Services

Pre-Assessment

Purpose

Before and during the design phase there are opportunities to plan for achieving your target rating. The rating will be affected by the site selected as well as by the architectural design. The purpose of an EcoHomes or Code for Sustainable Homes pre-assessment is to analyse the design data and formulate options based on the tradable credits in the Code. A Code pre-assessment has the additional function of planning to meet the mandatory elements.

By tackling pre-assessment early, re-design work is reduced, thereby reducing design time and costs. Failure to plan adequately at this stage can lead to late changes in design and specifications, retro-fitting after construction or, in the worst cases, failure to achieve the required rating.

In support of good practice, Welsh planning departments will expect pre-assessment, as explained in TAN22. While English planning departments may not require pre-assessment, it is nevertheless recommended.

Process

An EcoHomes or Code pre-assessment provided by Eco-Rating will include a spreadsheet (“Score Sheet”) for predicting the proposed development’s score and a report explaining how that score is achieved and how to improve it if necessary. These documents are based on the information you give us in the form of drawings, specifications, discussions in meetings, consultants’ reports and manufacturers’ datasheets.

When you provide us with information we analyse it, then update the Pre-assessment Report and Score Sheet. So these documents are kept current and will give you the status on each of the 30+ issues that are assessed.

Once it can be demonstrated that the required Code Level can be reached, these documents can be included in a planning submission as evidence of compliance with environmental homes requirements.

Throughout the process a licensed assessor will be available to you by phone, email or meeting to answer any questions or help you with design decisions.

SAP Assessments and Energy-Performance Certificates (EPCs)

In the initial stages SAP Assessments of representative properties (“Preliminary SAP Assessments”) can be performed to help with the design. At the appropriate times the Design and As-Built SAP Assessments can be carried out and coordinated to meet Code and EcoHomes requirements. They will also meet the requirements of Building Regulations Part L.

Transport & Amenities Survey (not required for Code)

A Transport & Amenities Survey will meet the EcoHomes requirements of Tra 1 (Public Transport) and Tra 3 (Local Amenities) and is aimed at maximizing these scores. Should you opt for this service you will receive a brief report including a map pinpointing relevant amenities and transport nodes and showing any safe walking routes. The report provides all the evidence required for assessing these issues.

Feasibility Study into Low or Zero Carbon (LZC) Technologies

An independent study can be undertaken to identify the most appropriate LZC energy source for your development or for individual dwellings. The resulting report will meet the requirements of Code or EcoHomes, and credits will be earned if you implement its recommendations.

Other Issues

The Code and EcoHomes both cover a broad range of issues, many of which require special expertise in their assessment method. Through us you will be able to source specialists in various fields.

Design-Stage (DS) Assessment

As the design progresses a considerable amount of evidence (drawings, specifications and much more) is generated for the Design-Stage Assessment. To help manage the collation of evidence your updated Status Report will clearly show:

• what evidence has been received
• what evidence is still required
• what credits are and are not being achieved

It will provide all the detail required to enable you to progress the project; its accessible format will include an executive summary, and internal hyperlinks for ease of navigation. This report and the Score Sheet will be re-issued after each batch of evidence has been analysed, keeping you up to date with progress.

As part of the service a licensed assessor is available to you by phone, email or meeting to answer any questions or help you as you gather the evidence.

Once all the evidence has been collated and you are satisfied with the score indicated we will convey the information to a Code Service Provider (currently the BRE). When they have completed the required QA checks, the Code Service Provider will issue the Interim (Design-Stage) Certificate.

Post-Construction Stage (PCS) Assessment

PCS Assessment entails verifying that the features on which the Design-Stage Assessment was based were incorporated into the development. During construction, as-built evidence will be collected. Acceptable forms of evidence are prescribed and may include, according to the issue, as-built drawings, photos, purchase orders and site visits.

This assessment will often take place in several stages, as dwellings are released. The results for each phase will be sent to the Code Service Provider for final certificates to be issued.

PCS Assessment is an integral part of the Code but is optional for EcoHomes.

Home User Guide

Provision of a comprehensive Home User Guide in plain language for the occupant provides a valuable boost to the score of an EcoHomes or Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment. For maximum score the guide must contain information not only about the home but also about the locality, and include bus timetables and maps. You can opt for a basic guide, which is provided in electronic format (e.g. Microsoft Word). You may wish to add your logo to this, convert it to your “house style” and produce it on your desired medium. Alternatively we can do additional work to render it according to your requirements. The guide can be produced in English, Welsh and other languages.

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