What is the Code for Sustainable Homes?
• Background• Key features• Technical Guide• Code levels • Minimum standards• Assessment process• Certificates• Non-Code dwellings• Costs vs Benefits
Overview
Background
• Supercedes BREEAM EcoHomes• Mandatory requirements:England
- April 2007 : mandatory L3 in all social housing- May 2008 : mandatory for all new dwellings to have a Code rating
Wales- May 2008 : mandatory L3 for all social housing
Northern Ireland- June 2008 : mandatory L3 for all social housing
• Nine categories of environmental sustainability
• Applied at the level of individual dwellings
• 2 stage process – Design Stage Assessment and Post Construction Assessment
• Mandatory performance standards for energy, water, materials, waste and surface water run-off, health and well-being
• 6 level rating system « « « « « « – a tool for marketing and a mark of quality
Key features
The Code aims to drive the standard of housing forward
The Technical Guide• Public Document
– PDF format– http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planning
andbuilding/codeguide• Purpose of the guide• Process of obtaining a code rating• Scoring• Environmental weightings• Categories
– Issues• References• Remember there are updates!
EcologyManagementHealth and Wellbeing
PollutionWasteSurface Water Run-off
MaterialsWaterEnergy and CO2Emissions
e.g. Ecological Value of Site5Ecology
-34TOTAL:
e.g. Considerate Constructors Scheme4Management
e.g. Daylighting4Health and Well-being
e.g. Nitrogen oxides2Pollution
e.g. Composting3Waste
e.g. Flood Risk2Surface Water Run-off
e.g. Environmental Impact of Materials3Materials
e.g. Indoor Water Use2Water
e.g. Internal Lighting9Energy and CO2 emissions
ExampleNo. of IssuesCategories
Environmental Categories and Issues
Energy
Water
Materials
Surface Water Run-off
Waste
Pollution
Health & Well-being
Management
Ecology
Cat
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core
s
Envi
ronm
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Final score
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Scoring Process
Total Credits Available, Weighting Factors and Percentage Points.
Categories of Environmental Impact
Total credits in each category
Weighting factor (% points contribution) Approx. weighted value of each credit (percentage
point)
Category 1Energy and CO2 Emissions 29 36.4 % 1.26
Category 2Water 6 9.0 % 1.5
Category 3Materials 24 7.2 % 0.30
Category 4Surface Water Run-off 4 2.2 % 0.55
Category 5Waste 7 6.4 % 0.91
Category 6Pollution 4 2.8 % 0.70
Category 7Health and Wellbeing 12 14.0 % 1.17
Category 8Management 9 10.0 % 1.11
Category 9Ecology 9 12 % 1.33
Total - 100 % -
Code levels and points scoreCode Levels Total Percentage Points out
of 100 (equal to or greater than):
Equivalent Rating (Energy - approx)
Level 1 («) 36 Points Above RegulationsEST Good Practice
Level 2 (««) 48 Points EST Best practice
Level 3 («««) 57 Points Possible without LZC energy sources
Level 4 (««««) 68 Points PassivHausEST exemplary
Level 5 («««««) 84 Points Zero SAP
Level 6 (««««««) 90 Points Zero operational carbon
Minimum standardsCategories FlexibilityEnergy 6 levels of minimum standards one for each level of the
CodeWater Three levels of minimum standards each covering two
levels of the Code
Materials A single basic standard at Code entry levelSurface Water Run Off WasteHealth & Well-Being Level 6 OnlyPollution No minimum standardsManagementEcology
Ene 1 - Dwelling Emission Rate
• % Improvement in CO2 when compared to Building Regulations targets
• Defined by Building Regulations AD L1A• Calculated using SAP 2005
• Mandatory Percentages for all Levels• Builds on EST energy efficiency standards
– L3 – High building fabric/systems efficiency
– L4 – PassivHaus standard– L5 – 100% Improvement over TER– L6 – Beyond SAP, true zero carbon
15 Credits
Ene 1 – Dwelling Emission Rate% improvement of DER over
TER Credits Mandatory Levels
≥ 10 % 1 1≥ 14 % 2≥ 18 % 3 2≥ 22 % 4≥ 25 % 5 3≥ 31 % 6≥ 37 % 7≥ 44 % 8 4≥ 52 % 9≥ 60 % 10≥ 69 % 11≥ 79 % 12≥ 89 % 13≥ 100 % 14 5
‘Zero Carbon Home’ 15 6
Wat 1 - Indoor Water Use• Theoretical average water consumption, using normalised
use patterns• Measured in Litres / person / day• Measure water used (l/p/d) by:
– WC / bidet– Basin taps– Shower– Kitchen sink taps– Bath– White goods– Water softeners
5 Credits
Wat 1 - Indoor Water Use
Water consumption (litres / person / day)
Credits Mandatory Levels
≤120 l/p/day 1 Level 1 and 2
≤110 l/p/day 2
≤105 l/p/day 3 Level 3 and 4
≤90 l/p/day 4
≤80 l/p/day 5 Level 5 and 6
N.B 150l/p/day is typical
• Single basic standard• No credits for meeting
mandatory• Hydrological consultant/engineer
needed• Incorporates PPS25• Very simple for some sites,
can be difficult for others!
Sur 1 - Management of surface water run-off from developments
Sur 1 - Management of surface water run-off from developments
• Surface water runoff no greater post development than pre development– Peak Rate Run-off no greater– Volume of Run-off no greater
• Typically involves soakaways, rainwater harvesting, holding tanks, permeable paving etc.
Mat 1 - Environmental Impact of Materials
• Rates specifications based on environmental impact over life cycle
• Based on BRE Green Guide rating• A+ to E ratings• Assessment covers:
– Roof– External walls– Internal walls– Floors– Windows
15 Credits
Mat 1 - Environmental Impact of Materials
• 3 elements which are rated D will result in compliance with the mandatory requirement, but no credits will be awarded
Green Guide 2007 Rating
Credits
A+ Rating 3A Rating 2B Rating 1C Rating 0.5 D Rating 0.25E Rating 0
• 3 out of 5 named elements will need to be rated D or above
Was 1 - Storage of non-recyclable waste & recyclable household waste
• A suitable area of sufficient size to house the greatest volume of
EITHER– All containers provided by the Local Authority
(Refuse and Recycling)OR– The minimum capacity as calculated using BS
5906:2005
• Storage area accessible to all, particularly wheelchair users
Hea 4 - Lifetime Homes
• Mandatory at Level 6 ONLY
• Accessibility to and within dwelling
• Potential for future adaptability
• Adhere to all principles of Lifetime Homes (applicable to the dwelling)
• Checklist with 16 sections
4 Credits
• Energy – % Improvement CO2 over Building Regulations target
• Water– Average water consumption (litre/person/day)– WC, taps and shower fittings key
• Surface Water Run-off– Run-off pre and post development
• Materials – Minimum Green Guide rating ‘D’ in 3 elements– Roof, external walls, internal walls, floors, windows
• Waste– Minimum volume for waste storage
• Health and Welling Being– Lifetime Homes Level 6 ONLY
Mandatory Requirements Summary
The Assessment Process
Registration
Design Stage Report
For each dwelling PC Stage report submitted
Quality Assurance and Final Code Certificate
Quality Assurance
Site to be assessed
Employ assessor BRE Training & Licensing
BRE issues Interim Certificate
For each dwelling
Pre-Assessment/Pre Planning Advice
For each dwelling
For each dwelling
Technical Advice /Process support
A Two-stage Process
• Design Stage
– Based on design drawings, specifications and commitments
– Results in ‘Interim’ certificate of compliance
– Most up-to-date certificate to go into HIP
• Post Construction Stage
– To show the Design Stage assessment goals have been met
or– If any material changes, for them to be identified
and reassessed– Surveys, photos, manufacturer’s information,
invoices etc.
A Two-stage Process
Certificate• Certificate presents:
– Details of the development
– Overall rating and score– Breakdown of score by
category– EPC CO2 rating
• Interim certificate issued after report passes Design Stage QA process
• Final certificate issued after report passes Post Construction Stage QA process
• No assessment can claim to have an assessed Code Rating unless a certificate has been issued
Interim and Final Certificates
Nil-rated Certificates
• Building to the Code performance standards is not compulsory
BUT• the provision of information
relating to the sustainability performance of the dwelling is.
• New homes built to minimum Building Regulations standards require a nil-rated certificate in the Home Information Pack
1. Refurbished homesEcoHomes still in use in England and Wales:• For all refurbishment projects• For existing assessments registered under
EcoHomes• For sites where it is required as a result of
contractual commitment
What the Code Cannot Assess
What the Code Cannot Assess2. Any development that is not a standard home• Sheltered homes• Nursing homes• Student accommodation• Prisons• Military accommodation
Can be assessed using other schemes
Costs? • Initial indicative costings compiled from theoretical information;
Cost Analysis of The Code for Sustainable Homes (CLG, 2008)
Market town: Detached home End terrace Flat
Code level three £4,991 (5%) £5,027 (7%) £2,922 (4%)
Code level four £11,733 (13%) £9,490 (13%) £6,059 (8%)
Code level five £22,197 (24%) £18,738 (25%) £12,267 (15%)
Code level six £38,817 (43%) £31,747 (42%) £21,251 (27%)
TABLE : Costs to achieve Code levels, variety of dwellings (wind excluded)
Source: Housing Corporation
Benefits? Environmental benefits
Plus:• Increased building value
• Lower running costs
• Improved health and well being of occupants
• Inclusive design
• Future proof buildings
Overview
• Background• Key features• Technical Guide• Code levels • Minimum standards• Assessment process• Certificates• Non-Code dwellings• Costs vs Benefits