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Biomass Energy
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Building control
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Building maintenance

Biomass Energy

Planning and installing bioenergy systems: a guide for installers, architects and engineers, 2006
Bioenergy is relied upon worldwide as a modern solution for local energy supply and waste management. Including clear technical details, data tables and illustrative pictures explaining the fundamentals of different bioenergy projects, this guide reviews the main technologies and offers relevant best-practice examples. Beginning with an overview of the technologies and types of system available, each technology is explained by examining the overall system and its components, planning, operation, maintenance, installation and economics.
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European Commission

Biomass : green energy for Europe, 2005

Franklin Watts Ltd

Biomass power (energy sources), 2006
Providing information on how each type of power is generated and used, includes discussion of environmental, economic, and social issues and concerns, with photographs and explanatory diagrams.

Gibbs M Smith Inc

Off the grid homes, 2007
Looks at six contemporary architectural projects that integrate alternative technologies for generating and conserving energy. Being off the grid can refer to many different aspects of energy and resource independence, from rainwater collection, to photovoltaic (PV) systems, to gray-water systems and more. Diagrams and clear explanations of technologies and their appropriate applications are provided alongside the case studies that explain just how the technologies work and how they may best be applied in each situation.
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Bricks/blocks

Brick Development Association

Sustainability strategy for the brick industry, 2002
Looks at issues of sustainability for the brick industry, including products, materials, environmental impacts, extraction impacts, atmospheric emissions and use of natural resources.
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Brick. Made for generations. The case for sustainability, 2002
Summarises the issues of sustainability within the clay brick industry, including social progress, environmental protection, use of resources and economic growth and employment.
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Special Publication 2 The role of brick in our environment, 1991
This publication outlines the development of brick as an important indigenous building material. It gives a concise commentary on the essential character of brick, its versatility, appropriateness and sympathy in a wide range of building and landscape applications, supported by illustrations.
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British Standards Institution

BS EN 12370:1999 Natural stone test methods - Determination of resistance to salt crystallization, 1999

BS EN 12372:1999 Natural stone test methods - Determination of flexural strength under concentrated load (AMD Corrigendum 14509), 1999

BS EN 12440:2001 Natural stone - Denomination criteria, 2001
Criteria for designation of natural stone from raw material to finished product.
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Building Research Establishment

Digest 420 Selecting natural building stones, 1997
The variability of stone is not restricted to colour and texture. Wide variations in durability and other properties may also be encountered. Unlike colour and texture, durability is difficult to define and even more difficult to measure. This Digest summarises tests that can be applied to natural building stone.
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Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd

Conservation of building and decorative stone, Part 2, 1998
In Part 2 of this publication, practitioners involved in stone conservation describes ways in which major structural masonry problems, secondary building problems and different stone surface conditions may be treated.
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Conservation of building and decorative stone, Part 1, 1998
One of the problems which beset the practical conservation of stone buildings is the fragmentation of the disciplines involved. This book brings these disciplines together by the involvement of contributors with different experiences and approaches to the same material.
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Donhead Publishing

Conservation of clay and chalk buildings, 1992
Provides practical guidance on appropriate methods of conservation and repair of earth buildings using traditional building materials. Deals with the nature of clay and chalk, their qualities and characteristics, and the way in which they have been used to construct buildings. Advice is given on soils analysis, the philosophy of repair techniques and the factors to be considered before altering, converting or extending an earth building. Primarily advocates repair techniques using traditional materials, but he also considers the role played by certain modern materials, and assesses their suitability.

English Heritage

Practical building conservation. Volume 2: Brick, terracotta and earth, 1988
Covers the control of damp and the repair and maintenance of brick, clay and earth structures. The book investigates the causes of damp, methods of mortar analysis and their advantages and disadvantages, and gives a guide to pointing stone and brick work. There are detailed sections on the repair and maintenance of: bricks; terracotta and faience; cob, chalk mud, pise and clay lump; earth floors; daub.
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Practical building conservation. Volume 1: Stone masonry, 1988
Covers the repair and maintenance of stone. The book deals with diagnosing problems, routine maintenance, repair and replacement of all types of stone structures. Controlling organic growth is included as well as methods of grouting. Detailed sections explain the methods of repairing with mortar, masonry cleaning and its long-term effects, and how to clean and treat marble and limestone. Finally the authors analyse the effects of masonry consolidants and colourless water repellent treatment.
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Bridges

Building Research Establishment

Information Paper 14/04 Environmental sustainability in bridge management, 2004
Environmental tools and information must be developed and integrated into current bridge management practice. This paper is the output from a collaboration between Surrey County Council and BRE's Centre for Sustainable Construction, which has recognised this need by creating an assessment method for the environmental comparison of bridge management strategies.
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Building control

Report 430 Energy efficient lighting: Part L of the building regulations explained, 2001
In Part L of the Building Regulations 2002 edition, the requirements for conservation of fuel and power, have been revised and extended. This guide provides additional explanation of the lighting guidance. The Department has endorsed it for this purpose for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The guide deals with dwellings and non-dwellings. Multi-residential buildings, including hotels, hostels, old people's homes, hospitals, nurses' homes and boarding schools, count as non-dwellings for the purposes of the Building Regulations.
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Report 489 Part L explained - the BRE guide, 2006
Highlights the key requirements of Part L of the Regulations 2006 (Conservation of fuel and power), provides further explanation where desirable, and explains the differences between the requirements for dwellings and other buildings. Covers the major changes and their background: the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the Regulations and approved guidance that implement the changes, designing buildings to meet the new carbon dioxide emission targets, and new standards for work in existing buildings.
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Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Meeting Part M and designing Lifetime Homes, 1999
Deals with the extension of the Building Regulations - part M, to cover domestic housing, and to make new housing more accessible and convenient to those who are frail or disabled. These new (part M) regulations will be in force from October 1999.
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NBS Publications

National calculation methodology for determining the energy performance of buildings, 2007
Defines the procedure for calculating the annual energy use for a proposed building (based on a range of factors) and compares it with the energy use of a comparable notional building. The National Calculation Methodology (NCM) also calculates the rate of carbon emissions from the building which should not be greater than its Target Emission Rate as described in Approved Documents L and also calculated by the NCM.
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Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Building Research Technical Report 3/2005 Low or zero carbon energy sources - report 4: final report, 2005
Presents research into low or zero carbon (LCZ) energy sources. Provides: A proposal for the way in which low and zero carbon energy sources could be referenced/included in Approved Document L; a confirmation of the LZC energy sources to be considered under the building regulations; a review of the potential for different LZC energy supplies to contribute towards carbon emissions reduction; a review of the cost effectiveness of different LZC energy sources; a proposal for 'reasonable provision' clauses for certain LZC energy sources and associated technologies; and a proposal for measures to prepare buildings for the future introduction of LZC technologies to make them 'renewable ready'.
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Building Regulations 2000: Approved Documents A Structure, 2004
Contains parts A1 - Loading, A2 - Ground movement, A3 - Disproportionate collapse.
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Building Regulations 2000: Approved Documents C Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture, 2004
Includes Part C1 - Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and Part C2 - Resistance to moisture.
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Building Regulations 2000: Approved Documents E Resistance to the passage of sound, 2002
This edition of Approved Document E replaces the 1992 edition. The main changes are; E1 Protection against sound from other parts of the building and adjoining buildings; E2 Protection against sound within a dwelling-house etc; E3 Reverberation in the common internal parts of buildings containing flats or rooms for residential purposes; and E4 Acoustic conditions in schools.
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Scottish Executive

Building with Earth in Scotland - Innovative Design and Sustainability, 2002
Looks at the historical, current and possible future uses of earth for building in Scotland. Traditional techniques are covered, along with methods of conservation of antiquated earth structures. The relevance of traditional techniques to new construction is also discussed. One chapter poses the question 'Why use Earth? '. The answer lies in its use as a low embodied energy alternative to materials like brick and concrete, thereby reducing carbon emissions on construction due to the comparatively low level of processing required.

Building foundations/ground floors

British Standards Institution

BS 8002:1994 Code of practice for earth retaining structures, 1994
A complete revision of the Civil Engineering Code of Practice No 2 issued by the Institution of Structural Engineers in 1951 on behalf of the Civil Engineering Codes of Practice Joint Committee.
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Building Research Energy Conservation Support Unit

Good Practice Guide 4 Energy efficient new housing: insulated ground floors, 1990
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Good Practice Guide 94 Energy efficiency in new housing. Detailing for designers and building professionals. Ground floors, 1993
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Good Practice Guide 99 Energy efficiency in new housing. Site practice for tradesmen. Ground floors: insulating below an in-situ concrete slab, 1993
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Good Practice Guide 100 Energy efficiency in new housing. Site practice for tradesmen. Ground floors: insulating above a concrete floor, 1993
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Good Practice Guide 101 Energy efficiency in new housing. Site practice for tradesmen. Ground floors: suspended timber floors, 1993
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Building Research Establishment

Digest 145 Heat losses through ground floors, 1984
For ground floors, either solid or suspended, it is not possible to calculate U-values from first principles but the value of a basic construction can be adjusted according to the nature of the floor finish and any insulation.
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Information Paper 3/90 U-value of ground floors: application to building regulations, 1990
A method is given for obtaining the U-value of ground floors from the area and perimeter of the floor. The method is consistent with the procedure given in the CIBSE Guide and is a more flexible alternative, particularly for irregular shapes of floors. A table generated by this method shows the thickness of insulation that has to be applied to the floor to achieve a U-value of 0.45 Watts per square metre per Kelvin.
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Information Paper 4/92 Site layout for sunlight and solar gain, 1992
This paper outlines new BRE guidance on site layout planning to achieve good access to sunlight and solar heat gain, both for buildings and for the open spaces between them. It deals with sunlight for amenity purposes, passive solar site layout, and safeguarding sunlight in gardens and play areas.
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Information Paper 5/92 Site layout planning for daylight, 1992
This paper outlines new BRE guidance on site layout planning to achieve good daylighting, both within buildings and in the open spaces between them. It deals with daylight within new developments, in existing buildings nearby, and on adjoining land for future development.
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Information Paper 7/93 U-value of solid ground floors with edge insulation, 1993
A method is given for determining the U-value of solid ground floors incorporating insulation at the edge. It can be used to assess the compliance of ground floors with the thermal requirements of the Building Regulations. This paper will be of interest to people concerned with improving energy efficiency in buildings.
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Report 209 Site layout planning for daylight and sunlight - a guide to good practice, 1998
This guide gives advice on site layout planning to achieve good sunlighting and daylighting, within buildings and in the open spaces between them. It provides advice on the planning of the external environment. If these guidelines on site layout are followed, there is the potential to achieve good daylighting in new buildings, to retain it in existing buildings nearby, and to protect the daylighting of adjoining land for future development. Other sections give guidance on passive solar site layout, on the sunlighting of gardens and amenity areas, and briefly review issues like privacy, enclosure, microclimate, road layout and security. The appendices contain methods to quantify access to sunlight and daylight within a layout.
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Report 262 Thermal insulation: avoiding risks. 3rd edition, 2002
Explains the technical risks which may be associated with meeting the building regulation requirements for thermal insulation for the major elements of the building. For Roofs and Floors, there are further sub-divisions within each element. Concentrates on loadbearing masonry, timber frame constructions and profiled sheet cladding. Illustrations show construction principles and good practice. This updated edition contains a number of revisions resulting from developments in research, changes in. materials, construction techniques and the building regulations.
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Digest 298 Low-rise building foundations: the influence of trees in clay soils, 1999
Soil shrinkage caused by the removal of water by trees and other vegetation can result in foundation subsidence. Soil swelling caused by the recovery of moisture following tree removal can result in foundation heave. This digest gives simple design guidance on minimising these effects in clay soils and points to some dangers in current foundation practice.
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Report 424 Building on fill: geotechnical aspects, 2001
This report provides a detailed account of BRE research findings and their significance for appropriate and successful building developments on fill. While the report describes experience with fills in the United Kingdom, it has relevance to similar materials found in many other parts of the world. Field monitoring has shown that in most situations the fill settlement that damages buildings has causes other than the weight of the building, which means that the concept of bearing capacity is not adequate to define the load carrying characteristics of many fills. Settlements caused by other physical factors need to be assessed. A particular hazard for poorly compacted partially saturated fills is a reduction in volume which can occur when the fill is first inundated with water.
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Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Building Regulations 2000: Approved Documents C Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture, 2004
Includes Part C1 - Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and Part C2 - Resistance to moisture.
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RIBA Enterprises

Self build: design and build your own home,
Provides practical, step-by-step advice and guidance on how to build your own high quality, stylish home. Dispels the myth that self-built houses either require you to get your hands dirty or result in little more than brick boxes.
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Building maintenance

Architects' Journal

AJ Focus Conservation. AJ Focus 12.2001, 2001
Argues that historic buildings conservation requires specialist knowledge and understanding of the technical performance of the materials and structure of buildings as well as of their cultural significance. Mentions specific projects undertaken by Julian Harrap Architects.
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AJ Focus Conservation and refurbishment. AJ Focus 9.96, 1996
Product review and lists manufacturers of mortars and accessories; cast stone; stone treatments and accessories; timber treatments; glass accessories and craft services; non-structural metalwork; paints and coatings.
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AJ Focus Conservation. AJ Focus 12.2002, 2002
Looks at the refurbishment and adaptation of old buildings.
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Architects' Journal Refurbishment Conservation piece. AJ 13.5.04, 2004
Looks at the restoration of a local museum by Hampshire County Council.
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Building Research Energy Conservation Support Unit

Good Practice Guide 51 Good housekeeping in the NHS: a guide for senior financial managers, 1976
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Good Practice Guide 52 Good housekeeping in the NHS: a guide for energy and estate managers, 1992
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Good Practice Case Study 123 Energy efficient refurbishment of high rise traditional construction housing, 1997
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Good Practice Guide 155 Energy efficient refurbishment of existing housing. 2001 edition, 2001
The aim of this guide is to help landlords, private developers and others to refurbish and repair their existing housing in an energy-efficient way. It gives advice on the full refurbishment of dwellings, as well as individual improvement measures during repair.
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Good Practice Guide 183 Minimising thermal bridging when upgrading existing housing: a detailed guide for architects and building designers, 1996
The Guide examines six different forms of construction: solid bricks walls, traditional cavity wall construction, crosswall construction, concrete framed construction, no fines concrete and large panel systems. The Guide concentrates on masonry construction systems because they often result in thermal bridging problems. Thermal bridges are areas of the fabric where, because of the materials used or the geometry of the construction, heat flows are higher than through the rest of the building. This results in a higher energy requirement for the building but, more importantly, the higher heat flow through the thermal bridge leads to lower internal surface temperatures and an increased risk of mould growth. This can have a much greater impact on energy consumption, as attempts are made to cure the mould by raising internal temperatures or increasing ventilation rates. Moulds are a major source of distress for householders and can cause respiratory and other allergies to sensitive people.
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Good Practice Guide 188 Maintaining the efficient operation of heating and hot water systems, 1997
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Good Practice Guide 206 Energy efficient refurbishment of hospitals, 1997
How this Guide can help you. This Guide covers: * improving building fabric insulation. * the use of energy efficient technologies. * improving the efficiency of electrical services, such as lighting. * improving the efficiency of mechanical services, such as heating. * assessing the economic viability of incorporating energy efficiency measures during refurbishment.
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Good Practice Case Study 316 Energy efficient refurbishment of solid walled flats, 1996
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General Information Report 32 Review and development of energy efficient refurbishment standards for housing associations, 1995
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Building Research Establishment

Digest 366 Structural appraisal of existing buildings for change of use, 1991
This Digest gives guidance for professional engineers on the structural appraisal of existing buildings for a change of use, in particular as required by The Building Regulations for England and Wales. The approach to structural appraisal of an existing building is fundamentally different from that taken in designing the structure of a proposed building. This Digest explains the differences and describes a practical sequence for carrying out such an appraisal. The reporting and implementation of the findings of an appraisal for change of use are outlined. The need for, and approach to, testing of materials and structures are discussed and sources of information are given to aid appraisal. The Digest deals with the structural appraisal of both traditional buildings - constructed using rules of thumb and experience for the layout and sizing of structural members - and those whose structure has been designed, calculated and specified according to engineering principles.
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Building Services Research and Information Association

Guidance Note BG 4/2003 BMS maintenance guide, plus a model maintenance specification, 2003
A building management system (BMS) is a computer-based system that helps to manage, control and monitor building engineering services. To ensure the best performance from a BMS, as well as the plant and equipment it controls, it is essential to provide adequate maintenance. This guide details the issues involved in BMS maintenance and provides specification clauses to assist the procurement of a BMS maintenance service. The guide is aimed at facilities managers and others responsible for procuring BMS maintenance support services, particularly non technical personnel responsible for authorising BMS maintenance.
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Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd

Conservation of historic buildings, 1994
This book surveys the principles of conservation in their application to historic buildings and provides the basic information needed by architects, engineers and surveyors for the solution of architectural conservation problems in almost every climate.
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Chartered Institute of Building

Construction Papers 74 Obsolescence in buildings: data for life cycle costing, 1997
Over the past half a century there has been increasing interest in the processes of ageing and obsolescence in buildings. This has been coupled with the realisation that these processes affect and are affected by many other aspects of change in society. A casual observation of buildings in any town or city will reveal an array of different kinds of property of varying standards of physical condition and age. Many of the buildings are also being used for which they were not originally designed, indicating at least one form of obsolescence has affected them.
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Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers

Technical Memoranda TM 32 Guide for the use of the carbon emissions calculation method, 2003
Outlines the basis of a procedure for applying the carbon emissions calculation method (CECM). In particular, it provides a basis for defining the performance of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the notional building*. It goes on to explain how the same underlying philosophy can be used to demonstrate that the systems in the actual building deliver the performance required to demonstrate compliance. This guidance has been developed by a working group drawn from designers and manufacturers, and from users and developers of calculation methods.
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English Heritage

Theatres - a guide to theatre conservation from English Heritage, 1995
This leaflet is for all those involved with or responsible for the protection of theatre buildings. It describes the nature of the theatre as a working machine and how the planning system and other controls affect buildings constructed wholly or mainly for live theatre, whatever their current use may be. It covers music halls but not cinemas, except where they were built as theatres.
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Repair of historic buildings: advice on principles and methods. 2nd edition, 1995
Provides guidance to building owners and advisers on the principles of repairing historic buildings and monuments, and investigates the principles of repair, maintenance and minor repairs and more complex methods of repair.
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Stopping the rot - a step by step guide to serving Urgent Works and Repairs Notices, 1998
This guide is designed to help local authorities to make effective use of their statutory powers. It is intended to guide them through each stage of the Urgent Works notice and Repairs notice processes, to explain how the two provisions differ from (and complement) each other, and to deal with some of the common problems which arise.
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Practical building conservation. Volume 1: Stone masonry, 1988
Covers the repair and maintenance of stone. The book deals with diagnosing problems, routine maintenance, repair and replacement of all types of stone structures. Controlling organic growth is included as well as methods of grouting. Detailed sections explain the methods of repairing with mortar, masonry cleaning and its long-term effects, and how to clean and treat marble and limestone. Finally the authors analyse the effects of masonry consolidants and colourless water repellent treatment.
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Practical building conservation. Volume 5: Wood, glass and resins, 1988
The sections on wood analyse the problems of fungi, insects and timber distortion and explore the use of substitute materials and finishes for external surfaces. Techniques for conservation of historic glass include an evaluation of cleaning methods, treatment of paint loss and how to protect glass from vandalism, breakage and the problems of variable climatic conditions.
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Practical building conservation. Volume 2: Brick, terracotta and earth, 1988
Covers the control of damp and the repair and maintenance of brick, clay and earth structures. The book investigates the causes of damp, methods of mortar analysis and their advantages and disadvantages, and gives a guide to pointing stone and brick work. There are detailed sections on the repair and maintenance of: bricks; terracotta and faience; cob, chalk mud, pise and clay lump; earth floors; daub.
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Practical building conservation. Volume 3: Mortars, plasters and renders, 1988
Explores the use of lime, cements, mortars, rendering and plaster. It provides a detailed description of the use of hydraulic and non-hydraulic limes. There is also an analysis of traditional and modern mortar additives, a guide to external renderings, to gypsum plaster and to lime washes and lime paints. Techniques are illustrated with two case studies.
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Practical building conservation. Volume 4: Metals, 1988
Covers the cleaning, repair and maintenance of metals. It examines the properties of metals, the corrosion processes leading to their deterioration, and the techniques for managing these problems. There are detailed chapters on cast iron, traditional copper roofing, outdoor bronze sculpture, lead sheet roofing, lead and zinc sculpture.
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Legislation - UK

General Acts 2004 Ch 22 Sustainable and secure buildings act 2004, 2004
Amends the Building act, and others, with regard to sustainable construction practices and conservation of historic buildings. Also states the general nature of security provisions which should be in place at the construction stage and beyond.
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NBS Reading List

This area of the site lists books relating to Green Building which we think you might find useful.

 

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