Part L: SBEM Construction Database

[RossThompson87]

Hi,

For doing existing EPCs, the conventions mention the use of 'SBEM database' for constructions.

In iSBEM, there is a large library where U-value and Cm values can be found based on the construction type and age of the building.

E.g. 'Clear cavity wall (E&W) pre-1974' gives a U-value of 1.6W/m2K and Cm value of 172 kJ/m2K

Could this library be made available in IES? It is hard to follow the convention otherwise. As far as I am aware the IES library mostly contains ASHRAE constructions and not the whole SBEM database.

Thanks

Ross

[Terence]

Hi Ross,

I can't get MS Access working on my PC at the moment to check but does this database contain the individual layer properties?

Apache requires this information. If it just gives you a U-value and Cm value then I could quickly create the constructions using the Create Target Construction tool and make it available via a master templates file. These constructions would only be suitable for SBEM though, as SBEM uses the U-value and Cm Value.

For Apache, the U-value is just a reference for the user, and the individual layers are used.

[RossThompson87]

Hi Terence,

I have done a bit of investigating. The iSBEM software doesn't let you see full build ups as far as I know.

However the NCM construction database does contain full build up (layer) data. It can be downloaded from here:

www.ncm.bre.co.uk/filelibrary/NCM_databases_v5.2.d.zip

However you need Microsoft access to open it.

I have spoken to CIBSE (my EPC accreditation body) and to comply with the EPC conventions, they advise looking up the construction in the NCM database and creating it (including layer information) in IES.

The only problem is there are possibly a couple of hundred constructions in the database. Is there a possibility someone at IES could build these to add to the library? I appreciate this is a couple of hours work, unless the developers have a quick way of accessing the data?

I don't want to sound negative, but I'm surprised having access to the construction database isn't a condition of software being approved for creating EPCs?

Thanks

Ross

[jholgate]

Ditto what Ross has written above. This would be very useful

[Tek]

Would just like to add my support of the above.

Using IES for existing buildings EPCs is extremely difficult because of this fact.

Every existing construction requires a massive effort to recreate in the VE from the already hard enough to navigate database.

Which means IES is just not commercially viable for existing EPCs due to the uplift in time required.

Hence using SBEM rather than DTM for existing building stock, which has implications on the changes being made in refurbs.

The addition of SBEM constructions to system constructions similar o ASHRAE ones, seems relatively simple compared to some of the programming developments that have been made recently to the VE, and would be great for users and buildings.

Just my two cents on the matter anyways.