SBEM Assessment Procedure for Commercial Buildings

SBEM Assessment otherwise known as Simplified Building Energy Model is a calculation applied to determine the rating of existing and new Commercial Buildings.

Check List:
The energy assessor will require as much information about the building's construction in order to determine accurate ratings for a building. Much of the data can be submitted to the assessor and the required SBEM calculations made without the need for the inspector to visit the site. However, this is largely determined by the quality and quantity of information provided by the buildings owner or builder. See below on what information is to be submitted.

For non-dwellings a procedure known as SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) will be the preferred method used on large commercial/industrial scale buildings. SBEM has been developed by BRE, again this is a computer software based model to establish energy ratings for the production of energy performance certificates. See also Commercial EPC Training.

When is SBEM used?
To Assess the energy performance of new-build non-dwellings prior to first occupancy using the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM)
Undertake energy inspections of existing non-dwellings with frequently occurring characteristics using the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM)
Undertake energy inspections of existing non-dwellings using the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM)

SBEM Assessments - Required Information

It is necessary to provide the following details of each building to obtain an accurate SBEM assessment:
Full details of floor plans, including building elevations, and sections - either send
printed copies of plans by post to the assessor, or alternatively email drawings in .dwg or .dxf Autocad file format.

All rooms and areas to be clearly labelled on drawings, this is used to identify the activities associated with each area (for example: offices, toilets, restaurant, lobby, hotel bedroom, gym, classroom, reception, store, warehouse, loading area etc.)
General details of the building, including the building type (e.g. office block, hotel, leisure centre, restaurant, shop, library, supermarket etc.), your full address, client details, building orientation, etc.

Full details of specification for the construction of floors, walls, ceilings, roofs, and finishes - you will need to supply either the k values of all building materials used in the construction, or the
make and trade name of each material used in the construction of the building fabric (e.g. Thermalite Turbo).
Any Accredited Construction Details (for the avoidance of thermal bridging).

Design air permeability of building and/or building zones.
Semi-exposed construction to unheated areas such as entrance lobbies,
corridors, garages, basements.
Full window and door specifications, including frame material, width of
gap, and emissivity of glass, solar shading from overhangs, mullions, etc.
Full details and types of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, fuel types, and outline control details of the heating and/or air conditioning system
Full details of plant, such as boilers, chillers, heat pumps, etc., including make and model (if known), or the generic type of items of plant.
Hot water system specification, including calorifier size, insulation to cylinder and pipes, and controls).

Types and efficiencies of all fans, heat recovery systems, HVAC systems etc., and any ductwork leakage testing procedures.
Full details of any fixed secondary heating, cooling, and hot water systems.
Full details of lighting, including lamp types, the number and distribution of (lighting plans), including installed efficacies in some cases, and all lighting controls.

Details of any additional renewable energy technology, such as heat recovery systems, solar hot water, heat pumps, wind power, photovoltaic, CHP, etc.
Details of metering, automatic monitoring and targeting systems, associated with fuel metering, gas, electricity and water usage. (As part of asset and operational ratings). Property managers refer to Business Energy Saving Measures to reduce overheads and improve your buildings energy rating.

Where can I find a SBEM Assessor?
To locate an qualified SBEM assessor to carry out the required calculations for a buildings energy rating please refer to our directory: Energy Assessors . More complex buildings require the application of DSM (Dynamic Simulation Model) either for new build or existing commercial buildings.

Additional energy assessment methods information and guidelines to assessor training can be found at:

EPC Commercial Industrial Buildings
SAP Assessors
SAP Assessor Training
SBEM
Energy Assessor Training Accreditation
New Build EPC
Existing Property EPC
Domestic Energy Assessor Training

Commercial Energy Assessor Directory of SAP & SBEM Consultants - Commercial Property Energy Performance Certificates EPCs and providers of energy assessment will be required for all other properties in the future including energy certificates for Social Housing inspection and Rented Property sectors. A Commercial Energy Assessor Forum is available online, with discussion board with matters relating to energy certificates for commercial/industrial buildings.

Commercial Buildings EPC Energy Training - A guide for available courses and assessment centres for Energy ratings and calculations for non-residential dwellings.

Commercial Energy Performance Certificate DEC Provider, SAP Ratings Assessor, or SBEM Consultants? Surveyors - Please refer to contact page and send your details to us for inclusion in the directory.