Unified definition for ‘Net Zero Carbon Aligned Buildings’

The Standard sets out mandatory requirements for net zero carbon aligned buildings that could – if the rest of the UK building stock were to collectively implement compatible interventions – enable the UK real estate sector to stay true to the built environment’s share of our national carbon and energy budgets. This approach is defined by the term ‘Net Zero Carbon Aligned Building’ within the Standard. 

1. Engineering controls should sit above the measures that rely on human behaviour such as distancing and wearing face coverings in any “hierarchy of risk control”. Building managers should address source control before studying ventilation requirements. This approach would not necessarily lead to increasing ventilation rates.
2. This is not just about flow rates as it depends on the size of the space. 10l/s per person is the ideal, but if people are close together and for an extended period we may need more flow rate.
3. There was also very little ‘real world’ evidence to prove the effectiveness of air cleaning devices.
4. Part F of the Building Regulations, which is currently under review, could be used to beef up the IAQ measures likely to be introduced in the forthcoming Environment Bill.
5. The gap is between what we write down as a standard and how we deliver. There are buildings out there that don’t have any controlled ventilation at all.