The holistic approach contained within the NEAP for non-dwellings will require a lot more than simple hand calculations to determine energy performance

With the full implementation of the European Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) coming into Ireland’s building regulations next month, the country’s construction industry is about to face some significant changes.

The EPBD requires the implementation of new national calculation procedures for non-dwellings which are based on the holistic assessment of energy use by a building rather than solely elemental U-values.

At present, all indications are that the calculation approach taken in Ireland will be broadly similar to the approach taken in England and Wales. The SEI recently announced that it will adapt the UK’s National Calculation Methodology (NCM) as Ireland’s Non-domestic Energy Assessment Procedure (NEAP).

Therefore, there will be a choice between using either the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) or Dynamic Simulation Model (DSM) routes for building code compliance and creation of a Building Energy Rating (BER). The phased requirement of Building Energy Rating (BER) certificates will take place in Ireland between July 2008 and January 2009.

This change in assessment method has far reaching effects. The holistic approach requires the interactions between the external environment, fabric, systems, and services of a building to be taken into consideration. For example, higher glazing levels can lead to solar gains and increased cooling loads, while at the same time leading to reduced artificial lighting energy use if daylight dimming control is used.

In order to show building code compliance you will no longer be able to undertake simple hand calculations at an elemental level, you’ll need to use software solutions that allow you to model energy performance holistically.

This article was written by David McEwan, building regulations director at Integrated Environmental Solutions

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