by Brianna Crandall — October 7, 2015—U.K.-based nonprofit BSRIA (owned by The Building Services Research and Information Association) recently announced the launch of its new Building Performance Evaluation in Non-Domestic Buildings Guide and the relaunch of its information topic guides, beginning with one covering airtightness.
Building Performance Evaluation in Non-Domestic Buildings Guide
BSRIA’s new Building Performance Evaluation in Non-Domestic Buildings Guide is an introduction to the tests and methods in non-domestic buildings.
This guide is a general introduction to building performance evaluation (BPE) that explains why BPE is important and how it can be carried out. BPE is a key element of the BSRIA Soft Landings process to help deliver a building that meets the performance as expected and deliver an effective and efficient building. The guide focuses on new, existing and refurbished non-domestic buildings, and aims to inform those involved in the design, construction, operation and/or management of a building about the current performance.
Catherine England, BSRIA marketing officer, said, “Despite genuine intentions to develop efficient buildings, the construction industry is still missing the mark. Recent research from academia and industry has shown that buildings do not always perform in the way that was originally intended. This results in inefficiencies in energy performance, and occupant dissatisfaction. BPE is the process of evaluating how a building performs and can be used on both new and existing buildings in order to address these issues. The publication captures this process.”
The guide discusses some of the tests and methods that can be included when reviewing building performance to provide information on:
- building fabric
- building services and operating strategies
- energy use
- handover and commissioning processes
- occupant satisfaction
- occupant comfort conditions
Hard copies of Building Performance Evaluation Guide in Non-Domestic Buildings are available to order from BSRIA bookshop at £40 for nonmembers or £20 to BSRIA members and e-subscribers. PDF versions are also priced at £40 for nonmembers and are free for BSRIA members and e-subscribers.
Information topic guides
BSRIA also relaunched its information topic guides , with the first release of its “At a Glance” series, TG07/2015 “At a Glance – Airtightness,” available to download from the BSRIA Web site now.
The BSRIA Topic Guides are designed to be an “at a glance publication” introducing readers to key industry topics and suggesting further reading. BSRIA’s Information Centre is relaunching the guides with the aim of offering an introduction to key topics in the industry and providing readers with an understanding of the area and how they can learn more.
A new addition to the topic guides will be a feature by a BSRIA expert on the subject, offering a fresh insight. The airtightness topic guide features an insight into relevant legislation by BSRIA expert David Bleicher, publications manager.
BSRIA’s information and knowledge manager Jayne Sunley said, “The topic guides are a great way of providing members and non-members alike with good information that will hopefully clarify some of the questions they have about topics they are new to and offer a starting point for anyone looking to learn more. The addition of the expert insight is just a way of showing readers that there is more to the topic than they might have first thought.”
TG07/2015 “At a Glance – Airtightness” offers readers a view of why airtightness is important for building stock and how a building can be tested. It is now free to download from the BSRIA Web site for members and nonmembers alike.
Future 2015 titles in the At a Glance series will include: Legionella, Data Centres and Smart Technology.
