1. Environmental Services Training Group
LOCAL AUTHORITY ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE 2018
Climate Change and the Environment A New Reality
Minella Hotel, Clonmel Wednesday 25th. April 2018. 1

2. Climate Change and the Environment A New Reality
Building Regulations and Near Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB)
Colin Gallagher
Senior Executive Engineer
Fingal County Council
I work in Fingal County Council’s Built Environment Inspectorate and I am responsible for Building Control, Taking in charge and Dangerous structures

3. Programme Buildings in Ireland Building Regulations
Near Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB)
Part L – the History
Part L
Compliance with Part L
Current Issues
The Future
Buildings and their energy use. How it is regulated in Ireland. What is nZEB. Building Regulations Part L. How to comply with part L. Current issues and future advances.

4. Buildings in Ireland How much energy is used
Age and efficiency of buildings
Drivers – EU targets since 1997, cost, economy etc
Infograph showing how much energy is consumed. Energy production contributes to CO2 emissions.
Building energy use by electricity, gas and oil
Industry
Transport
Age of Buildings in Ireland – surprisingly young building stock – over half are less than 30 years old. However we are 30% above the EU average in energy consumed by our buildings.
Kyoto 1997 set first targets for Global warming contributors including the efficiency and use of energy in buildings.
Cost of energy to the consumer - the building occupants. Payback period for investiment.
Economically viable – speed of build, availability of materials/installors.

5. Building Regulations Second Schedule Part A to M Part A Structure
Part B Fire Safety
Part C Site preparation and resistance to moisture
Part D Materials and workmanship
Part E Sound
Part F Ventilation
Part G Hygiene
Part H Drainage and waste water disposal
Part J Heat producing appliances
Part K Stairways, ladders, ramps and guards
Part L Conservation of fuel and energy
Part M Access and Use.
The Building By-Laws were abolished in 1992 when the Building Regulations (1991) came into force. Under the Building By-Laws the Local Authorities inspected properties for compliance at various stages of construction.
The new Regulations replaced this monitored regime with one of self-certification/self-regulation. This required the builder to comply with the Regulations by law (Building Control Act).
For Part L, the full regulation is in the Building Regs and this is what is required by law – compliance with Part L of the Second Schedule of the Building Regs 1997 to 2018.
Technical Guidance Documents – TGDs are a method of complying with the Regs

6. Near Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB)
European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (Recast EPBD 2010/31/EU)
all new buildings should be nZEB by 31st December 2020.
all buildings acquired by public bodies by 31st December 2018.
Definition: ‘Nearly Zero Energy Buildings’, nZEB
a building that has a very high energy performance where the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby.
Energy harvest vs Energy conservation
implemented through the Building Regulations
The conservation of energy section of the Building Regulations for non-dwelling buildings was amended in January 2017 to include the requirements for nZEB. The Amended Regulation for dwellings is currently out on public consultation.
This is the EU Directive for nZEB and it applies for all the EU Countries so we are all implementing measures to comply.
There is also other EU legislation from this Directive such as the EU Energy Performance of buildings Regulations which among other things regulates for the requirement of BER certs

7. Part L – the History
B Rgs part L 1991: A building shall be so designed and constructed as to secure, insofar as is reasonably practicable, the conservation of fuel and energy.
For 27yrs the concept of conservation of energy has be enshrined into Irish Legislation through the Building Regulations. The Regulations are accompanied with guidelines which set a minimum standard for compliance.
U-value concept was introduced for measuring heat loss through the elements of structure.
Controls were introduced to manage the use of the heat energy.
Insulation of hot water to reduce heat losses.

8. Part L – the History
B Rgs part L 1991: A building shall be so designed and constructed as to secure, insofar as is reasonably practicable, the conservation of fuel and energy.
The Building Regulations dictate the level of energy efficiency which a building must meet in order to satisfy their legal requirement. The current Regulations are the Building Regulations part L amended in 2011 and in these Regulations the level of efficiency is called the Primary Energy Requirement and it must be 60% less than the 2005 Part L levels . This puts the 2011 level at about 60kWh/m2/year which is in the A3 rating band. The primary energy requirement for 2005 Part L was up to 150kWh/m2/year. The current aim of this Government is that we should be building Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) by 2020 which equates to about 40kWh/m2/year (A2/A1 rating).
1991 – D1/C3. Insulation concept.
2005 – C1
2007 – B1. Renewables introduced
2011 – A3. Building Fabric improved.
2018 – A2. In force on 1st July 2018.

9. Part L L1 Conserve Energy and CO2 emissions L2 Existing dwellings
Material Alterations
Change of Use
Extensions
Replacement Boilers
Replacement doors and windows
L3 New dwellings
Use of DEAP
Renewables RER
Building Fabric
Heating and cooling systems
Controls
User information
L4 Existing Buildings other than dwellings
L5 New Buildings other than dwellings
Where do the B Regs apply:
Material Alterations
Change of Use
Extensions
Replacement Boilers
Replacement doors and windows
NEW: Major renovations – greater 25% of the surface area of a building and brings in a new concept – principle of cost optimality. This legislates to drive retrofits where works are been done. Target is 125KWH/M2/Yr – B3.
DEAP Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure
RER – Renewable Energy Ratio – Renew over total
PART L - CONSERVATION OF FUEL AND ENERGY
L1 A building shall be designed and constructed so as to ensure that the energy performance of the building is such as to limit the amount of energy required for the operation of the building and the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with this energy use insofar as is reasonably practicable.
L2 For existing dwellings, the requirements of L1 shall be met by:—
(a) limiting heat loss and, where appropriate, maximising heat gain through the fabric of the building;
(b) controlling, as appropriate, the output of the space heating and hot water systems;
(c) limiting the heat loss from pipes, ducts and vessels used for the transport or storage of heated water or air;
(d) providing that all oil and gas fired boilers installed as replacements in existing dwellings shall meet a minimum seasonal efficiency of 90% where practicable. (e) when a building undergoes major renovation, the minimum energy performance requirement of the building or the renovated part thereof is upgraded in order to meet the cost optimal level of energy performance in so far as this is technically, functionally and economically feasible.
L3 For new dwellings, the requirements of L1 shall be met by:—
(a) providing that the energy performance of the dwelling is such as to limit the calculated primary energy consumption and related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions insofar as is reasonably practicable, when both energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are calculated using the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP) published by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland;
(b) providing that, the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required is covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby;
(c) limiting heat loss and, where appropriate, availing of heat gain through the fabric of the building;
(d) providing and commissioning energy efficient space and water heating systems with efficient heat sources and effective controls;
(e) providing that all oil and gas fired boilers shall meet a minimum seasonal efficiency of 90%;
(f) Ensuring that the building is appropriately designed to avoid the need for cooling
(g) providing to the dwelling owner sufficient information about the building, the fixed building services and their maintenance requirements so that the building can be operated in such a manner as to use no more fuel and energy than is reasonable.”
L4 For existing buildings other than dwellings, the requirements of L1 shall be met by: –
(a) limiting the heat loss and, where appropriate, availing of the heat gains through the fabric of the building;
(b) providing energy efficient space heating and cooling systems, heating and cooling equipment, water heating systems, and ventilation systems, with effective controls;
(c) ensuring that the building is appropriately designed to limit need for cooling and, where air-conditioning or mechanical ventilation is installed, that installed systems are energy efficient, appropriately sized and adequately controlled;
(d) limiting the heat loss from pipes, ducts and vessels used for the transport or storage of heated water or air;
(e) limiting the heat gains by chilled water and refrigerant vessels, and by pipes and ducts that serve air conditioning systems;
(f) providing energy efficient artificial lighting systems and adequate control of these systems;
(g) providing to the building owner or occupants sufficient information about the building fabric, the fixed building services, controls and their maintenance requirements when replaced so that the building can be operated in such a manner as to use no more fuel and energy than is reasonable; and
(h) when a building undergoes major renovation, the minimum energy performance requirement of the building or the renovated part thereof is upgraded in order to meet the cost optimal level of energy performance in so far as this is technically, functionally and economically feasible.
L5 For new buildings other than dwellings, the requirements of L1 shall be met by: –
(a) providing that the energy performance of the building is such as to limit the calculated primary energy consumption and related Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions to a Nearly Zero Energy Building level insofar as is reasonably practicable, when both energy consumption and Carbon Dioxide emissions are calculated using the Non-domestic Energy Assessment Procedure (NEAP) published by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland;
(b) providing that, the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required is covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby;
(c) limiting the heat loss and, where appropriate, availing of the heat gains through the fabric of the building;
(d) providing and commissioning energy efficient space heating and cooling systems, heating and cooling equipment, water heating systems, and ventilation systems, with effective controls;
(e) ensuring that the building is appropriately designed to limit need for cooling and, where air-conditioning or mechanical ventilation is installed, that installed systems are energy efficient, appropriately sized and adequately controlled;
(f) limiting the heat loss from pipes, ducts and vessels used for the transport or storage of heated water or air;
(g) limiting the heat gains by chilled water and refrigerant vessels, and by pipes and ducts that serve air conditioning systems;
(h) providing energy efficient artificial lighting systems and adequate control of these systems; and
(i) providing to the building owner or occupants sufficient information about the building, the fixed building services, controls and their maintenance requirements so that the building can be operated in such a manner as to use no more fuel and energy than is reasonable.

10. Compliance with Part L DEAP-Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure
MPEPC and MPCPC
BER rating
Design and Construction of the Building – Min standards
Building Fabric - Insulation
Renewables
Air Tightness
Thermal Bridging
Heating and cooling efficiencies
Controls
User Information
MPEPC Maximum permitted energy performance co-efficient
MPCPC Maximum permitted e performance co-efficient
BER Building Energy Rating and is based on the “calculated energy performance and associated carbon dioxide emissions for the provision of space heating, ventilation, water heating and lighting under standardised operating conditions” *source: SEAI
Quality design and quality build equals compliance

11. Compliance with Part L Insulation
Backstop values for roof, wall, ground, windows, doors, rooflights etc
2011 wall U-Value is 0.21W/M²K
Windows and doors
Interstitial
Condensation - VCL
The proposed 2018 backstop U-value for walls is 0.18W/M²K
U-value =1/(R1+R2 etc) where R is Thermal Resistance and R = Depth of material/Lamda where Lamda is Thermal conductivity
Window Replacements for all buildings and not just new buildings
Condensation is due to lack of ventilation and incorrect insulation design. Humans breath out 70% humidity.

12. Compliance with Part L Renewables RER – Renewable energy ratio
Solar Panel
Photovoltaic Panel
Wind turbine
CHP – combined Heat and Power
Heat Pumps
RER – Renewable energy ratio
Micro-generation such as Solar Panels for heating water, PV for generating electricity or Wind
Energy efficiencies such as CHP or Heat pumps (opposite to a fridge and can convert 400% of input electricity moving heat from the outside to the inside of a building)
RER = Total/Renewable – in both the Building Regs nZEB guidance, there will be a requirement to meet between 10 to 20% of the energy needs from renewables.

13. Compliance with Part L Air Tightness – 2011 Part L is 7m³/hr/m²
nZEB proposed to be 5m³/hr/m²
Below 3m³/hr/m² requires Mechanical Ventilation – normally MVHR
MVHR – mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery
Air tightness envelope using vapour barrier membranes and sealing tape
Testing is done by registered testers using a blower and measuring the air leakage.

14. Compliance with Part L Thermal Bridging
Means ‘Break in the insulation’ or Thermal bypass
Default value 0.15 for DEAP
ACDs (acceptable construction designs) 0.08
Thermal model
Dew point = mould
DEAP calcs include a value to represent Thermal Bridging and as the insulating and air tightness of buildings improve, TB becomes much more important.
Also, TB can cause mould formation – typically less than 12.5 degs

15. Compliance with Part L Heating and cooling efficiencies
Energy Controls
Lighting
User Information
Heating and cooling efficiencies
Appliance efficiency HARP Homeheating Appliance Register of Performance
Hot Water efficiency and insulation
Heat exchangers
good practice with regard to energy efficiency of dwelling ventilation systems - SFP
Energy Control
automatic control of space heating on the basis of room temperature;
automatic control of heat input to stored hot water on the basis of stored water temperature;
Separate and independent automatic time control of space heating and hot water;
shut down of boiler or other heat source when there is no demand for either space or water heating from that source.

16. Current Issues Modern Methods of Construction M&E reliance
Timber frame
Precast Concrete
ICF
Steel framed
Modular
M&E reliance
Solar overheating
Workmanship – TB and Air tightness
USERS
Existing stock
Timber frame – IS440
Precast Concrete – panels manufactured in factory
ICF – insulated concrete formwork
Steel framed – either panels or sections
Modular – individual units
M&E reliance – much more equipment, more maintenance, greater understanding
Solar overheating – Ventilation systems may need to cool
Workmanship – TB and Air tightness
USERS – home improvement works may interfere with the design
Existing stock – Retrofit programme? Expensive, major inconvenience, requires competent builder

17. The Future Renewable technology advances Thermal Bridging ZEB
Solar Glass
Solar Tiles
Heat Pump technology
Heat Exchangers
Thermal Bridging
Passive design
ZEB