What we do

Approved Document L1A (of the current Building Regulations statutory requirements) covers the conservation of fuel and power in new dwellings. This document controls the insulation values of building elements, permitted areas of windows, doors and other external openings, air permeability of the structure, efficiency of primary and secondary heating systems, domestic hot water and associated controls; together with internal lighting efficiency, ventilation requirements and renewable technologies. It also sets out the requirements for SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) calculations and carbon emission targets for new dwellings.

SAP has been used as the basis for checking that new dwellings comply with the requirements of AD L1A. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is calculated as part of the SAP Assessment procedure. EPC’s are a legislative requirement for any new dwelling that is marketed for sale or rent.

Dewpoint are accredited by NHER to carry out SAP Assessments for new-build dwellings.

BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) is the leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings and communities. It sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design and has become the standard measure used to describe a buildings environmental performance.

BREEAM Addresses wide ranging environmental and sustainability issues and enables developers and designers to prove the environmental credentials of their buildings to planners and clients.

Dewpoint is able to carry out BREEAM Assessments through its accredited employees, covering the following building types:

• Industrial
• Retail
• Offices
• Education
• Healthcare
• Prisons
• Law Courts
• Multi-Residential

Approved Documents L2A & L2B (of the current Building Regulations statutory requirements) covers both the conservation of fuel and power in new buildings other than dwellings (L2A), and existing buildings other than dwellings (L2B). These documents control the insulation values of building elements, permitted areas of windows, doors and other external openings, air permeability of the structure, efficiency of primary and secondary heating systems, hot water demand and associated controls; together with internal lighting efficiency, ventilation requirements and renewable technologies.

iSBEM is one calculation engine for checking that both new and existing commercial buildings comply with the requirements of AD L2A and L2B respectively. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is calculated as part of the iSBEM Assessment procedure. EPC’s are a legislative requirement for any new or existing commercial building that is marketed for sale or rent.

Dewpoint are accredited by Stroma to carry out SBEM Assessments for new and existing commercial buildings (up to a level 4 building complexity).

The Home Quality Mark (HQM) has been created to serve the UK’s house builders and the householder who buy and rent new homes. The HQM will help house builders to demonstrate the high quality of their homes and to differentiate them in the marketplace. At the same time, it will give housebuilders the confidence that the new homes that they are choosing to buy or rent are well designed, built and cost effective to run.

Dewpoint’s staff are certified through the BRE as accredited Home Quality Mark assessors.

Low and Zero Carbon (LZC) Feasibility Reports can be used to make an informed decision, for our clients, on the cost, suitability and potential carbon/energy reduction arising from an range of energy saving and renewable products. LZC reports cover the technical and financial feasibility of installing renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaic panels (PV), solar thermal domestic hot water systems, air and ground source heat pumps, combined heat and power (CHP) units, biomass heating systems and wind turbines. Energy saving systems that are considered include mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), boiler flue gas heat recover units (FGHR) and waste water heat recovery (WWHR).

LZC Feasibility Reports can be used to satisfy a Planning condition or potential funding requirement.

Dewpoint are able to produce LZC Feasibility Reports through its accredited energy assessor employees.

The Code for Sustainable Homes is an environmental assessment method for rating and certifying the performance of new homes in the U.K. The Code was first introduced in 2006 and it provides a single national standard for the design and construction of new sustainable homes.

As part of the Governments Housing Standards Review in 2015, the Code for Sustainable Homes was withdrawn from the national planning policy regulatory requirements. This has since been superseded with the new voluntary Home Quality Mark (HQM).

Grandfather rights still apply for existing new-build residential projects that still require a Code rating as part of a site-wide planning requirement.

Dewpoint’s staff are certified through Stroma as accredited Code for Sustainable Homes assessors.