SBEM Calculations for extensions
SBEM Calculations are a great way to give you more creativity and freedom when designing larger commercial extensions. We understand that these can be complex projects, so we’ll provide you with the knowledge and support to help ensure your extension meets all of the necessary regulations and standards.
Save up to 50% compared to architects
Services available nationwide. Fast-Track available.
Approved accredited assessors
Fully Automated - Track your order online
Why you need SBEM Calculations for extensions
At Focus 360 Energy, we understand that SBEM Calculations are essential for extensions to commercial properties. This is a requirement set out in Part L2A (England & Wales), Section 6 (Scotland) and Part F1 (Northern Ireland) of the Building Regulations – which state that an EPC must be obtained for new builds. Without one, it’s not allowed to rent or sell a property.
Our team of knowledgeable experts want to help you make sure your building meets all regulations as well as helping you reduce emissions and save money on energy costs. We’d love to provide the necessary SBEM calculations for your extension project so you can get the EPC certificate and keep everything legally compliant!
When you will need a SBEM Calculation for an extension
In certain cases, non-dwellings don’t require an SBEM calculation – however, larger extensions will need one if:
- The area is over 100m2 AND
- The total useful floor area of the extension exceeds 25% of the existing building floor area
If you’ve answered yes to both questions, then it’s likely that an SBEM assessment is necessary for compliance with the Building Regulations’ Approved Document Part L2A. The assessment will only cover the extension but can take into account heating and hot water systems already in place.
Whole Building Calculation Method
The U-Value Calculations are an important part of any building extension, since they determine that the new thermal elements meet the necessary standards. Unfortunately, this can lead to design limitations due to these restrictions. Thankfully, a Whole Building Calculation Method incorporating SBEM will give you more control and flexibility over your design, while still confirming that it adheres to all regulations.
This calculation process also verifies that the CO2 emissions for the entire building and extension do not surpass those of a hypothetical compliant structure.
The process
Making sure your SBEM calculations are accurate is critical to the success of any extension project. That’s why we advise taking the time upfront to invest in these calculations – this way, any potential issues can be addressed during the design stage and save you money and headaches in the future. With our expertise, you can rest assured that all your calculations will be calculated correctly!
Our Part L2A SBEM reports come in two parts: a ‘design stage’ report and an ‘as built’ one. Ultimately, these allow us to generate your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
The process involves
- assessing external building fabric and openings to make sure appropriate passive measures are in place to avoid any unnecessary solar gains or air conditioning systems being needed;
- evaluating construction materials for their energy efficiency;
- measuring energy consumption of heating systems, lighting, ventilation systems etc.; and finally
- comparing both reports using our specialised software for TER/BER compliance purposes.
Get your SBEM Conversion calculation quote today …
Fast Track 24-48 Hour Service available for an additional £95 + VAT
Helpful information you may need to supply?
- Floor plans, elevation drawings, section drawings and a site plan.
- Construction specification.
- Mechanical and electrical specification.
- Details of any proposed renewable technology
Please call 0333 772 2798 if you have any questions.
What is included?
- For every building to pass, it is essential to have access to knowledgeable guidance. Our team of experts can ensure that you get the assistance you need.
- SBEM calculations for Design-stage and as-built submissions.
- Energy Performance Certificates.
Complete our SBEM Calculations checklist and submit it with your quote. Please note: that with multiple commercial buildings, if the construction details vary between plots, a separate SBEM Calculation checklist must be completed for each type. We would be delighted to provide you with an accurate quote once we receive your floor plans. Don’t forget to upload them with your quote request!
Our SBEM Process
If you want to get the most out of your SBEM Assessment, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of how the process works within the building industry. Being informed and knowledgeable about what happens during an assessment can help everything run smoothly and efficiently – allowing for an expert experience for all involved.
1
Schedule your appointment
Now that you’ve approved your quote in our online portal, you can schedule an appointment with the surveyor.
2
Assess your plans and specifications
We will provide you with an online questionnaire to complete and are more than happy to coordinate directly with your architect and builder.
3
SBEM Design Stage Calculations
Our expert SBEM Assessors will calculate and produce your Design Stage SBEM Calculations.
4
Guidance for pass (if applicable)
If required, we will provide guidance and advice to help you achieve an energy efficiency pass.
5
Complete SBEM As-Built Calculations & EPC
6
Supply your documents
We take care of everything and provide you with all the necessary documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does an SBEM Assessment Cover?
We are experts in building services and energy assessments, and we have a thorough understanding of the components that make up the specification of your building project. Each element is carefully examined against Building Regulations Part L2 to guarantee it meets all standards. To help you understand what will be reviewed in your SBEM calculations, here are the topics covered:
- External Wall Construction/s
- External Floor Construction/s
- Roof Constructions/s
- Glazing and Door specifications
- Heating systems and cooling systems
- Hot water systems
- Ventilation systems
- Lighting
- Carbon Emissions
- Air permeability
- Renewable technologies
With our expertise in this field, we can provide you with peace of mind that these elements meet regulations – allowing you to rest assured that your project is compliant.
What happens if my SBEM Calculations don’t meet the required Standards?
It is possible to identify elements of the project that may not meet compliance with Part L2 standards. To ensure minimal cost and hassle, it is recommended to have your assessment undertaken as early in the project as possible.
Your commercial energy assessor can help you navigate the complexities of compliance. We’ll review your project design and provide tailored advice on how to achieve maximum efficiency with minimal costs. If you are aiming for higher specs or installing renewable technologies, just let us know—we will incorporate it into our calculations.
Having a commercial energy assessor review your design plans allows them to provide advice on how best to achieve conformity while also taking into consideration any upgrades or renewable technologies you may be implementing. Alternatively, if the project is already built there are still measures that can be implemented such as testing air permeability, installing efficient lighting and adding renewable sources of energy. Your assessor will help you explore all options available ensuring compliance without compromising on cost or complexity.
What are Building Regulations UK Part L2 (BRUKL)
A BRUKL report, which stands for ‘Building Regulations UK Limited’, is an energy assessment used to demonstrate that a building is compliant with Part L2 of the UK Building Regulations. This type of assessment, also known as F10 Form or Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), is required by law whenever a property changes hands and/or undergoes significant works such as refurbishment or extension.
Focus 360 Energy offer comprehensive BRUKL reports that are available via their online quote system. Their services include Residential Property Assessments, Commercial Property Assessments and New Build Services such as SAP Calculations, SBEM Calculations and U-Value Calculations to name just a few. In addition to this they can provide
Are SBEM Calculations the Commercial version of SAP Calculation?
Yes, SBEM Calculations are the Commercial version of SAP Calculation. The Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) is a calculation tool used to determine the energy performance rating for commercial buildings in the UK. It is based on a building’s construction type and its use and occupancy, which is then used to calculate an energy efficiency rating. This assessment will provide you with an SBEM Certificate and EPC, as well as any other services that may be needed depending on the specific requirements of your project. The aim of this type of assessment is to ensure that your building meets all relevant energy efficiency standards, helping you to save money on energy costs over time.
What is the difference between SBEM Calculations and Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
A SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) is an energy assessment tool used to assess the energy performance of new and existing buildings, which can help inform decisions on making improvements. It is typically used for larger commercial properties that are over 1000m2 in floor area and non-domestic buildings such as shops, offices, hotels, warehouses, schools and hospitals.
A Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a certificate that can be used to market the property for sale or rental and applies to any type of commercial building. An EPC provides information about the building’s energy efficiency rating as well as recommendations for how to improve its performance. Both assessments provide detailed reports showing estimated running costs and carbon emissions ratings which can be used when making investment or improvement decisions.
Is SBEM required for refurbishment?
No, SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) calculations are not required for refurbishment. SBEM is only needed for a commercial new build, conversion or an extension of an existing commercial property as it provides evidence that the proposed works comply with current energy efficiency standards. Ligth refurbishment projects do not require this type of assessment unless they involve major alterations and extensions to the existing structure.
Focus 360 Energy offer multiple residential and commercial services such as energy performance certificate epc, DECs, Electrical Condition Inspection Reports, PAT Testing, Fire Risk Assessments, Asbestos Surveys and Legionella Assessments which can be used for refurbishments but not SBEM calculations.
How do SBEM calculations make my building more energy efficient?
Having an SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) assessment can help make your building more energy efficient. An SBEM will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the energy performance of your building, helping to identify potential areas where efficiency improvements could be made. This includes information on how much carbon dioxide is emitted from the building, as well as how much energy is used for heating and cooling purposes.
In addition to providing this information, an SBEM assessment also includes suggestions for cost effective measures which could be implemented in order to improve the energy efficiency of the building. These may include increasing insulation levels, installing more efficient lighting systems or replacing old inefficient appliances with newer models. By making these improvements, you can reduce your overall running costs and save money
How much do SBEM Calculations cost?
The cost of SBEM Calculations from Focus 360 Energy depends on the size, complexity and location of the project. To offer a quote, we need to see a set of plans fro the building that can be uploaded when requesting your quote. Factors such as the number of floors, type of building and area served by the building will all need to be taken into consideration when calculating a quote for SBEM Calculations. In addition, we also provide discounts on larger projects or multiple services requested at once and a fast track service is available. Typical timescales are 5 days. To get an accurate price estimate for your specific project needs, please use our online quote system or contact us directly with your requirements.
Does my New Build Commercial Property need an Air Tightness Test?
What are Design Stage SBEM Calculations?
Design Stage SBEM Calculations are imperative to complying with Building Regulations/Standards before construction or development projects can begin. The Target Emission Rate (TER) is set at the design stage to ensure that the CO2 emission rate of the building meets the minimum standards for energy performance – based on a notional building which shares similar shape and orientation as your own. We also establish a Building Emission Rate (BER) based on your building plans, which should not exceed the TER; if it does, we are here to help you adjust the designs in order to be compliant.
What are As-Built SBEM Calculations?
SBEM Calculations for other commercial projects
SBEM Calculations for New Builds
Focus 360 Energy Consultancy has the expertise and knowledge to help you demonstrate building compliance with Part L2A SBEM Calculations and Energy Performance Certificates for your new build commercial property.
SBEM Calculations for Extensions
Are you in the process of building or planning a large commercial extension? Do you need more design freedom to make it exactly as you envision it? AtFocus 360 Energy Consultancy have the knowledge and skills to improve your building’s energy performance and also advise you on renewable energy sources.
Part L2B SBEM Calculations for Conversions
Are you looking to transform the purpose or use of your building? Perhaps you’re considering converting an unheated area into a space that can be heated and cooled? Let us help you improve your conversion’s energy performance and target emission rate with our expert SBEM Calculations in line with building control.
Do I need a Commercial EPC?
New Part L & O Building Regulations Come Into Force