SBEM & COMPUTER PROFESSIONALS

Why is a good understanding of SBEM important for Construction Professionals as we move towards 2020?

Why is a good understanding of SBEM important for Construction Professionals as we move towards 2020?

SBEM is a computer program that provides an analysis of a building's energy consumption. SBEM calculates monthly energy use and carbon dioxide emissions of a building given a description of the building geometry, construction, use and HVAC and lighting equipment. It was originally based on the Dutch methodology NEN 2916:1998 (Energy Performance of Non-Residential Buildings) and has since been modified to comply with the recent CEN Standards. Details of the calculation method, the algorithms used and the assumptions made are provided in the SBEM Technical Manual. THIS LINK SBEM makes use of standard data contained on associated databases and available with other software. (Yao and Liu 2004 1107-1118)

The purpose of SBEM and its interface iSBEM is to produce consistent and reliable evaluations of energy use in non-domestic buildings for Building Regulations Compliance and for Building Energy Performance Certification purposes. Although it may assist the design process, it is not primarily a design tool. It does not calculate internal temperatures, for example.

As iSBEM is a compliance procedure and not a design tool, if the performance of a particular feature is critical to the design, even if it can be represented in SBEM, it is prudent to use the most appropriate modelling tool for design purposes. In any case, SBEM should not be used for system sizing.

Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) calculations are required for all newly built commercial & industrial structures. SBEM is a calculation of the energy efficiency and carbon emissions performance of commercial structures. In accordance with Part L Regulations, your Building Control Officer / Approved Inspector will require a SBEM report at the same time as your Building Control Application - this first part of the SBEM procedure is called the 'design' stage. The second stage of the SBEM procedure is called the 'as-built' stage and is completed when the building is finished.

SBEM is a computer program that provides an analysis of a building's energy consumption. It has been adopted by government as part of the UK national methodology for calculation of the energy performance of buildings. It is used to demonstrate compliance for with Part L of the Building Regulations by comparing the designed Building Emission Rate (BER) with an SBEM calculated Target Emission Rate (TER).  (Braun and Montgomery 2001 403-428)

For new buildings an initial SBEM calculation is carried out at design stage to confirm that the specification such as insulation and the fixed building services (heating,Lighting and Ventilation) meet minimum design limits. When the construction of the building is complete final adjustment calculation to reflect any changes during construction will be required to confirm the as-constructed building is consistent with the BER. The calculation will usually include the result of an air permeability test, buildings less than 500m² may not require a test. This is then accompanied by an Energy Performance Certificate and submitted ...