| GLOSSARY OF TERMS | ||
| TERM | DEFINITION | ALIAS |
| ACI | The ACI is an assessment that is designed to improve efficiency and reduce electricity consumption, operating costs and carbon emissions of air conditioning systems in buildings. | Air Conditioning Inspection, Air con inspection, ACI assessment, ACI inspection, ACI survey |
| BIM | Building Information Modelling is a process involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of places. | Building Information Modelling, BIMS |
| BMS | A BMS is used in buildings to create a central computer controlled method of controlling, monitoring and optimising facilities such as heating, air-conditioning, lighting and security. These systems allow easier operation of facilities and reduce energy waste as facilities are only used when they needed. | Building Management System, BEMS, IBMS |
| BREEAM | Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology is the method of assessing, rating and certifying the sustainability of buildings. | BREEAM |
| CDM | Construction (Design & Management) defines legal duties for the safe operation of UK construction sites. The regulations place specific duties on clients, designers and contractors to plan their approach to H&S. | CDM, CDM Regulations |
| CEA | A CEA is accredited to carry out the inspection and compilation of the commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). | Commercial Energy Assessor, NDEA |
| CFD | Computational Fluid Dynamics is a branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical methods and algorithms to solve and analyze problems that involve fluid flows. | CFD |
| CfSH | Code for Sustainable Homes is an environmental assessment method for rating and certifying the performance of new homes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland | CSH, CfSH |
| DEA | A DEA is accredited to carry out the inspection and compilation of the domestic Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). | Domestic Energy Assessor |
| DEC | A DEC is a certificate that shows the actual energy usage of a public building (Operation Rating) on a scale of A-G. | Display Energy Certificate |
| DSM | Dynamic Simulation Modelling is the use of a computer programme to model the time varying behaviour of a system. The systems are typically described by ordinary differential equations or partial differential equations. | Dynamic simulation, dynamic system simulation, DSM |
| DSO | Daylight, Sunlight, Overshadowing – specialist planning advice and information pertaining to daylight, sunlight and associated amenity factors to maximise development value. A DSO report provides expert advice on issues and factors of daylight and sunlight amenity and the effects any development may have. | DSO, Daylight sunlight assessment |
| EIA | Environmental Impact Assessment is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human health impacts, both beneficial and adverse. | EI assessment, EIA, Environmental Impact Assessment |
| EPBD | The EPBD is the Directive 2002/91/EC (EPBD, 2003) of the European Parliament and Council on energy efficiency of buildings. The Directive came into force on the 4th January 2003 and had to be implemented by the EU Member States at the latest on the 4th January 2006. | European Performance of Buildings Directive |
| EPC | An EPC is a certificate that tells you how energy efficient a property is on a scale of A-G. | Energy Performance Certificate, Domestic EPC, Commercial EPC |
| ESR | An energy strategy report is produced to be used as a respond to planning requirements in relation to carbon emissions for new developments or refurbishments. It aims to respond to carbon targets set by national policy and local authorities. Pre-assessments are produced for both BREEAM and CSH where required. | ESR |
| FM | FM is the integration of multiple disciplines necessary for the ensuring functionality of the land, buildings, infrastructure, furniture, equipment, and fixtures of a company necessary for the operations of the business. | Facilities Management |
| IB | An IB provides a sustainable, responsive, effective and supportive environment within which individuals and organisations can achieve their objectives. | Intelligent Building, Smart Building, Intelligent and Green Building |
| IFE | Founded in 1918, the IFE is a non profit making professional body. Licensed by the Engineering Council (UK), the IFE upholds professional standards within all public and private fire sectors. | Institute of Fire Engineers |
| LA | Local Authority – an administrative body in a local government. | LA |
| LEED | Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a set of ratings for design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings, homes and neighbourhoods. | LEED |
| M&E | Mechanical and Electrical | M&E |
| MEP | Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing | MEP |
| NIA | Noise Impact Assessments are required when a new noise source is been proposed for an existing area. The assessment determines the level of impact the proposed noise source will have on the existing noise climate. A noise survey is required to establish the existing noise levels in the area and at nearby noise sensitive locations. The proposed noise source(s) is then compared to the existing noise levels to help determine the level of impact. | Environmental Noise Impact Assessment, subdivision of an EIA |
| OCEPC | An OCEPC is a certificate that tells you how energy efficient a new build domestic property is on a scale of A-G. The property cannot be signed off by building control without this document. | On Construction Energy Performance Certificate, New-build EPC, On Construction EPC, Completion EPC |
| Part L | Conservation of Fuel and Power – Building Regulations. Part L sets the thermal efficiency standards that buildings must comply with. All windows must now meet the standards set out in Part L. | Part L – Building Regulations |
| PEA | A PEA is a predicted energy efficiency assessment that is simply a way of providing information about energy performance for homes that have not been built yet (off-plan sales). | Predicted Energy Assessment |
| RHI | The Renewable Heat Incentive is a payment system for the generation of heat from renewable energy sources introduced in the UK on 28th November 2011. This replaces the Low Carbon Building Programme, which closed in 2010. | Renewable Heat Incentive |
| ROL | Rights of Light is a form of easement in English law that gives a long-standing owner (20 years or more) of a building with windows a right to maintain the level of illumination. | Right to Light, Rights of Light, ROL |
| SAP | A SAP is a calculation method that is contained within UK Part L Building Regulations for dwellings. The SAP calculation provides an assessment of a dwelling’s energy and carbon performance. | Standard Assessment Procedure |
| SBEM | SBEM is a software tool developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) that provides an analysis of the energy consumption of buildings other than dwellings, used in support of the National Calculation Methodology (NCM) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). | Simplified Building Energy Model, iSBEM |
| SKA | SKA rating is an environmental assessment method, similar to BREEAM, but only looks at standard non-domestic fit-out works (mainly used for offices), led and owned by RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors). | SKA Rating, SKA, RICS |
