What is a Conversion SAP calculation?
A SAP calculation is required for conversion project compliance and is completed at both the initial ‘design stage’ before work has started and also after completion at the ‘as built’ stage.
A conversion is classed as ‘a material change of use or a change in energy status’. The types of projects where it applies are:
· A building is to be a dwelling where it was previously not i.e. a barn, or offices
· A building contains a flat where it previously did not i.e. storage above a shop turned into a flat.
· A building contains a greater or lesser amount of dwellings than it used to i.e. a house turned into flats or flats being turned into a house
The conversion SAP will establish if the project is compliant the standards set out in Part L and also will give you an EPC rating. Although the standards for conversions are not quite as stringent as for new builds you will likely need to upgrade the windows, walls, floors and roof insulation as well as the heating and hot water design.
It looks in detail how the property is constructed and how efficient it is to give you a set of calculations which show compliance and an EPC when the job is completed.
Design Stage
The design stage SAP looks at the prosed drawings and specification and will enable you to see if your design will be compliant and also give you a predicted EPC rating. It is essential to do the design stage SAP, not just as Building regulations require that you submit it before commencement of work, but it is much easier and cheaper to make changes on paper than it is when the build is finished.
As Built Stage
Once the build has been completed we can then produce the as built calculations for compliance. As long as the build has not deviated away from the specification at design stage then this is normally a straightforward process. We require some evidence for submission including: air tightness test certificates (not needed for a conversion but may help with calculations), MSc certificates for solar panels, installation certificates for heating and windows.
Once we have the necessary paperwork and we have obtained a signed developer confirmation or) we can issue the final paperwork for submission to building control and lodge the EPC with the central register.
What do you need to perform the calculations?
The conversion SAP is a purely desktop procedure using detailed construction drawings. SAP assessors do not visit site and as such we require the following information:
Site address and postcode.
Site plan to include orientation of the dwelling(s).
Floor plans of each storey (both existing and proposed)
Elevations drawings for all sides (both existing and proposed)
Sectional drawings of the dwelling
A written specification which must include:
Details of the principal heating and hot water system to include make and model of boiler, details of heating emitters, hot water cylinder size (if applicable) and the system controls.
Details of any secondary heating system present.
Details of ventilation systems.
Details of the internal and external lighting.
Details of the construction of all different floors to the property to include type and thicknesses of insulation and any other building products including detail of existing construction and what is proposed to upgrade it.
Details of the construction of all different external walls to the property to include type and thicknesses of insulation and other building products including detail of existing construction and what is proposed to upgrade it.
Details of the construction of all different roofs to the property to include type and thicknesses of insulation and other building products including detail of existing construction and what is proposed to upgrade it.
Details of the doors and windows to include sizes, type of frame, type of glazing, thickness of glazing, any low emissivity applications.
Details of any renewable technologies utilised such as ground source heat pumps, solar water heating or PV solar panels
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What is a Conversion SAP calculation?
A SAP calculation is required for conversion projects for building regulations compliance and it is completed at both the initial ‘design stage’ before work has started and also after completion at the ‘as built’ stage.
A conversion is classed as ‘a material change of use or a change in energy status’. The types of projects where it applies are:
A building is to become a dwelling where it was previously not i.e. a barn, or offices
A building contains a flat where it previously did not i.e. storage above a shop turned into a flat.
A building contains a greater or lesser amount of dwellings than it used to i.e. a house turned into flats or flats being turned into a house
The conversion SAP will establish if the project is compliant against the standards set out in Part L and also will give you an EPC rating. Although the standards for conversions are not quite as stringent as they are for new builds you will likely need to incorporate upgrades to the windows, walls, floors and roof insulation as well as the heating and hot water systems.