Building Services Engineering Consultancy
i-sec’s Engineering Consultancy Services include the items listed below for various buildings including apartment/retail/office developments, shopping centres and retail parks, crèches, community centres, sporting facilities, churches and manufacturing facilities:
- Mechanical, Electrical and Lift services design
- Sustainable/energy efficient services design
- Value engineering
- Cost management
- Preparation of tender documentation
- Invitation, analysis & reporting on tenders
- Regular inspecting and monitoring of Mechanical, Electrical and Lift Contractor’s work
- Final inspecting & snagging of installations
- Surveying and preparation of technical reports on existing services for litigation
- Utility service applications for ESB, Eircom, Piped TV, Gas and Mains Water
- Co-ordinated Site Services ducting drawings for ESB, Eircom, Piped TV, Gas, Mains Water, Roadway Lighting, Broadband, etc.
Building Energy Ratings (BERs) for Domestic Buildings
From 1st January 2009, BERs are now required for all existing domestic buildings, when offered for rent or sale. A BER is also required for new dwellings for which planning permission was applied for on or after 1st January 2007, even if the owner is not selling or renting the property.
i-sec provide a BER rating service for both new and existing dwellings. A BER assessment for an existing dwelling involves one of our BER Assessors visiting the property and carrying out a detailed survey of the building.
For new dwellings the BER assessment can be conducted from the architect’s drawings and specification. A site visit is not required provided the home owner or their architect is capable of providing us with the following information:
- Architects drawings – floorplans, sections, elevations and site layout map
- Insulation specification for floors, walls and roof
- Window and door specifications
- Space and hot water heating system specifications and control methodology
A customised Advisory Report is provided with each BER Certificate we issue. The Advisory Report describes low, medium and high cost methods of improving the buildings energy performance.
Building Energy Ratings (BERs) for Commercial Buildings
From 1st January 2009, BERs are now required for all existing non-domestic (commercial) buildings, when offered for letting or sale. A BER is also required for all new commercial buildings for which planning permission was applied for on or after 1st July 2008, even if the owner is not selling or letting the property.
i-sec’s highly qualified engineers are among a small number of registered BER Assessors in the country with the relevant qualifications and professional organisation membership to perform BER assessments on commercial buildings.
Due to the complex nature of commercial properties a site visit is necessary when carrying out a BER for a new or existing property. It can also save a lot of time to-ing and fro-ing between the BER Assessor and the client, architect, builder, electrical contractor and mechanical contractor, when obtaining the information necessary to complete the BER assessment.
With each BER Certificate issued, we provide a customised Advisory Report describing low, medium and high cost methods of improving the buildings energy performance and reducing CO2 emissions.
Provisional Building Energy Ratings (BERs) for Off-the-Plan Sales/ Concept Building Design
A Provisional BER Certificate can be produced for domestic and non-domestic buildings which are sold off the plans. It is a requirement for the seller of the property to produce a Provisional BER Certificate to potential buyers.
The BER is based on pre-construction plans and specifications. The seller must provide a new Final BER Certificate to the buyer on completion of the building.
Provisional BERs can be used as a guidance tool for those considering building a new property to achieve the best possible energy rating with the available budget.
Green Home Self-Build Advisory Report
Whether you are thinking of constructing a new building or renovating or extending an existing one, i-sec can offer you advice on how best to energy proof your investment, saving you money in the long run.
By understanding that an ‘A’ rated building is the most energy efficient building and that there is a need to invest now to achieve this rating, you will save thousands of euro on energy costs as well as adding value to your property.
The new 2008 Building Regulations Technical Guidance Document, Part L, for dwellings superseded the 2006 edition on 1 July 2008. The aim of the revised document is to limit the use of fossil fuel energy and related carbon dioxide emissions. The standard will be further reviewed in 2010 and again in 2013 with the aim of achieving zero carbon dioxide emissions from dwellings.
With this in mind the design and construction of new dwellings should be carried out to minimise the use of fossil fuel energy and maximise the effectiveness of the building fabric elements.
The criteria for complying with the new building regulations for dwellings are as follows:
- 40% improvement in energy efficiency and a 40% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions
- Use of renewable energy technologies (eg. Solar panels, heat pumps, biomass systems)
- Limitation of heat loss through the building fabric (by using materials with improved u-values and limiting local thermal bridging)
- Improved efficiency of building services (eg. Water and space heating, ventilation system, internal and external lighting)
- Improved Quality and Commissioning of Services (by carrying out air pressure tests on constructed buildings to identify areas of heat loss).
i-sec can produce a Self-build Advisory Report detailing the options available to achieve the best possible energy rating for your building. The report will give recommendations on the measures to be implemented in order to achieve the required BER (eg. The depth and specification of insulation in the floor, walls and roof, the type of windows and doors, eg. double/triple glazed, air/argon/krypton filled, the type of space and water heating systems and renewable energy technologies best suited).
As part of this report, i-sec can also provide advice on the grants available for various renewable energy technologies and can assist you in completing the appropriate application form.
Developer's Green Build Advisory Report
i-sec provides advice and guidance to developers who are considering an energy efficient housing development.
As people are becoming more and more aware of the requirements for improved energy performance of houses, developers now believe that energy efficiency is becoming a major selling factor in the current housing market.
With heating fuel prices continuing to rise and rumours of carbon tax on fuels, people are now considering spending that little bit more for an A or B rated home, which has low energy fuel costs and low carbon dioxide emissions.
i-sec will work with developers and their architect to achieve the best possible energy rating for each house in the development. Early consultation between all members of the design team is the key to smooth running of the project and the avoidance of delays and errors.
As part of this report, i-sec will also provide advice on grants available to developers considering energy efficient developments and will assist you in completing the appropriate application forms.
Energy Audit Reports on existing energy usage
An energy audit is one of the most cost effective steps a building owner can take in order to reduce energy costs. The cost of an audit can quickly be recouped having implemented some or all of the recommendations that our audit report produces.
Our audits are carried out by qualified engineers and BER assessors and involve an on-site inspection of the building. The audit will investigate all elements of the dwelling, which affect the energy performance of the building, eg. windows and doors, wall and roof insulation, water and space heating system(s), ventilation and lighting.
As part of our energy audit service, we provide each of our clients with our findings and recommendations report for their specific building. The report is easy to follow and relevant only to the building surveyed.
Feasibility Studies for alternative renewable energy technologies
Our feasibility studies involve examining a particular building with the primary objective of minimising energy usage. Having studied the building in detail, a schedule of potential energy saving solutions is compiled. Each solution is then analysed in detail to determine it’s suitability for the particular application.
Next, a report is compiled for our client, outlining the energy saving solutions most suited. With each solution we provide an initial investment cost for the supply and installation of the system, an estimated annually running cost, an estimated payback period when compared with a conventional system and an estimated annual maintenance and servicing cost.
The report is easy to follow and relevant only to the building in question.
Guidance in current climate change strategies and government policy developments
Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) was recently introduced into Irish law. The primary objective of EPBD is to improve the energy performance of buildings.
i-sec regularly receive updates from Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on recent developments in climate change strategies and amendments to Irish and EU law regarding energy efficiency of buildings.
The advice and recommendations we provide our clients with takes into account the most current Irish and EU laws regarding energy issues in buildings and any know forthcoming legislation..
Grant Application Services
Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) is Ireland’s government energy body set up in 2002 with the primary objective of promoting the development of sustainable energy in Ireland. In order to encourage people to use green technologies, SEI provides financial support to anyone wishing to install an SEI approved renewable energy technology. There are a number of programmes currently in operation in specifically identified sectors offering grant assistance.
i-sec provides advice on the grants available to suit your particular situation and are in regular contact with SEI regarding closing dates for applications for existing programmes and opening dates for proposed future programmes. i-sec also provides assistance on completing grant application forms and obtaining the information required to accompany each application.
The following are a number of programmes currently running which receive financial supports from SEI:
- Home Energy Saving Scheme (Insulation/boiler/boiler control grants)
- Greener Home Scheme (Renewable energy technology grants)
- Warmer Home Scheme
- Low Carbon Homes
- Renewable Heat (ReHeat) Deployment Programme
- Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Deployment Programme.
Air Pressure Testing
An Air Pressure Test is now mandatory on all new dwellings, where planning permission has been applied for on and after 1st July 2008. The purpose of the test is to ensure that new buildings are constructed to the highest standards and that leaks in the building envelope are avoided.
The test involves a technician installing a blower door (powerful fan) into a sealed frame fitted in one of the buildings external doors. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside. The higher outside air pressure then flows into the house through all cracks and openings in the building envelope. The technician may use a smoke pencil to detect air leaks. Windows, doors, attic hatches and service penetrations are the areas where most leaks exist.
The Building Regulations set maximum limits on the amount of air infiltration a house is permitted. Following the test, the technician will walk the building with the builder and point out areas where sealing needs to be carried out. The technician will then issue a report detailing the results of the test.
Thermal Imaging
Our thermal imaging cameras can be used for identifying and highlighting problems with air infiltration in the building envelope, missing insulation in wall cavities, leaks and blockages in underfloor heating and many other applications.
During a survey our test engineer will identify any problems uncovered and will issue a report containing thermal imaging photographs and digital real life photographs pin pointing the problem areas.
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