Birmingham - Code Assessment - 0121 381 0129

The counties covered by this office are:
Staffordshire, West Midlands, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire,

Phone Number: 0121 381 0129 Email: birmingham@e2consultants.co.uk

Assessments - Birmingham - A Code Assessment

The Government has made a commitment by 2050. To reduce carbon emissions in the UK, overall by 80% the improvement of new and existing dwellings in Birmingham will contribute a key role in achieving this target. To hit these carbon reduction targets, both new and existing homes in Birmingham must be more energy efficient. This is rated on new homes by having a Code Assessment. The implementation of the CODE is managed by BRE Global under contract to the Dept for Communities and Local Government under arrangements based on the EcoHomes operating systems.

A Code Assessment in and around Birmingham is the assessment method for rating and certifying the performance of new dwellings; in Wales it is known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment Scheme. Launched In England in December 2006, it became operational in April 2007 as the national standard for sustainable design and construction of new homes. Since the 1st of May 2008 the developer of any new home in Birmingham a must have a mandatory rating against the Code

The Building Industry needs to perform in a more sustainable way in Birmingham .The Government has introduced new national standards for the design and construction of new dwellings in Birmingham . Code for Sustainable Homes (Code assessment) or the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) is the means of measurement and assessment now required.

The Governments policy is that Code (C4SH) is now the national standard to be adhered to in the design and construction of sustainable dwellings, this will drive huge improvements in the way homes are built and the specific building practices being used.

The Code for sustainable homes assessment uses a six star rating system with an individual points total allocated to each star rating this communicates the overall sustainability performance of a new home. One is the lowest rating at entry level and six is the highest, deemed as zero carbon. The Code assessment for Birmingham sets a minimum standard for the use of energy and water at each level. In England, Code replaces the EcoHomes scheme, previously developed by (BRE) the Building Research Establishment.

The Code level is derived from the total percentage points achieved and is represented on the certificate by an equivalent number of stars.

Level One: >36 Points, 1 Star = Entry level (above Building Regulations)

Level Six: >90 Points, 6 Stars = Zero Carbon (Highest level)

Code Level 3 is a Mandatory requirement for Social Housing. Some Local Authorities such as Harrogate in North Yorkshire are making Code Level 3 Mandatory as a planning requirement in there Local Plan for all new developments. Level 3 Code is similar to the Best Practice Standard for energy efficiency as defined by the Energy Savings Trust

A Code assessment at level 6 is based on zero carbon emissions for a dwelling and is an aspirational standard based on a dwelling achieving zero carbon emissions. A zero carbon home as defined in the Code for Sustainable Homes is a property where the net CO2 emissions resulting from ALL the energy use in the dwelling is zero or better.

In Wales, as of September 2009, for developments of 5 or more, new properties are required to meet Level 3 Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment. From 2010 all single dwellings must achieve the Code for Sustainable Homes rating at Level 3 and from 2011 onwards all buildings built are to achieve a zero carbon rating or Level 6.

Northern Ireland has a requirement for Code level 3 from 2008.

Scotland currently has no time scale for the adoption of Code.

The proposed site, property or development should be registered with the accreditation body via the assessor as early as possible. It is only possible to register developments against the current version of the Code. However sites registered in Birmingham under a previous version can be re-registered under the current version of the Technical Guide. The registration is valid for a maximum of 5 years between the expiry of the Technical Guide version and submission of the design stage report.

Code for Sustainable Home Assessments within Birmingham can be produced only by an accredited and qualified Code Assessors. A Code assessment usually starts with a pre assessment followed with the Design Stage assessment - where an interim certificate is issued. This is followed by the Post Construction Stage, which includes the final certificate. Evidence is submitted and collected and used to determine the number of credits that can be awarded to the development A summary report is submitted to Code Service Provider via the assessor for the purpose of quality assurance and final certification.

If you require free initial advice, (C4SH) consultancy or a quotation for a Code Assessment in Birmingham please call our Birmingham consultants at the Birmingham Office on 0121 381 0129 or Email birmingham@eliteenergy.org.uk

Our other services include:

Code Assessment can also be known as:
Sustainable Homes, C4SH, Code for Sustainable Homes Daylight Calculation, Code for Sustainable Homes, CSH,