Frequently asked questions on the Code
To help you understand the Code for Sustainable Homes, our technical team have produced a series of frequently asked questions in a quick reference guide. Ideal for designers, builders and Code assessors alike, it will give you a solid background to the regulations and provide solutions to your many unanswered queries!
Q What is the Code for Sustainable Homes and when does it take effect?
A The Code has been introduced to drive a step-change in sustainable home building practice. It measures the sustainability of a home against 9 design categories including energy / CO2, water, materials and health and well-being issues. Points are awarded depending on the level of performance achieved for the various categories, leading to an overall rating for the home from Code Level 1 (one star) to Code Level 6 (6 stars). The Code has been adopted in Government funded housing schemes since April 2007, and is expected to be adopted for all housing from April 2008.
Q What are the benefits of using masonry construction in meeting the Code requirements?
A Enhanced energy / CO2 and sound insulation performance can be achieved using Tarmac Topblock products in external and separating wall constructions respectively, thus gaining points towards the required Code Level. The materials section encourages the use of constructions with low environmental impact and Tarmac Topblock constructions can be specified, to wall and floor (beam and block) elements, with many solutions achieving an 'A' rating according to BRE's Green Guide to Housing. There are also many indirect benefits to consider. Tarmac Topblock's masonry is inherently durable and can contribute towards resilient construction thus mitigating the risk of flooding (Category 4 - Surface Water Run-off). The adaptability of Tarmac Topblock masonry can be used to benefit in meeting the standards of Lifetime Homes (Category 7 - Health and Well-being).
Q The Energy category has a minimum standard at every Code Level. Will the basic Tarmac Topblock wall / floor construction have to change?
A The contribution to the energy equation from walls and floors or other building elements will not be as significant as previous changes to the thermal regulations, but it is inevitable that some improvements will be required to contribute to the overall solution. For meeting the higher code levels U-values of walls down to 0.20W/m2K are anticipated. Improvements to wall and floor constructions are available that will make a valuable contribution to achieving the requirements, although higher Code levels will not be obtainable without the use of renewable energy and changes to how the internal environment of homes is controlled.
Q Category 3 (materials) awards points based on the environmental impact of the construction. How do Tarmac Topblock products perform in this area?
A The minimum requirement at Code Level 1 is for at least three of the key elements (walls, floors etc.) to achieve a rating of at least D in accordance with the 2007 Green Guide to Housing. Beyond this points can be gained for constructions with a B rating and above. In fact many Topblock constructions used in beam and block ground floors, external and internal walls will achieve an 'A' rating so will help considerably towards meeting the required Code Level.
Q The Materials Category also mentions Responsible Sourcing. What does this mean?
A This aspect is concerned with promoting the specification of responsibly sourced materials for the basic construction as well as finishing elements. In this context responsible sourcing means using materials that are produced and traded legally and ethically and with due regard to environmental, social and economic impacts throughout the supply chain. Although this aspect was originally developed to try to address concerns over the illegal logging of timber, the requirements apply to all materials. Compliance is based on a graded ('Tier levels') scale to reflect the rigour of the compliance scheme used to demonstrate responsible sourcing.The majority of our raw materials, about 95%, are sourced from within the UK from companies operating within the rigorous framework of UK legal and environmental requirement. Most of our suppliers operate an Environmental Management System (EMS) that provides a high level of assurance regarding the legality and responsible sourcing of the materials we use to manufacture our products. All Tarmac Topblock production sites operate a BSI Certified EMS, enabling the point available for Tier 4 to be utilised. Currently the concrete industry is working in consultation with the Building Research Establishment towards a concrete products sector compliance scheme which will eventually allow us to achieve maximum points available.
Q How can Tarmac Topblock products be used to influence the 'Health and Well-being' category?
A Credits are awarded for achieving higher standards of sound insulation than required by Building Regulations, thus the specification of separating walls and floors will be of relevance.Compliance is based on using selected Robust Details specifications, and these are currently being reviewed by Robust Details Ltd., who will be shortly publishing those constructions that have a high level of confidence in meeting the specified improvements in sound insulation that will attract credits. Both our aircrete and aggregate block products can be used in separating walls meeting Robust Details as well as other standards. An alternative way of complying would be to post completion test a desired construction.Our Technical Services team would be pleased to discuss the suitability of any Topblock constructions in meeting the required level of performance.
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