National Calculation Methodology - software tools for Part L 2010
Important Notice - iSBEM_v4.0 software update
The department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has completed its revision of Part L of the Building Regulations for England and Wales, to take effect from 1 October 2010. New Approved Documents and Building Services Compliance Guides were published in April and copies of these documents can be found at http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/
The National Calculation Methodology (NCM) has been changed too and this site provides access to SBEM v4.0.c, its Technical Manual and the NCM Modelling Guide 2010 which implements these changes for buildings other than dwellings.
Please note that the intention is to update the "CLG Notice of Approval of the methodology of calculation of the energy performance of buildings in England and Wales" in due course to recognise these new documents, but until the Notice is updated these documents are not formally approved by CLG. Please also note they cannot be used for building regulations compliance purposes before 1 October 2010.
Version 4.0.c (released on 5th August) now includes implementations for compliance with building Bye-Laws for the States of Jersey and Section 6 for Scotland. We have also corrected a few minor issues raised through user feedback. We may need to issue revised versions of the software, or patches, to correct any bugs identified. Please check the 'News and Updates' page regularly for news.
Compliance with Section 6 of Scottish 2010 Building RegulationsNote that option for compliance with Section 6 of Scottish 2010 Building Regulations is now available from v4.0.c.
SBEM
SBEM is a software tool that provides an analysis of the energy consumption of buildings other than dwellings. It calculates monthly energy use and carbon dioxide emissions, given a description of the building which is entered through its interface iSBEM. Since 2006 it has been used to demonstrate compliance with Part L2A of the Building Regulations and, since 2008, has provided Energy Performance Certificates on construction, sale or rent. The current software (version 3.5.a) for use with Part L 2006 (and for EPCs until further notice) can be found at http://www.ncm.bre.co.uk/
In line with the revision to Approved Document ADL2A, SBEM and iSBEM have now been revised and updated to include additional functionality. This version - v4.0.a - is now available for demonstrating compliance with Part L 2010. The tool, along with a user guide, can be downloaded free of charge from the Download page.
Queries and feedback
Problems or queries with downloading or using the software, or with the underlying calculations, should be addressed to the SBEM Helpline on the Feedback page.
SAP for dwellings
The calculation method for dwellings under Part L 2010 is a new version of SAP - the Standard Assessment Procedure for the Energy Rating of Dwellings. This is specified in documents available at http://www.bre.co.uk/sap2009/ and will be implemented through a number of commercially available software tools.