Commercial Energy Performance Certificate
Commercial EPCs have become a must for commercial premises because potential buyers and tenants are entitled to an impartial overview of energy use and energy costs of the building and because the epcs will tell sellers and landlords where there's room for energy improvement as far as their properties are concerned. Such a certificate is valid around ten years, being not only a mandatory requirement but also a highly effective measure.
The Commercial EPC Certificate
The commercial epc can be given only by qualified non domestic assessors who are accredited. We are a commercial EPC provider. This certificate will be required upon construction, sale or lease for all non-dwellings, including retail units, office, industrial units, commercial buildings, warehouses, supermarkets and houses in multiple occupations. In order to receive such a certificate you will need to divulge the following information: floor plans in digital format, elevations and roof plans, details of the building's construction and details for the building services elements.
Level 3 Other building.
Level 4 Building with heating systems over 100kw, cooling systems greater than 12kw and natural ventilation.
Level 5 Large buildings over 10,000 m2 as well as smaller buildings that have particularly complex feature such as curved fascias, atriums and complex service systems.
The NDEA's job encompasses a number of areas.
The data required to allow the calculation of an EPC includes the following
1.Built form.
2.Number of storeys.
3.Date built.
4.Property dimensions including average floor to ceiling heights.
5.Wall construction and any areas that are of an alternative construction.
6.Roof construction.
7.Openings (windows and doors) and their age.
8.Percentage double glazed.
9.Presence of secondary heating sources – i.e., different heat source.
10.Heating system – type and fuel used.
11.Boiler (manufacturer, model and ID number)
12.Heating controls – room stats, programmer, etc.
13.Water heating system and if applicable capacity and insulation for hot water cylinder.
14.Electricity & Gas meter.
15.Type of lights.
NEW amendments and provisions for Commercial EPC 17-01-2011
The appropriate NCT file (for iSBEM generated assessments)
Aerial view(s) from Google maps or equivalent
An appropriate and comprehensive method statement
A complete set of comprehensive data collection forms, down to individual envelope level
Comprehensive site notes, including floor plans, zoning methodology, full HVAC details including establishment of efficiencies, construction details etc.
A comprehensive set of dated images that, together with the site notes, provides a full evidence trail to support all data entry for the SBEM model.
Correct use of the EPC/EPBD audit information section
Audit checking procedure
In order to fulfil the required audit process, the Compliance team will be checking the integrity of the following items on all reports:
Is the number and type of zone specified sufficient to adequately describe the building correctly in accordance with SBEM requirements?
Has the assessment been carried out at the correct level, i.e. Level 3 or Level 4?
General information:
Weather location
Stage of analysis
Correct level of assessment
Metering provisions
Power factor
Air permeability
Accredited details (thermal bridging)
We strive to achieve turnaround of between 2~3 working days from instruction to production of the Commercial Energy Performance Certificate. We also understand that at some point only very short notice can be given for the production of the CEPC and it’s critical that the certificate is ready on time. In these circumstances we try to ensure the certificate is produced within the client’s timescale. This certificate is valid for 10 years or until changes occur.
In order to produce CEPC's it is first necessary to visit the premises. These surveys can only be carried out by Non-domestic assessors. At Complete EPC we employ our own assessors, who hold all the necessary qualifications, experience and accreditation including Insurance and Disclosure checks, to enable them to produce Commercial EPC's.
The data gathered during the survey is then used to run the commercial EPC calculations using the government approved software [SBEM]. The total heat loss is worked out for all the thermal elements of the premises and this is then combined with the efficiency of heating, lighting and air conditioning systems to work out the overall rating.
This rating is called an Asset rating, the asset rating is shown in graphical format on a scale of A (most efficient) to G (less efficient) and includes a numerical value. These rating can then be used to make comparisons with comparable buildings.
When an EPC is provided it is also accompanied by a recommendations report, which provides recommendations on how the performance of the building can be enhanced, together with an indication of the likely payback period.
EPC's are not required for some type of buildings: such as places of worship, those that are stand alone and low energy demand and less that 50m2 and any that are scheduled for demolition.
EPC's have been introduced to help improve energy efficiency of buildings. Since October 2008 it has been a legal requirement that commercial and public buildings must have one, whenever a property is sold, built, rented or leased. This certificate should be made available as soon as marketing commences.
The landlord and sellers/vendors has the responsibility for providing the EPC with the building particulars at the time of sale or lease. The requirements are enforced by Local Trading Standards Officers, who have the powers to fine, for non-compliance: typically 12.5% of the rateable value of the building to a maximum of £5000
How long is your EPC valid for ?
EPCs are valid for ten years.(unless superseded)
A sample of past clients
Under-Refurbishment.
iSBEM
iSBEM (On Construction Commercial Energy)
iSBEM is the Government's Standard Assessment Procedure for Energy Rating of Buildings. iSBEM is adopted by government as part of the UK national methodology for calculation of the energy performance of buildings. It is used to demonstrate compliance with building regulations for dwellings - Part L (England and Wales), Section 6 (Scotland) and Part F (Northern Ireland) - and to provide energy ratings for buildings.
From 6 April 2008 it is law to provide an Energy Performance Certificate for all new and newly built buildings that are completed after that date.
New Construction and Industrial: EPC, NI EPC, NICEPC3, NICEPC4
iSBEM As Designed / As Built
DISPLAY (DEC)
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) show the actual energy usage of a building, the Operational Rating, and help the public see the energy efficiency of a building. This is based on the energy consumption of the building as recorded by gas, electricity and other meters. The DEC should be clearly displayed at all times and clearly visible to the public. A DEC is always accompanied by an Advisory Report that lists cost effective measures to improve the energy rating of the building.
Display Energy Certificates are only required for buildings with a total useful floor area over 1,000m2 that are occupied by a public authority and institution providing a public service to a large number of persons and therefore visited by those persons. They are valid for one year. The accompanying Advisory Report is valid for seven years.
Display certificates required for all public buildings in excess of 1,000 m2.
The requirement for Display Energy Certificates came into effect on 1 October 2008.
How long is your Display EPC valid for ?
ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT SURVEY
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that has been a popular building material since the 1950s. It is used as an insulator (to keep in heat and keep out cold), has good fire protection properties and protects against corrosion.
Because asbestos is often mixed with another material, it's hard to know if you're working with it or not. But, if you work in a building built before the year 2000, it's likely that some parts of the building will contain asbestos.
Asbestos is found in many products used in buildings, including ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, boilers and sprayed coatings
Where can you find asbestos?
Some of the places where you may find asbestos can be found.
Asbestos cement products
Textured coatings
Floor tiles, textiles and composites
Sprayed coatings on ceilings, walls and beams/columns
Asbestos insulating board
Lagging
Loose asbestos in ceiling or floor cavity
Asbestos Management Survey
Removal/abatement of thermal insulation and on surface material.
Removal of floor or ceiling tiles, siding, roofing or transite panels or piping.
Asbestos Maintenance and Removal
Repair and maintenance operations where employees may disturb ACBM. An example of this work is the removal or moving of asbestos ceiling tiles while servicing above-the-ceiling utilities or running electrical or telecommunications cable.
ELECTRICAL PERIODIC REPORTING
We use NICEIC accredited electrician registered contractors to ensure that your electrics are installed and maintained safely and correctly.
Government figures estimate that there are around 19 fatal and 880 non-fatal shock accidents a year in the workplace. Many incidents are caused by faulty appliances rather than the electrical installation itself, a properly installed and well-maintained installation could save lives.
Cables, switches, socket-outlets and other equipment deteriorate with prolonged use, so they all need to be checked and necessary replacements or repairs made in good time.
Whilst it is relatively easy to make an electrical circuit work – it is far more challenging to make the circuit work safely. To avoid the dangers that electricity can create to you and others it is essential that electrical work is carried out only by those with the correct knowledge, skill and experience in the type of electrical work to be undertaken.
Compliance with the Building Regulations in England and Wales is governed by CLG - ensure compliance by using an NICEIC-registered contractor to undertake work covered by Building Regulations.
Ensure compliance to the Building Regulations – always use an NICEIC-registered contractor to undertake work covered by the Building Regulations.
If you are a homeowner or own a rental property, you are responsible for compliance with legally binding Building Regulations.
The Building Regulations apply to building work in England and Wales and set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the health and safety of people in or about those buildings. Equivalent Regulations apply in Scotland under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003.
AIR PRESSURE TEST
Our air pressure test service can save you money!
Part L2 of the Building Regulations ( Conservation of fuel and power) has been amended with effecr from 1st april 2006 and now includes a test for Air Leakage.
Building requiring compliance to part L2 with a gross floor area of greater than 500m2 will require an air leakage test carried out in accordance withh ATTMA technical standards 1 (2006) and must be shown to leak no more than 10m3/hr/m2@ 50Pa or less than the given in your SAPS calculations.
Despite the legal requirement, an energy efficient building has many advantages, both financially and environmentally.
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AIR TEST
Checklist of Items to be completed prior to our arrival on Site
1. Prior to attending site we require accurately calculated values for the Floor Area,
External Wall Area, Roof or Top Floor Ceiling Area & Volume of the building. We
need these to calculate the EXTERNAL SURFACE AREA of the building, and cannot
confirm a test result without the values.
2. We will require a set of floor plans and elevations to mark up areas of leakage in the event of a test failure.
3. We will require the Design Air Leakage Rate or Air Permeability for the building. For commercial buildings this is generally 10 m3/hour/m2, but can be lower, if requested in SBEM calculations.
4. We require TWO 240v MAINS powered electrical sockets within 25 metres of EACH of our testing equipment set up.
5. Ensure that the completed building envelope is finished. All doors, windows, and cladding
must be installed, or if items, such as glazing are missing, they should be sealed up to prevent air leakage.
6. Seal with tape or cardboard any duct work and mechanical vents to the outside. Pay particular attention to the air conditioning system.
7. Seal all ducts and penetrations where the main services enter the building.
8. Seal all SVP and waste pipe penetrations passing through external walls and ceilings. Make sure that the tops, sides & ends of all pipe boxing’s are sealed to prevent air leaking into the boxing and escaping through SVP/waste pipe penetrations.
9. Ensure that all toilets and U bends in sinks have water in them.
10. Turn off all pilot lights and combustion equipment. Seal all flues.
11. Decide which personnel door/s are to be used for the test. Make sure that there are no obstructions within 3 meters of the inside and outside of the door/s chosen for the test. In some cases the door/s may need to be removed, if so you will need to supply an attendance to remove the door/s.
12. Ensure all external doors and windows are closed fully and make sure all trickle vents closed but NOT SEALED. Internal doors should be wedged open.
13. Smoke vents are to be closed but NOT SEALED.
14. Lift shaft vents are to be left open, with lift doors closed.
15. Remove 1% of ceiling or floor tiles, if applicable, that are adjacent to the external envelope.
16. The most common areas of leakage are either at junctions where walls meet each floor and the roof or junctions between different materials. Check gaps between tops of walls & roof are sealed.
17. Have a competent member of your staff available on the test day to modify and/or seal any further areas that we identify as requiring extra work.
18. If the door/s chosen for the test have a larger opening larger than 1.200m x 2.100m high, you will need to modify the opening to suit our standard template.
(Please call us for advice should this be required.)
19. Whilst we would prefer to have the building empty during the test duration, people can stay in the building whilst the test is in progress. They may not however enter or leave during the test period. (Approx 1- 2 hours)
20. The customer must confirm the test date in writing at least 72hrs before the programmed test date, if this doesn’t happen APT reserve the right to cancel the Air Leakage Test until written confirmation is received.
21. We require a parking space for a transit van type vehicle within 10 metres of the test location on site.
22. Testing cannot take place in high winds or if significant temperature differences persist, particularly for high buildings. You should inform us immediately if on the day of the test high winds in excess of 6 m/s are experienced, and a personnel door in a sheltered area cannot be utilised. If we arrive on site to carryout the test and have to abort the test due to windspeeds in excess of 6 m/s the full test fee will be payable.
23. If we arrive on site and are delayed due to the site not being prepared adequately, or the items in this checklist not being completed prior to our arrival, we reserve the right to cancel the test. The full test fee will be payable.
AIR CONDITIONING INSPECTION
Many commercial buildings and an increasing number of homes have air conditioning systems. These systems should be carefully maintained and managed in order that they do not consume too much energy.
We are introducing regular inspections for air conditioning systems. By 4 January 2009 all air conditioning systems over 250kW must have their first inspection, and by 4 January 2011 all air conditioning systems over 12kW must have their first inspection.
The trigger for air conditioning systems inspections is the size (effective rated output) of the system not the type of building and so the measures apply to homes, commercial and public buildings.
Air Conditioning Full Service Checklist
1. Check system for correct refrigerant charge
2. Check compressor amps
3. Check condenser fan amps
4. Check condenser coil (clean as needed)
5. Check contactor points
6. Check capacitor
7. Check thermostat level
8. Check thermostat calibration
9. Check temperature split at evaporator coil
10. Check fan motor amps
11. Check changeover valve operation
12. Check all electrical connections
13. Check safety controls where applicable
14. Change filter (or wash filter, if washable type)
15. Flush or blow out condensate drain line
16. Check and clean evaporator drain pan
17. Lubricate all moving parts where necessary
18. Check visual integrity of system
19. Check final performance
20. Report necessary improvements
21. Clean vegetation, etc from outdoor unit
22. Check the crankcase heater
23. Pull and clean indoor fan assembly
24. Check condensing temperature split at condensing coil
25. Clean, check and adjust condenser fan (outside)
26. Check defrost control
27. Make sure A/C condenser is level
28. Check for excessive vibration
29. Check air circulation – No balancing
30. Check for air leaks at plenum
SOUND PRESSURE TEST
.From 6 April 2008 it is law to provide a Sound Pressure Test Certificate for all new and newly built properties that are completed after that date.
The best time to carry out sound testing is towards the completion of the project, but before the floor finishes have been applied. In addition the optimum conditions are when the site is quiet. If there is noise on the site from equipment and 'on going works' there is an increased chance of a sound test failure. Housing developers and/or site managers will have to nominate a day for testing and restrict any noisy activity during the tests. The following list provides an indicative checklist for site managers for the requirements of the plots and sites where testing may be carried out.
1. We require accurately dimensioned floor plan layout drawings of the rooms to be tested; AT LEAST 5 WORKING DAYS before the test date.
2. We require a 240v Mains Electric socket in each of the rooms being tested.
3. We will require a clean & quiet working environment for our testing works.
4. Both properties to be tested should be clear of materials and operatives for the test. Access to the properties needs to be restricted whilst the tests are undertaken.
5. Ensure that the completed building envelope is finished. All doors, windows, and cladding must be installed. Make sure that:
- Windows are fully fitted with locks in place.
- Window trickle vents are in place or temporarily blocked up for testing.
- Individual room and front doors are in place and closable.
- All wall surfaces in rooms to be tested are complete (including sockets and switches if applicable).
- Floor and ceiling surface are complete.
- Carpets or timber laminates have NOT been laid in rooms where floors are to be tested
(except for bonded carpet).
6. All of the rooms to be tested will need to be cleared of materials & operatives during the testing.
7. Seal all ducts and penetrations where the main services enter the building.
8. Lift shaft doors are to be kept closed.
9. On our quotation a time is allowed for the test. If, due to the site not being prepared adequately, or the test over runs due to reasons beyond our control, our extra hourly charges would be as stated on our quotation.
10. Have a competent member of your staff available on the test day to ensure that the above items remain in place during the testing period.
11. If we arrive on site and are delayed due to the site not being prepared adequately, or the items in this checklist not being completed prior to our arrival, we reserve the right to cancel the test. The full test fee will be payable.
