New guidance on good practice in the design of homes
has been published by The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
(CIBSE).
Good Practice in the
Design of Homes, CIBSE TM60, is aimed at helping building services
engineers and other professionals working on the design and construction of
homes deliver dwellings that are safe, fit for purpose, resource efficient, low
carbon, comfortable, healthy and easy to operate and maintain.
The need for further Guidance to support Building
Services Engineers working in the residential sector was identified by CIBSE’s
Homes for the Future Group, who applied to the CIBSE Committee for funding and
then commissioned the guidance.
TM60 includes:
- Guidance
on appointing and setting a project brief for the building services
engineer.
- Key
considerations in the design of building engineering systems in dwellings
and detailed guidance on the various different services available
including: space heating, water heating, ventilation, cooling, lighting
and renewable power.
- An outline of
the tools that are available to aid the engineering design
- A section on
installation and commissioning of the building services and their
handover.
The publication covers both new and existing homes and
aims to be of relevance to all types of residences.
While the document is written mainly for building
services engineers working on residential projects in the UK, it also contains
useful guidance for clients, designers, contractors, housebuilders and others
who wish to have an informed discussion about the most appropriate building
engineering services design solution for a residential scheme.
Tom Lelyveld, Regional
Director at AECOM and lead author of the new guidance, said:
“The energy used in homes accounts for approximately
30% of the total energy use and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the UK. When designing and building new homes
or refurbishing our existing homes it is crucial that dwellings are
well-designed and constructed, that they are low carbon, simple to operate and
maintain, and provide a warm, safe, healthy and comfortable living environment.
“TM60 provides an overview of, and signposts to,
existing guidance to support good practice in the design of homes. Where
appropriate the guide defines what is considered good practice. This guide will
help local authorities, building services engineers, housing associations and
contractors differentiate themselves by helping them to deliver improved
quality homes with lower energy and maintenance costs”.
Ashley Bateson, Chair of the CIBSE Homes for the Future Group, said:
“It’s great to see CIBSE taking a leading role in disseminating knowledge and
raising standards.
"The CIBSE Homes for the Future Group was established to
promote good practice in the design of homes and is proud to be associated with
this TM60 publication. This document will help construction professionals to
increase their competency, and better understand the key factors influencing
comfort and efficiency in residential buildings. This guidance will hopefully
lead to better quality homes and better quality lives”.
