Applying Fabric First principles: Complying with UK energy efficiency requirements FB 80

BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.

On 31 March 2016, BRE published; Applying Fabric First principles: Complying with UK energy efficiency requirements (FB 80), written by Steven Stenlund.

The 40-page guide provides an understanding of the principles of a 'Fabric First' approach to help developers and house builders design and build homes to meet energy efficiency requirements - including possible future zero carbon or near zero energy homes). It explains how improved thermal performance, examined with reference to SAP 2009 (Standard Assessment Procedure) calculations for a sample housing development, can lead to optimising the fabric design of dwellings.

This includes:

• Position and orientation of dwelling types.
• Fabric improvements.
• Airtightness.
• Thermal bridging.
• Services improvements.
• Developing a standard main specification for application across the site.

The contents of the guide are:

• Executive summary
• Introduction.
• Technical appraisal.
• Determining a site-wide compliance specification.
• Further considerations.
• Appendix: Site scenarios.

--BRE Group

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