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Deciding on sustainable, environmentally efficient construction is no longer simply a question of conscience. The UK Government has put in place strategies that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, which research has proved to be a major contributing factor to global warming.

The Government is committed to reduce CO₂ emissions from energy consumption by 20% by the year 2010, relative to 1990 levels. This is a long term commitment outlined in the Energy White Paper for a 60% reduction in UK CO₂ emissions by the year 2050. The energy use within buildings
accounts for approximately half of all UK CO₂ emissions. Two major factors in the design and performance of building fabric which affect energy consumption are air leakage and continuity of insulation.

There are also substantial commercial benefits to building owners that will accrue over the lifetime of the building. Reduced energy costs provide clients with real cash incentives to achieve airtight buildings.

Other benefits are gained from increased comfort for building users, office staff and/or customers. Although difficult to quantify, these are tangible benefits to the client.

One such strategy involves progressive modification to Part L1A/B of the Building Regulations (for Dwellings) and Part L2A/B (for non-domestic buildings). These now require the calculation of a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) Rating for all new buildings and those converted through material change of use. The requirements also necessitate that the Rating is displayed in the property upon completion.

Information required to produce a SAP Assessment:

Dimensions

Floor plans and elevations – to input floor areas, ceiling heights, window sizes, roof areas, orientation, etc. Drawings to be either drawn to scale or fully dimensioned.

Building Fabric – Construction type

With details of (including insulation types and thicknesses/u-values):

• Main and secondary floors

• Main and secondary walls

• Roofs

• Windows

• Any accredited construction conventions being used

Heating & Hot Water

Including fuel type & any make and model of boiler and equipment if known:

• Primary heating system

• Secondary heating system

• Hot water system, including cylinder size and details of insulation, etc.

• Control system

Other information

• Air leakage/design air permeability rate (or actual rate for as-built which has had a physical air tightness test)

• Any mechanical ventilation details

• Number of low energy lights

• Number of open flues/chimneys

• Number of intermittent vents/fans