USEFUL LINKS
Building Regulations - www.communities.gov.uk
The Communities and Local Government department (CLG) is responsible for National implementation of the Building Regulations and for the authorizations and monitoring the Competent Person Schemes. For further information on SAP 2005 Ratings please consult Approved Document Part L1A for new build and Part L1B for existing dwellings.
National Energy Service - www.nes.co.uk
The National Energy Service – was the first government accredited provider of SAP calculations, using BRE accredited, NES developed SAP software. The NES were also the first SAP authority to gain quality control BS 5750, now ISO 9001.
The National Energy Service has an educational constituent, offering accredited training for OCDEAs (On-Construction Domestic Energy Assessors – Full SAP/EPC, Off Plan) HEAs (Home Energy Advisors) DEAs (Domestic Energy Assessors – RDSAP EPC). The National Energy Service provides licenses to registered members and companies, who have successfully completed the appropriate accredited qualifications and then monitors the licensed assessors to make sure they perform within the exacting quality control criteria set out by the NES and CLG.
NHER (NES) randomly monitors SAP calculations issued to clients to ensure they are correct within a strict margin. Consultants who do not meet these exacting standards risk losing their license, thus being rendered unable to offer SAP advice and EPCs to clients.
Charted Institute of Building - www.ciob.org.uk
The Chartered Institute of Building operates in the interests of all parties involved in the construction process and the built environment. The CIOB promote a positive perception of construction through encouraging and implementing education, legislation, and advice to improve the satisfaction, awareness, and safety of clients, consultants, tradesmen and the general public.
Association of Building Engineers - www.abe.org.uk
The association of building engineers promotes the education and professionalism of its building engineer members. The ABE pools knowledge, experience and has an active input into regulatory advances.
National House Building Council - www.nhbc.co.uk
The NHBC offer warranties to builders based on meeting minimum standards requirements and utilizing approved standard construction details, akin to Building Regulations requirements.
The NHBC operates to advise and educate those involved in construction projects with the aim of improving the quality standards and performance of construction. The NHBC utilize SAP ratings as part of its technical advice.
Building Research Establishment - www.bre.co.uk
The Building Research Establishment is the construction industries research body. BRE tests the performance of materials and standard details and produces literature on highly specialized areas in construction. The establishment also accredits SAP software, based on its own BREDEM (Building Research Establishment Domestic Energy Model) software frame that forms the basis for all accredited SAP assessment programmes.
The quality of the research is such that it often forms the basis of legislation and regulation improvements in all areas of construction and is viewed as the bench mark standard across industry and the world.
