Code for Sustainable Homes
Code for Sustainable Homes
Summary
Previously a voluntary initiative established by Government and Industry, The Code for Sustainable Homes seeks to actively promote the transformation of the building industry towards more sustainable practices by requiring buildings to use "material resources more efficiently".
The Government confirmed that mandatory scoring under The Code for Sustainable Homes would be implemented from 1st May 2008. The Code measures the sustainability of a new home against nine categories of sustainable design, rating the 'whole home' as a complete package. The Code uses a 1 to 6 star rating system to communicate the overall sustainability performance of a new home. The Code sets minimum standards for energy and water use at each level and, within England, replaces the EcoHomes scheme, developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). [1] The Code encourages builders to go beyond the letter of the regulations and minimise resource use from the start, and will be updated as technology develops. In due course the Government's aim is to apply the Code also to major refurbishments of existing housing stock.
The new requirement to have a rating against the Code does not make it mandatory to build a Code home or to have each new home assessed against the Code. It does however mean that all buyers of new homes be given clear information about the sustainability of the new home. This gives house builders two options:
- Build a Code home and have it assessed to allow the house-buyer to be presented with the rating certificate
- Build a house to current building regulations standards but not have the house assessed and simply download a free nil-rated certificate of non-assessment to provide the buyer. [2]
One of the six key considerations of the Code is site waste management, as building construction is responsible for a significant proportion of waste that currently goes to landfill. Minimum standards will be set for each essential element and all of these must be achieved if a home is to meet Code standards. Where there is a relevant building regulation, then the minimum Code standard will at least equal or exceed it.
The minimum standard for site waste management is to adopt and implement Site Waste Management Plans (including monitoring of waste).
The use of materials element may also have an impact on resource efficiency during construction since it will encourage use of more "environmentally friendly" products, e.g. those that are designed for recycling or are produced from recycled materials, or where lifecycle assessments have been undertaken.
The DCLG Proposals for introducing a Code for Sustainable Homes were consulted upon between December 2005 and March 2006. The consultation can be found here.
Implications
Minimum standards will be set for each essential element of a building, all of which must be achieved if a home is to meet Code standards. For construction companies building housing, especially for local authorities, tight specifications will be set to comply with the Code to a certain level.
Furthermore, sustainability certificates are now to be included in Home Imformation Packs for new builds. As such, more private house buyers will be demanding their new homes meet the Code to a certain level.
The minimum standard for site waste management is to adopt and implement SWMPs.
Overlaps
This legislation encourages builders to implement SWMPs.
The Code for Sustainable Homes links with the BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) which is a package of techniques and tools aimed and helping construction professionals assess the environmental impacts of buildings - http://www.breeam.org/index.jsp
Opportunities
With local Government under ever-increasing pressure and guidance to procure sustainable goods and house buyers becoming more aware of the benefits of a sustainable home, great opportunity exists for house building to distinguish themselves in the marketplace.This will also present more business opportunities for suppliers who can offer more "environmentally friendly" products
Guidance
A number of organisations provide guidance on the Code: