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Product category: Building Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
News Release from: Stroma
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial Team on 27 June 2008

Stroma lodges first DEC

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Stroma Technology is the first company to submit a DEC (Display Energy Certificate) for a public building.

Just a few weeks after issuing the first Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for a non-domestic building, Stroma Technology has revealed it is the first company to submit a DEC (Display Energy Certificate) for a public building, on behalf of Kirklees Council in West Yorkshire The actual assessment was carried out by Rob Molyneux of Stroma Technology, one of the few companies with Energy Assessors accredited to carry out Level 4 and 5 EPCs for new and existing 'non-dwellings' (using 'SBEM' and 'DSM' methods) as well as DECs for public buildings

Stroma Technology specialise in all forms of energy assessment along with UKAS accredited air-tightness acoustic testing and consultancy.

"We are delighted to achieve the first DEC in the UK," explains Rob Coxon, Managing Director of Stroma Technology.

"Kirklees Council is very forward thinking in its approach to sustainability, so it was a privilege to work with them to assess this prestigious building".

"The fact that we could lodge the assessment and issue the EPC and DEC through Stroma Accreditation demonstrates a clear route for local authorities to take to comply with the new EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) requirements".

The building, known as Civic Centre Three, is an office building occupied by the Chief Executive and Directors of Kirklees Council.

It was built in 1976 and in recent years a number of upgrades have been made, including improved levels of insulation, installation of a high efficiency boiler, photovoltaic solar panels and two wind turbines.

Kirklees Council Energy Manager Tony Balaam explains: "We chose Civic Centre Three because we have invested in improving its energy efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint in recent years, so we expected really good results".

"The building has a good level of insulation and has renewable energy systems installed on its roof".

"We are proud of being the first council in the UK to gain a DEC, which is testament to the importance we place on creating sustainable public buildings".

DECs show the actual energy usage of a public building as an 'Operational Rating'.

The initial DEC is accompanied by an Advisory Report that lists cost effective measures to improve the energy rating of the building.

It provides the public with information on the building's energy efficiency, based on actual energy consumption, as recorded by gas and electricity meters.

DECs are currently only required for buildings that are occupied by a public authority or an institution providing a public service to a large number of persons, with a total useful area greater than 1000m.

They are valid for one year whilst the Advisory Report remains valid for seven years.

By October 2008, an estimated 43000 public buildings will need to have a DEC on display.

The penalty for failing to display a DEC "at all times in a prominent place clearly visible to the public" is GBP500; and GBP1,000 for failing to have possession of a valid Advisory Report.

A maximum fine of GBP5,000 may be imposed depending on the nature of the breach of regulations.

All EPCs and DECs have to be produced by Licensed Assessors registered to an Approved Accreditation Scheme, such as that offered by Stroma Accreditation.

With over 6 years of wide ranging experience in assisting with building regulations compliance, Stroma Technology's nationwide team of Licensed Energy and Sustainability Assessors can provide a responsive turn-around that includes expert advice on achieving cost effective compliance.

This is further enhanced by our sister companies, Stroma Design and Stroma LZC, that specialise is sustainable architecture and renewable energy systems, respectively.

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