28 minute read
Passivhaus Principles
The Passivhaus Institute
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THE PASSIVHAUS PRINCIPLES
With more and more people becoming aware of the environmental impact of building and running a home, the Passivhaus building performance principles are growing in popularity throughout the UK and the Channel Islands. But what is a Passivhaus and how do you build one? Here’s what you need to know.
The principles of building a Passivhaus are driven by air quality and comfort for its occupants. It is an entirely voluntary building performance standard that is based around the idea of reducing heating demand to a very low level rather than relying on renewables to reduce environmental impact. It is a very thorough and exacting way to build, but the research shows that it does work.
The house must be designed from the very start as a Passivhaus, with meticulous attention to detail. There is a complex spreadsheet known as the Passivhaus Planning Package into which the designer feeds all the relevant construction details including the insulation depths, the window sizes and orientations and the junction details. This then gives them a predicted space heating demand (expressed in kWh/m²/yr), and the designer adjusts the inputs until the outcome meets the Passivhaus standard.
There is no definitive way to build a Passivhaus and they can be built using almost any construction method. There are, however, some universal features necessary in any Passivhaus to meet the standards. These include large amounts of insulation, triple glazing with insulated frames, very high airtightness levels, ‘thermal bridge free’ construction and a mechanical ventilation system with highly efficient heat recovery.
While some mistake the Passivhaus standard as meaning homes don’t have heating, that is not the case. What they aim to do is reduce the space heating requirements so such a low level that there is no requirement for
a conventional heating system. The level is set at 15kWh/m²/yr, which is the key Passivhaus target. This means that if you build a 160m² house to Passivhaus standards, you would need just 2,400kWh of energy throughout the year. That’s about a tenth of what a typical British home would use.
Various ways of providing heating in a Passivhaus are used, with the most popular appearing to be adding a small heating element to the ventilation system, turning it into a warm-air heating system. These units are generally rated at no more than 3kW, and they only kick in when the outside temperatures are close to zero. You also have to provide for domestic hot water, so some form of boiler is useful.
While there are certainly extra costs involved in building a Passivhaus, there are also clearly benefits in the large reduction in running costs. These vary from property to property but are significant.
While the Passivhaus building principles have been proven to work, it is not necessarily something that will suit everyone. Once a Passivhaus has been built, it then needs to be used correctly so the home owners have to be very aware of when they can open windows, when they should boost the ventilation system and when they need to change filters. It also means that that home cannot be easily adaptable as even something as simple as running a cable through the structure will affects its airtightness. Once it is built, the integrity needs to remain.
THE KEY CRITERIA:
Low heating demand: space heating demand of less than 15kWh/m²/yr Super insulation: exterior windows to achieve a U-value of less than 0.15 Windows: U-values less than 0.8 Airtightness: less than 0.6 air changes/hour at 50Pa Ventilation: over 80% heat recovery from ventilation exhaust air The added cost of building a Passivhaus varies considerably depending on location, design and the size of the development. However, it has been estimated to be between a 10% and 25% increase in building cost – which is balanced out by reduced energy bills over the lifespan of the house. An approximate breakdown can be calculated as follows:
IS CERTIFICATION NECESSARY?
The Passivhaus Institute acts as a training and a certification centre and charges around £1,500 to certify a house as meeting its criteria.
Certification is not compulsory, and most of the world’s 20,000-odd Passivhauses are not certified by the Institute.
The advantages of opting for a certified Passivhaus are to do with getting a measure of quality control. The design is checked over to see if it really meets Passivhaus standards, and the house is tested to make sure it follows the design.
THE COST BREAKDOWN
• Around 35% of the extra cost will be in meeting the glazing standard of tripleglazed windows and doors that reach the exacting airtightness ratings required. • Around 30% will be spent in achieving the required airtightness. • The balance will be spread across insulation, mechanical ventilation, shading and design costs.
IS IT JUST FOR HOUSES?
Despite the name, the Passivhaus principles are not designed solely for domestic properties. The system can be applied to all types of buildings, from single family homes to apartment buildings, offices and skyscrapers. In fact, the larger the project the more cost benefit there can be to building in accordance with the Passivhaus standards.
Passive building principles can be applied to all building typologies – from singlefamily homes to multifamily apartment buildings, offices, and skyscrapers.
Building Regulations change to support environment
With more than 20% of CO2 emissions lost through our buildings, the Development & Planning Authority (D&PA) has taken action to promote an improvement of thermal performance and energy efficiency of buildings by agreeing changes to ‘Part L’ (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Guernsey Building Regulations.
The thermal performance of a building is determined by the individual thermal performances of the various elements of a structure – namely the roof, walls, floors and window/door openings- and by the efficiency of the services installed. The orientation of a building can limit heat losses and gains through the glazed elements whilst the quality of the build also has an effect and is measured and controlled under Part L.
Currently the local Building Regulations rely on a set of documents known as the Guernsey Technical Standards (GTS) that, if followed, are deemed to satisfy the functional requirements set out in the Regulations. The majority of these documents were produced in 2012 and have not had any technical revisions since this time. Local standards relating to the thermal performance of buildings, known as GTS Parts L1 and L2, are now eight years old.
To improve the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings it is proposed to increase these performance requirements by making amendments to the current documents GTS ‘L1 and L2’. This will be achieved by:
• Increasing performance standards in
GTS-L1 for existing dwellings, including for new build and extensions, to match current English standards, which are appropriate for Guernsey and its climate; • Increasing the air leakage standard by halving the permitted leakage volume from 10 to 5m3/(h.m2) at 50Pa and providing clearer guidance on a testing regime; • Amending the ‘U values’ in relation to the renovation of existing thermal elements to make them consistent with revised new construction standards and into line with the current equivalent English standards; and • Mirroring the proposed changes for GTS-L1 with a technical amendment to GTS-L2. This will take account of improved U values, introduce specific guidance on air pressure testing of commercial buildings and specifically reference a compliance route following the calculation methods available in the equivalent UK approved documents. The GTS guidance will be amended to reflect the improved requirements and once approved by the D&PA it is planned to bring them into effect at the end of June 2020. As the Regulations are not retrospective they will not affect home owners unless they are planning on carrying out work on the external envelope of their buildings.
D&PA president, Deputy Dawn Tindall, said: “Climate change has been recognised as reaching a critical point and in June 2019 the States agreed that Guernsey must urgently address the climate and ecological crisis, at both local and international level. Increasingly I have been questioned over why our thermal performance standards lag behind those in the UK so, after due consideration, the D&PA has agreed that now is the appropriate time to amend our Building Regulations.
“The measures will be put in place shortly through revisions to Part L ahead of a more fundamental review under the climate change mitigation action plan led by the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure which is due to be debated by the States by May this year. These changes show that the D&PA are listening and can take action without awaiting the direction of the States – action which is urgent if Guernsey is to play its part in respect of the climate emergency.”
D&PA vice-president, Deputy Victoria Oliver, said: “To improve our energy efficiency we must look to tighten up on the thermal performance requirements whilst at the same time being mindful of the effect this is likely to have on the cost of construction. To simply impose strict new standards could stifle construction investment so therefore we have looked to make the changes proportionate.
“We believe that these changes strike the right balance to ensure that appropriately higher levels of thermal performance will be achieved in our new and existing building stock and can be put in place quickly whilst also taking proper account of the likely effects of this on the local construction industry and on building costs.”
Guernsey Design Awards 2020
The shortlist has been released for this year’s Guernsey Design Awards. Held every two years, the Awards seek to recognise the exemplary work that enhances our built environment. They were developed by the States of Guernsey Planning Service, Norman Piette and The Guernsey Society of Architects and are supported by CIAT Channel Islands.
This year, 19 properties have been shortlisted in the six categories, with work represented from 10 different architectural firms. Alongside the six main categories, a ‘People’s Choice’ award has allowed the public to vote on their favourite project, while a ‘Professionals’ Choice’ award will be voted for by all attending industry professionals at the awards evening.
The shortlisted projects range from relatively small residential builds to major commercial projects such as the Children’s Library Project, restaurant J B Parker’s and The Imperial Hotel. Heritage properties also merit their own category, with this year’s shortlist comprised of the restoration of Fermain Tower (pictured), converted barn Le Prinsaeu and the major renovation of Maison de Victor Hugo – Hauteville House.
The awards aim to recognise good design in all circumstances and budgets, with two Guernsey Housing Association projects - Beauville and Warry’s – competing against luxury development Havelet Waters in the multiple residential development category.
The winners of this year’s awards will be announced at a presentation evening held at The Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts on Friday 27 March. Admission is free – for more information and to register to attend visit www.guernseydesignawards.com
THE CATEGORIES
• Single residential new build
• Single residential renovation/extension • Commercial • Heritage
• Multiple residential development
Constructing change
Earlier this year the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce Construction Industry Group held an open forum event to discuss the sector and start work on a major new strategy to improve all aspects of the industry. In his regular column, Construction Group chair, Tim Guilbert, outlines what they are trying to achieve and why it is important.
A new spirit of engagement is occurring within the industry and between construction and its client base, both government and private. And as many would say – about time too!
The Chamber of Commerce Construction Group has committed to carrying out a review of the industry which will encompass and consider views both from within and externally, making comparisons on things such as costs, restrictions on staff, education and training and the overall perception of the industry to pick just a few key topics.
To achieve what is undoubtedly a significant undertaking five main areas have been defined for further research and each has a member of the executive team heading up that work. Those members are now busy assembling a team around them based on the interests shown at our well-attended strategy event in January. The follow up event in March will see them sharing their terms of reference and outline their programme with their teams for the first time.
To have a room full of delegates from all the major aspects of construction: architects, engineers, project managers, contractors, trainers and more was a real step forward for the industry. The success of the evening was best summed up by one attendee’s comment by email the next day, who said “there was such an energy in the room”.
The famous quote from Aristotle captures the essence even better than I can:
“The energy of the mind is the essence of life.”
The Philosophy of Aristotle
When we apply our minds positively there is a sense of engagement and value that transcends simple communication. What we are doing here is engaging with all and seeking the energy of views and opinions, fully inclusive, good, bad and indifferent. Together, we can help shape the future and ensure that shape is predicted with the very best foresight from those best placed to ponder the issues at hand, that is those that are immersed in it in daily life.
Over the coming months the group intends to use differing methods of collecting data and opinions. Those will include meetings, both one to one and in groups, questionnaires or surveys, interactive meetings and webinars. Altogether there will be a whole host of different routes to ensure you can have your say.
These views are going to be collected and brought together in a draft strategy document and this will be developed into the final document in close consultation with the contributors.
Then the real challenge will begin, which is for us as an industry to embrace this new collaborative, inclusive and positive way of working and allow the industry to be as good as it can possibly be. That can only be done when our eyes are fixed on the end goal rather than on the minutiae of the path along the way. It’s a cultural change we are looking at, the hardest type to truly embrace.
As we spend the next few months looking to the future together, considering but not dwelling on the past, I hope we can all apply our energies to the job in hand and put behind us the matters that have clogged up the works previously.
We captured something in the room on 16 January and I, for one, hope we can keep that energy going and fuel it with the passion and drive that brings great change to our world.
New contract for industry
The Guernsey Construction Industry Forum (CIF), in conjunction with the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce, recently launched a new minor works contract specifically designed for use by the local industry. In the first month since launch, 60 contracts were issued to be used for small value works through to more expensive projects.
CIF says it has been contacted by householders planning projects as well as contractors, all of whom have been grateful for the comprehensive and user-friendly nature of the contract.
Chair of the Chamber Construction Industry Group, Tim Guilbert, said: “The contract has been written in a clear, concise way to enable users to be certain of the responsibilities and expectations for both client and contractor from the start. Together with the comprehensive guidance notes that we have also developed, it should help local projects to progress more smoothly and efficiently.” Head of dispute resolution at Ferbrache & Farrell, partner Martin Jones, said: “All too often, we see situations where disputes have arisen which may have been avoided if the parties to a contract had been clear as to their respective obligations at the outset. It is hoped that use of this standard form will become commonplace and will help to give the parties to such contracts the clarity and certainty they need.”
The contract was developed by law firm Ferbrache & Farrell LLP, working with CIF and industry stakeholders, including Trading Standards. It has been designed to help clarify responsibilities in the event of a dispute, but more importantly, to avoid disputes occurring in the first place. The new contract is designed to cover minor to medium sized works and will be suitable for many types of project. Both the contract and accompanying guidance notes are provided free of charge and are available to download from the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce and CIF websites.
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Supporting the Project Profession
Following the launch of a joint Channel Islands committee for the Association for Project Management, Guernsey-based member Scott Crittell outlines the importance of the project profession and how the new body can support those working in the sector locally.
As a Chartered Fellow of the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession, I understand the importance of recognising the power of projects to deliver meaningful change and societal benefit.
APM proved in 2019 that project work is an increasingly critical profession to the UK economy as detailed in The Golden Thread report, produced in partnership with PwC. This report showed that project work employs approximately one in 12 of the UK full-time equivalent workers and adds £156 billion of value to the UK economy annually. Another APM innovation, the annual APM Project Management Awards, helps to celebrate the benefits that projects deliver, by highlighting the breadth, skill and professionalism required to deliver these projects.
I have volunteered and been selected to judge in the annual APM Project Management Awards for the past two years. The selection of judges is limited to a small number of the most qualified members of APM and previous award winners of the past two years, so I have always been proud to be involved. The process of judging includes two stages, those being a written assessment stage to produce a shortlist followed later by a panel interview stage to find the winner.
Categories at the APM Awards include Contribution to the Profession, Innovation in Projects or the Engineering, Construction and infrastructure Project of the Year. This year, in order to recognise the importance of education and academia, APM has launched a new set of targeted awards to showcase some of the best and brightest new talent among career starters, education and research.
Here in the Channel Islands, APM is also taking strides to support and advance the profession. A joint committee encompassing both Guernsey and Jersey members was established late in 2019. The committee shall collaborate across both islands to highlight the professionalism of project management and highlight the role of APM as the chartered body supporting project careers. Professionalising project management means better project outcomes and improvement to the deliverables of time, quality and cost.
Jersey has already held two public events to highlight project management and Guernsey will hold its first at the Old Government House Hotel on Wednesday 29 April. This free-to-attend event will provide an introduction to the chartered body for members of Guernsey’s project management community. It is important to consider that project management is found across all industries, inclusive of public bodies.
Attendees will be able to find out how APM can benefit them, with news on membership, professional qualifications, the routes available for individuals to apply for the much-coveted Chartered Project Professional designation and more.
If you would like to learn more about APM, its membership or qualifications, please contact Scott in Guernsey at crittellscott@gmail.com, or in Jersey get in touch with Carl Ibbet who is also a Fellow and Committee member at carl.ibbet@ci-consulting.co.uk
For more information on the Association for Project Management visit the website: www.apm.org.uk
For more information on the Guernsey event or to register to attend visit: bit.ly/apm-guernsey
Image courtesy of www.lighthouseclub.org
Mental health in the workplace
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is emphasising the importance of highlighting mental health issues within the construction industry. Current president, Charles Egbu, believes that talking about mental health is integral to recruiting and retaining the millennial generation, which is essential to the long-term success of the profession. With that in mind, the CIOB is running a mental health awareness workshop in Guernsey to explore the issues.
The nature of construction means it has traditionally been considered a more dangerous profession than most. But now, that danger doesn’t necessarily come from the physical exertions of the job. Every working day, two construction workers take their lives in the UK. That rate is three times the national average for men. At the same time, stress, depression and anxiety account for a fifth of all work-related illnesses in the industry.
Experts say that a number of factors are at play – including the fact the industry is overwhelmingly male, and men are far more likely to take their own lives than women. At the same time, it is a sector that often necessitates workers spending long periods away from home, friends and family.
The statistics are shocking and have made many in the industry reconsider their approach to mental health. For the CIOB, looking after the mental health of their members is now a priority. As part of that they are looking to run workshops in the Channel Islands focusing on the issue. In Guernsey, the event is due to take place on 3 June with Ginette Oliver of Rising Vibe. Rising Vibe describes themselves as ‘culture consultants’, who use emotion to drive cultural change. They believe we should all be talking more about mental health awareness, especially men who have often found it difficult to talk about such subjects.
For Ginette that needs to be changed. She said: “We want to get you comfortable talking about how you feel. We want to support workplaces in creating cultures that make it safe and supportive to talk. Because that’s what helps us to feel better. And when we feel better, we do better.”
During the interactive workshop, attendees will explore the key challenges to emotional wellbeing and mental health and discover how to deal with and overcome them. It will also provide those attending with a practical and easy to apply approach to managing their mental health and emotional wellbeing. The discussions will revolve around pragmatic yet effective ways to better support mental health in the workplace in order to create a culture that makes it safe to talk openly about how people feel.
CIOB GUERNSEY WORKSHOP
When:
Wednesday 3 June, 18:00-20:30
Where:
Farmhouse Hotel
Cost:
• Free for CIOB members • £22 for Construction
Industry Forum members • £25 for non-members
Booking:
Visit www.ciob.org and search for Guernsey events
Meet the GBTEA
In a new series of regular columns for the magazine, we hear from the Guernsey Building Trades Employers Association (GBTEA). To introduce the well-established organisation, secretary Brian Singleton takes a look back at its origins to see how it, and the industry, has evolved over the past century.
Towards the end of World War I a circular was sent to the prominent Master Builders on the island and on 2 April 1918, 46 Master Builders came together for the inaugural meeting of the GBTEA. The records show that this first meeting highlighted the various problems confronting the building industry caused by the war, such as the lack of work, supply of materials and the great difficulties experienced by the men to provide the necessities of life for themselves and their families.
The association undertook to systematically deal with all these and other issues arising within the industry and work to ensure that the building industry became a vibrant and sustainable force in the island. It was an ambitious commitment and one that the association still tries to aspire to today.
Over the past century the GBTEA has seen many changes in the building trade with the introduction of new legislation and modern technology. As an organisation, it has even brought about much change itself through putting proposals to the various States departments that affect the industry and its workers.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GBTEA:
1921: The Association was concerned by some merchants supplying materials to private customers and even proposed to boycott them. In the end they did not find this necessary as they reached an agreement.
1927: They were worried about the restrictions being put on them by the Cliffs and Natural Beauty Committee (in later years to become the Island Development Committee and eventually the Development & Planning Authority as it is known today). Restrictions and regulations which they have since learnt to live with.
1931: The Association was forced to reduce wages during the depression, but the tradesmen still worked a 57 hour week in the summer and a 48 hour week in the winter. 1940: It was decided to adjust working conditions to suit the wartime conditions when there was a lack of workers and a lack of money. The GBTEA president at that time remained in the island during the Occupation. 1945: The Association spent a lot of time disagreeing with the States over controls on materials and unregistered builders.
1960-1970: These were boom years, with problems much like those to be experienced in the latter years of 1986-89 with growing costs for labour and materials and an increase of imported labour and firms.
1970-1985: It would seem these were similar to our present trading conditions with not an abundance of work and ever-increasing overheads.
1985-1993: These saw the boom years return when the Association and its members experienced the effects of too much work all at the same time, followed by a rather sudden fall into recession, with local unemployment rising to an unwelcome level.
The period since the millennium has been a busy one for the industry and the association. In the next issue of the magazine, we will look at the more modern history of the GBTEA and what it has achieved to date.
For more information about the GBTEA visit the website www.gbtea.gg
GBTEA MEMBER SERVICES
• Sets a minimum wage to be paid to their members’ employees and apprentices • Sets the rates and percentages paid to apprentices in construction • Provides guidance on issues such as disciplinary, capability, grievance, adopton and maternity leave procedures • Representation and consultation on members’ behalf with the States of Guernsey
Development Frameworks
Martyn Baudains, partner in Ogier’s property department in Guernsey, gives an overview of Development Frameworks in the island.
The Island Development Plan (IDP) was adopted by the States of Guernsey in 2016. It tells us what can be built, where, and to what use those buildings can be put. It is a guide to help the island anticipate need for the built environment.
The policies within the IDP can be difficult to interpret, especially when dealing with larger sites which often have complex issues to consider. The IDP provides for some assistance to be given to developers and the public alike, and that assistance comes in the form of “Development Frameworks” and “Local Planning Briefs”. At the time of writing (February 2020), there are no current Local Planning Briefs, but they would be required where there are strategic land use implications, such as, in the past, Glategny Esplanade, Belgrave Vinery and Le Bouet.
Development Frameworks will be required where, for example, the intention is to undertake development in “Main Centres” (i.e. parts of St Peter Port and St Sampson’s) where the proposals are for 10 or more dwellings, or for sites over 0.25 hectares (1½ vergées), or for proposals over 2,000sq.m. of gross floor area. A Framework will also be required where development is in one of the “Local Centres” (parts of the villages of St Martin’s, Forest, Cobo, L’Islet, etc.) where proposals are for five or more dwellings, for sites over 0.125 hectares (3/4 of a vergée) or for proposals over 1,000sq.m. of gross floor area. There are other areas where a Framework will be required and these can be found in Appendix III of the IDP, including any other area where the Development and Planning Authority (DPA) specifies.
WHAT GOES INTO THE FRAMEWORK AND WHO PREPARES IT?
Although the DPA takes ownership of the Framework, it can be prepared by a landowner or developer working with the DPA. An owner may decide to prepare their own Framework where the site is relatively straightforward and they would like to progress matters ahead of the DPA undertaking the work itself.
After a general statement of the aims of the Framework, a general background of the site and the relevant IDP policies, a successful Framework will also include: (i) a map, drawings and a statement to indicate things such as buildings or other physical features within the site, the landscape character of the site and its surroundings (including trees and other landscape features within the site), the biodiversity of the site and its surroundings, etc; (ii) details about infrastructure, such as the availability of public utilities and other services and information about roads; and (iii) development guidelines such as land use principles, including preferred mix and balance of uses, compatibility of use within an existing area, phasing of larger schemes, general design approach, access and parking, including provision for pedestrians, disabled people and parking standards for cyclists, motorcycles and cars, etc.
When considering the Framework, it is essential to have regard to policies surrounding sustainable design (such as GP8 Design and GP9 Sustainable Development).
Thankfully, the guidance from the DPA is that if you are preparing your own Framework, you should keep it short and to the point, remain objective and write in plain English. Importantly, do not be afraid to ask them questions - meet with them initially, and keep the dialogue with them open.
For a simpler site the DPA suggests you might expect a Framework to take four to five months to prepare, or 12 to 18 months for a more complex site.
There are currently 18 approved Development Frameworks, three draft Development Frameworks, were the consultation period has closed but they have not been approved, and one, Leale’s Yard, where consultation is still open.
This article is intended only to give an overview of the subject. Further information and guidance can be found online at www.gov.gg. Advice should be taken in each individual case and no liability can be accepted for the accuracy of the information contained in this article.
