SECTION 6 - SCOTLAND ENERGY CONSULTANTS
SECTION 6 - SCOTLAND ENERGY CONSULTANTS
SECTION 6 - ENERGY SCOTLAND - EXPLAINED
The intention of Section 6 is to ensure that effective measures for the conservation of fuel and power are incorporated in buildings. In addition to limiting energy demand by addressing the performance of the building fabric and fixed building services, a carbon dioxide emissions standard obliges designers of new buildings to consider building design in a holistic way. Our Section 6 Energy Consultants are fully qualified to verify compliance with the Section 6 – Energy Guides. Our internal Level 5 Energy Consultants will ensure that compliance is achieved in the most efficient manner possible, providing value for money. We are unique Energy Consultants with Regional Offices throughout the UK.
Similar to Part L, the standard focuses on the Criterions 1-5 for compliance, using the National calculation methodology (NCM) as approved in the building regulations. The standards are very similar to each other, and have slight differences throughout.
Section 6 advised on nine standards to demonstrate evidence in complying with the building regulations, each of those standards are outlined below with the required evidence detailed.
Regulation 25A – Low to Zero Carbon Energy Statements
Regulation 25A requires that, before the work starts, the person undertaking the work must carry out an analysis that considers and takes into account the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of using high-efficiency alternative systems in the building design. The following high- efficiency alternative systems may be considered if available, but other LZC systems may also be considered if available:
- decentralised energy supply systems based on energy from renewable sources;
- district or block heating or cooling, particularly where it is based entirely or partially on energy from renewable sources;
- heat pumps.
The analysis should state whether high-efficiency alternative systems have or have not been included in the building design. The requirement relates to considering, taking into account, documenting and making available for verification purposes the analysis of high-efficiency alternative systems.
NOTE: The Building Regulations are technology neutral and do not require that high-efficiency alternative systems or other LZC systems are installed.
Demonstrating Compliance with 25A - Guidance for Section 6
Regulation 25A essentially states that proof of the building passing the Criterion, and proof of consideration for LZC technologies must be given in order for planning permission to be obtained.
Proof is delivered within the BRUKL document obtained from the SBEM calculation methodology, and evidence within the energy statement of alternative energy resources. The statement must explain why certain technologies have been avoided, and reasonable explanation for all.
An SBEM is the Simple Building Energy Model, and is purposely used as a national calculation method for comparing buildings of the same type. The SBEM calculated a carbon output, called the Building Emission Rate. This building emission rate is then compared against the target emission rate, to tell if there is a pass or fail. Effectively, the calculation is in place to ensure that all buildings meet a certain level of energy efficiency in terms of carbon emissions.
JPA M&E Consultants will guide you through each stage and will carry out the Energy Statement to get through planning successfully.
Standard 6.1 - Regulation 26
Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that:
the energy performance is estimated in accordance with a methodology of calculation approved under regulation 7(a) of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008, and the energy performance of the building is capable of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Limitation:
This standard does not apply to:
- alterations and extensions to buildings, other than:
- alterations and extensions to stand-alone buildings having an area less than 50 square metres that would increase the area to 50 square metres or more
- extensions to non-domestic buildings where the extension will have an area which is both greater than 100 square metres and greater than 25% of the area of the existing building, and
- alterations to buildings involving the fit-out of the building shell which is the subject of a continuing requirement
- conversions of buildings:
- non-domestic buildings and buildings that are ancillary to a dwelling that are stand-alone having an area less than 50 square metres
- buildings, which will not be heated or cooled, other than by heating provided solely for the purpose of frost protection, or
- limited life buildings which have an intended life of less than 2 years.
- alterations and extensions to buildings, other than:
Demonstrating Compliance with Section 6.1 - Guidance
In the Secretary of State’s view, compliance with the energy efficiency requirements could be demonstrated by meeting the five separate criteria set out in the following paragraphs. Compliance software should produce an output report to assist BCBs check that compliance has been achieved.
NOTE: The output report can benefit both developers and BCBs during the design and construction stages as well as at completion.
In accordance with regulation 26, the calculated CO2 emission rate for the building (the Building CO2 Emission Rate, BER) must not be greater than the Target CO2 Emission Rate (TER).
Evidence for compliance:-
To demonstrate that the requirement in regulation 26 has been met, the actual Building CO2 Emission Rate (BER) must be no greater (no worse) than the TER calculated from the NCM calculation methodology, approved by the government bodies.
The TER is established by using approved software to calculate the CO2 emission rate from a notional building of the same size and shape as the actual building, but with specified properties. These specified properties shall be as set out in the National Calculation Methodology (NCM) modelling guide, in the section headed ‘Detailed definition of Notional Building for buildings other than dwellings’. The TER is set equal to the CO2 emissions from this notional building, with no further adjustment being made.
NOTE: The TER is based on a building of the same size and shape as the actual building, constructed to a concurrent specification. This concurrent specification for Section 6 is given in the NCM modelling guide. Developers are still given the freedom to vary the specification, provided the same overall level of CO2 emissions is achieved or bettered.
Standard 6.2 - Limiting U Values
Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that an insulation envelope is provided which reduces heat loss.
Limitation:
This standard does not apply to:
- non-domestic buildings which will not be heated, other than heating provided solely for the purposes of frost protection
- communal parts of domestic buildings which will not be heated, other than heating provided solely for the purposes of frost protection, or
- buildings which are ancillary to dwellings, other than conservatories, which are either unheated or provided with heating which is solely for the purpose of frost protection.
Demonstrating Compliance with Section 6.2 - Guidance
Buildings should be constructed and equipped so that performance is consistent with the calculated BER. As indicated in paragraph 2.15, a calculation of the BER is required to be submitted to the BCB after completion to take account of:
- any changes in performance between design and construction; and
- the achieved air permeability, ductwork leakage and commissioned fan performance.
Final fabric U-Values and thermal properties shall be no worse than those shown in the table below. An air test is to be carried out on construction to prove the air permeability value.
Limiting U Values & Thermal Properties - Section 6
| Roof | 0.25 W/(m^2K) |
| Wall | 0.35 W/(m^2K) |
| Floor | 0.25 W/(m^2K) |
| Swimming pool basin | 0.25 W/(m^2K) |
| Windows / roof windows roof-lights / curtain walling and pedestrian doors | 2.2 W/(m^2K) |
| Vehicle access and similar large doors | 1.5 W/(m^2K) |
| High-usage entrance doors | 3.5 W/(m^2K) |
| Roof ventilators (inc. smoke vents) | 3.5 W/(m^2K) |
| Air permeability | 10.0 m^3/(h.m^2) at 50 Pa |
Standard 6.3 - Building Services Minimum Efficiencies
Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that the heating and hot water service systems installed are energy efficient and are capable of being controlled to achieve optimum energy efficiency.
Limitation:
This standard does not apply to:
- buildings which do not use fuel or power for controlling the temperature of the internal environment, or
- heating provided solely for the purpose of frost protection.
Note on Consequential improvement
Where work to an existing building is subject to a building warrant and includes the provision of new fixed building services or alters or extends the capacity of existing fixed building services, the opportunity should be taken to review and improve the performance of fixed building systems.
Guidance on the extent to which improvement should be made is given in annex 6.D – ‘Improvement to the energy performance of existing building services when carrying out building work’.
Demonstrating Compliance with Section 6.3 - Guidance
Buildings should be constructed and equipped so that minimum efficiencies of building services are within the limitations described within the Building Services Compliance Guide.
The structure of the guide is:
Section 1: Introduction and summary of energy efficiency standards.
Section 2: Gas, oil and biomass-fuel boilers.
Section 3: Heat pumps.
Section 4: Gas and oil-fired warm air heaters.
Section 5: Gas and oil-fired radiant heaters.
Section 6: Combined heat and power and community heating.
Section 7: Direct electric space heating.
Section 8: Domestic hot water.
Section 9: Comfort cooling.
Section 10: Air distribution.
Section 11: Pipework and ductwork insulation.
Section 12: Lighting.
Section 13: Heating and cooling system circulators and water pumps.
The guide gives maximum power consumption, heat losses through insulated materials, control strategies and more.
Standard 6.4 - Building Services Heat Losses
Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that temperature loss from heated pipes, ducts and vessels, and temperature gain to cooled pipes and ducts, is resisted.
Limitation:
This standard does not apply to:
- buildings which do not use fuel or power for heating or cooling either the internal environment or water services
- buildings, or parts of a building, which will not be heated, other than heating provided solely for the purpose of frost protection, or
- pipes, ducts or vessels that form part of an isolated industrial or commercial process.
Demonstrating Compliance with Section 6.4 - Guidance
Buildings should be constructed and equipped so that maximum heat losses for pipes, plant and ductwork are within the limitations described within the Building Services Compliance Guide.
The structure of the guide is:
Section 1: Introduction and summary of energy efficiency standards.
Section 2: Gas, oil and biomass-fuel boilers.
Section 3: Heat pumps.
Section 4: Gas and oil-fired warm air heaters.
Section 5: Gas and oil-fired radiant heaters.
Section 6: Combined heat and power and community heating.
Section 7: Direct electric space heating.
Section 8: Domestic hot water.
Section 9: Comfort cooling.
Section 10: Air distribution.
Section 11: Pipework and ductwork insulation.
Section 12: Lighting.
Section 13: Heating and cooling system circulators and water pumps.
The guide gives maximum power consumption, heat losses through insulated materials, control strategies and more.
Standard 6.5 - Building Services Lighting Strategies
Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that the artificial or display lighting installed is energy efficient and is capable of being controlled to achieve optimum energy efficiency.
Limitation:
This standard does not apply to:
- process and emergency lighting components in a building, or
- alterations in dwellings or a building ancillary to a dwelling.
Demonstrating Compliance with Section 6.5 - Guidance
Buildings should be constructed and equipped so that maximum efficiencies and control strategies for lighting are within the limitations described within the Building Services Compliance Guide.
The structure of the guide is:
Section 1: Introduction and summary of energy efficiency standards.
Section 2: Gas, oil and biomass-fuel boilers.
Section 3: Heat pumps.
Section 4: Gas and oil-fired warm air heaters.
Section 5: Gas and oil-fired radiant heaters.
Section 6: Combined heat and power and community heating.
Section 7: Direct electric space heating.
Section 8: Domestic hot water.
Section 9: Comfort cooling.
Section 10: Air distribution.
Section 11: Pipework and ductwork insulation.
Section 12: Lighting.
Section 13: Heating and cooling system circulators and water pumps.
The guide gives maximum power consumption, heat losses through insulated materials, control strategies and more.
Standard 6.6 - Building Form
Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that:
- the form and fabric of the building minimises the use of mechanical ventilating or cooling systems for cooling purposes, and
- the ventilating and cooling systems installed are energy efficient and are capable of being controlled to achieve optimum energy efficiency.
Limitation:
This standard does not apply to buildings which do not use fuel or power for ventilating or cooling the internal environment.
Demonstrating Compliance with Section 6.6 - Guidance
Evidence for compliance:-
- Overheating without mechanical cooling is achieved where possible,
- natural ventilation as a strategy has been considered,
- solar control methods have been adopted
- Criterion 3 of the BRUKL document has been satisfied.
Standard 6.7 - Building Commissioning
Standard 6.7
Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that energy supply systems and building services which use fuel or power for heating, lighting, ventilating and cooling the internal environment and heating the water, are commissioned to achieve optimum energy efficiency.
Limitation:
- This standard does not apply to:
- major power plants serving the National Grid
- the process and emergency lighting components of a building
- heating provided solely for the purpose of frost protection, or
- energy supply systems used solely for industrial and commercial processes, leisure use and emergency use within a building.
Demonstrating Compliance with Section 6.7 - Guidance
Evidence for compliance:-
- Ductwork leakage tests comply with ductwork recommendations (DW143)
- Commissioning has been carried out in line with CIBSE recommendations.
- Work has been inspected by others.
Standard 6.8 - Building Log Book
The occupiers of a building must be provided with written information by the owner:
- on the operation and maintenance of the building services and energy supply systems, and
- where any air-conditioning system in the building is subject to regulation 17, stating a time-based interval for inspection of the system.
Limitation:
This standard does not apply to:
- major power plants serving the National Grid
- buildings which do not use fuel or power for heating, lighting, ventilating and cooling the internal environment and heating the water supply services
- the process and emergency lighting components of a building
- heating provided solely for the purpose of frost protection
- lighting systems in a domestic building, or
- energy supply systems used solely for industrial and commercial processes, leisure use and emergency use within a building.
Demonstrating Compliance with Section 6.8 - Guidance
In accordance with regulation 40, the owner of the building should be provided with sufficient information about the building, the fixed building services and their maintenance requirements so that the building can be operated in such a manner as to use no more fuel and power than is reasonable in the circumstances
A way of showing compliance with regulation 40 would be to produce information following the guidance in CIBSE TM 31 Building log book toolkit. The information should be presented in templates as or similar to those in TM 31. The information could draw on or refer to information available as part of other documentation, such as the Operation and Maintenance Manuals and the Health and Safety file required by the Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) Regulations.
NOTE: Further advice is provided in BSRIA BG 26/2011 Building manuals and building user guides.
The data used to calculate the TER and the BER should be included with the log book. The occupier should also be provided with the recommendations report generated with the ‘on-construction’ energy performance certificate. This will inform the occupier how the energy performance of the building might be further improved.
NOTE: It would also be sensible to retain an electronic copy of the TER/BER input file for the energy calculation to facilitate any future analysis that may be required by the owner when altering or improving the building.
Standard 6.9 - Energy Performance Certificates
Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that:
- an energy performance certificate for the building is affixed to the building, and *
- (removed)
- the energy performance certificate is displayed in a prominent place within the building.
Limitation:
this standard does not apply to:
- buildings which do not use fuel or power for controlling the temperature of the internal environment
- non-domestic buildings and buildings that are ancillary to a dwelling that are standalone having an area less than 50 square metres
- conversions, alterations and extensions to buildings other than—
- alterations and extensions to stand-alone buildings having an area less than 50 square metres that would increase the area to 50 square metres or more, and
- alterations to buildings involving the fit-out of the building shell which is the subject of a continuing requirement, or
- limited life buildings which have an intended life of less than 2 years
Standard 6.9(c) only applies to buildings:
- with a floor area of more than 250 square metres
- into which members of the public have an express or implied licence to enter, and
- which are visited by members of the public on at least a weekly basis
Demonstrating Compliance with Section 6.9 - Guidance
A valid Energy Performance Certificate has been displayed and submitted.
We are a unique Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) Consultants practice with Regional Offices in London, Edinburgh & Newcastle, providing bespoke MEP Design Solutions, Energy Performance Certificates and Building Physics. Our M&E design engineers started this practice to give our Clients a unique service, looking for value engineered solutions where possible, dedicated to our clients needs.
Our Team are self-managed, reliable and deliver on time.
Please see below for a list of the MEP Consultancy services we have provided for Zero Carbon and Sustainability. With a large array of experienced individuals in our team, our MEP sector experience is quite vast and distinct. Our lead sustainability team comprises an array of Level 5 Low Carbon Energy Assessors, Passivhaus Design Consultants and Zero carbon Specialists.
OUR SERVICES
Low to zero carbon energy statements
Energy Performance Certificates
Zero Carbon Solutions
BREEAM & Sustainability standards
Energy Cost Models
Heat Pump Design
OUR GOAL
Our goal is to be recognised for our elite service within the M&E Engineering industry. We are accomplishing this through hard work, and great care for our Clients.
Contact us to find out how we can help you with M&E Design Engineering services for Zero Carbon and Sustainability Projects.
unique management
WHY WORK WITH US
Self MANAGED
Our M&E Consultant team self manage both themselves, and the project. No longer will you need to request drawings packages, and be left disappointed in client meetings. We manage ourselves in meetings, sitting on your side of the table commercially, and we deliver in successful fashion.
experienceD ENGINEERS
All of our engineers are experienced individuals in MEP design, with an array of varied sector experience.
We meet deadlines
Unlike a large majority of consultancies, we meet our deadlines. We provide realistic dates and we issue on time.
Sustainable design
Our MEP Engineers are dedicated professionals who are always looking to ensure the more sustainable solutions are used. We make cost and energy comparisons against different solutions to ensure our chosen design, is the most efficient, sustainable design.
Attention to detail
We do not provide high level designs at RIBA Stage 4 and allow our designs to be interpreted, we ensure that the detail is on the drawing for the M&E contractor.
MEP CONSULTANCY CASE STUDIES FOR SECTION 6 ENERGY, ZERO CARBON AND SUSTAINABILITY
LLOYDS BANKING GROUP
Commercial, BIM Consultancy Services, Birmingham, Boiler Replacements, Bradford, Bristol, Building Physics, City of London, Coventry, Durham, East London, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Energy Performance Certificates, Frameworks, Gateshead, Glasgow, Kent, Lake District, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, MEP Contractor Design and Build, Middlesbrough, Midlands, Midlothian, Newcastle, North East, North London, North West, Part L, Project Management, Retail, Scotland, South East, South London, South West, Sunderland, West London, West Lothian, Yorkshire
See some examples of MEP Consultants services provided in various sectors.
OUR M&E CONSULTANCY SERVICES
See our full list of MEP Consultancy Services provided below.
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES
PUBLIC HEALTH ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES
BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING
(BIM CONSULTANCY) SERVICES
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES (EPC)
Energy Performance Certificates are required for both commercial and domestic applications for sale or rent. Energy Performance Certificates can only be produced by Qualified Energy Assessors. Our in house assessors can turn EPCs round in quick fashion, with next day delivery service available at an extra cost.
REGIONAL ENERGY CONSULTANTS PROJECTS
We have strategic remote offices and Sustainability Consultancy teams throughout the United Kingdom. This strategy ensures that we can cover all regions nationwide with our building services consultancy and service. Please see our regional pages and projects below for some detailed examples of our Environmental Consultancy Services local to your project.
