0 Overheating mitigation measures need to be incorporated into new residential buildings in the UK

• News
• by Administrator
• 04-05-2023

Overheating mitigation measures are an important consideration for new residential buildings in the UK. Overheating can occur in buildings during hot weather or when there is excessive solar gain through windows or roofs. This can lead to discomfort for occupants and potentially even health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly or young children. To mitigate overheating in new residential buildings, there are several measures that can be incorporated into the building design. These include: Window openable areas: minimise fixed panes in windows will allow for better ventilation Solar control glazing: high-performance glazing, such as low g glass, can significantly reduce solar gain. Shading devices: external shading devices such as building overhang, external blinds, shutters, awnings, louvres or brise-soleil can help to reduce solar gain. Roof insulation: good roof insulation is effective in improving bedroom night time comfort during hot weather Mechanical ventilation systems: mechanical ventilation systems can also be used in conjunction with the above passive cooling measures. It is important to consider these measures during the design stage of new residential buildings to ensure that they are integrated effectively, as well as comply with Part O of the Building Regulations. Innervision Design can advise clients on an optimal mitigation solution for their projects by using dynamic thermal modelling techniques. We look forward to receiving your calls and emails. Please feel free to get in touch for a friendly discussion and some initial advice. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.innervision-design.co.uk/dynamic-overheating-assessment.php.

0 Innervision Design delivered a CPD seminar on Part L and Part O 2021 Editions

• News
• by Administrator
• 09-05-2022

Our director Dr Yanli Suo, invited by BCS Approved Inspectors, delivered a seminar on the latest Parts L and O of the Building Regulations, to its staff and a group of architects from Essex, Cambridgeshire and London areas. This seminar offered detailed technical design advice on how to achieve compliance with Part L and Part O 2021 Editions. The 2021 Part L incorporates significant changes to the 2013 edition, with 2021 Target Emission Rate increased by 30% compared to the 2013 Part L1 standards. Without the use of PV panels or air source heat pump technology, compliance with the Part L 2021 for new dwellings is impossible. The introduction of new Part O 2021 Edition signifies overheating has become an important issue which needs to be dealt with by Building Regulations. Compliance with Part O 2021 is not easy and straightforward. The compliance standards, using either Simplified Method or Dynamic Thermal Modelling, are onerous. Both Part L and Part O 2021 Editions will kick in on 15th June. We are here to help you by offering comprehensive and cost-effective solutions for your projects. We look forward to receiving your calls and emails. Please feel free to get in touch for a friendly discussion and some initial advice. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.innervision-design.co.uk

0 Innervision offers dynamic overheating assessment services including TM59, TM52 and Part O compliance

• News
• by Administrator
• 01-03-2022

As our globe continues to warm up, and modern buildings are constructed with enlarged glazing and high air tightness, overheating is becoming an important issue in the UK homes and buildings. The newly released Building Regulations Approved Document O (Part O), which will come into effect on 15th June 2022 in England, outlines and provides guidance on the legal and technical obligations for newly constructed residential buildings to comply with overheating standards. Some planning authorities, for example, the Greater London Authority, were demanding dynamic overheating analysis a few years ago. Dynamic thermal modelling is an advanced computer algorithm, and allows accurate prediction of thermal and other building related performances. It takes into account a wide range of design parameters (e.g. hourly weather files and detailed occupancy schedules and internal gains), and analyses them at short time intervals (e.g. sub hourly analysis). Consequently, the results derived from dynamic thermal modelling are a more accurate reflection of a building’s performance, in comparison with other static methods. We use industry leading software, DesignBuilder dynamic simulation software, to construct 3D models and analyse overheating risk. Innervision Design offers the following dynamic overheating assessment services: CIBSE TM59 dynamic overheating modelling for homes and residential institutions. CIBSE TM59:2017 (Design methodology for the assessment of overheating risk in homes) defines an industry standardised approach to predicting overheating risk for residential buildings using dynamic thermal analysis. Part O only requires new residential buildings to comply with CIBSE TM59 dynamic thermal standards. CIBSE TM52 dynamic overheating modelling and reports for non-residential buildings. CIBSE guide TM52, 2013 (The Limits of Thermal Comfort: Avoiding Overheating in European Buildings’), defines an industry standardised approach to predicting overheating risk for non-residential buildings using dynamic thermal analysis. We look forward to receiving your calls and emails. Please feel free to get in touch for a friendly discussion and some initial advice. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.innervision-design.co.uk/dynamic-overheating-assessment.php.

0 The UK government launched the new digital Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Register

• News
• by Administrator
• 28-10-2020

From 20 September 2020, all new and existing EPCs for domestic and commercial buildings in the UK, other than Scotland, will be lodged and stored in the new central register developed and maintained by The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). Landmark, which used to manage the EPC register, will cease to perform this function. There are some significant changes in the new register: EPCs are now live on the government website, and can be searched via their property addresses or unique certificate numbers. The link to the EPC Register is located at https://find-energy-certificate.digital.communities.gov.uk/ New EPCs will only exist in the web viewer format, therefore they are not designed for printing out and local storage. Although there is a print function on the live register, the print out files are in an untidy web format. The old EPCs issued prior to 20th September came as well-designed PDF files. For Building Control purposes, clients will need to email BCOs the web links to their EPCs rather than send them EPCs in PDF format. Other than the above changes, major content of EPCs stays roughly the same. The existing EPCs ratings will remain intact. The underlying rationale for these changes made by the Government seems to be better reporting of EPCs, which can guide future policies in terms of energy efficiency in the building sector. Innervision Design Ltd can advise architects, developers and house buildings on a variety of energy efficiency issues. We have undertaken SAP and SBEM modelling for thousands of projects. We look forward to receiving your calls and emails. Please feel free to get in touch for a friendly discussion and some initial advice. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.innervision-design.co.uk/sap-calculations-and-epc.php.

0 Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) become mandatory on new developments in Wales

• News
• by Administrator
• 29-01-2019

In Wales, from 7 January 2019, all new developments of more than one dwelling or where the construction area is 100m2 or more, will require Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), in accordance with Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. The Welsh government requires SuDS on new developments to be designed and built in accordance with the Statutory SuDS Standards published by the Welsh Ministers, and all SuDS schemes must be approved by the local authority, before construction work begins.  SuDS has gradually become a mandatory practise for new developments and extensions in England since 2015. This new policy in Wales represents another important milestone in the UK to step up the SuDS implementation, in order to combat the increasing flood risk from surface water run-off. Innervision Design Ltd has undertaken SuDS for many projects, which range from single dwellings to large residential and commercial developments with more than 300 units. Though many projects undertaken are located in England, our consultants are confident in providing the same high quality service to the prospective Welsh clients. We look forward to receiving your calls and emails. Please feel free to get in touch for a friendly discussion and some initial advice. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.innervision-design.co.uk/sustainable-drainage.php.

0 Waste water heat recovery system is an effective measure to comply with Part L1A

• News
• by Administrator
• 04-09-2018

Waste water heat recovery (WWHR) is a technology using a heat exchanger to recover heat from waste water, primarily from shower, in order to reduce energy consumption for water heating. WWHR can be used in SAP as an effective measure to comply with Part L1A for new residential projects mainly because: High efficiency WWHR can improve the dwelling emission rate (DER) by approx. half to one point, which in many cases is critical to achieve Part LlA compliance. The cost of WWHR systems is low in comparison with many other types of energy saving products. A WWHR system (e.g. a vertical pipe) costs approx. £500. This is comparatively low compared with other energy saving products including high spec glazing and renewable technologies. For example, a 0.5kWp PV panel system will cost approx. between £1000 and £1500 to install. WWHR systems are easy to install with no maintenance issues over the long term. High efficiency WWHR is traditionally in the form of vertical pipe system, which can be easily fitted during the construction stage. If additional points are needed for SAP purpose when project is complete, horizontal systems can be retrofitted under the shower tray or bath tub. The recent advancement in WWHR technology has seen emergence of relatively high-efficiency horizontal systems which normally had an efficiency of below 30%. For example, Recoup Easyfit+ claims to reach efficiency of 47%. When selecting WWHR, architects or designers need to pay particular attention to: Efficiency of the system: higher the efficiency, better the SAP rating will be. Designers should aim for minimum efficiency level of 50% to maximise the SAP points therefore the vertical system should be the first choice if viable. Shower type: the shower will need to have a thermostatic mixer which can regulate the desired output temperature. The number of WWHR systems required. If there are multiple shower rooms in the house, designers may need to consult the WWHR suppliers for the optimal solutions. Innervision Design Ltd has undertaken SAP and SBEM for a wide range of residential and commercial projects. We take pride in the quality of our services. Please get in touch for a friendly discussion and some initial advice. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.innervision-design.co.uk/sap-calculations-and-epc.php

0 The MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) for new commercial leases will come into force from 1st April 2018

• News
• by Administrator
• 15-11-2017

In accordance with the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 and the Private Rented Property Minimum Standard (MEES), it will be unlawful to grant new leases of residential or commercial properties with an EPC rating below an 'E' (EPC rating of “F” and “G”) from 1st April 2018. it will be unlawful to continue all existing residential leases with an EPC rating below an 'E' from 1st April 2020. it will be unlawful to continue all existing commercial leases with an EPC rating below an 'E' from 1st April 2023. The Regulations and guidance above aim to tackle the very least energy efficient properties in England and Wales, those rated F or G on their Energy Performance Certificate. Those buildings with the rating of “F” and “G”, are defined by the Regulations as “sub-standard” properties. The landlords, including private and public (local authority landlords), will need to improve the energy efficiency of their sub-standard buildings to a minimum rating of “E” if they want to lease them. The trigger date for new leases is fast-approaching, landlords will need to act as early as possible in order to avoid delays to their new commercial leases after 1st April 2018. Innervision Design can advise landlords on how to improve energy ratings of their existing commercial buildings in a cost effective way. Our consultants can undertake EPCs for all types of commercial buildings and provide guidance on how to achieve the minimum “E” rating. Our service is affordable with 3-5 days turnaround. Please get in touch for a friendly discussion and some initial advice. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.innervision-design.co.uk/sbem-calculations-and-epc.php.

0 Local Planning Authorities are increasingly requiring Energy Statements for minor developments

• News
• by Administrator
• 21-02-2017

Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) are now increasingly requiring Energy Statements to accompany planning applications. For such schemes, LPAs are expecting these will be able to reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumption by a certain, LPA dependent, percentage over the 2013 Building Regulations Part L requirements. This is to be achieved through full consideration of the energy hierarchy including: building fabric efficiency, district heating networks or CHP, and on-site generation of renewable energy. An Energy Statement should be submitted at the planning application stage. The Energy Statement must clearly outline the applicant’s commitments in terms of CO2 savings and measures proposed. These commitments and measures will normally become part of the formal planning conditions to Approved planning permissions. Therefore it is vital to have an Energy Statement undertaken as accurately as possible. The schemes requiring Energy Statements differ between LPAs. The requirement for an Energy Statement normally applies to “major” new developments. However we have seen a rapid rise in demand by LPAs for Energy Statements for very small schemes including the provision of, or conversion to, a single new dwelling. For example, the L.B. Enfield LPA gives the following pre-planning advice: “ENERGY STATEMENT - As your proposed development involves the provision or conversion of 1+ new dwellings or involves the creation of 100+ sq.m. of floorspace, you will need to submit an Energy Statement in accordance with London Plan Policies 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3, and Core Policy 20 of Enfield's Core Strategy 2010.” Innervision Design has undertaken Energy Statements for a variety of schemes. We have a quick turnaround time for Energy Statements depending on the size of the scheme. For example, for small developments with less than 5 units, we can normally complete the report within 3-5 working days. Our service is also affordable. Please get in touch for a friendly discussion and some initial advice.

0 Innervision can design SuDS schemes to meet various limiting discharge rates

• News
• by Administrator
• 24-01-2017

Significant differences in limiting discharge rates exist within Local Lead Flood Authority (LLFA) and Local Authority (LA) for SuDS design. DEFRA and the EA have produced guidance within Report SC30219 “Rainfall runoff management for developments”. It is from here that the 5 l/s minimum outfall rate "rule" was established. This was widely adopted by many institutions including BRE and HR Wallingford together with many local authorities. However this is no longer considered appropriate for some LA and LLFA. For example, one local authority will formally condition a planning application with flow rates from the site to be no lower than 5l/s whereas an adjacent LA will only consider flows at, or near to, greenfield rates and 1l/s is widely cited. In one LLFA a SuDS proforma points to the use of on online tool produced by HR Wallingford, which uses the 5 l/s "rule" as the basis for attenuation volume calculations; yet the same LLFA will not accept the 5l/s rule when bespoke calculations are produced. Innervision can design SuDS schemes to meet various limiting discharge rates. Please get in touch with us for a free initial consultation.

0 Will Your Local Planning Authorities Demand Surface Water Drainage Reports?

• News
• by Administrator
• 22-01-2016

Under the background of increasing flooding events in recent years, the UK government is placing a greater emphasis on managing surface water using sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). Since April 2015, Local Planning Authorities have a statutory duty of enforcing SuDS for new developments where applicable. In general, SuDS strategies are required for the major developments, as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, where: the number of dwellings to be provided is 10 or more the development of dwellings is to be carried out on a site having an area of 0.5 hectares or more the provision of a building or buildings where the floor space to be created by the development is 1,000 square metres or more, or development carried out on a site having an area of 1 hectare or more For small development of less than 10 dwellings, SuDS reports are required for those located in areas at risk of flooding or in areas with critical drainage problems. However we have recently seen an increasing number of small developments requiring SuDS reports even though they are not located in areas with flooding or drainage issues. This is particularly the case for small sites with an increase in impermeable areas. Some local planning authorities are even demanding SuDS reports for extensions because of the so-called “Urban Creep” effect. We have undertaken SuDS design for many projects, which range from single dwellings to large residential and commercial developments with more than 300 units. We have successfully helped our clients to obtain planning permissions by addressing issues from the Environment Agency and Local Planning Authorities in a robust and methodological manner. We are here to help you to speed up your planning applications. Our initial phone consultations are always free, please call 01279 862447, or visit our website at the early design stage for initial advice.