Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)

Building Regulations Parts L and F (effective April 2006), recognises the need for the creation of healthier working environments in the workplace for new and refurbished commercial buildings of all types. (The EU is working towards an energy reduction in energy consumption of buildings of 20% by 2010.)

The EPBD requires buildings to save energy whilst providing efficient and effective ventilation by use of the SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) to measure CO2 emissions and provide energy certification.

EPBD recast

The recast sets a new target to ensure all new buildings are "nearly zero" energy buildings. Nearly zero constructions are defined as: "A Building that has a very high energy performance. The nearly zero or very low amount of energy should be covered to a very significant extent from renewable sources provided on site or nearby."

The EPC of buildings plays a central role in the process. These certificates offer an insight into the cost effectiveness of suggested improvements by including "cost- optimal" recommendations. This ebing the energy performance level that leads to the lowest cost during the estimated life cycle of the building.

By June 2011 the European Commission will establish a comparative framework for calculating cost-optimal levels of minimum energy performance.

These changes set out in the recast will provide a further 5-6% reduction of energy used across the EU by 2020. This figure is equal to the total energy consumption of Belgium and Romania!

Building Regulations Document Part L2 – Conservation of fuel and power

The 2006 Edition for non-dwellings states that …"reasonable provisions shall be made for the conservation of fuel and power in building…"

Building Regulations Part L2A for new buildings and Building Regulations Part L2b for existing buildings

These documents provide guidelines for the conservation of fuel and power in new or existing buildings (other than dwellings) states that….." the system should be capable of achieving a specific fan power at 25% of design flow rate no greater than that achieved at 100% design flow rate. Reasonable provision for ventilation system fans rated at more than 1100W would be to equip them with variable speed drives." The specific performance limits of the system are detailed in the Non-Domestic Heating Cooling and Ventilation Compliance Guidelines including energy efficient performance and effective control systems.

Building Regulation Part F

Means of ventilation …..advises that in the Building Regulations Part F 2006 Edition, Section 2 - relating to buildings other than dwellings. The requirements of natural and mechanical ventilation systems are highlighted. It specifies fresh air ventilation rates for air supply to offices (10 litres per second per person) in Table 2.1b with specific extract ventilation rates for rooms (including those with photocopiers, printers, food preparation and sanitary areas provided in table 2.1a. Further additional information is provided for guidance in Tables 2.2 and 2.3.

BS EN 13779:2007

Ventilation for non-residential buildings ….provides performance requirements for ventilation and room conditioning systems and is part of a series of European Standards that are aimed at providing harmonisation of methodology for the calculation of the energy performance of buildings.

Building Bulletin 101

This document provides regulations, standards and guidelines for the ventilation of school buildings.