Online Seminar Questions - General
To help you understand the Code for Sustainable Homes, The Concrete Centre and our technical team have produced answers to the questions we have recieved from the online seminar.
This section will cover all general questions relating to the Code.
1. "Concerning the Code for Sustainable Homes, will you be making available to us the various construction detail and the points they achieve that were used in the examples shown on this seminar?"
Response - Colin Marshall, Tarmac Topblock: "
We are in the process of producing a detailed brochure covering the various aspects relating to Code compliance using our products, and this will certainly include the examples you have requested. We are awaiting confirmation of key areas of performance such as the finalised Green Guide ratings and specific examples of enhanced sound insulation. We expect this to be available in the latter part of this year, but in the meantime please let us know if we can help with any specific queries you may have."
2. "How will the Code be enforced?"
Response - Colin Marshall, Tarmac Topblock: "Currently the Code is voluntary for all but Government funded housing developments. In such cases, compliance with a specified level of the Code will be part of the contract documentation. It is anticipated that assessment for all new dwellings will become mandatory from April 2008, starting at the minimum Code Level 1. It is likely that these will be enforced via the Planning Approvals system. Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development (PPS1) sets out the Government's overarching planning policies on the delivery of sustainable development through the planning system."
3. "How vital is it to keep to conventional wall thickness?"
Response - Colin Marshall, Tarmac Topblock: " Based on our experience of previous changes to Part L, there will initially be a reluctance to change the wall thickness until all other options are fully explored. There will be inevitably some scope for substituting the wall's insulation materials, for example using an insulant with a lower conductivity. In many respects the masonry industry has been successful in minimising the impact of previous changes as we fully understand the importance of minimising encroachment of the building footprint. However compared to previous changes to Part L, the ongoing contribution of the building's fabric performance towards the energy standards of the Code will be of less significance compared to the need to improve the performance elsewhere in the building. So whilst we can expect to see over time some deviation to current wall sizes for all types of wall construction methods, this is unlikely to be dramatic."
4. "Useful presentation so far. Who can carry out a Code for Sustainable Homes assessment? Is it like EcoHomes where assessors have to be trained and certified by BRE?"
Response - Colin Marshall, Tarmac Topblock: "Code Assessors will need to be licensed and registered individuals. Qualification is dependant on attending training courses and passing an examination. Like EcoHomes, the accreditation scheme will be run by the Building Research Establishment. Existing EcoHomes Assessors will be able to operate as Code Assessors once they have attended a training update session."
5. "Are there any benefits from building within cities where there's good non-car access to jobs, education, and leisure facilities?"
Response - Colin Marshall, Tarmac Topblock: "The Code for Sustainable Homes was developed using the Building Research Establishment's (BRE) EcoHomes rating scheme for homes. One of the major differences between these rating methods is that unlike EcoHomes, The Code does not take into account local amenities that have a positive environmental impact such as closeness to transport links and other facilities. The Code focuses very strongly on the performance of the dwelling and probably supports the broader view that it would be unfair to penalise the environmental performance of dwellings based on the location of the site."
6. "Is the Code being implemented now. If not when will it be launched?"
Response - Colin Marshall, Tarmac Topblock: "Our understanding is that the Code will apply to social housing funded by Government from April 2007. It is anticipated that private housing will be subject to the Code from April 2008, but the Level of compliance has yet to be announced. It is inevitable that some builders may decide to apply the Code to all housing on mixed developments regardless of this timing to avoid any disparity in the performance of their housing."
7. "Does the Code for Sustainable Homes apply for New Buildings only or also for refurbishments of older buildings?"
Response - Colin Marshall, Tarmac Topblock: "The Code for Sustainable Homes was introduced to enable a step change in sustainable building practice for new homes. There is no reason why some of the design categories could not apply to refurbishment work although the standards of performance would need to be carefully established and of course be proportionate. Can we suggest you contact the Building Research Establishment (Tel: 01923 664307) who may be able to suggest a more suitable assessment scheme for refurbishment work."
8. "Is there sufficient land in the UK to grow enough timber for timber frame housing, food and biomass / bio-fuel?"
Response - Andrew Minson, The Concrete Centre: "This question should be addressed to the timber industry. When I last heard them speak, they spoke of 'local' production and they defined local as mainland Europe, Russia and Canada."
View the remaining questions from the Code for Sustainable Homes online seminar. Learn about:
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