Ian is a self-employed Professional Chartered Building Consultant specialising within the Built Environment. His work generally involves building surveying, architectural design and energy assessment for both residential and commercial buildings.

With over 25 years of construction related experience, qualified to Bachelor of Science degree level (2:1), a Corporate Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Society of Professional Engineers (SPE), the Society for the Environment and a Fellow member of the Association of Building Engineers (ABE), Ian provides the professional expertise which includes a detailed understanding of statutory regulations, technical codes and standards. Ian is also an accredited member of Elmhurst Energy Systems (OCDEA). Given the above, he shares a huge commitment to environmental best practice as he holds the title of ‘Chartered Environmentalist’.

Ian’s academic qualifications and experience to date establishes proven knowledge and commitment to professional standards. As Ian is a fellow and corporate member of several professional bodies and governed by rules of conduct, he acts with utmost integrity and carries out his professional work with due skill, care and diligence. He also understands the need to have proper regard for standards of service and customer care that is expected of him.

"On Construction" Energy Performance Certificates will be required for newly constructed dwellings as from the 6th April 2008. EPC's can only be produced by accredited "On Construction" Energy Assessors.

As Architects, designers or contractors you will be working in accordance with the current Building Regulations 2000 and as such are required under Part L1A and L1B to provide SAP 2005 calculations to Building Control at the design and completion stages for newly constructed dwellings. From 6 April 2008, all homes built and physically complete on or after this date, will need to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provided on construction. This is a mandatory requirement under the Building Regulations, Approved Inspector Regulations and the Energy Performance of Building Regulations. Your Building Control Body will NOT issue the final completion certificate until evidence of the EPC has been provided.

EPC's can only be produced by accredited 'On Construction' Energy Assessors. IPB Associates are Accredited SAP 2005 and 'On Construction' Energy Assessors and can provide you with the necessary predicted (design stage) and As-Built (completed) SAP 2005 calculations and EPC's for new dwellings. We can also provide you with SAP 2005 calculations for conversions, extensions and conservatories.

It is the responsibility of the builder to provide an EPC when a home is constructed and physically completed from 6 April 2008. This will also apply if a building is converted into fewer or more units and changes are made to the heating, hot water provision or air conditioning/ventilation services.

When the home is physically complete, the builder must obtain an EPC for the home, provide the EPC to the new owner of the home and notify the local authority building control officers or approved inspectors that this has been done. This must be done no later than the time specified by the building regulations. Building regulations include standards for the energy performance of new homes which builders must adhere to in order to comply with building regulations.

Once building control are satisfied the EPC has been properly produced and provided to the relevant party, they are able to issue a final completion certificate. From 6 April 2008, a final completion certificate for a home cannot be issued by building control unless they are satisfied an EPC has been provided.

If the completed home is being advertised for sale, the EPC is available to include in a Home Information Pack for potential buyers for the next 12 months.

If you are selling a home before it has been built, you will need to provide information about energy efficiency in a Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA). This is simply the predicted SAP and Environmental Impact (CO2) rating from the SAP calculations you do at the design stage to check whether you will meet energy-saving targets. You can use a spreadsheet template to create the graphics from the SAP rating. There is no need for PEAs to be produced by an accredited assessor and they do need to have a recommendation report.

Should you be interested in using our services please contact us on the above telephone number or alternatively via e-mail. We will then issue you with the relevant documents in order that the appropriate information can be obtained to produce the SAP 2005 calculations and/or EPC's. Please see below our fee scales for producing SAP calculations and EPC's to each building type.

As SAP Assessors we are continually monitored and regulated by the Elmhurst Accreditation Scheme and have undergone rigorous training to provide this service.

Listed below is our SAP 2005 calculation workflow:

1. Initial Enquiry
Call us to discuss your proposal. Forward your drawings through the post or by e-mail in AutoCAD or PDF. We will then provide you with a written quote (e-mail) within 24 hours from when we receive your drawings.

2. 'As Designed' SAP 2005 Calculations
We will assess your drawings/proposal to establish compliance with the current Building Regulations. This is the 'As Designed' stage. We may need to discuss changes to specification in order to comply with the Part L1 in terms of making the proposal more energy efficient. The SAP 2005 calculations will then be produced for submission to your Building Control Body. Please note that the calculation results may state that there will be a requirement to use 'Accredited Construction Details' at all stages of the construction phase.

3. 'As Built' SAP 2005 Calculations
Once the building is complete there will be a requirement to produce another set of SAP 2005 calculations. This is the 'As Built' stage. Any changes made to the original design will be input into the SAP 2005 calculations and these changes should be in compliance with Part L1 as were the original 'As Designed' calculations. In most cases there will be a requirement to provide an Air Pressure Test to the completed building (see below). Air pressure testing is the simplest and most popular method used to show compliance with Part L when producing SAP 2005 calculations. A satisfactory result produces a better energy rating of the proposal unless proven otherwise. Testing shows how well properties will retain heat and in turn reduce carbon emissions, making them more efficient and cheaper to maintain. Once we have received all the relevant information, the 'As Built' SAP 2005 calculations and EPC will then be produced for submission to your Building Control Body.

Air Pressure Testing
Air tightness testing of new dwellings is now mandatory for developments of over two units in England and Wales. A sample of each type of dwelling must be tested and be within the air leakage rate stated in the dwelling's SAP calculations. For one or two units, air tightness testing is not mandatory, but an 'assumed' air leakage rate above the industry norm must be made. Often, it is simpler and more cost-effective for builders to test to prove a lower air leakage rate than to find more complex ways to demonstrate energy saving.

Air pressure tests are carried out by increasing the air pressure within your properties and then measuring the rate by which the pressure returns to normal. A large fan is attached to the door of the building which will blow large amounts of air into the building. By using gauges to measure pressure, temperature and air flow in the building, the building leakage will be calculated. At constant pressures the amount of air needed to blow into the building will be measured to maintain the pressure. This is equal to the amount of air that is leaking out of the building. The air pressure in the building will be increased by approximately 50 Pascals (Pa). This is a very low pressure increase, and will not cause any damage.

IPB Associates does not provide Air pressure Testing. However, we can provide you with contact details of approved contractors who will be more than happy to provide you with a quote.

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