Technical document details
Technical booklet F1: Dwellings
Technical booklet F2: Buildings other than dwellings
Note! Additional amendments of Technical Booklet F1 are likely in 2011 and 2016
Technical booklets F1 & F2, are broadly similar to the 'Approved Document Part L1 & L2 in England and Wales'. To achieve compliance, carbon dioxide emissions targets, (utilising a notional building of the same shape and size as the proposed building) must be achieved by the building both as designed and as built.
National Calculation methodologies:
The regulations also require that energy certificates, effectively an energy label, be provided for all buildings, constructed, sold or rented. In Northern Ireland which were implemented on a phased basis
F1 Dwellings:Energy Performance Certificates (EPC's)
Since October 2008 an EPC has been required in Northern Ireland for all residential properties built, sold or rented. The certificate provides 'A' to 'G' ratings for the building, with 'A' being the most energy efficient and 'G' being the least, with the average up to now being 'D'.
For dwellings an EPC is carried out for dwellings using The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) 2005, for both new build and existing
Note SAP Software approved solely for use in England and Wales is not suitable for demonstrating compliance with Part F1.
F2 Buildings other than dwellings: Building Energy Rating (BER)
BER calculations are performed using the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) or equivalent software approved by The Department of Finance and Personnel (www.dfpni.gov.uk)
The application of BER to buildings other than dwellings is more complex than for the domestic sector due to the large variation in design, scale, function, usage etc
- From the 1st July 2008 a BER was required for all new buildings.
- From the 1st January 2009 a BER was required for all existing buildings. when offered for sale or rent.
The BER must be accompanied by an "Advisory Report" setting out recommendations for cost-effective improvements to the energy performance of the building.
