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1 |
Summary |
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Regulations require that from 1st January 2009, all public buildings over 1000m2 that are accessible by members of the public must provide information about energy efficiency in the form of `Display Energy Certificates' (DECs). We have ten buildings that require DECs; however, as a visible demonstration of the Authority's commitment to reducing its environmental impact, it is recommended that all wholetime fire stations should display certificates. These will serve as tangible reminders of the need for our built-estate to be made much more energy efficient and will provide benchmarks against which any improvement (or deterioration) can be measured. |
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2 |
RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined. |
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2.1 |
That the requirement to provide `Display Energy Certificates' (DECs) at ten of the Authority's buildings be noted. |
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2.2 |
That the opportunity be taken to voluntarily display certificates at all wholetime fire stations as a demonstration of the Authority's commitment to measuring and reducing its environmental impact. |
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3 |
Introduction Error! Bookmark not defined.and Background |
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3.1 |
DEC's promote the energy improvement of buildings and form part of the final implementation in England and Wales of the European Directive 2002/91/EC on the Energy Performance of Buildings. |
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3.2 |
Guidelines were issued by department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) in May 2008 via a booklet entitled "Improving the energy and efficiency of our buildings - A guide to Display Energy Certificates and Advisory Reports for public buildings". The energy performance of buildings regulations 2007 SI 2007/991, amended by SI 207/1669, SI 2007/3302 & SI 2008/647 |
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3.3 |
DEC's provide an energy rating (Operational Rating ) of the building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is the least efficient. These ratings are based on the actual amount of metered energy used by the building over a period of 12 months. |
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3.4 |
The purpose of introducing DEC's is to raise public awareness of energy use and to inform visitors to the public buildings about the energy use of a building. |
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3.5 |
DEC's must be displayed in a prominent place, clearly visible to the public and be not less than A3 in size. |
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3.6 |
The Operational Rating is based on the amount of metered energy consumed during a 12 month period compared to a hypothetical building with performance equal to one typical of its type as a benchmark. Typical performance for that type of building would have an Operational Rating of 100. |
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3.7 |
An Advisory Report accompanies the DEC and contains recommendations for improving the energy performance of the building. Advisory Reports are valid for seven years, this is considered a reasonable interval during which time the occupier would be able to implement the recommendations. |
3.8 |
The Advisory Report must also be kept in the reception area, in case a member of the public requests sighting. |
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3.9 |
The following is the list of buildings for which the Service is required to provide a Display Energy Certificate under the regulations: Gosport Fire Station Fareham Fire Station St Marys Fire Station Rushmoor Fire Station Eastleigh Fire Station Hightown Fire Station Basingstoke Fire Station Southsea Fire Station Service Headquarters Fleet Maintenance/Stores Building |
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4 |
Environmental impact |
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4.1 |
The HFRS has 10 sites that fall within the regulations and that require a DEC, HFRS will now be able to rank these buildings energy performance within the estate and work to reduce their energy usage accordingly. |
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5 |
Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives |
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5.1 |
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to reducing its impact on the environment ( currently Objective 07 in the Service Plan 2008-2011) |
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5.2 |
The draft Service plan for next year includes reducing our internal energy consumption by 20%. Measuring the energy consumption of our larger buildings provides both the public and our employees with a clear statement on current usage. This will in subsequent years show any improvements made. |
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6 |
Conclusion |
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6.1 |
By undertaking to produce the Display Energy Certificates and Advisory Reports in house, (see item 7), we have the flexibility to produce an energy rating for all our wholetime stations and therefore rank improvement costings accordingly within the estate. |
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7 |
Resource Implications |
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7.1 |
The Service has received a quotation for completing a DEC for the 10 sites of £7k per year. |
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7.2 |
Training and qualifying one of our staff to become an DEC Assessor cost £2k. It was therefore decided to have the Environmental Impact Project Coordinator trained and qualified as a DEC Assessor. |
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7.3 |
Failing to display a DEC by the deadline would incur a penalty of £500 per DEC and £1000. per Advisory Report. |
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People Impact Assessment |
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8.1 |
Carrying out People Impact Assessments will strengthen our best value review practices by ensuring that the consequences of our proposed policies and actions comply with current legislation and expectations for improving equality and diversity in the workplace and in our delivery of services to the public. No specific equality issues have been identified arising from the actions required to provide DECs except that consideration will be given to providing the information contained in the DECs in a more accessible format on our website. |
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8.2 |
The proposals within this report are considered compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. |
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Consultation |
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9.1 |
The Advisory Report will involve consultation with the Property Services Department for improvements towards our least energy efficient buildings within the estate. |
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10 |
Risk Analysis |
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10.1 |
During the process, a risk analysis will be undertaken of issues encountered, in order to inform the review team of the areas to concentrate on in order to utilise resources effectively. |
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Background Information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972) |
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The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report: Improving the energy and efficiency of our buildings - A guide to Display Energy Certificates and Advisory Reports for public buildings. The energy performance of buildings regulations 2007 SI 2007/991, amended by SI 207/1669, SI 2007/3302 & SI 2008/647 European Directive 2002/91/EC on the Energy Performance of Buildings |
