Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)

 

What is a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) assessment?

The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is an energy assessment methodology used by Government to assess and compare the energy performance of housing developments.

SAP was initially developed by the Building Research Establishment in the early 1990s to help the Department of Environment deliver its energy policies.

Together with RDSAP (reduced data SAP), SAP is used to demonstrate compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. RDSAP is used predominantly to assess the energy performance of existing properties.

When a residential property is re-let or sold, it must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which is produced using RDSAP for existing dwellings and SAP for new build dwellings.

The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) measures the energy rating of residential dwellings and is the recommended method system from the UK Government.

Part L1A is an Approved Document dealing with the Building Regulations for the conservation of fuel and power in new dwellings. The latest edition is 2013 (with 2016 amendments).

Broadly, the document covers the content of the Building Regulations in England for the energy performance requirements of new dwellings. This includes fabric efficiency standards, U Value requirements and other performance and calculation standards that new dwellings must meet.

Part L1B is another Approved Document dealing with the Building Regulations, as above, but in existing dwellings.

The document deals with consequential improvements required when properties are refurbished or the thermal properties of the dwelling are amended significantly.

 

How can we help?

Mainer Associates have an extremely experienced team of SAP Assessors working on a wide variety of different projects from single properties to apartment blocks.

At Mainer Associates we pride ourselves on bringing added value to the project team. Our designers and assessors will engage with the project team and assist them in selecting the most cost-effective solution in order to achieve compliance and any additional requirements set by the Local Planning Authorities.