SBEM Calculations & BRUKL Reports
Our highly experienced and fully accredited energy consultants provide SBEM Calculations and BRUKL Reports for all types of commercial buildings within the UK.
We offer unrivalled customer support, and technical consultation focused on providing cost-effective and practical solutions to achieving compliance with Approved Document L: Volume 2 of the Building Regulations (or local equivalent).
EPS Group: Expert SBEM Assessment & Approved Document L Consultancy
SBEM assessments are required for all newly built non-domestic units with a heated or cooled environment and an internal floor area greater than 50 sqm in order to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Building Regulations including Approved Document L: Volume 2 (England & Wales), Document F (Northern Ireland) and Section 6 (Scotland).
Under certain conditions, SBEM calculations may also be required for proportionally large extensions to commercial buildings, extensive refurbishments or conversions and for the ‘fit-out’ of shell & core units.
For more information relating to SBEM Calculations and BRUKL Reports, please explore the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Alternatively, to discuss your conversion SBEM Calculation and BRUKL Report requirements further, please contact us on 0115 7270599 email us at info@epsgroup.co.uk, or complete our enquiry form.
What are SBEM Calculations?
SBEM is an acronym for Simplified Building Energy Modelling. This is the UK’s government approved methodology for calculating the energy performance of commercial properties.
SBEM is used to assess the overall thermal efficiency of a commercial building and also the amount of energy that will be consumed by internal services (e.g. heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and hot water) over the course of a year.
Each SBEM calculation also estimates the annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that will be annually emitted from the building under occupation.
What is a BRUKL Report?
The key results of each SBEM calculation is summarised within a BRUKL Report for submission to the appointed Building Control Body (BCB).
Whilst there are a number of performance criteria reported within a BRUKL report including fabric U-values and HVAC efficiencies, there is a principle requirement for the calculated Building Emission Rate (BER) and Building Primary Energy Rating (BPER) to be less than the Target Emission Rate (TER) and Target Primary Energy Rating (TPER), in order to comply with Approved Document L: Volume 2 of the Building Regulations (or equivalent local standards).
A BRUKL Report is usually submitted to the BCB at both the Design Stage and the As Built Stage of each commercial development
SBEM Calculation & BRUKL Report FAQs
When should a SBEM Calculation & BRUKL Report be completed?
Ideally SBEM Calculations should be completed at the start of the detailed design process once internal layouts have been confirmed and a provisional or outline build specification is available.
This is an ideal time to complete an SBEM Assessment as any specification changes that may be recommended in order to achieve Approved Document L: Volume 2 compliance (or equivalent) are easier to accommodate (as oppose to discovering an issue later in the construction process). Similarly the SBEM Assessor may provide direct feedback on any early HVAC proposals which can be relayed to sub-contractors tending for various works.
It is also worth noting that a Design Stage BRUKL Report will ordinarily be required by the appointed BCB prior building works commencing on site.
Once the building works are complete, the design stage SBEM Assessment is ideally updated by the original SBEM Assessor to a final ‘A Built’ calculation. This is used to produce a final BRUKL Report and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the building, which are both required as part of the Building Control sign off procedure.
Despite the above recommended process, it is not uncommon for clients to first seek SBEM calculations once construction has commenced, or even upon completion of the project. Whilst an SBEM Assessment can be completed on this basis, it is worth noting that this is extremely risky since the options for potential specification changes become fewer and more costly later in the construction process.
Who can complete a SBEM Calculation?
Valid SBEM calculations must be completed by a qualified Level 4 or 5 Non-Domestic Energy Assessor. In order to avoid duplicate costs, it is also important to check that the appointed SBEM Assessor is also accredited by an approved body to issue Energy Performance Certificates upon completion of the build.
What is the difference between SBEM and an EPC?
Like the BRUKL Report, the EPC is also generated from the final ‘As Built’ SBEM Calculation for a building. At EPS Group, we provide this additional certificate free of charge when we have been appointed to complete the corresponding SBEM Assessment.
What information is required to complete a SBEM Calculation?
In generalised terms, the following details are required in order to complete an SBEM Assessment. Where the calculation is completed at the design stage, it is acknowledged that precise information may not be available:
- Scaled plans (floor plans, elevations, sections)
- Build specification
- HVAC details
- Lighting details (fittings and controls)
- Any renewable technologies
- Air permeability rate
Are there any tips to passing a SBEM calculation?
Whilst every building project is different; we would always give the following general recommendations:
- Ensure that your building is assessed for Approved Document L: Volume 2 compliance (or equivalent) at an early stage when there is a higher degree of flexibility to make any recommend specification changes.
- Consider the location and potential performance of the final air tightness barrier within the completed building as part of the overall design process. Achieving a reduced air permeability rate from the pressure test at completion can significantly reduce the calculated Building Emission Rate (BER) within the SBEM Assessment. It is also generally more cost-effective for commercial buildings under 500m2 to have a voluntary air tightness test as opposed to trying to achieve compliance with a penalty air permeability rate of 15 m3.h.m2.
- The energy consumption of the lighting systems installed within commercial buildings has a significant impact on the calculated SBEM result. We would, therefore, always urge clients to specify highly efficient fittings and controls in order to help reduce the calculated CO2 emissions of a building.
What happens if my building fails the SBEM Assessment?
At EPS Group we pride ourselves on forming constructive working relationships with our clients.
If your building fails the initial SBEM Assessment, we will look to work with you to devise cost effective and practical options for specification changes that will enable you to achieve overall compliance with Approved Document L: Volume 2 of the Building Regulations (or local equivalent).
This Technical Consultancy is included within our fees and distinguishes us from many of our competitors.
How much do SBEM Calculations cost?
Our fees are largely based upon the internal layout of a building and its general level of complexity rather than overall floor area.
If you would like to receive a fixed price quotation for an SBEM Assessment, please email us a copy of the plans for your building to info@epsgroup.co.uk. Alternatively, please complete our enquiry form.
How can EPS Group help with my SBEM calculation?
There are many reasons to appoint EPS Group to provide your SBEM Calculations
How can EPS Group help with my SBEM calculation?
Our highly experienced and fully accredited SBEM Assessors unrivalled customer support and technical consultation focused on providing cost-effective and practical solutions to achieving compliance with Approved Document L: Volume 2 of the Building Regulations (or local equivalent).
There are many reasons to appoint us to provide your SBEM Calculations including:
Fixed prices fees
Significant discounts for multiple units
Independent client focused advice
Free U-value calculations included
Ongoing Technical Support
Expedited service available by request
Multi-disciplined team providing a range of related services including SAP Calculations and Air Tightness Testing
Recent SBEM Projects
- All
- Commercial Air Tightness Testing
- Display Energy Certificates
- Domestic Air Tightness Testing
- Energy Statements
- Existing Building Air Tightness Test
- Extractor Fan Flow Rate Testing
- On Construction Energy Performance Certificates
- Room Integrity Testing
- SAP Calculations
- SAP Calculations for New Build Dwellings
- SBEM Calculations & BRUKL Reports
- Water Efficiency Calculations
EPS Group: A Partner for those in the Construction Industry
We value the importance of a solid working relationship with those in the construction industry, and for many, we serve as the reliable go-to-company to entrust from the planning stage of a development through to completion.
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