The BRE is developing an energy rating scheme for non-domestic buildings on behalf of the DoE, designed to encourage voluntary good practice and for possible future use within the Building Regulations. The scheme will allow building specifiers, occupiers and others to define and compare building performance in simple. terms. The UK programme is in its early stages, and a key part of its technical development and implementation involves consultation with a wide range of potential users. This paper outlines the policy and commercial needs driving the programme.
BRE, working with a group of industry and property representatives, have developed a simple method for assessing the likely energy efficiency of air conditioned and mechanically ventilated buildings. For new buildings, the method uses information available at the early design stages. It therefore provides designers with a tool to assess the implications of various plant and envelope options from the beginning. It can be used as a label or target for energy efficiency and, as such, as a means of assessing buildings in both voluntary systems such as BREEAM or perhaps in Building Regulations.
Fifty six office buildings in nine European countries were audited during the heating season of 1993-1994 using an agreed upon procedure to investigate the indoor air quality and energy consumption. The results of this IAQ-Audit project show that the largest indoor pollution sources in office buildings are construction materials furnishings and indoor activities, immediately followed by the HV AC systems themselves. Thus, priority must be given to source control.
There has been a recent growth of interest in the use of passive cooling in buildings, particularly in the use of chilled ceilings, including both beams and radiant panels. However, there is still concern about the risk of condensation on cold surf aces and water dripping onto occupants or furnishings, especially where there is no control over the level of humidity for instance in naturally ventilated buildings.
Thermal Energy Storage (TES) technologies particularly chilled water storage are being applied increasingly by Services Engineers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reduce electrical demand and lower energy consumption in buildings. This development has received added impetus by the introduction in 1995 of the Load Reduction Programme by the electricity supply authority. The programme aims at managing the shortfall between available electrical supplies and the rapidly increasing demand.
Design for good indoor air quality IAQ) aims to prevent occupant discomfort, irritation, and illness. Sick building syndrome symptoms, discomfort and irritation can easily be the result of other, non-IAQ environmental variables. There is evidence that many such symptoms or complaints result from noise, poor lighting, lack of privacy or control, and other environmental factors that can cause these symptoms and complaints.
Computational fluid dynamics (CPD) modelling is increasingly being used as a tool for predicting ventilation rates and air flow patterns as part of the building design process. The potential benefits of this form of modelling are that designs can be optimised to make the most efficient use of ventilation, and so to increase air quality and decrease energy use. Although CFD has shown itself to be a powerful tool in the nuclear, aeronautical and electronics industries for over two decades, its reputation has been built on extensive work specific to those fields.
Expenditure on refurbishment of non-domestic buildings is expected to increase at a faster rate than that on new building. It is, therefore, important that the applicability and potential of daylighting, complete/partial natural ventilation and other passive solar techniques are assessed for use in refurbishment projects. This study assessed the technical and economic feasibility, and market acceptability of incorporating passive solar measures into non-domestic buildings at the time of refurbishment.
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