Following the revision of UK Building Regulations to meet the obligations of the European Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) is now the only commercial software provider to offer compliance solutions for all regions of the UK. Addressing reductions in energy and carbon emissions, the accredited IES <VE Compliance> module now offers routes for compliance with Building Regulations Part L (England and Wales), Part F (N. Ireland) and Section 6 (Scotland).

<VE Compliance> includes bespoke user-friendly interfaces to SBEM and SAP2005, as well as the core Dynamic Simulation Model which is used by leading designers as a more flexible alternative to SBEM. Commercial benefits include being able to assess designs quickly and easily for compliance, compare alternative energy-saving strategies and relate the effect of these back to the performance of the real building. Data input is simple, much of the data required is assigned and updated automatically and designs can be tested at multiple stages without re-input. Results files suitable for inclusion in submissions to Building Control authorities are produced, as are realistic and animated 3D model visualisations.

More than just a software provider, the IES Consulting division offers expert simulation analysis and compliance checking on a project basis, and has successfully assessed over 150 UK Building Regulation associated projects since the new regulations were first introduced in England & Wales in April 2006. Its respected simulation engineers are considered some of the best in the country, with experience on some of the largest performance simulations undertaken to date, such as the Royal London Hospital and Heathrow’s T5.

IES also offers web-based low-cost training helping <Virtual Environment> users both to learn software techniques and also to understand how best to achieve compliance for dwellings and non-dwellings. The courses are designed to enable IES software users to be eligible for entry into examinations for the Low Carbon Consultants (Simulation) accreditation scheme which is backed by CIBSE, RIBA, LABC, and supported by the British Property Federation, BCO and BIFM.

<VE Compliance> is available to purchase on either WAN, LAN or stand alone licences and is aimed at architects, service engineers, builders and all those within the building design process tasked with ensuring compliance. Initial calculation tools for the production of Energy Performance Certificates are currently being tested by IES and the company is working closely with authorities in all regions to develop the tools whose introduction is being phased across the UK.

Email: edwinac@thinktank.org.uk