Sustainability and Energy Conservation
Oculus offers a range of sustainability and energy conservation related services utilising our dedicated ‘Green Team’. These services are provided either independently, or as integrated project related services or to compliment other Oculus services where appropriate. Our ‘Green Team’ are all RICS Chartered Surveyors.
The design, construction and use of a building must meet human needs. To be sustainable it must also preserve the environment so that future generations are able to meet their environmental, economical and social development needs.
Our services include:-
Sustainable Development
- Sustainable Building Design Advice
- BREEAM Assessments for educational buildings
Energy Conservation
Our ‘Green Team’ includes Accredited Energy Assessors, energy consultants and building surveyors. This specialist and experienced team enables us to accurately and correctly model buildings for the preparation and issue of Energy Performance Certificates and other energy related services. Our service includes:-
- Building Regulation Part L consultancy
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) (Level 3 accredited)
- SBEM CO2 design calculations (including EPC if required)
- U-Value Calculations
- Energy Conservation Consultancy
Part L 2010
In April 2010 the new Part L is due to be published covering both domestic (Parts L1A and L1B) and non domestic (Parts L2A and L2B) buildings. These documents are due to come into force in October 2010.
The overall aim is an approximate 25% reduction in CO2 emissions from 2006 Part L (that’s a total 58% reduction over 2002 Part L). The main principles and methods of compliance remain unchanged from the 2006 Approved Documents. For new buildings, the improvements have been made by adjusting the “notional” building specifications within approved software (ie SAP for dwellings and SBEM or approved software for non domestic buildings) to produce a more stringent performance target for the building design.
Other key changes proposed for new build non domestic buildings include:
- Requirement for a design stage CO2 calculation (previously only a recommendation)
- Fit out guidance tightened - new CO2 calculation required if services systems changed from base build assumed design
- Increase focus on limiting solar overheating in summer.
- Commissioning plan required at design stage
Overall, this revision of Part L is a step closer towards zero carbon buildings. The governments current dates for this become a reality are -
- New build domestic 2016
- New build non-domestic 2018
Now the new Part L documents have been published, the Oculus Academy are offering free CPD seminars highlighting the key changes and how they will affect you.