2.IV.ii. Regulation of system performance – OVERVIEW

In addition to the aforementioned requirements, the OIB Guideline 6 also includes specific mandatory requirements for individual elements used in connection with the renovation of existing buildings, such as minimum requirements for the insulation of the heat distribution system.

Furthermore, Directive 2009/125/EG (the Ecodesign Directive) includes specific requirements for HVAC systems to guarantee the implementation of energy-efficient technologies. This directive enables the European Commission to set mandatory minimum requirements for individual product groups. In Austria, the implementation of Directive 2009/125/EG was provided by the update of the national Ecodesign decree (“Ökodesign-Verordnung” 2007). The following relevant mandatory requirements for HVAC systems came into force by decree between 2015 and 2016:

• The decree for space heaters and combination heaters came into force on 26 September 2015, including specific requirements for seasonal space heating energy efficiency, sound power level, emissions of nitrogen oxides and product information (Regulation 107/2009).
• The decree for water heaters and hot water storage tanks came into force on 26 September 2015, including specific requirements for water heating energy efficiency, sound power level, emissions of nitrogen oxides and product information. Furthermore, the decree includes requirements for water pipe stand losses and product information for hot water storage tanks (Regulation 814/2013).
• The decree for ventilation units came into force on 1 January 2016, including specific requirements for energy efficiency, sound power level and product information (Regulation 1253/2014).

The regulations on technical installations in the Brussels-Capital Region provide for technical requirements and control acts carried out by approved professionals.

The technical requirements are aimed at obtaining efficient systems and concern:

• for boilers and water heaters: requirements relating to emissions, minimum efficiency, safety devices etc.;
• for heating and AC systems: requirements for insulation of pipes and accessories, control and automation, metering, energy accounting, heat recovery, partitioning etc.

These regulations also provide for the following acts: the periodic inspection of boilers and water heaters, the control of heating systems after the installation of a boiler, the diagnosis (audit) of heating and AC systems, and a minimum maintenance programme for the systems.

There are no specific requirements for the technical building systems for new residential and non-residential buildings. The performance of systems is integrated in the calculation methods of the energy performance (E-level). Since the performance of the installations is taken into account in the E-level, there is no need for individual requirements. Individual requirements for new buildings are therefore considered an extra administrative burden that in addition reduces the freedom in design without a proportionate benefit.

Requirements for technical building systems can be found in the environmental regulation for heating and cooling systems as well as in the energy performance requirements for buildings (Table 7).

Table 7. Overview of requirements for technical building systems.

The energy performance requirements for technical building systems are created with the purpose of applying them to new, replaced or upgraded systems in existing buildings. The requirements apply to new installations or installations in existing buildings which are altered or expanded with a building permit. The requirements apply from 1 January 2015. Existing technical building systems which remain unchanged during a refurbishment or works that do not require a building permit do not need to comply with these requirements. However, it is expected that the HVAC contractors will adopt the requirements as benchmarks for these works. Requirements for renovations carried out without a building permit can be difficult to enforce. The Flemish Government chose not to lay down requirements in cases where enforcement is not possible in practice, or where the extra administrative burden to prove compliance would be too high.

The requirements apply to both large and small modifications to installations in residential as well as non-residential buildings. If the impact of the modification is so small that it is not technically feasible to meet the requirements, there is a procedure for requesting an exception.

Since 2017, the requirements on technical building systems for renovations also apply to new industrial buildings, since this type of building does not have a defined E-level.

In 2019, a study was carried out to evaluate the existing requirements and the changes needed because of the new definitions introduced by the revision of the EPBD in 2018. The implementation process for the proposed changes is running and is planned to come into force in 2022.

Every time a heating, AC or ventilation system is installed, replaced or upgraded in existing residential and non-residential buildings, it must fulfil some minimum requirements related to energy. These requirements entered into force on 1 May 2016 (Table 11).

The transposition of Article 9.3 of the EED requires meters to also be placed in case of centralised distribution of heat and/or cold between several buildings and between several building units within a building. These specific requirements also apply to new buildings.

Wallonia intends to extend the scope of the technical building system requirements to new buildings.

Table 11. Energy-related requirements for installed, replaced or upgraded heating, AC or ventilation systems.

The technical building systems requirements apply to new buildings and the refurbishments and/or major renovations of existing buildings (when major renovations include all technical systems). The technical building systems requirements are specified in Ordinance No. 7 of 2004 on the energy efficiency in buildings, as amended in 2017 (see item 03.06 of KIDs for existing buildings)

The Energy Efficiency Act states that the following energy efficiency improvement measures shall be assessed as regards their technical and economic appropriateness:

• decentralised systems for energy production and use from RES;
• electricity and heat cogeneration installations;
• district or block heating and cooling, including those that are based entirely or partially on energy from RES;
• heat pumps.

These assessments are applicable for improvement measures that are recommended upon each change of use, deep renovation, or major renovation of a building (or part of a building) in use.

Energy performance must conform to the minimum regulatory requirements defined in Ordinance No. 7 of 2004 on the energy efficiency in buildings, as amended in 2017, after deep or major renovations that lead to a change in the energy performance of the building.

Current policies on technical buildings systems are reflected in the building code Technical regulation on rational energy use and thermal protection in buildings (OG 128/2015, 70/2018, 73/2018, 86/2018, 102/2020), indirectly through the requirements on primary energy use in buildings. Further technical requirements are set in the building codes Technical regulation for ventilation and air conditioning (OG 03/07), Technical regulation for flues in building (OG 03/07) and Technical regulation for heating and cooling systems (OG 110/08).

In order to further improve the energy efficiency of the heating and AC systems in existing buildings, the frequent adjustment and control of these systems was legislated in 2013 and 2015, respectively^7,8. Two guides issued for each system describe the tasks and tests that must be performed by technical system installers. The aim is to ensure that appropriate maintenance measures are taken for heating and AC systems so that they operate efficiently.

In addition, for the new systems that are installed in existing buildings and for the existing systems that are being upgraded, energy efficiency requirements have been set⁹. The requirements are described in two technical guides, one for residential buildings and another for non-residential buildings, and cover requirements for not just the whole system, but also for the individual parts. The requirements are also supplemented by recommendations of best practices. In addition to AC and heating systems, they also cover hot water production systems and large ventilation systems. The application of the requirements is mandatory to the extent that this is technically, functionally and economically feasible.

In order to improve the quality of installation, a registry of technical building systems installers has been established in 2018. The registry has three categories of installers: for heating systems, for AC and ventilation systems, and for hot water systems. Individual persons and companies can register if they or their personnel have qualifications defined in relevant regulations. 

A study is currently being conducted that will assist the MECI to revise the above-mentioned technical guides and the relevant legal framework in order to better implement the new article 8 of the EPBD.

As mentioned above, in accordance with the Energy Management Act No. 406/2000 Coll. the building's technical systems must meet applicable energy performance requirements. But there are also other laws that set additional requirements on the performance of systems. The Air Protection Act No. 201/2012 Coll¹. sets minimum emission requirements for stationary combustion sources with a nominal heat input of 300 kW and lower for the purpose of placing relevant products on the market. The Act also sets minimum emission requirements for stationary combustion sources for solid fuels with a nominal thermal input of up to 300 kW inclusive, which serves as a heat source for the central heating system in the existing buildings (see Table 9).

1)Total suspended particles

Table 9: Emissions limit for the heat source for the central heating system in households.

Other requirements are laid down in Decree No. 268/2009 Coll.¹ on Technical Requirements for Constructions. These are the requirements for the protection of health, healthy living conditions and the environment for all kinds of constructions. For buildings, it deals in particular with requirements for the amount of daylight and artificial lighting, ventilation and heating.

Decree No. 193/2007 Coll.¹ lays down the details of energy use efficiency in the distribution of thermal energy and internal distribution of thermal energy and cold. It also lays down requirements for the efficiency of energy use in newly established facilities for distribution of thermal energy and for internal distribution of thermal energy and cold, as well as requirements for equipping such systems with thermal insulation, regulation and control for:

a) steam, hot-water and hot-water/cold-water supply networks, including connections, with the exception of cooling water from energy and technological processes that release thermal energy into the environment;

b) heat exchange or heat exchange stations;

c) equipment for the internal distribution of heat, cold and hot water in buildings.

Furthermore, this Decree lays down a method for determining the heat losses of thermal energy distribution systems and internal distribution of thermal energy, cold and hot water systems. This Decree applies to distribution heat systems and internal distribution systems for thermal energy and cooling which serve the supply of thermal energy to residential buildings for technological purposes and for non-residential premises.

It is a general requirement in the Danish Building Regulations that services have to be built in a manner that prevents unnecessary energy consumption. This means, e.g., heating systems must be designed and built for energy-efficient operation, including the components, which must be compatible with one another and suited to the intended use of the building and building systems.

The Danish Building Regulations include requirements for a wide range of technical building systems.

There are specific energy-related requirements for boilers based on coal, biomass and similar fuels. Boilers operating on coal, biofuels and biomass should, as a minimum, meet the energy requirements of boiler class 5 in the standard EN 303-5.

The Ecodesign Regulations include requirements for ventilation units, combined heat & power appliances, oil/gas boilers, heat pumps and circulation pumps for installations. These requirements replace the former requirements for individual components in the 'Danish Building Regulation 2015' and are included in the 'Danish Building Regulations 2018'. In the long term, these references will be phased out, as it will be the duty of the owner to stay up to date on existing and new requirements in EU regulations.

Heating and cooling systems must be sized, designed, controlled and operated as specified in the Danish Standard DS 469 'Heating and cooling systems in buildings (Varme - og køleanlæg i bygninger)', which has different functional requirements for the commissioning of heating and cooling systems as well as additional requirements for use, operation and maintenance. Ventilation systems must be designed, installed, fully commissioned and handed over as stated in DS 447 'Ventilation for buildings – mechanical, natural and hybrid ventilation systems (Ventilation i bygninger - Mekaniske, naturlige og hybride ventilationssystemer)'.

All technical building systems must be insulated as required by DS 452 'Thermal insulation of technical installations (Termisk isolering af tekniske installationer)'.

The 'Requirements for Technical Building Systems that considerably affect Building energy efficiency'¹¹ regulation specifies system performance requirements for building service systems that will be installed or replaced in an existing building. Performance requirements are set for installing or replacing the heating and the hot water system's heat source, AC, air-handling units, automation systems and local renewable energy systems.

For the heating and hot water systems, if two or more heat sources are installed, the efficiency of the heat sources is determined as the energy use weighted average of the systems. Furthermore, if the heating system is a one-pipe system with radiator by-pass, there is no requirement to install self-regulating equipment to keep the set temperature in a room or building part.

For the AC, the performance requirement is that the AC to be installed must have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio¹⁵ of at least 5.6.

For the air-handling units, the requirement is that the performance efficiency of the heat recovery must be at least 70%. If the ventilation system requires the use of a liquid-coupled heat exchanger, then the efficiency of the heat recovery must be at least 50%. Specific fan power of the air-handling unit may not exceed 2.2 kW/(m³/s).

Preparation of legislation pertaining to Building Automation and Controls (EPBD Article 8), that was started in 2019, is ongoing, and is expected to be concluded in spring 2020.

Smart Buildings and building systems are not specifically taken into account in the regulation, but rather diluted in the French energy performance laws. For instance, in the French EPC, the presence of thermostatic valves influences the final score of the energetic evaluation. In the new buildings, the installation of this equipment is even required per individual room.

Apart from these technical adaptations, the law also enables companies to submit their innovations to an independent expert commission, the commission ‘titre V’ (named after its localisation in the corresponding ministerial order), so that they can be recognised as a solution to meet the building energy requirements.

The following requirements have to be met, even without the 'trigger' of a relevant modernisation:

• Water-based central heating systems have to be equipped with controls that adjust the temperature of the heating medium based on time and outside temperature, and through which circulating pumps are shut down accordingly; there are exemptions.
• Water-based central heating systems have to be equipped with room-temperature controls; there are exemptions for small rooms with floor heating, old floor heating and for non-residential buildings, where rooms of similar type and use may share controls.
• AC systems with more than 12 kW output and due to influence humidity must have controls with separate set-points for humidification and dehumidification.

The following requirements must be met in case of relevant changes to the system:

• Circulation pumps in water-based heating systems with more than 25 kW heat output must be controlled automatically; there are exemptions.
• Circulation pumps in domestic hot water systems must have a time control.
• Newly installed heating and domestic hot water pipes as well as cold water pipes in AC systems must be insulated; there are exemptions, especially for heating pipes in a heated space.
• AC systems with more than 12 kW output and ventilation systems with more than 4,000 m³/h supply air must meet the following requirements in case of first-time installation and major changes:
  • the specific fan power (SFP) value may not exceed class SFP 4 (EN 13779: 2007);
  • the air flow must be controlled automatically according to the thermal and sensible load if the hourly flow exceeds 9 m³/m²; there are exemptions;
  • the systems must be equipped with heat recovery units of class H3 (EN 13053: 2007) or better.

The type and level of requirements are a function of the type of building (dwellings, tertiary sector buildings) and cover, among others:

• maximum U-value for walls, windows, roofs etc., for each one of the four climatic zones.;
• at least 50% heat recovery in the central AC units;
• minimum levels of insulation of the heating and cooling distribution networks;
• at least 60% hot water production from solar panels; this percentage can only be covered by other energy supply systems based on RES, CHP and district heating systems on building blocks, as well as by heat pumps that provide significantly higher thermal energy output than what they consume for their operation;
• minimum requirement for lighting installations in the tertiary sector buildings (60 lm/W).

Buildings of the tertiary sector with a useful area of more than 3,500 m² must be  equipped with a building energy management system (BEMS) for the central control of the operation of their technical building systems. Also, buildings used as hotels or hostels must be equipped with a room control system via electronic cards.

Regulation under development.

For new residential buildings or dwellings, the nearly zero energy performance requirements are met by providing and commissioning energy efficient space and water heating systems with efficient heat sources and effective controls, providing that all oil and gas fired boilers shall meet a minimum seasonal efficiency of 90%, and providing to the dwelling owner sufficient information about the building, the fixed building services, controls and their maintenance requirements so that the building can be operated in such a manner as to use no more fuel and energy than is reasonable. Guidance is given on heat generator efficiency, space heating and hot water supply system controls, and insulation of hot water storage vessels, pipes and ducts. The seasonal efficiency is described in the following document: https://www.seai.ie/resources/publications/HARP_Gas_and_Oil_Boiler_Database_Submission_Notes.doc Non-residential buildings also require limiting the heat gains by chilled water and refrigerant vessels, and by pipes and ducts that serve air-conditioning systems and providing energy efficient artificial lighting systems and adequate control of these systems.

In compliance with Directive 844/2018/EU, the Italian law introduced the definition of technical building systems.

The Italian regulation on building energy renovation defines the specific requirements for technical building systems depending on the type of renovation (Decree of 26.06.2015).

For all renovations:

• Specific energy efficiency requirements in case of micro- combined heat and power system (CHP);
• For heating systems >35 kW it is mandatory to provide the technical building system with a counter for domestic hot water and heating systems refilled with water, and this data must be reported in the heating plant log-book.

For new (or first-level major renovation) buildings:

• Buildings must have a prearrangement for a possible connection to district heating and cooling networks which are closer than 1 km from the designed building or, if the district heating and cooling networks are delineated, in approved plans and closer than 1 km. Otherwise, the chosen solution has to be justified;
• Heating plants must be provided with automatic regulation of room temperature;
• The mean efficiencies of the technical building systems for heating (ηH), cooling (ηC) and domestic hot water (ηC) are verified as higher than those calculated for the reference building.

For energy renovation, it is mandatory for the heating plant to have thermostatic valves or an alternative room temperature regulation system installed, and energy audits must take some options into account, e.g., condensation boilers, heating pumps, integration of solar thermal plants, cogeneration systems and district heating for efficient grids.

For NZEB, high-efficiency ventilation systems must be used in the building, which ensure recovery of no less than 75% of the ventilation heat loss during the heating season.

Requirements for technical building systems are set in different regulations covering gas-, wood- and oil-fired boilers, AC systems, heat pumps and ventilation systems.

Some decades ago, Luxembourg established a mandatory acceptance procedure for new oil- and gas-fired boilers as well as regular inspections of these boilers in existing buildings. For wood-fired boilers this system became mandatory in 2014. The acceptance procedure and the regular inspection of AC systems have been mandatory since 2009 in residential as well as non-residential buildings. The acceptance procedure checks the conformity of the security equipment, the location, the smoke exhaust and the combustion quality and efficiency. Dimensioning is not checked at this stage but is done during the periodic inspection. Since Luxembourg imports nearly all appliances and equipment, European standards as well as standards of the countries of origin are applicable also in Luxembourg.

RGD 2007 and RGD 2010 set energy performance requirements concerning building envelope elements, pipework insulation, ventilation and AC systems.
Luxembourg has implemented a performance check for heating systems under the name Heizungscheck¹¹.

As heat pumps will become the standard heating system (reference building), a performance check for these installations is currently under development.

Cost-optimal studies identified the energy saving potential which lies within technical building systems. These studies led to the establishment of the minimum requirements set in Technical Document F Part 2 which set minimum efficiencies for boilers used for space heating, domestic hot water systems, heat pumps, comfort cooling systems, ventilation and lighting. Moreover, minimum adjustment and controls for such systems were stipulated to ensure the optimal performance under varying conditions.

The inspections for heating and AC systems have been implemented to deal with system performance, among other aspects. Inspections evaluate the instalment and maintenance of such systems, the operational aspect to achieve maximum energy savings as well as system sizing to match building cooling/heating needs.

A new set of cost-optimal studies, published in 2018, led to the drafting of new minimum requirements for technical building systems which will be addressed further in the regulation of system performance.

Control systems enabling building automation and electronic monitoring of technical building systems are very much in use for large buildings such as schools, hotels, hospitals, care homes and large office buildings. Building owners are very much aware of the benefits and potential for energy savings of such control systems. In large HVAC installations in particular, centralised control systems are installed to control and monitor energy use. Occupancy sensors for lighting are also utilised to a large extent. More work needs to be done to collect datasets and process this data, with the aim of utilising monitoring to become an effective replacement for inspections.

As of 10 March 2020, Dutch legislation and regulations prescribe system requirements for improving the energy performance of technical building systems. These requirements focus on the energy performance, adequate dimensioning, installation and adjustment, and the adjustability of technical building systems.

The new requirements apply to technical building systems in existing and new buildings. The system requirements apply to systems for space heating, space cooling, ventilation, hot tap water and built-in lighting.

The energy performance requirements that apply to technical building systems are expressed in the calculated primary fossil energy in relation to the net requirement. This not only values ​​the efficiency of a technical building system, but also the use of renewable energy. A digital calculation tool has been developed for this, and is available at https://www.rvo.nl/onderwerpen/duurzaam-ondernemen/gebouwen/wetten-en-regels/nieuwbouw/epbd-iii/systeemeisen-technische-bouwsystemen".

The energy limits which are set for different building categories cover the source of heating and the efficiency of heat recovery from ventilation. Also, pipes, ducts and equipment used for the building´s heating system must be insulated. The thickness of the thermal insulation must be cost-optimal and calculated according to a European standard, e.g., the EN 12828:2012+A1:2014 or the DS 452:2013.

The minimum requirements for technical installations include:

• minimal thermal insulation of pipes and components in space heating and cooling, as well as in domestic hot water systems;
• the maximum values of specific fan power of fans used in AC and mechanical ventilation systems.

In general, heating, domestic hot water, lighting, ventilation and AC equipment used in the systems shall fulfil requirements set by separate national regulations which implement other European directives, e.g., eco-design, etc.

With regard to certain elements of heating, domestic hot water and cooling systems, one of the key areas covered by the regulation is the limitation of heat loss from pipes, which has to be kept below a reasonable maximum level. Specific minimum technical requirements for thermal insulation of pipes and components are given in Table 9.

Table 9. Requirements for thermal insulation of pipes and components in heating, domestic hot water and cooling systems.

The ordinance also provides performance requirements for the maximum level of specific fan power of fans used in AC and mechanical ventilation systems, as shown in Table 10. The specific fan power can be increased when certain elements are used in the system (Table 11). Generally, heating, domestic hot water, lighting, ventilation and AC equipment used in the systems shall further fulfil requirements set by separate national regulations which implement other European directives, e.g., eco-design, etc. The provisions of the ordinance are applicable to related technical building systems in both the design of new buildings and the renovation of existing buildings.

Table 10. Performance requirements for the maximum level of specific fan power (SFP) of fans used in AC and mechanical ventilation systems.

Table 11. Elements of the systems that allow to increase the specific fan power (SFP).

Current legislation⁴ provides requirements for different technical buildings systems regarding system regulation and control. These are individual requirements that must be observed whenever technical buildings systems are installed in new or renovated buildings with thermal power for cooling or heating below 100 kW.

There are no regulations defining the minimum efficiency of any technical building system as a whole. There are only specific requirements in regulations related to individual elements (e.g., boilers, pipework insulation, etc.). Technical building system requirements are mainly based on European (EN) or national (STN) standards. There are minimum requirements set for heating, cooling and ventilation, as well as for domestic hot water. In addition, according to Act 555/2005, building designers must assess the possibility of technical, environmental and economic utilisation of high-efficiency alternative energy systems (active solar heating systems and other heating systems and electrical systems based on RES; combined heat and power; district or block heating and cooling) before the construction begins. Health and safety requirements have higher priority than other, e.g. technical, requirements. The energy requirements are to be achieved if it is functionally, technically and economically feasible.

There are no specific technical requirements for system installations as a whole in either new or renovated buildings. New and existing buildings must only meet global minimum energy performance requirements. Regulations 422/2012⁹ and 328/2005¹⁰ define the minimum combustion efficiencies of boilers. Act 321/2014⁸ on energy efficiency obliges owners of buildings with a total floor area larger than 1,000 m² to ensure that a distribution network of heat and domestic hot water is installed using suitable thermal insulation. Regulation 282/2012⁸ defines those technical requirements.

Regarding other products used in technical building systems, specific requirements are to be found in implementing regulations related to the Ecodesign Directive. In addition, there are specific requirements set in Act 321/2014, depending on the size of the building. The owner of a building with a total floor area larger than 1,000 m² with a water-based central heating system or central domestic hot water generation is required to:

• ensure and maintain hydronic balancing of the heating system in the building;
• equip the heating system with equipment used for the automatic control of heating medium parameters for each heating appliance depending on the air temperature in heated rooms with the long-term stay of occupants;
• ensure and maintain hydronic balancing of the domestic hot water distribution system in the building.

After completing the works in a building, the owner should have performed the above-mentioned technical measures; this is one of the conditions for obtaining a building permit. In the case of non-compliance, the owner could be fined 300 € to 1,000 € if detected by the Slovak Trade Inspection officials.

According to amended Act 555/2005, if it is technically and economically feasible, the owner of the building is mandated to equip the new building with self-regulating devices for individual regulation of the internal temperature in each heated room and in each heated separate part. The owner is also requested to equip the heated rooms of the existing building and the heated existing individual parts with self-regulating devices when replacing the heat source (e.g., boiler). In order to optimise the use of energy by technical building systems, the Ministry of Transport and Construction has the competency to prepare regulations which determine the system requirements for overall energy efficiency, correct installation and appropriate dimensioning as well as the setting and regulation of technical building systems that are installed in existing buildings. For new, replaced and modernised technical building systems, it should be determined if their application is technically, functionally and economically feasible.

Table 4 is an example of requirements for individual technical elements.

Table 4. Requirements for thermal insulation of pipes.

According to amendment of Act 321/2014, the obligation to equip automatic air temperature controls for the heating systems in heated rooms with long-term occupants will also be applied to the systems in the heated rooms of the common areas of the building. This obligation would be applied when replacing heat production or heat distribution equipment if technically possible and cost-effective.

Current minimum energy performance requirements for systems and building components are defined in PURES 2010 rules and the Technical Guidelines TSG-1-004 Efficient Use of Energy, with the revision of this regulation planned for publication by late 2021 (related to the new set of CEN EPBD standards).

The minimum requirements, including requirements for technical systems, also apply for existing buildings in case of major renovations, where a building permit is needed. If the works are classified as maintenance works, then only the minimum requirements for the particular element of the technical building system component are relevant.

The study on the revision of PURES (2015/2016) recommended complementing the minimum efficiency requirements of technical building systems with specific values for space heaters, combination heaters, packages of space heaters, temperature controls, solar devices and packages of combination heaters, as well as water heaters, hot water storage tanks and packages of water heaters and solar devices based on the requirements of the Eco design Directive and delegated regulations No 811/2013 and No 812/2013. The Act on Energy Efficiency (2020) defined the obligation efficiency of technical building systems. More detailed requirements on technical documentation proving the efficiency of technical building systems will be defined in detailed regulation, which is currently under preparation.

No data available.

Sweden uses functional, rather than detailed, requirements. This means that the developers are free to choose which areas they will focus their efforts on (see also 2.I.iv and 2.II.ii).

BBR contains minimum requirements for hygienic ventilation flow (0.35 l/s per m² (floor area) BBR 6:25) as well as requirements for a satisfactory thermal climate (BBR 6:4). These requirements must always be achieved simultaneously with the energy requirements. The energy requirements in BBR include requirements for maximum installed electrical power for heating and domestic hot water. The requirements exist to steer away from direct electric heating as a heating method, and instead steer towards heat pumps.

BBR requires that heating, cooling and air handling installations must be designed so that they have good efficiency during normal operation. The need for cooling (AC) should be minimised. Control and monitoring systems shall ensure good energy efficiency and thermal comfort, regulated by outdoor and indoor climate and the intended use of the building. Building technology installations requiring electrical energy shall be designed to limit the power demand and use energy efficiently.

In existing buildings, the requirements only come into force when the building is altered. When a building is renovated or refurbished, it is the altered part of the building that should comply with the regulations for new buildings. Requirements are set in relation to the extent of the alteration. When altering the ventilation system, it is required to strive to ensure that the ventilation system does not exceed the recommended maximum values for specific fan power.

The commissioning of fixed technical building systems is required by Building Regulations to ensure the actual building performance is as consistent as possible with design intentions. The Approved Documents⁷ reference the Domestic and Non‐domestic Building Services Compliance Guides^25 26 and industry guidance. Typically, the guides recommend following manufacturer’s instructions, and include information such as the qualifications/accreditation required for commissioning experts.

The non‐residential ADs also reference Soft Landings⁵⁶, a voluntary approach to address the performance gap between design intentions and operational outcomes. It is the responsibility of each Central Government Department to implement the Government Soft Landings policy⁵⁷.

The commissioning of fixed technical building systems is required by Building Regulations to ensure the actual building performance is as consistent as possible with design intentions. The ADs reference the Domestic and Non‐domestic Building Services Compliance Guides, and industry guidance. Typically, the guides recommend following manufacturer’s instructions, and include information such as the qualifications/accreditation required for commissioning experts.

Northern Ireland adopted England’s 2018 “Domestic and Non-domestic Building Services Compliance Guides” which recommend minimum energy efficiency standards. See England report for details.

The commissioning of technical building systems is addressed in the Technical Booklets^7 8 and the Building Services Compliance Guides^29 30. These documents require commissioning to be done in accordance with industry guidance, e.g. the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)³² Commissioning Code M: Commissioning management.

Scotland adopted a similar approach as England, and published the “Scottish Domestic and Non-domestic Building Services Compliance Guides”^7 8 for use with the Technical Handbooks ^2 3. The Guides recommend minimum energy efficiency standards for technical building systems. Selected extracts are included in Table 5.

A review of the energy standards commenced in 2018 and is investigating where further improvement can be made in the energy performance of new buildings. These new requirements are programmed to take effect in 2021.

Table 5. Examples of recommended minimum energy efficiency standards, Scotland Non-domestic Compliance Guide⁸.

.