Explaining the Code for Sustainable Homes
In May 2008 the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) was introduced
as a mandatory national standard for all new housing developments
in the UK. It is now necessary to have a Code Rating Certificate for
newly built houses.
The CSH rates individual homes within a development, awarding
credits in 9 separate categories as listed below:-
• Energy and CO2 Emissions
• Water
• Materials
• Surface Water Run Off
• Waste
|
• Pollution
• Health & Wellbeing
• Management
• Ecology |
The number of credits awarded within each category are used to
calculate a Code Level from 1 to 6 which relate to the reduction of
Carbon Emissions from the dwelling e.g. Level 3 requires a 25%
reduction of the Target Emission Rate up to Level 6 requiring a
100% reduction (a zero carbon house).
Table 1 below shows the number of available credits within the Code for Sustainable sections and the weighting factor which is applied to give the final credit score.
| Credit |
Total Credits Available |
Weighting Factor |
| Energy/ CO2 |
29 |
36.4% |
| Water |
6 |
9.0% |
| Materials |
24 |
7.2% |
| Surface Water Run Off |
4 |
2.2% |
| Waste |
7 |
6.4% |
| Pollution |
4 |
2.8% |
| Health and Wellbeing |
12 |
14.0% |
| Management |
9 |
10.0% |
| Ecology |
9 |
12.0% |
| TOTAL |
104 |
100.0% |
Table 1. Code for Sustainable Homes Credits and Weighting Breakdown
|
|
Table 2 below shows the Code Level which will be achieved once the weighted total of points has been calculated.
| Code Level |
Total Weighted Credit Score |
| Level 1 |
36 |
| Level 2 |
48 |
| Level 3 |
57 |
| Level 4 |
68 |
| Level 5 |
84 |
| Level 6 |
90 |
Table 2. Credit Scores and Levels
Planning Permission
Local Authorities will require that new homes comply with a CSH
Code Level, many asking for a Level 3, in order to achieve Planning
Permission. At submission stage this will require either a Pre-
Assessment Report or a Full CSH assessment to be carried out
depending upon the individual Local Authority directive.
The pre-assessment will be made based on drawings and available
information indicating the design intention of the project with regard
to the CSH categories.
When a Full CSH assessment is required this is a 2-stage process
consisting of a Design Stage Assessment and a Post Construction
Stage Report leading to certification under the Code. The Design
Stage Assessment is an evidence-based report showing how the
design of the building and its environment responds to the
categories contained in the CSH.
The Post Construction Stage Report requires site inspection and
checking of evidence proving that the Design Stage requirements
have been satisfied, for submission to the BRE and subsequent
certification.
Where a Pre-Assessment only was submitted with the Planning
Application, then a Full CSH Assessment will be required to
discharge any conditions attached to the Planning Permission.
Useful Link
www.taylorroberts.co.uk - Architecture, Surveying & Planning |
