CSH was launched in April 2007 and since May 2008, a rating against the Code has been mandatory for all sites granted planning in England and Wales. It is a method of helping builders to create sustainable homes for future generations.
The usual requirement at present from for affordable housing providers is for a Code Level 3. Over time, the government plan to implement mandatory levels for all new build developments, and increase that mandatory level up to the planned 2016 code level 6 ‘Zero Carbon' target. Increasingly, buyers will seek to purchase homes with a good rating as they will be more energy efficient.
TRADA Technology have a team of qualified and licensed CSH assessors, within our Building Performance department. We can work with you during the design and construction stages of your project ensuring you achieve your target Code Level. Whether the assessment is to satisfy local authority social housing requirements, or to construct an exemplar development of highly efficient and environmentally conscious buildings, we can help you.
The Building Performance team can also offer additional services such as acoustic, thermal and air tightness testing. By providing these services in conjunction with CSH, we can deliver a comprehensive service to ensure your dwellings will achieve the quality of build you demand.
CSH Process
Stage 1. Pre assessment.
The assessment itself consists of two stages. The first stage is the pre assessment. The pre assessment is conducted at the design stage, and is about understanding how the particular dwelling or site is to achieve the desired rating. The pre assessment considers the design of the building envelope, energy use, air tightness, carbon emissions from heating, the use of space, lighting, acoustic performance and environmental impacts of the construction materials. Many other elements are also all reviewed to produce a design and specification that is able to meet the required code level.
Stage 2. Post construction assessment.
Conducted during the construction process, this stage of the assessment is to determine if the design stage specification has been completed on site. If the post construction assessment indicates compliance with the design stage specification, a code rating certificate is issued.
