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Building Regulations and Standards: Where can I find opinions on the Code For Sustainable Homes?

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1 to 17 of 17

  1.  
    • CommentAuthorMike George
    • CommentTimeJan 4th 2008 edited
     
    Or anyone want to share theirs?

    I need to do some in depth research into the CSS. Can anyone recommend any publications/Links please? Also anyone have an opinion on the Code?

    Thanks in advance

    Mike
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeJan 4th 2008
     
    www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1115314116927.html - 21k - Cached - Similar pages

    www.Code for Sustainable Homes.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/code_for_sust_homes.pdf

    There was a response form which I filled in and the results of that should be available soon.

    I love the basic idea but cant see any of it happening on anything but individual one offs, the big boys wont do just do lip service.
    • CommentAuthorjon
    • CommentTimeJan 4th 2008
     
    What sort of opinion are you looking for Mike? technical/financial/viability/problems with etc..
  4.  
    Anything really , the good the bad and the ugly if possible. For example I've found out tonight that a key document [BRE Green Guide] which is to be used to assess materials is not expected to be published until Summer 2008! A lot of good that is. Perhaps there is an interim document that can be relied on?

    I'm putting together a presentation and will of course credit any input from your good selves.
    • CommentAuthorjon
    • CommentTimeJan 5th 2008
     
    Hi Mike

    Yes. I've wrote to the BRE last year with a query on their methodology statement for the Green Guilde as it appears to be contrary to government policy. Perhaps we should go 'offline' on that one? I have quite a lot of info on it.

    Will put some thoughts up on rest over weekend: Must go to bed.

    Jon
  6.  
    Mike,

    I have been pitching into the Code for some time now, but I am not a lone voice. There are many good points but just as many bad ones. If like me you are not a great fan of microrenewables, then Level 6 looks to be an expensive diversion from the real problems facing us. The water use requiements are draconian. And an awful lot of the other points you have to score to meet the higher levels detract from the main issue of combating climate change - eg Lifetime Homes for all houses, Considerate Constructors Scheme. Evene the Passivhaus standard heat loss parameters are open to doubt about whether this is a sensible step for the UK.

    Check out
    http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=453&storycode=3102359&c=2

    http://carbonlimited.wordpress.com/2008/01/03/without-action-the-plan-for-zero-carbon-homes-by-2016-will-fail

    http://markbrinkley.blogspot.com/2007/12/why-i-dont-think-code-level-6-is-such.html

    http://markbrinkley.blogspot.com/2007/10/drilling-down-into-code-part-3.html
    • CommentAuthorPeter A
    • CommentTimeJan 5th 2008 edited
     
    Mike,
    All I seem to do these days is advise developers on the code, they started slowly but now it's non stop as they begin to realise that there is no way around it, happy to talk through with you, whisper back and I can forward contact details.

    <blockquote><cite>Posted By: tony</cite>I love the basic idea but cant see any of it happening on anything but individual one offs, the big boys wont do just do lip service.</blockquote>

    Tony, you might be pleasantly surprised most know they have to do it and are getting on with it, some are even volunteering to do it, at the moment it's levels 3 and 4 but that's a big step for them especially in the energy section. However once they've made that step and accepted the cost, levels 5 and 6 won't seem as far away (that is providing technology does it's part!)
    I'm told that SAP will be amended to take into account the reduced water useage and the impact on hot water loads and that greater than 25% low energy lighting can be factored in which may help, but that the playing fields are going to be levelled on fuel factors, has anybodyelse heard anything?
    • CommentAuthorBowman
    • CommentTimeJan 5th 2008
     
    Hi Mike,

    See this thread: http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=923&page=4#Item_26

    The point I was trying to make when I started this is that there is very little guidance and policy regarding the existing housing stock, even if ALL government targets are met with regards to new homes. In the context of this thread I'm of the opinion that the CSH (and government policy) is really just glossy veneer. A bit like building a nice new extension but leaving the rest of house with peeling paint and damp in the walls.
    • CommentAuthorjon
    • CommentTimeJan 5th 2008 edited
     
    Mark makes a few very good points above.

    Cat 3 is a bit of a mess: Not really the BRE's fault: I've sent you an explanatory email separately

    One of the main difficulties I see with the CfSH is that the Government has not fully explained to Local Authorities what it means. Or, they have explained it but not in a form that the LA's can understand. For this reason the LA's are using current planning guidance prepared during Prescott's reign and prioritising using the PPGs available. The CfSH splits the relative importance of categories in the bar graph below

    However, the older PPGs have different priorities and so the Councils are preparing their sustainability plans for the new frameworks based on a completely different set of priorities to the CfSH. The second image below is an example (my local council) priority list from their sustainability appraisal: The council are implementing a plan more or less based on the priority list and in the priority order shown.

    Energy is the most important consideration of the CfSH but the least important of the example (late 2007) sustainabilty plan prepared to the old regime: In this particular case, because of the way the rest of the Framework documents have been written, it means IMO that it will be almost impossible to economically (and in most cases technically) comply with the code (to level 6) and to get planning (an interesting dilemma)
  10.  
    What a magic forum this is - thanks all for the comments and offers of help so far. I 'll try and digest all of this and then come back for more!
  11.  
    More please... After reading the summary here http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/code_for_sust_homes.pdf I have noticed numerous references to a Technical Guidance Manual [eg Section 3 for Materials on Page 18]. On the final page of the summary document, it is stated that this manual was to be published by April 2007?

    Anybody know whether it was published ? who published it? and where it can be found? Or is this document part of the BRE Green Guide mentioned earlier in the thread
    • CommentAuthorjon
    • CommentTimeJan 5th 2008 edited
     
    Hi Mike

    You're reading the Code. You need to look at the Technical Guidance manual of the code. If you can't find it: Email me. (edit: Just emailed it anyway) Make sure you get the October revision.

    The guidance manual refers to the Green Guide 2007: Which is now officially late. There is a list of about 20 products that have 'made it' as a holding measure (i have these also on file as a pdf if you're interested). You can see how far they've got here:

    http://www.bre.co.uk/greenguide/page.jsp?sid=464

    TTFN
    • CommentAuthorMike George
    • CommentTimeJan 5th 2008 edited
     
    Thanks Jon, I have sent you an e-mail. I would really appreciate the pdf's if you can send them. Thanks again

    Mike
  14.  
    How about a category for people (like myself) who are preparing to become CSH Assessors and are finding it all a bit heavy duty.
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeSep 13th 2008
     
    Could you explain further please U V
    • CommentAuthorjon
    • CommentTimeSep 14th 2008
     
    Incidentally, the October revision is now out of date and the revision that followed it has a set of addendum revisions.

    IMHO, (having just done a 6) the code will get severely revised before 2016 so there's not a great deal of point in getting to know it thoroughly as it stands. Unless something magical happens with Planning, If it doesn't get revised, I think most new construction will cease.

    Does anyone know how long images stay up on the site?
  17.  
    Tony
    I have posted a message (and had replies) on the Courses & Training section, which is probably a more approriate section for my questions. The general gist of my post is that I am finding studying for the CSH exam a bit of a handful. there is simply so much to take in. However, I have since been reassured by people that responded on the Courses section that the exam isn't as daunting as I had feared.

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