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Construction Services

Building Standard Carbon emissions and energy usage

Version 1.0 August 2012

Directorate: Environment

Construction Services – Building Standard Carbon emissions and energy usage Contents

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Purpose of document 1.2 Standards generally 1.3 Deviation from standards

2.0 Carbon emissions and energy usage generally 3.0 Legislation, regulations and advice documents 4.0 Information from the Carbon Trust’s Action Energy Programme 5.0 Energy metering and monitoring

Construction Services Building Standard - Carbon emissions and energy usage Version 1.0 2

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Purpose of document

The purpose of this document is to provide information regarding Cornwall Council’s common standards, policies and requirements for building construction works to external Framework Consultants, Lead Consultants/Designers, Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) Services Design Engineers, Design and Build Contractors, M&E Contractors, M&E sub-Contractors, Specialists and Suppliers. This document does not seek to replace industry-standard design guidance or practice. It is intended to provide designers with the Council’s specific standards and requirements, which are to be used as the basis of all building construction. Although this document describes particular standards it is to be read in conjunction with all other supporting building works project specific requirements and documentation. External Framework Consultants, Lead Consultants/Designers, M&E Services Design Engineers, Design and Build Contractors, M&E Contractors, M&E sub-Contractors, Specialists and Suppliers will be expected to comply with the following requirements when preparing any schemes for building construction works for all new build, extensions, refurbishment, maintenance and decommissioning works. 1.2 Standards generally

Cornwall Council has a significant property portfolio, which may require new, refurbishment, maintenance or demolition works to be carried out to meet a variety of requirements for various types of end users. This document describes the employer’s particular requirements for carbon emissions and energy usage that consultants/designers will be responsible for, when carrying out any building construction and services works. Consultants/designers are advised that any standards set by the client team are intended to assist the design process only and the adequacy and suitability of any information indicated there upon must be confirmed by the consultants. Modern construction methods offer a wide range of materials and methods to create solutions for buildings. The majority are suitable and work well to provide an appropriate environment for the lifespan of the project and their efficacy can only be judged on a project-by-project basis at the design reviews or during the approval process. However, the following is fundamental issues which should be addressed to ensure that the preferred solution offers compliance to the Council’s expectations.


• All works will be expected to meet the requirements of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, as well as applicable Health and Safety legislation to execute the works on site.

• The installation of a compatible building energy management system, allowing connection to core monitoring will be required. The provision of information technology systems shall comply with the existing policies of the Council.

• The choice of materials for building designs, construction, maintenance, refurbishment and decommissioning works, are to be selected with particular reference to their ease of use, frequency of maintenance, ease of upgrading or renewal and their ability to offer future flexibility and adaptability.

• Production of appropriate drawings and documentation, identifying and measuring the works to be undertaken are essential to ensure that the Council’s representatives can clearly identify and consider all materials, components and services involved in the project before the works are undertaken.

• All materials shall comply with the relevant British and European Standards (BS/BS EN) where applicable and for materials not of UK manufacture, the relevant certificates of compliance will be required. Maximum use is to be made of re-used, re-useable, recycled and recyclable materials or renewable materials from sustainably managed sources in order that any environmental impact is kept to a minimum, with low carbon footprint materials used where practical.

• Building construction techniques, material selections, services installations and finishes shall all represent the need to offer good value for money, and offer a solution that provides minimal environmental impact, good life expectancy and low maintenance.

1.3 Deviation from standards

Should designers and/or providers of building construction, maintenance, refurbishment and decommissioning works find it necessary to incorporate alternative standards or requirements to those stated within the following document or any other Council building construction standards then approval shall be sought in writing from the The relevant Cornwall Council representative. Designers and/or providers of building construction works will be required to justify and demonstrate, with written documentation, that the alternative proposals will provide equivalent or better performance, result in the same or improved whole life costing and be of equal or better value. 2.0 Carbon emissions and energy usage generally Consultants and designers are required to determine the anticipated operational electrical energy consumption and carbon emissions, arising from the design employed, in accordance with the environmental performance indicators for sustainable construction.


Part of the output of the compliance check is a calculation of the BER and TER figures. Building Regulations compliance for non-domestic buildings requires that the actual building emissions rate (BER) multiplied by an improvement factor and a low/zero carbon factor (TER). All non-domestic buildings have to undergo this compliance check, using accredited software.

For all buildings which are subject to Building Regulations compliance checks, the design target is for actual building emissions (BER) to be 60% less than the 2006 Approved Document Part L requirement expressed in kgCO�/m² per annum in accredited compliance checking software.

The Council has set target standards for energy use for Heating and Electricity. The objective of these standards is to set targets for annual energy consumption for particular types of buildings and reduced energy consumption, which in turn reduces carbon emissions.

3.0 Legislation, regulations and advice documents

Various regulations, codes, standards and guidance on Carbon emissions and energy usage are applicable and these include the following:-

• The Kyoto Protocol, treaty December 1997 • The Building Regulations 2010:Approved Documents Part L2A and

L2B:– Conservation of fuel and power • Cornwall Council’s Carbon Management Plan 2010 - 2016 • The Non-Domestic Heating, Cooling and Ventilation Compliance Guide

May 2006, published by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG)

• CIBSE, Guide F - Energy efficiency in buildings • The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections)

(England and Wales) Regulations 2007 • The Recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive - CIBSE Briefing

06 • Reducing Emissions through Energy Efficiency - CIBSE Briefing 08 • CLG Improving the energy efficiency of our buildings - A guide to

energy performance certificates for the construction, sale and let of non-dwellings

• Energy Consumption Guide 19 Energy Use In Offices 4.0 Information from the Carbon Trust’s Action Energy Programme

The Carbon Trust’s Action Energy Programme produces a number of publications which can help consultants and designers to incorporate energy efficiency best practice into their designs. A number of these publications are cited within the Building Regulations AD L2, Conservation of fuel and power as a means of demonstrating compliance.

The publications are available free of charge from the Action Energy programme. Copies may be requested via the Action Energy Helpline or downloaded from their website.


Publications are available in two categories: • Guides: These guides explain a technology or technique in detail. • Case Studies: The case studies provide practical examples from

organisations that have benefited from particular energy efficiency measures.

5. Energy metering and monitoring

Building Energy Management system are to be installed together with independent AMR primary metering. The metering system to be installed will depend on the type of the project i.e. whether the project is a new building, a major extension or refurbishment works and is required to comply with the Councils standard document ‘Control Panels’ Energy Management Systems Control Panel Construction. The Council has also set energy usage targets for electricity and heating to particular types of buildings, available on briefing standard B.E.1.1 Energy-Energy Usage and B.E.1.2 –Energy-Energy management.

Prepared by:

Strategic Planning and Standards Property Services Email sp&[email protected] Draft Date Prepared By 1.0 10/10/12 CJ


mailto:sp&[email protected]


If you would like this information in another format please contact:

Cornwall Council County Hall Treyew Road Truro TR1 3AY

Telephone: 0300 1234 100

Email: [email protected]

www.cornwall.gov.uk

mailto:[email protected]