1. The Code for Sustainable Homes Les Fothergill Sustainable Buildings Division2 2 2

2. Content of presentation
Overview of Code for Sustainable Homes
Discussion on proposed section on sound insulation
The content of the Code has not yet been finalised and so is subject to change

3. Background to the Code: Main Drivers
Climate change agenda and CO2 targets
Rising energy costs
Security of supply of energy
Water conservation
Signals future direction of Building Regulations 3 3 3

4. Background to climate change 1
Climate change is already happening.
The ten hottest summers on record have occurred since the beginning of the 1990s
Models predict that global temperature could rise from between 1.4 to 5.8 degrees over the next 100 years

5. Background to climate change 2

6. Implications for the UK
milder, wetter winters
drier, hotter summers
higher sea levels - leading to the flooding of coastal areas and floodplains

7. UK policy commitments
Kyoto Protocol of 1997: ratified by over 150 countries – set legally binding reduction targets of 5.2% below 1990 levels by
The UK has set itself challenging targets to reduce carbon emissions by:
20% below 1990 levels by 2010, and
60% below 1990 levels by 2050
Energy supply – to produce 12% UK electricity from renewable sources by 2010

8. Current trend of carbon emissions
2010 target = 129 mtC

9. Climate change and buildings
46% of carbon emissions are from the use of buildings
27% from dwellings 4 4 4

10. Rainfall Rainfall: Percentage of long term average –
November March 2006

11. Average household (litres per head per day)
2004
2030
Water consumption
<130
>190

12. Water use Wash basin 8% Outside use 6% Kitchen sink 15% Bath 15%
Toilet
35%
Water used by
unmeasured
households
Water used by
measured households
Leakage
non-households
(industry)
Dishwasher 4%
Shower 6%
Washing machine
12%

13. Why a Code for Sustainable Homes?
Sustainable Buildings Task Group report recommended a single Code for England and Wales - with minimum standards for key resources: energy, water, waste, materials.
Fresh approach to achieve outcomes:
Encourage developers to offer more innovative solutions
Empower homebuyers.

14. Advantages of a Code
Advantages of a Code over Regulation:
Encourage aspirations above the regulatory base, in measured steps.
Point the way to future regulations and give certainty.

15. The consultation document 1
Voluntary Code comprising essential and optional elements
A transparent      rating system to inform home-buyers how sustainable the home they are buying is compared to another
Out to consultation (closed 6 March 2006) - over 2100 responses

16. The consultation document 2

17. Essential elements and minimum standards
Energy Efficiency
(conservation of fuel & power)
As Building Regulations Part L1A 2006
Water Efficiency
(use of potable water)
No greater than 125 litres per head per day (46m3/bed space/year).
Surface Water Management
Ensure that peak run-off rates and annual volumes of run-off will be no worse than the original conditions for the development site.
Site Waste Management
(during construction)
Adopt and implement Site Waste Management Plans (including monitoring of waste)
Household Waste Management
(during occupation and use)
At least 0.8m3 storage for each home
Use of Materials
Inventory of materials/products used.

18. Scoring - the consultation document
A base level and four higher levels with higher ratings in the essential elements or some optional elements or both, e.g.
Code Level 1 ()
The minimum standards (Level 1)
Code Level 2 ():
Level 1 plus at least 15 extra Points
Code Level 3 ():
Level 1 plus at least 30 extra Points
Code Level 4 ()
Level 1 plus at least 40 extra Points
Code Level 5 ()
Level 1 plus at least 50 extra Points

19. External private space
Optional elements
Lifetime homes
Daylighting
Sound insulation
External private space
Security
Home user guide
Code Level 1 ()
The minimum standards (Level 1)
Code Level 2 ():
Level 1 plus at least 15 extra Points
Code Level 3 ():
Level 1 plus at least 30 extra Points
Code Level 4 ()
Level 1 plus at least 40 extra Points
Code Level 5 ()
Level 1 plus at least 50 extra Points

20. Government has announced that all homes built with government funding (e.g. Housing Corporation, English Partnerships, etc) will meet Code Level 3
As an interim measure – BRE EcoHomes “Very Good” from April 2006

21. Strengthening the Code 1
ODPM (DCLG) Press Notice issued 9 March 2006 signalled proposals to “Strengthen The Code”;
Based on an initial analysis of consultation returns
Main options:
Make assessment to the code mandatory
Widen coverage of the Code
Encourage micro renewables
Use the Code to signal the future direction of Building Regulations

22. Strengthening the Code 2: Make assessment mandatory
All new homes and those sold or let will already have an energy performance certificate (a requirement of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive); Ministers are considering mandatory assessments against the whole Code - a sustainability rating.

23. Strengthening the Code 3: Widen coverage of Code
Ministers minded to extend the Code to cover existing homes, as well as new ones. Perhaps to cover non-domestic buildings - new and existing.

24. Strengthening the Code 4: micro-renewables
Ministers wish to use the Code to promote on-site energy generation. Homes that use micro-renewable technology will gain extra Code Points. Details now being worked upon.

25. Strengthening the Code 5: Signal future direction of Building Regulations
Code should form the basis for the next wave of improvements to the Building Regulations. It should indicate where the Building Regulations could be in 5, 10, 15 years time.

26. BRE EcoHomes Hea 2 Sound Insulation (up to 4 credits)1
A commitment to carry out a programme of pre-completion testing based on the frequency listed in Table 2, column A (Supplementary Guidance A: Frequency of Testing Required) for every group or subgroup of houses or flats.
AND
A commitment to achieve the performance standards set out in the Building Regulations for England and Wales, Approved Document E (2003 Edition).

27. EcoHomes Hea 2 Sound Insulation
A commitment to carry out a programme of pre-completion testing based on the frequency listed in Table 2, column B (Supplementary Guidance A: Frequency of Testing Required) for every group or subgroup of houses or flats.
AND
A commitment to achieve the performance standards set out in the Building Regulations for England and Wales, Approved Document E
(2003 Edition).

28. EcoHomes Hea 2 Sound Insulation3
A commitment to carry out a programme of pre-completion testing based on the frequency listed in Table 2, column B (Supplementary Guidance A: Frequency of Testing Required) for every group or subgroup of houses or flats.
AND
A commitment to achieve airborne sound insulation values that are at least 3dB higher, and impact sound insulation values that are at least 3dB lower, than the performance standards set out in the Building Regulations for England and Wales, Approved Document E (2003 Edition).

29. EcoHomes Hea 2 Sound Insulation4
A commitment to carry out a programme of pre-completion testing based on the frequency listed in Table 2, column B (Supplementary Guidance A: Frequency of Testing Required) for every group or subgroup of houses or flats.
AND
A commitment to achieve airborne sound insulation values that are at least 5dB higher, and impact sound insulation values that are at least 5dB lower, than the performance standards set out in the Building Regulations for England and Wales, Approved Document E (2003 Edition).

30. Possible introduction of Robust Details
Credits
Performance level improvement dB
(compared with Approved Document E 2003)
Performance standards dB
Airborne DnT,w+Ctr
(minimum)
Impact L’nT,w
(maximum) 3 +3 48 59 4 +5 50 57 6
+10 55 52
Detached dwelling

31. Possible identification of Robust Details
Number of credits
RD Wall types
RD Floor types 3
E-XX-X 4 - 6

32. The Code - is it worth it?
Code base (in Consultation Document) saves up to 25,000 litres of water a year per house. Utility bill potential to save up to £800 per household.
Make homes less wasteful, more secure, and more comfortable.
As easy to understand as washing machine efficiency labels.

33. Thank you 2 2 2