National Calculation Method NCM
The National Calculation Method (NCM) is defined by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). It describes the procedure, for buildings other than dwellings, for demonstrating compliance with the carbon emission requirements of regulation 17C of the Building Regulations and for calculating ‘operational ratings’ and ‘asset ratings’ in the production of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s) in relation to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
The NCM provides the underlying method and the standard data sets necessary to calculate the annual energy use of a proposed building and comparing it with the energy use of a ‘notional' building of a similar type, under similar circumstances. This is done by calculating the Target Emission Rate (TER - the CO2 emission rate) for the notional building and comparing it with the Building Emission Rate (BER) for the proposed building. The BER must not be higher than the TER.
The calculations can be performed using approved simulation software (Approved Dynamic Simulation Models (DSMs)) or by using the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM), a ‘simplified’ compliance tool developed by BRE, which has a user interface called iSBEM.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing buildings Wiki
- Approved documents.
- Building Regulations.
- Emission rates.
- Energy Performance Certificates.
- Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
- Simplified Building Energy Model.
- Standard Assessment Procedure.
[edit] External references
- National Calculation Method.
- National Calculation Methodology (NCM) modelling guide (for buildings other than dwellings in England and Wales) 2010 Edition.
Featured articles and news
Read about RSHP's British Museum extension which has been shortlisted for the 2017 Stirling Prize.
Read our introductory article to building a house extension.
More updates from DCMS about the large-scale testing of cladding systems and the number of buildings affected.
UandI secure resolution to grant planning consent for major new regeneration project.
Infrastructure and the historic environment
IHBC article considers how heritage is dealt with when infrastructure schemes are authorised.
It was the tallest structure in the world for 3,800 years, but to this day the exact construction techniques are a mystery.
Shortlist for the industry's most coveted award announced.
Government responds to Mark Farmer's review of industry, rejecting the call for a levy on clients.
Peter Hansford to examine what wider lessons can be learned from the fire.
Every project is subject to uncertainty. How can construction better understand uncertainty for performance improvement?
MAD Architects reveal their designs for a futuristic campus for electric car manufacturer.
Homebuyers could borrow more with better forecasting of energy bills, according to industry consortium's new report.
Read our introductory article on carbon capture and storage.
Grenfell Tower articles updated daily
