Type of Building Code

Type of Building Code

• Cooling Based
• Prescriptive Codes
• Trade Off
• Performance Codes for Refurbishments
• Performance Codes for New Builds

  Ireland’s Part L is a performance-based code that requires a mandatory energy frame calculation to establish the Energy Performance Coefficient (EPC) and Carbon Performance Coefficient (CPC) in comparison with a relevant reference building.

• Energy Declaration
• Model / reference Building

  The DEAP/NEAP software calculates the primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions of the whole building in comparison with a similar reference building.

• Mix of different models / Hybrids

Energy Covered

Basis for Energy Requirements

• Overall performance frame
• Final Energy
• Primary Energy

  The primary energy calculation establishes the CO2 emissions and energy consumption associated with the building and is calculated using the DEAP or NEAP software.

• Life Cycle Assessment considered (embedded energy)

  Not for individual buildings. However, from March 2013 Regulations will be reviewed to ensure Cost Optimality at a global level as required by Recast EPBD.

Energy Uses and Functions Covered by the Code

• Heating

  General efficiency and sizing requirements, must be included in the DEAP/NEAP calculation.

• Cooling

  General efficiency and sizing requirements, must be included in the DEAP/NEAP calculation.

• Dehumidification
• Ventilation

  General efficiency and sizing requirements, must be included in the DEAP/NEAP calculation.

• Airtightness

  To avoid excessive heat losses, reasonable care should be taken to limit the air permeability of the envelope of each dwelling. Tested to 7 m3/hr/m2 at 50 Pa.

• Thermal bridging

  Requirements to avoid excessive heat loss. Heat loss associated with thermal bridges is taken into account in calculating energy use and CO2 emissions using the DEAP/NEAP methodology.

• Hot water

  Hot water systems should be as efficient in use as reasonably practicable. Control and insulation requirements. Included in overall performance calculation.

• Technical installations

  Not known at this stage.

• Lighting

  No specific prescribed requirements for dwellings but lighting is assessed in the overall performance calculation. Non-dwellings - 95 % of the artificial lighting capacity in circuit Watts is provided by lighting fittings which use efficient lamps.

• Appliances
• Design, position & orientation of building

  Orientation is accounted for in whole building calculation procedure.

• Heat recovery

  Encouraged in dwellings code, 66% efficiency rating required for Non-dwellings, only asks to be considered.

• Passive solar

  Solar gains are accounted for in whole building calculation procedure.

• Passive cooling

  Accounted for in whole building calculation procedure.

• Natural ventilation

  Accounted for in whole building calculation procedure.

• Solar protection

  Solar protection is taken account of in whole building calculation. Buildings should be designed so that occupied spaces that rely on natural ventilation do not risk unacceptable levels of thermal discomfort due to overheating caused by solar gain

• Daylighting requirements

  No prescribed requirements but daylight is accounted for in whole building calculation procedure.

• Renewable Energy (solar, PV, others)

  Dwellings, a reasonable proportion of the energy to be provided by renewable energy.10 kWh/m2/annum contributing to energy use for domestic hot water heating, space heating or cooling; or 4 kWh/m2/annum of electrical energy; or a combination.

• Local renewable sources
• Energy Offsets/Green Certificates

Enforcement

Type of Enforcement

• Local enforcement
  The enforcement authorities for both energy performance requirements and energy certification are the Building Control Offices within the local authorities/ municipalities. BC authorities are responsible plan checks inspections etc.
• Third party inspection
• Central enforcement
• Accreditation of applicants
  Partially, this will be applicable in the near future.
• Post Occupancy control
  Post occupancy evaluation is an operational activity and is outside remit of building regulations/codes.

On-site Inspections Occur

• On-site inspections
• During construction
• Post completion
• Post occupancy

Certification to Support Enforcement of Code

• Energy Performance Certificate support BC
  EPC of buildings in Ireland is known as ‘Building Energy Rating’ (BER). The BER is in the form of an energy label that classifies buildings on a scale ranging from A (high efficiency, A1 =≤ 25 kWh/m2.yr ) to G (poor efficiency = >450 kWh/m2.yr).
• Positive labeling for building beyond the minimum BC level
• Existence of EPC register database at national level
  National Administration System maintained by SEAI
• Number of certified buildings
• Inspection of boilers
  Boilers inspections are conducted under option B (information campaign) of the EPBD recast. The vast majority of commercial oil and gas boilers are inspected annually whereas just half of domestic boilers are inspected annually.
• Inspection of HVAC systems
  Inspection of air-conditioning systems began in 2008,the system is currently being reviewed.

Penalties for Non-compliance

• None
• Fine
  Fines, imprisonment and loss of certification.
• Imprisonment
• Refusal of permission to occupy
• Refusal of permission to construct
• Demolition

Measures Supporting Enforcement

• Commissioning requirements
  Residential, commissioning of heating systems and ventilation systems are required. Quality assurance of fabric during construction is also required. Non-residential requirements for Ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
• Airtightness testing required prior to compliance
  All new dwellings require blower tests. Currently it is not required for non residential but can be input into whole building energy model if available (7 m3/hr/m2 at 50 Pascals).
• Mandatory Computer Modeling
  For new buildings but not for refurbishment.
• Training of Inspectors
  Dwellings, a pre qualification requirement is a NQAI Level 6 Award in construction studies or equivalent. Non-dwellings, a prequalification requirement is a NQAI Level 7 or 8 Award in a building related discipline.
• Other

Values for New Buildings

Code History and Future Targets

• How far in advance are future targets set?

  2013
• Are stakeholders informed of future targets far in advance?

  Yes

Zero Energy Targets

• Are all end uses considered in the target?

  Not at this stage.

• Is there a realistic roadmap towards ZEB
• National Target date for nZEB

  Net zero energy buildings by 2013.

• Special Requirements for public buildings

Supporting Measures

• Involvement of Stakeholders in the Development of Codes
• Level of Training Provided to Stakeholders Following Implementation of Code?
• Provision of Appropriate Information for General Public
• Supporting Labeling Schemes
• Supporting Certification Schemes
• Codes Free to Access?
• Text on Code Access