91 and lodgement of data to the new combined register from 1 October 2012 onward.
Please note that the facility to capture non-domestic EPCs and SAP EPCs will be enabled from 9 January 2013.
Introduction of an EPC lodgement fee
The introduction of the 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%.
How will the lodgement fee be collected?
Domestic lodgement fees will be collected for October in arrears by collecting fees in early November. Domestic Certifiers should price their EPCs to include the lodgement fee w.e.f 01st Oct 2012.
Transitional arrangements
The system for collection of lodgement fees will not be in place for 1 October 2012. It is likely to be operational from early November 2012. Fees will be applicable to lodged RdSAP EPCs from 1/10/12 but will be collected retrospectively, once systems are in place. EST, as keeper of the register, will maintain a record of lodgement activity to enable this. There will be a single exercise to collect lodgement fees for this period, after which the payment of the fee will be addressed by a method advised to you by the Approved Organisation (EPC Scheme).
Please review this Newsletter which contains important detail on changes to when and who can produce an EPC starting from 01st Oct 2012.
May 2012
Update to the Certification Handbook
The Building Standards Division of Scottish Government has published an updated version (V3) of the Certification Handbook. Click here to download a copy of this document.
Certification Leaflet
BSD has published the certification leaflet which replaces the previos version. Click here to download.
Reinstatement of the Certification Register
The Certification Register is now back online at: www.scotland.gov.uk/certificationregister
All verifiers have been advised that the Register is back and should be used for checking the validity of certificates. The BSD website's Home Page has been updated and the links to the Register have been restored. All building standards staff have been asked to update their bookmarks and favourite links to access the Register. It may be useful for you to also do this and pass the updated web link to colleagues and clients who may have use for this information.
January 2012
Certification Register
BSD advises that the Certification Register has a technical issue. The consequence of this is that searching for an Approved Body or Certifier in the usual manner may not find the details required. As an interim measure, BSD are accepting membership updates from Scheme Providers and these are being posted as PDFs on their web site. Click here to navigate to the area of the Scottish Government's web site where you can find information on an Approved Body or Certifier.
December 2011
Update to SBEM
The latest update to SBEM was released on 12th December 2011. V4.1d can now be downloaded from the NCM web site. Please follow the guidance from Building Standards Division on the use of the version of the software.
NCM web site - v4.1d details:
http://www.ncm.bre.co.uk/newsdetails.jsp?id=57
Scottish Government S6 compliance advice:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/profinfo/techguide/proftechS6software)
November 2011
Scottish Building Services Certification (SBSC) website relaunched
BRE Scotland welcomes the relaunch of the Scottish Building Services Certification (SBSC) website
This important site, which has been significantly updated and enhanced with extended information, provides useful detailed information for construction industry professionals, designers and members of the public, on the Building Standards Certification system. The SBSC website offers practical details of the Certification of Design and Construction schemes providing building professionals and members of the public with a trusted and reliable source of information on certification.
Dr Stephen Garvin, Head of Certification for BRE said: "The SBSC web site is an extremely useful source of reliable information and I recommend it to the industry and the public alike. It is an important demonstration by the Scottish Government, through the Building Standards Division (BSD), of their commitment and support for Certification. By committing resource to develop the web site during these troubled times, BSD has clearly indicated its confidence that certification is a useful asset and a positive benefit to the industry. Developers and agents can obtain details on how to engage in certification with confidence that they will receive a highly skilled service from trained professionals. BRE offer the Approved Certification of Design Schemes for domestic and non domestic buildings and firms approved to offer certification for Section 6 Scottish Building Standards compliance checks can be found on the SBSC web site. The design professionals have taken responsibility for ensuring that compliance with section 6 (Energy) Scottish Building Standards has been met, avoiding the need for detailed scrutiny of design by local authority verifiers".
Dr Garvin went on to say that: "It is clear, from BRE's perspective, that the SBSC web site helps to meet the need for a source of clear, accurate information and to increase the public's confidence to engage with the building control system. The benefits of using Certification include a ten per cent discount on the cost of the entire building warrant fee, a faster issue of the completion certificate and the knowledge that the project has been certified as complaint with Section 6 by a respected professional. "In addition", said Dr. Garvin, "the use of certification will promote better understanding of the key role that the local authority verifier plays in the process. Certifiers of Design can also be a useful point of reference for verifiers if they have any queries on the project relating to Section 6 issues".
The SBSC web site is already being described as "the definitive site for homeowners, tradespeople and house builders to find comprehensive information on certification of Building Standards." Detail contained on the SBSC web site includes information for those interested in becoming an Approved Certifier as well as highlighting the benefits to be gained by the industry from engaging with the process.
BRE Certifiers of Design are authorised to issue certificates demonstrating that compliance with Section 6 (Energy) has been achieved through their Approved Certification of Design Schemes for domestic and non domestic buildings. Click here for more information on these schemes.
Guidance from the Building Standards Division on production of EPCs for a building on completion
Issue of Domestic or Non-domestic EPC with Completion Certificate under standard 6.9 - Energy Performance Certificates
Following completion of the proposed building, the Energy Performance Certificate which is to be submitted to the verifier with the completion certificate, should be produced using approved software which implements the current edition and version of the relevant calculation methodology. This ensures that building owners are presented with the most current and relevant information practicable.
This may result in use of a different version or edition of the relevant calculation method than was used for the carbon compliance calculation under standard 6.1. In such circumstances, the party responsible for producing the EPC will normally export the carbon compliance calculation into the current version of their chosen software tool. In exporting SAP 2005 to SAP 2009, for example, information on thermal mass and heat loss through separating walls may require to be defined. Similarly for the non-domestic calculation, in exporting SBEM v3.5 to v4.1 for example, information on the activities assigned to zones may need to be reviewed.
For production of non-domestic newbuild EPCs, approved software which implements the previous version of the NCM may be used, provided the current version has been released less than one calendar month prior to the assessment date and a change in regulations does not require use of the current version.
Source:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/profinfo/techguide/proftechS6softwareOctober 2011
Information from Building Standards Division
Upcoming Consultations
EPBD - A consultation on proposals to implement Directive 2010/31/EU which revises Directive 2002/91/EC on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), will issue on 7 October and close for comments on 20 January 2012. The recast which was published on 19 May 2010 extends the scope of the original Directive, strengthens certain provisions, and provides clarification on several aspects.
Section 63 - The Climate Change (Scotland) Act- It is intended to publish the consultation on Section 63: Energy Performance of existing non domestic buildings on 7 October 2011with responses invited by 20 January 2012.
From the 7 October, both consultations will be accessible at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/publications/pubconsult
Verification in Scotland
The final report on the consultation "Improving Choice in Verification of Building Standards" is now available to review.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/publications/pubconsult/consultverif
Technical Handbooks
Changes have been made to the guidance in the 2011 Technical Handbooks that will apply from 3 October 2011. These changes are in respect of:
Domestic Handbook
Section 2: Fire - text changes to Clause 2.13 to clarify fire and rescue water supplies.
Section 3: Environment - revised guidance supporting Standard 3.2 in relation to updated information and mapping for radon protective measures in Scotland
Non-Domestic Handbook
Section 4: Safety - revised guidance supporting Standard 4.4 (Pedestrian Protective Barriers) in relation to extending the maximum gap dimensions to a wider range of non-domestic buildings.
Section 4: Safety - revised guidance supporting Standard 4.8, to align with the changes to the protective barrier guidance in 4.4
September 2011
Building Standards Division
Certification register
The web link to the Certification register has changed from the SBSA to that shown below. Please bookmark this web link to access the Certification register. www.scotland.gov.uk/certificationregister
BSD new contact details
The new web link to the Building Standards Division web site is now: www.scotland.gov.uk/bsd
New e-mail address for certification enquiries to BSD
BSD have a new e-mail address for Certification enquiries: certificationschemes@scotland.gov.uk
August 2011
NCM2010 web site closed
The information that was found on the NCM2010 pages has been migrated to the main NCM web site. Software updates and downloads can now be found in one location using this link: http://www.ncm.bre.co.uk/page.jsp?id=1
June 2011
Scotland Section 7: calculator for water heating
The spreadsheet that should be used for assessing the aspect of energy for water heating within the higher levels (silver and gold) of the Scottish building standard 7.1 is now available to download from the web link below. Please follow the guidance contained within the spreadsheet on how to use the tool.
https://www.bre.co.uk/sap2009/page.jsp?id=2495
Watermarked Non Domestic EPCs in Scotland
A patch for SBEM v4.1c is now available to download that will remove the watermark for Scottish Non Domestic EPC's. Please review the guidance given on the NCM web site to download the patch.
http://www.2010ncm.bre.co.uk/download.jsp
May 2011
SBEM helpline update
The SBEM Team very much regret that, with effect from Monday 9th May 2011, the SBEM Helpline will be temporarily closed, pending decisions on future funding. Enquiries about the use of the tool, the application of regulations and the results of the calculations can probably best be answered through other routes such as the User Guide, the Building Control department at your local council, contact with energy assessor accreditation schemes and/or Government bodies.
Source: http://www.2010ncm.bre.co.uk/page.jsp?id=4
April 2011
SBEM - important update for all Non Domestic Certifiers of Design
SBEM has a basic user interface, iSBEM, which is a free tool. iSBEM is updated to reflect amendments in Section 6 of the Technical Handbooks or improvements to the tool functionality. The latest version is suitable for use in Scotland and is available for download through the link shown below:
|
Software Name |
Current Version | Release Date |
Information and download |
|
iSBEM |
v4.1c |
17 April 2011 |
Version v4.1c (or later) of iSBEM should be used to demonstrate compliance with Section 6 and for the production of EPCs in Scotland.
Advice from the Scottish Government on the use of SBEM is available at this web link:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/profinfo/techguide/proftechS6software
Important update on SAP Conventions (v2.0 - Issue 2) for Domestic ACD's
Please review and action, as required, the revised set of SAP Conventions
(v2.0 - Issue 2) listed below, together with a covering letter from DCLG. Please feel free to forward the conventions to colleagues within your own organisation. Although issued by DCLG, they are also approved by Scottish Building Standards. The conventions must be applied by 17 April 2011. These conventions will be included as part of future quality assurance checks of the assessments, and the SAP EPCs produced, thereafter.
SAP Conventions - 11 March 2011 (v2.0)
SAP Conventions - CLG Letter
March 2011
4th March 2011: Patch 01 release for iSBEM_v3.5.b
Patch 01 corrects the duplication of reported recommendations in the Recommendations Report generated locally on the user's computer and allows the generation of EPCs with negative asset ratings.
Please visit the NCM web site to download the patch. http://www.ncm.bre.co.uk/download.jsp
February 2011
Efficient order of iSBEM data entry for Section 6 Compliance checking and EPC production
Currently, use iSBEM v3.5.b to enter the data to produce the EPC. For Section 6 compliance checking take that NCT file and convert it to run in iSBEM v4.1a using the conversion tool (you will need to save the NCT file with a different name). You can then use the data to conduct a Section 6 compliance check in iSBEM v4.1a.
It is important that you double check all the forms, tabs and sub tabs to make sure the information is correct and also enter the additional information before running the Section 6 Compliance check.
Important advice on the use of software to demonstrate Compliance with the Building Regulations
If using software to demonstrate Section 6 compliance, this can only be done using a current version of the software that has been approved for the purpose. The use of any non approved software is not acceptable and will result in a rejection of the Certificate of Design by the Verifier. Please consult the list of approved software providers using the links below. Alternately you should contact the ACD Scheme Manager if you require further information. Please remember to check the list regularly as new software may be added as it is approved.
ACD Non Domestic approved software
http://www.ukreg-accreditation.org/ND-ApprovedSoftware.php
ACD Domestic Software
https://www.bre.co.uk/filelibrary/SAP/2009/SAP2009_9-90_software.pdf
Please also be aware of the Section 6 software advice offered by the Scottish Government from this web link:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/profinfo/techguide/proftechS6software
January 2011
ACD Non-Domestic training and exam preparation material 2011
ACD Domestic training and exam preparation material 2011
Updated logbook for immediate use by Certifiers. Please download the relevant logbook, and transfer your existing logbook details to the latest version.
ACD Domestic Logbook updated 1 Jan 2011
ACD Non Domestic Logboook updated 1 Jan 2011
December 2010
Important news
All Non Domestic Energy Certifiers should follow the web link below, read the update instructions and review the BSD advice on which version of SBEM to use for compliance checking and EPC production.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/profinfo/techguide/proftechS6software
November 2010
There has been a new release of SBEM software, details available from this web link.
www.2010ncm.bre.co.uk
Please see the link below to the Procedural Guidance for Certification including information to be submitted with a Building Warrant Application.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/217736/0097824.pdf
October 2010
ACD Logbook downloads - were issued (revised 1 Jan 2011).
ACD's and Co ordinators should review the updates on 2010 regulations from BSD
SBEM updates are available from this web link along with downloads and user manuals http://www.ncm.bre.co.uk/
SAP information is available from this web link https://www.bre.co.uk/sap2009/page.jsp?id=1642
U Value calculator information is available from this web link http://www.bre.co.uk/page.jsp?id=677
September 2010
Download your Schedule 1 form from below. Please follow the guidelines on the appropriate use the form as listed under August 2010.
Schedule 1 Form for Domestic Buildings
Schedule 1 Form for Non-Domestic Buildings
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.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/profinfo/techguide/proftechbooks
Further support for ACD is provided by the Scottish Government's inclusion of specific reference to Approved Certification of Design in the Construction Procurement Manual for public sector projects. Please see below the link to the manual:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building/procurement-manual
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 below for more detail.
July 2010
All BRE ACDs must attend CPD training covering changes to the Scottish Building regulations that will come into force on 1st October 2010. Training can be booked directly from the ACD web site from the links below.
ACD Domestic https://www.bre.co.uk/eventdetails.jsp?id=4156
ACD Non Domestic https://www.bre.co.uk/eventdetails.jsp?id=4261
April 2010
The Scottish Government's Building Standards Division have published details of Scottish Building regulation changes, effective from October 2010. Use this link to access the Technical Handbook updates on Section 6 (Energy) for Domestic and Non Domestic buildings in Scotland.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/publications/pubtech
March 2010
New version of SBEM
http://www.bre.co.uk/page.jsp?id=706
April 2009
Amendments to Certificates of Design
January 2009
Advice on the production of EPCs from BSD Energy Performance Certificates
Charges for BRE Services
Please note that membership fees only cover basic administration and entry to the scheme. BRE reserves the right to charge for technical advice, administrative services and business support. If your enquiry is other than routine membership information you may face additional charges. Please ensure you offer clear instructions and obtain an indication of costs before accessing a BRE service
Version v4.1c (or later) of iSBEM should be used to demonstrate compliance with Section 6 and for the production of EPCs in Scotland.
Advice from the Scottish Government on the use of SBEM is available at this web link:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/profinfo/techguide/proftechS6software
Important update on SAP Conventions (v2.0 - Issue 2) for Domestic ACD's
Please review and action, as required, the revised set of SAP Conventions
(v2.0 - Issue 2) listed below, together with a covering letter from DCLG. Please feel free to forward the conventions to colleagues within your own organisation. Although issued by DCLG, they are also approved by Scottish Building Standards. The conventions must be applied by 17 April 2011. These conventions will be included as part of future quality assurance checks of the assessments, and the SAP EPCs produced, thereafter.
SAP Conventions - 11 March 2011 (v2.0)
SAP Conventions - CLG Letter
March 2011
4th March 2011: Patch 01 release for iSBEM_v3.5.b
Patch 01 corrects the duplication of reported recommendations in the Recommendations Report generated locally on the user's computer and allows the generation of EPCs with negative asset ratings.
Please visit the NCM web site to download the patch. http://www.ncm.bre.co.uk/download.jsp
February 2011
Efficient order of iSBEM data entry for Section 6 Compliance checking and EPC production
Currently, use iSBEM v3.5.b to enter the data to produce the EPC. For Section 6 compliance checking take that NCT file and convert it to run in iSBEM v4.1a using the conversion tool (you will need to save the NCT file with a different name). You can then use the data to conduct a Section 6 compliance check in iSBEM v4.1a.
It is important that you double check all the forms, tabs and sub tabs to make sure the information is correct and also enter the additional information before running the Section 6 Compliance check.
Important advice on the use of software to demonstrate Compliance with the Building Regulations
If using software to demonstrate Section 6 compliance, this can only be done using a current version of the software that has been approved for the purpose. The use of any non approved software is not acceptable and will result in a rejection of the Certificate of Design by the Verifier. Please consult the list of approved software providers using the links below. Alternately you should contact the ACD Scheme Manager if you require further information. Please remember to check the list regularly as new software may be added as it is approved.
ACD Non Domestic approved software
http://www.ukreg-accreditation.org/ND-ApprovedSoftware.php
ACD Domestic Software
https://www.bre.co.uk/filelibrary/SAP/2009/SAP2009_9-90_software.pdf
Please also be aware of the Section 6 software advice offered by the Scottish Government from this web link:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/profinfo/techguide/proftechS6software
January 2011
ACD Non-Domestic training and exam preparation material 2011
ACD Domestic training and exam preparation material 2011
Updated logbook for immediate use by Certifiers. Please download the relevant logbook, and transfer your existing logbook details to the latest version.
ACD Domestic Logbook updated 1 Jan 2011
ACD Non Domestic Logboook updated 1 Jan 2011
December 2010
Important news
All Non Domestic Energy Certifiers should follow the web link below, read the update instructions and review the BSD advice on which version of SBEM to use for compliance checking and EPC production.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/profinfo/techguide/proftechS6software
November 2010
There has been a new release of SBEM software, details available from this web link.
www.2010ncm.bre.co.uk
Please see the link below to the Procedural Guidance for Certification including information to be submitted with a Building Warrant Application.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/217736/0097824.pdf
October 2010
ACD Logbook downloads - were issued (revised 1 Jan 2011).
ACD's and Co ordinators should review the updates on 2010 regulations from BSD
SBEM updates are available from this web link along with downloads and user manuals http://www.ncm.bre.co.uk/
SAP information is available from this web link https://www.bre.co.uk/sap2009/page.jsp?id=1642
U Value calculator information is available from this web link http://www.bre.co.uk/page.jsp?id=677
September 2010
Download your Schedule 1 form from below. Please follow the guidelines on the appropriate use the form as listed under August 2010.
Schedule 1 Form for Domestic Buildings
Schedule 1 Form for Non-Domestic Buildings
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.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/profinfo/techguide/proftechbooks
Further support for ACD is provided by the Scottish Government's inclusion of specific reference to Approved Certification of Design in the Construction Procurement Manual for public sector projects. Please see below the link to the manual:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building/procurement-manual
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 below for more detail.
July 2010
All BRE ACDs must attend CPD training covering changes to the Scottish Building regulations that will come into force on 1st October 2010. Training can be booked directly from the ACD web site from the links below.
ACD Domestic https://www.bre.co.uk/eventdetails.jsp?id=4156
ACD Non Domestic https://www.bre.co.uk/eventdetails.jsp?id=4261
April 2010
The Scottish Government's Building Standards Division have published details of Scottish Building regulation changes, effective from October 2010. Use this link to access the Technical Handbook updates on Section 6 (Energy) for Domestic and Non Domestic buildings in Scotland.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/publications/pubtech
March 2010
New version of SBEM
http://www.bre.co.uk/page.jsp?id=706
April 2009
Amendments to Certificates of Design
January 2009
Advice on the production of EPCs from BSD Energy Performance Certificates
Charges for BRE Services
Please note that membership fees only cover basic administration and entry to the scheme. BRE reserves the right to charge for technical advice, administrative services and business support. If your enquiry is other than routine membership information you may face additional charges. Please ensure you offer clear instructions and obtain an indication of costs before accessing a BRE service
For more information
E: Approved Certifiers of Design
T: +44 (0)141 4474999
or via one of our local offices