How Does an SBEM Calculation Fit into the Commercial Building Design Process and What Will Building Control Require to Sign the Building Off?

In the design and construction of commercial buildings, ensuring that the structure meets energy efficiency standards is crucial not just for sustainability, but also for compliance with building regulations. One of the key elements in this process is the SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) calculation. This calculation plays a pivotal role in helping architects, designers, and engineers ensure that their buildings meet energy performance standards. But how does an SBEM calculation fit into the commercial building design process, and what exactly will building control require to sign off the building?

In this blog, we’ll explore how Energy Ready assists in navigating the SBEM calculation and offers comprehensive support for ensuring that your building is fully compliant with energy regulations.

Understanding the SBEM Calculation

The SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) calculation is a software-based methodology used to determine the energy performance of a building. It helps assess whether a building complies with Part L of the Building Regulations in the UK, which sets out the requirements for energy efficiency. The SBEM calculation considers various factors, such as the building's size, layout, heating and cooling systems, lighting, and overall design.

Energy performance is assessed based on:

• Energy Demand: How much energy the building needs for heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation.

• Carbon Emissions: The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) the building produces due to energy consumption.

• Efficiency: How well the building uses energy relative to the services it provides.

By producing this data, the SBEM calculation provides insights into how a building can be designed to minimize energy usage, reduce carbon footprints, and meet sustainability goals.

Why Is SBEM So Important for Commercial Buildings?

For commercial buildings, energy efficiency isn’t just a buzzword; it’s an essential part of the regulatory framework. The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which is a requirement for any commercial building, can only be issued when the building passes the necessary energy performance tests, including those assessed via the SBEM calculation. If the SBEM calculation shows that the building falls short of the required energy standards, the building design may need adjustments to meet the standards.

Additionally, the SBEM calculation provides clear, actionable data that helps building owners, developers, and architects to optimis eenergy from the start of the design process. Energy Ready helps businesses by providing expert SBEM calculation services and advising on how to incorporate energy efficiency into the design at every stage. 

Introducing the BRUKL Report

A key component of the SBEM calculation is the BRUKL Report, which stands for Building Regulations UK Part L. The BRUKL report is generated as part of the SBEM calculation and serves as the official evidence that the building has been assessed against the energy efficiency requirements set out in Part L of the Building Regulations.

Building control officers will typically ask for the BRUKL Report as part of the documentation required to sign off the building. This report outlines the building's energy performance and demonstrates whether it meets the necessary energy standards. If the building fails to comply, the report will highlight areas for improvement, allowing architects and developers to make adjustments and optimised the building’s energy usage.

In summary, the BRUKL Report is not just a technical document—it is the proof that the building has undergone a thorough SBEM calculation and is compliant with energy regulations. Without it, the building cannot be signed off, as it would be impossible to verify that energy efficiency standards have been met.

The SBEM Calculation in the Commercial Building Design Process

The SBEM calculation is essential at various stages of the commercial building design process. Let’s break down where it fits in and why it's so critical:

1. Early Design Phase:

At the early stages of a project, architects and engineers begin considering the building's layout, materials, orientation, and energy systems. The SBEM calculation can help predict how these early design decisions will impact energy usage and carbon emissions. If the building design fails to meet energy performance standards at this stage, it can be adjusted before moving further into development.

Energy Ready’s team can assist at this early stage to provide preliminary calculations, offering recommendations on how to improve the building’s energy efficiency. Early optimization of energy performance can save money in the long run and help avoid costly redesigns later in the process.

2. Detailed Design Phase:

Once the design becomes more detailed, specific systems such as heating, cooling, and lighting systems are integrated. The SBEM calculation takes into account these systems, and at this point, more accurate data regarding energy consumption can be produced.

The building services team can use the SBEM results to adjust the design, ensuring that the building operates at optimal energy efficiency. This stage is crucial because any failures to meet the energy performance targets here could result in significant delays, additional costs, and issues with regulatory approval.

3. Pre-Construction:

Before construction begins, the SBEM calculation must be confirmed as compliant with building regulations. This final design stage SBEM calculation and BRUKL report is a critical part of the documentation submitted to building control. At this stage, Energy Ready offers support to ensure that the design aligns with energy standards, making sure that the building will meet the required energy performance targets once built.

Key Figures Building Control Are Looking for in an SBEM Calculation to Demonstrate Compliance to Part L

Building control officers look for key figures within the SBEM calculation and resulting BRUKL Report to ensure the building meets the energy efficiency standards outlined in Part L of the UK Building Regulations. Some of the critical elements include:

• BER - The Building CO2 Emission Rate: This figure demonstrates the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions produced by the building due to its energy consumption. Lower BER values indicate more energy-efficient designs.

• Fabric Energy Efficiency: This refers to how efficient the building's fabric (walls, roofs, floors, etc.) is in terms of insulating the building and reducing the energy needed for heating and cooling.
  

• Solar Gains: This figure considers the impact of glazing on the building’s heating through sunlight. Effective management of solar gains can help reduce the building's heating demands, contributing to improved energy efficiency.
  

• Conditioning Efficiency: This measures the efficiency of heating and cooling systems for space and water. Highly efficient systems reduce the energy required for maintaining comfortable conditions within the building.
  

• Lighting Efficacy: This represents the efficiency of the building’s lighting system, typically measured in lumens per circuit watt. optimising lighting efficacy can significantly reduce energy usage.
  

• Consideration of Renewable Energy: Building control will also check the renewable energy sources that have been considered, such as solar panels, wind turbines, or heat pumps. Incorporating renewable energy systems can significantly reduce the building's carbon footprint.

Energy Ready also supports clients in preparing detailed documentation that will be required for submission to building control authorities. This ensures that the project proceeds smoothly without any regulatory roadblocks.

How Building Control Factors Into the SBEM Calculation

In the UK, building control is the local authority's way of ensuring that building projects comply with Building Regulations. The SBEM calculation plays a vital role in this process by providing the necessary data that demonstrates compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations (which relates to energy efficiency). However, building control does not automatically accept any energy performance report. The design, construction, and energy efficiency aspects of the project must align with building regulations.

Here’s how building control interacts with the SBEM calculation:

1. Submission to Building Control:

Once the final SBEM calculation is completed and shows that the building meets or exceeds the energy performance requirements, it must be submitted to building control for review. This is part of the formal submission process, which also includes architectural plans, structural calculations, and compliance certificates.

At this point, Energy Ready assists with ensuring that all documentation, including the SBEM calculation, BRUKL Report and any necessary supporting information, is submitted correctly to the building control authority.

2. Reviewing Compliance:

Building control authorities will review the SBEM calculation as part of their overall inspection process. If the SBEM calculation indicates that the building doesn’t meet the required energy performance standards, building control may request revisions to the design.

This is where Energy Ready’s expertise comes in. We work with your team to identify any areas where the building’s energy performance can be improved. By using advanced tools and data, we help you optimised the design and re-submit the corrected SBEM calculation to building control.

3. Inspection and Sign-off:

Once building control is satisfied that the SBEM calculation complies with the regulations, and the construction meets energy performance standards, the project can be signed off. The sign-off is often one of the final stages in the process before a building can be occupied.

However, building control may also conduct an on-site inspection during and after construction to verify compliance with the submitted plans, including the energy performance targets identified in the SBEM report.

What Will Building Control Require to Sign the Building Off?

For building control to sign off a commercial building, several key requirements must be met, all of which hinge on demonstrating compliance with the Building Regulations, including energy efficiency. Here are the critical elements:

1. SBEM Calculation and EPC:

Building control will need to see that the SBEM calculation has been completed and that the energy performance targets have been met, this is evidenced in the BRUKL Report. The calculation must show that the building meets the necessary standards for carbon emissions and energy usage. In addition, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) must be provided, which is issued based on the SBEM calculation and shows the building’s predicted energy efficiency rating.

2. Compliance with Building Regulations:

The building must comply with all other relevant aspects of the Building Regulations, including structural integrity, fire safety, ventilation, and more. Building control will review these areas to ensure that the overall design is safe and functional.

3. Completion of Building Works:

Once construction is completed, building control may carry out an on-site inspection to ensure that the construction follows the approved plans and complies with the regulations. If the building is found to deviate from the approved plans, including energy performance requirements, additional work may be needed to meet the standards.

4. Documentation and Certification:

Building control will require all necessary documentation and certification, including the final ‘As Built’ SBEM calculation, BRUKL report and also the As Built EPC, architectural plans, and any other documents that demonstrate compliance with the regulations. This will typically include certificates for insulation, heating and cooling systems, and lighting controls, which all contribute to the building’s overall energy performance.

Why Partner with Energy Ready?

Navigating the complexities of SBEM calculations and building control requirements can be challenging. Energy Ready provides expert guidance and support throughout the design and construction process to ensure that your commercial building complies with all energy efficiency regulations.

We offer:

• Expert SBEM Calculations: Our team has extensive experience in carrying out SBEM calculations to ensure your building meets energy efficiency standards.

• Tailored Solutions: We provide tailored energy solutions to optimised your building’s design for efficiency and sustainability.

• Building Control Support: We assist with submitting documentation to building control and ensure compliance with all necessary regulations.

• Energy Performance Certification: We help you obtain the necessary EPC and ensure that your building meets or exceeds performance standards.

At Energy Ready, we aim to streamline the process of achieving energy efficiency compliance, so you can focus on delivering successful commercial building projects.

Conclusion

An SBEM calculation is a critical tool in the commercial building design process, helping to ensure compliance with energy performance regulations. It provides the data needed for building control to sign off on a project and can influence key decisions in the design and construction phases. Energy Ready is here to help you navigate this process, offering expert support and guidance every step of the way.

By working with Energy Ready, you can ensure that your commercial building is not only compliant with regulations but also optimised for energy efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability. Whether you're in the early design stages or approaching the final building control sign-off, we’re here to help.