OCDEA TB Issue 33 PDF

OCDEA Technical Bulletin
For On Construction Domestic Energy Assessors
Issue 33 | May 2012 All content National Energy Services, Ltd

Welcome to the latest issue of the OCDEA Technical Bulletin The bulletin is intended to bring assessors up to date with conventions for collecting energy data and the latest news regarding the NHER Plan Assessor software and the NHER Accreditation Scheme. I N T H I S IS S U E RDSAP Gets Closer to SAP NHER Consultation Responses SAP 2012 Consultation Part L1A 2013 Consultation Ask our Experts Tips and TricksGetting the most out of NHER Plan Assessor Mechanical Ventilation Approved Assessor Scheme Constructive Details Handbook NHER Plan Assessor v5.4 The contents of this technical bulletin may supersede certain scheme rules or requirements appearing in the Product Rules, Inspection and Reporting Requirements, training manuals or elsewhere. Members must therefore ensure that they have read and understood this document.
RDSAP Gets Closer to SAP

For the past year a big focus has been on upgrading the RDSAP methodology to include features only previously available in full SAP. This is in order to make RDSAP more accurate as it is now the basis of the Green Deal, within which estimated fuel running costs are a key feature. NHER has played a key role in this process by helping BRE to define these changes to RDSAP and also in developing new conventions for data entry. This work culminated on 1 April 2012 with the release of RDSAP 9.91. All Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA) had to pass an up-skill exam in order to continue working as a DEA. Alongside these changes to RDSAP came a new style EPC. A similar format is now also applied to SAP EPCs.
The new RDSAP EPC; the SAP EPC has a similar format.
The asset rating graph on the front page has been simplified and now only refers to the SAP rating and not to the EI, which been relegated to page 4. On the RDSAP EPC there are also changes in the potential SAP rating and how recommendations are dealt with. The changes include: The ability to override RDSAP default U-values with documentary evidence and enter the exact U-value. This must come from a suitably qualified person, such as an OCDEA. More detailed input into Solar Water Heating systems; this mirrors the detail that can be entered into a full SAP assessment.
(Continued on page 2)
Page 1 of 9

Issue 33 | May 2 012 | Nation al Energy Services
(Continued from page 1) Inclusion of new technologies like FGHRS and WWHRS picked from the Product Database. This also means that the number of wet rooms must be recorded and the number of mixer showers in the property. More detailed input for windows: an orientation can now be specified when doing an extended glazing entry. U-value and g value can also be entered, and whether BFRC or not. This also applies to highly insulated doors. The DEA can specify an alternative wall for both the main part of the dwelling and for each extension. This means that up to eleven wall types can now be entered into RDSAP, whereas previously this was limited to five. There are greater insulation options for walls/floors and roofs and roof rooms. Roof rooms can be modelled in a much more detailed way, enabling the entry of specific areas for gable, stud and dormer walls, if detailed information is known. The recommendations are now displayed at the bottom of page 1 and there is now space for any potential Green Deal information. You will also find indicative costs for installing any of the measures in the EPC. What is also immediately visible is that the costs associated with the EPC are now shown for a three year period rather than just for one year. Overall these changes are meant to make the EPC more readable and also promote the recommendations that can potentially be applied to the property.
NHER Consultations Responses

The SAP 2012 Consultation closed on 27 March 2012 and the Building Regulation Part L1A Consultation on 27 April 2012. NHER held a series of four-hour briefing and discussion sessions during January and February 2012 which were attended by many of our OCDEAs. The feedback we received helped us to develop our consultation responses. A big thank you goes to all those who attended and who followed up with further suggestions. Our two consultation responses are summarised following.
Various other comments based upon feedback received from our members. To read our full consultation response click here. A summary of the proposed changes to Part L1A can also be found in the NHER summary: SAP 2012 in a Nutshell.
Part L1A 2013 Consultation

Key Points of the NHER response to the consultation are: 1. The NHER preference is for an approach based upon absolute carbon rather than TER. If the TER is to be retained the NHER suggest a similar approach to that used in Scotland, rather than the over complex 'concurrent' TER. A Fabric Energy Efficiency target should still be set, but with no attempt to combine it into the TER definition. Given the target of reaching zero carbon by 2016, a 'half way to zero carbon' step seems to us essential to get the industry to adjust their designs. The proposed interim step is so small as to be barely worthwhile. The fuel factor should be removed if retained it should not apply in areas where gas is available, or unless a minimum FEE is achieved. We support the introduction of a PAS type QA regime, and make various suggestions for what the PAS should cover. This includes 50% of OCDEA QA checks being done at the Design stage. Various other comments based upon feedback from our members.
2.
SAP 2012 Consultation

The key points made in the NHER consultation response were: Support for the changes to CO2 emission factors, regional weather, heating and hot water systems and primary pipe work insulation. The scope of the Products Database should be expanded wherever possible to enable product specific assessment. The system could be expanded to include details of solar thermal systems, hot water cylinders/thermal stores, community heating boilers, cooling systems, windows, doors and possibly lighting. Many detailed comments regarding thermal bridging, including feedback from members on what is happening on the ground, suggestions for refining the junction types and queries regarding the proposed new default values. Much clearer guidance is needed on the assessment of windows to avoid their energy efficiency being overstated by assessors. Feedback was provided on the proposed SAP Integrity Group and Appendix Q procedure. Suggestions on how to treat PV in SAP in a way that has a less dramatic impact on the SAP rating. 3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
To read our full Part L1A consultation response click here. A summary of the proposed changes to Part L1A can also be found in the NHER summary: Building Regulations L1: A Potted Guide.
Click on a headline to rea d othe r a rticles in this bulle tin

| RDSAP Gets Closer to SAP | SAP 2012 Consultation| Part L1A 2013 Consultation | Ask our Experts | Tips and TricksGetting the most out of NHER Plan Assessor | Mechanical Ventilation Approved Assessor Scheme | Constructive Details Handbook | NHER Plan Assessor v5.4 Page 2 of 9

Ask our Experts

Question: I am using a BFRC certificate to enter data for glazing into NHER Plan Assessor, what items do I need? Answer: The front page of the BFRC certificate provides all the information that is needed. It displays the whole window U-value and g value, i.e. for both glass and frame. When you enter data from a BFRC certificate into the Add Window screen in NHER Plan Assessor you should always use the BFRC option. This screen automatically sets the Frame Factor to the correct value of 1. This is because the BFRC calculations already take the frame into account.
If you do not have an official BFRC certificate, but have U-value, g value or Frame Factor provided by your client with associated documentary evidence other than an official BFRC certificate, use the Manufacturers Declared option. In this case, you will need the whole window U-value plus the g value of the glass and the Frame Factor. Use the SAP default value whenever you do not have documentary evidence for any data item. Question: I have lots of databases and need to locate a particular job but Im not sure which database the jobs is in can you help? Answer: This issue has been raised a number of times recently and the NHER Technical Support Team has done some research and found a free file searching utility on the internet that may help you do the job: File Locator Lite http:// www.mythicsoft.com/page.aspx? type=filelocatorlite&page=home can be downloaded and run on your system. It allows you to search a whole folder of files to find text contained within. For example, if you have a folder of databases called C:\My Documents\SAP Databases\ and you want to find the details of a property called Rosebud you can select the appropriate folder and then search for that term. File Locator will then display which database contains the term and you can use NHER Plan Assessor to connect to that database and then find the record. While we cannot fully endorse the product as it is one of many available on the internet, we have found this one to work extremely quickly. Question: I have a 2006 Building
Regulation job in NHER Plan Assessor v4.5. How do I create an EPC? Answer: This issue has been covered previously in the OCDEA Technical Bulletin, Issue 30, but it still seems to cause problems with some assessors. Initially, continue to work in NHER Plan Assessor v4.5. and continue the job to the As-built final stage to be able to issue the Building Regulations compliance work. You now have two options: 1. Export the single record xml, and import this into NHER Plan Assessor v5.4.2; or 2. Convert the database in which the record is located to the most recent NHER Plan Assessor (v5.4.2). Use this option if the whole database of that phase requires EPCs for example. The EPC can now be issued from NHER Plan Assessor v5.4.2. In this situation, whether the record passes or fails or whether there are amber traffic lights is not important. NHER Plan Assessor v5 uses an agreed method of upgrading SAP 2005 data into SAP 2009 format. This may mean that items like party walls are ignored or that FGHRS or WWHRS are not specified. However, the EPC produced is acceptable according to auditing guidelines. If the record is upgraded while in Asbuilt draft stage, then some information will still need to be entered. This may include SAP 2009 dataset
Before entering the g value, first complete the fields on the right hand side of the screen: Low e -Coating down to Gap. These do not actually affect the resulting outputs such as DER, SAP etc and in a future release of NHER Plan Assessor will be greyed out to avoid the need for them to be entered manually. However, these fields currently need to be populated before a green light can be obtained. We recommend that you note the report number of the BFRC Certificate in the Description field, as this document will be needed when any of your BFRC entries are called in for a QA check.
(Continued on page 4)


(Continued from page 3) items and we therefore suggest that only finalised jobs be upgraded for EPC purposes. If it is necessary to transfer a draft record from NHER Plan Assessor v4.5 to v5, then it is important that you keep details of the extra data items or assumptions that were made. This may occur if a Building Regulations output is not required. Question: Why do the cylinder losses on the heat pump I picked from the database cause the record to fail regulations? Answer: When you select a heat pump from the PCDF there are a number of options for the hot water. Currently ALL the heat pumps in the PCDF provide space AND water heating and therefore NHER Plan Assessor automatically selects water heating as from the main heat pump. It also pre-populates the cylinder details for that particular record. However, there are different types of heat pump cylinders: i. Cylinder size and efficiencies that are the minimum standard cylinder that should be installed i.e. this is the size/insulation of the cylinder it was tested against. You will achieve the tested results as long as the cylinder installed is better than that minimum standard. ii. Heat pump has a specific tested cylinder but another with better properties could be used. iii. Heat pump has an integrated store and comes as a packaged unit. Note: For option ii the details can be edited but it is unlikely that a change of cylinder will be made, while for option iii the cylinder details are locked and they cannot be changed. The most likely explanation for the Building Regulations failure is that the minimum standards vessel had been pre-populated. This minimum test standard now does not meet the new minimum Building Regulations requirements and so should be overwritten with details of the exact cylinder system installed to the property this, of course, should meet the minimum Building Regulations. Question: I have been given two values for the one junctionhow do I deal with this situation? Answer: When undertaking a thermal bridging assessment you may find that there are two values listed. Sometimes the terms internal and external are used and these refer to whether the value is associated with internal or external measurements of wall, roof, floor and opening dimensions. SAP uses internal measurements, whereas other assessment software, like Passivhaus, require external measurements. External values tend to be lower than internal values. Therefore it is important that you take care when using a provided value and select the correct one. If in doubt ask the person who provided the calculation for further details. Question: Im concerned about what values to use for ventilation rates in a Summer Overheating assessment. Can you provide any guidance? Answer: The NHER OCDEA Technical Manual Module Six, page 34, specifies that cross-ventilation on most floors, should only be an option for oneor two-storey properties unless there are other specific features to allow cross-ventilation to occur. Often threestorey houses have fire doors to stairs which prohibit cross-ventilation. On the topic of setting window opening fractions for ground floor flats, the manual advises that: you will need to take care when selecting the option fully open all the time to ensure that there are no security concerns.


Issue 33 | May 2 012 Nation al Energy Services
Assessors often ask if NHER Plan Assessor can perform certain functions. Recent feedback from seminars also revealed that a number of useful features of NHER Plan Assessors are not well known. This article explains the most common.
Tips and Tricks: Getting the most out of NHER Plan Assessor
Batch Manager
This allows users to carry out certain operations in order to update a set (batch) of records all at once. However, it does not have to just be used for that purpose alone. Batch Manager offers the same filtering ability as the Open screen and provides a more detailed information set about your records including DER and TER. This can be used to check quickly if a job passes or fails. This feature can be used not only to organise completed records for EPC production but can also be used to organise different versions or options more easily. Think of it as a logical way to group together records. You can then run reports or generate a list of key outputs for that specific set of records. You can use it to change the status of all the records in the batch or to generate EPCs. In NHER Plan Assessor v5.4.2 you can also utilize it to make use of the new mass updating functionality (see article on page 7). A good way to get used to some of the features is to try using Batch Manager as your main screen for opening records, i.e. open and check your records using Batch Manager and see if it provides a useful new way of working with your records. More information on using features in Batch Manager can be found in our introduction video tutorials: www.nesltd.co.uk/news/nher-planassessor-v45-released. Although these videos are for version 4.5 they convey many of the key principles. Tip: If you hover over a field in Batch Manager the whole of the text for that field is displayed as a tool tip.
Multiple Compliance
NHER Plan Assessor v5.4.1 reintroduced a multiple DER/TER compliance report. This is located in Batch Manager, rather than in Reports as it was in NHER Plan Assessor v4. Enter Batch Manager and select the dwellings that are part of the multiple compliance set. Then click the Multiple Reports button and pick either the Code for Sustainable Homes or the Building Regulations report (see screenshot on the right). A PDF file will be generated containing a breakdown of the DER, TER and total floor area for each property and the floor area weighted average DER/TER.
However, note that you cannot use your NHER Plan Assessor v4 key in version 5, nor a version 5 key in version 4. Tip: if you have an electronic version of your license key (PDF) then you can copy and paste the whole key in one step. Select the entire key and paste into the first box. The key will automatically be split into the component parts.
Changing the Install Key

From time to time it is necessary for NHER Plan Assessor users to install a new licence key. There has been confusion about how to enter the new key; while it is obvious when you first install the software, if you are already using the software then it might not necessarily be so obvious. If you need to enter a new license key go to Application, then Install Key (see screenshot below). License keys issued previously will still work as long as they have not expired. Therefore any keys issued for NHER Plan Assessor v5.2, v5.3 or v5.4 (v5.4.0, v5.4.1 or v5.4.2) will work in any of these versions.
Mechanical Ventilation Approved Assessor Scheme
The SAP calculation applies in use factors to the efficiency and specific fan power (SFP) of whole house mechanical ventilation systems. This is to account for the difference between performance tests carried out under test conditions and tests carried out in the real homes. A further option was introduced in SAP 2009 to acknowledge the fact that performance is also affected by how the system is installed, with the introduction of a question: Approved Installer Yes/ No. Until recently, this field has made no difference to the result because the Approved Installer Scheme had not been launched.


(Continued from page 5) Now that the scheme has been launched the answer to this question can make a significant difference to the result. For example, the Rigid Ductwork MEV in-use factor for the SFP is 1.4 without approved installer, while with approved installer this is now reduced to 1.3. This can potentially improve a DER by 1% or more. To answer Yes to this question you must have the relevant confirmation which will consist of an inspection checklist from a suitably trained member of a Competent Person Scheme. The new in-use factors are automatically included in the most recent PCDF so ensure that you update the Product Database (in NHER Plan Assessor v5 go to Application, Product Database Manager). Note that SAP convention 1.09 states that SAP software must always use the most up to date PCDF.
Coming shortly: Constructive Details Handbook
BBA and Robust Details Limited joined forces in 2011 under the banner of Constructive Details Ltd to deliver a thermal bridging scheme to meet the requirements of Part L1A 2010. However, the SAP 2012/Part L 2013 proposals make it clear that the notion of 'schemes' has been dropped, although there are still provisions for thermal modelling calculations by qualified individuals and a proposed penalty of 3% on the TER if developers cannot demonstrate overall quality assurance procedures. Undaunted by the loss of schemes, Constructive Details will shortly be publishing a handbook of 21 junction details. These are for masonry details using aircrete blocks for a partially filled cavity wall in new dwellings only. See the image on the right for an extract from one of their draft information sheets. These are more detailed than the ACD sheets issued by DCLG in 2006, and for example give a range of values for differing insulation characteristics. Each junction detail will also be accompanied by a guidance checklist to assist with effective site application and a series of notes for builders, focusing on achieving the stated values. In addition BBA are now including values on some of their standard BBA certificates. For examples, see: www.bbacerts.co.uk/ CertificateFiles/47/4778ps1i1.pdf To find out more about Constructive Details visit: www.constructivedetails.co.uk/


NHER Plan Assessor v5.4.2
NHER Plan Assessor v5.4.2 was released at the end of March. This update has a number of new features that extend Batch Manager functionality to speed up data input for assessors. It also addresses a number of outstanding bugs and introduces further new features. This article focuses on some of these useful and time saving new features.
Mass update wall and roof U-values

This feature in Batch Manager enables you to update the U-values of roofs or walls in selected records all at once. It uses a new reference number added into the Walls and Roofs screens to identify which wall or roof to update. Once you have applied the changes you can check to ensure that the changes made are as intended. (See Figure 1 on the right above.)
Figure 1: Changing the U-value of Wall2 for the records highlighted in blue.
Heating and hot water template

You can now enter data for a space and water heating main system once and then apply this to other records. Starting a new heating and hot water template presents the following data input selection whereby only the relevant pages are available. (See Figure 2.) Data entry is made in the normal way and then the template can be saved. The template can be applied either to an individual record or by using Batch Manager to apply to many records. A new field on the Space Heating screen allows you to pick a template and apply it if needed. (See Figure 3.) In Batch Manager the update data button can be used to select a template and apply it to the highlighted records. (See Figure 4.)
(Continued on page 8) Figure 3 Figure 2
Figure 4


(Continued from page 7)
Development and house types

The Dwelling screen now contains a few extra fields to help identify records. A Development field that works in the same way as the Client field and a new open text field called House type. You can search for both fields using filters. (See Figures 5 and 6.)
Figure 5
Scottish templates
Scottish templates are used as part of the Section 6 simplified approach to demonstrate compliance. Using the template for the selected fuel, all the minimum standard attributes are set and you only have to include data entry that is relevant to the individual property that the assessment is being carried out on. It now features a small solar water heating array size calculator to ensure that the regulation sized solar panels are added to the property as per the regulations. (See Figure 7.)
Figure 6
Easy identification of complete and incomplete records

The first thing you will notice when you load NHER Plan Assessor v5.4.2 is that some records may now show in bold and the colour maroon (see screenshot below) This provides a quick way of picking records that require some extra data entry. So far, feedback has suggested that this is especially useful when using Batch Manager to change statuses between Design-final and As-built draft, as it flags records that still need Air Pressure Test results entered.
Figure 7
Figure 8


AB OUT OUR BULLET INS

We trust you find this edition of the technical bulletin useful. If there are any areas you would like to see covered in future editions drop us a line at bulletins@nesltd.co.uk Back copies of all bulletins are available in the Useful Documents section of NES one. Registration 01908 442277 registration@nesltd.co.uk Compliance 01908 442288 compliance@nesltd.co.uk Technical Support Helpdesk 01908 442105 support@nesltd.co.uk Support Website support.nesltd.co.uk Assessment Support 01908 442240 assessment@nesltd.co.uk Training enquiries 01908 442254 training@nesltd.co.uk NES one Credit Top up line: 01908 442299
The content of this technical bulletin is protected by copyright and any unauthorised use, copying, lending or making available of it, howsoever defined, which is not specifically authorised by National Energy Services Ltd., is strictly prohibited. National Energy Services Ltd Page 9 of 9
The National Energy Centre Davy Avenue, Milton Keynes, MK5 8NA Tel: 01908 672787 Web: www.nesltd.co.uk

OCDEA TB Issue 33 PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

OCDEA TB Issue 33 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

OCDEA Technical Bulletin

For On Construction Domestic Energy Assessors

Issue 33 | May 2012 All content National Energy Services, Ltd

RDSAP Gets Closer to SAP

OCDEA Technical Bulletin

NHER Consultations Responses

Part L1A 2013 Consultation

SAP 2012 Consultation

Click on a headline to rea d othe r a rticles in this bulle tin

OCDEA Technical Bulletin

Ask our Experts

Click on a headline to rea d othe r a rticles in this bulle tin

OCDEA Technical Bulletin

Click on a headline to rea d othe r a rticles in this bulle tin

OCDEA Technical Bulletin

Changing the Install Key

Mechanical Ventilation Approved Assessor Scheme

Click on a headline to rea d othe r a rticles in this bulle tin

OCDEA Technical Bulletin

Coming shortly: Constructive Details Handbook

Click on a headline to rea d othe r a rticles in this bulle tin

OCDEA Technical Bulletin

NHER Plan Assessor v5.4.2

Mass update wall and roof U-values

Heating and hot water template

Click on a headline to rea d othe r a rticles in this bulle tin

OCDEA Technical Bulletin

Development and house types

Easy identification of complete and incomplete records

Click on a headline to rea d othe r a rticles in this bulle tin

OCDEA Technical Bulletin

AB OUT OUR BULLET INS

You might also like