Blog | Building Fabric

Building Fabric: Why Is It Important?

In recent years, there has been increasing pressure placed on the building industry to lower buildings carbon emissions in a bid to limit global warming.

The easiest way to achieve this is by adopting energy efficient features. Upgrading or incorporating building fabric and insulation offers an opportunity for businesses to reduce their energy use and cut costs.

What Is Building Fabric?

Building fabric refers to the structural materials, surfaces, insulation and fixtures, that separate a building’s interior from its exterior. This includes elements such as walls, flooring, and the roof.

Building fabric is not simply a stylish extra to a building, but rather plays a critical role in how a building operates. It protects the interior from external weather conditions, provides safety and importantly, helps manage the inside temperature, moisture and humidity.

Section 6 of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 is concerned with the conservation of fuel and power, and sets out the minimum standards required for a building’s energy performance. With buildings responsible for 40% of the UK's total carbon emissions, increasing pressure is being placed on the construction industry to limit their environmental impact. Incorporating or upgrading insulation systems is a great method to lower your energy use.

Though it can be more complex to upgrade existing buildings in comparison to new build installations, refurbishments are very common. Retrofits can target specific elements of a building (such as roof insulation) or can involve a whole-building refurbishment, which can offer significant cost savings in the long run.

It is also worth noting the connection between heating, cooling and ventilation. The impact of any installations or upgrades on HVAC systems in place (such as air source heat pumps) must be considered for optimum performance and to minimise energy costs.

Insulation

Without sufficient insulation in place, the heat inside a building will escape in the colder months. Alternatively, in warmer weather, buildings can easily overheat. This can lead to high heating and air conditioning bills.

Insulation serves to hinder the process of heat loss in winter or heat gain in summer. With good insulation, buildings are better able to retain heat in colder conditions and remain cool in warm weather. This not only creates a more comfortable environment for a building’s occupants but also lowers a building’s energy usage and associated costs.

The main sources of heat loss in a building include the roof; walls; the floor; and ventilation. With increasing demand for intelligent buildings, good insulation design is a great way to improve the energy efficiency of a building.

Why Is It Important?

Prioritising a building's fabric is key to improving a building's energy performance, offering a range of benefits including:

1. Reduce Costs

Upgrading a building's fabric is a worthwhile investment and can help reduce heating and cooling costs. Furthermore, incorporating these into new builds can provide additional savings by minimising the number of radiators and air conditioning units required. Initial costs are offset by long-term savings achieved.

2. Minimise Environmental Impact

Industrial buildings can lose as much as 75% of their heat due to insufficient building fabric. Constantly reheating a building to counterbalance this heat loss can be costly and require large amounts of energy. Good building fabric design facilitates lower energy use and resultantly, reduced carbon emissions. In turn, this can have positive effects on a business’s corporate reputation.

3. Improved Comfort and Greater Control

Not only must buildings comply with governmental energy efficiency standards, but insulation systems provide occupants with greater temperature control. Individuals are provided with improved thermal comfort levels which can increase employee productivity as a result.

Summary

The benefits to be gained from incorporating or upgrading building fabric are clear. With increasing pressure being placed on the construction industry to lower the carbon emissions from buildings, insulation serves to lower a building’s energy use. Consequently, this reduces heating and cooling costs. Initial costs are offset by the long-term savings achieved.

DARe-me Consulting Engineers are highly experienced in designing building fabric and insulation systems for a range of buildings. Our team can also assist in producing U-value calculations for compliance purposes. Get in touch today to find out more.

Current Job Vacancies

Our Current Vacancies ... to apply email your CV to jobs@dare-me.co.uk

Position: Senior / Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Location: Glasgow

Employment Type: Full time / Permanent

Experience: Minimum 5 years relevant design experience

Start Date: ASAP

Salary: Excellent / Dependant on experience

Qualifications: Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) degree in Building Services or Mechanical Engineering.

Chartered status: IMECHE/CIBSE is preferred or progression towards chartership.

Skills and Abilities:

1. Proficiency in AutoCAD with a working knowledge of Revit.

2. Technical proficiency, strong communication skills, effective time management, and a collaborative team approach.

3. Demonstrated ability to exercise financial control and project management skills would be advantageous.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Conduct mechanical design and consulting tasks encompassing systems design, production, specifications, and scheduling.

2. Provide comprehensive reports and guidance to clients.

3. Coordinate with internal and external design team members, representing the company in meetings.

4. Serve as the primary contact for clients, ensuring their needs are met efficiently by leading or assisting consultants.

5. Foster effective collaboration with all stakeholders impacted by your work.

6. Demonstrate accountability in project management and actively mentor junior staff through training initiatives.

7. Monitor and adjust personal and team workload schedules regularly. Establish and update task priority lists accordingly.

8. Review the accuracy and completeness of documentation produced by colleagues.

9. Uphold adherence to all Quality System protocols.

10. Fulfill administrative duties including tracking project-related man-hour commitments and providing monthly reports on project fee details.

11. Oversee project management activities, including the coordination of junior staff and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.

12. Adhere to security protocols and maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive commercial information.

13. Fulfill any additional responsibilities required to support the company's core objectives as directed by the Directors.

14. Contribute to compliance with relevant ISO standards and national regulations in all operational activities.

Our Current Vacancies ... to apply email your CV to jobs@dare-me.co.uk

Position: Associate Electrical Design Engineer

Location: Glasgow

Employment Type: Full time / Permanent

Experience: 10+ years relevant design experience

Start Date: ASAP

Salary: Excellent / Dependant on experience

Qualifications: Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) degree in Building Services or Electrical Engineering.

Chartered status: IET/CIBSE is preferred or progression towards chartership.

Skills and Abilities:

1. Generate electrical design drawings, conduct calculations using software such as Amtech, Hevacomp, IES, Relux, and Dialux, and prepare reports, specifications, and schedules.

2. Play a role in achieving BREEAM or equivalent regulatory compliance.

3. Contribute to compliance with Building Regulations Part F, Part L, or Section 6 through modeling efforts.

4. Participate in witnessing tests for the proving and commissioning of final installations.

5. Aid in the training and development of junior engineers.

6. Adhere to internal and external project timelines efficiently.

7. Adhere to the company's Quality Assurance management systems.

8. Provide support to Directors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Conduct mechanical design and consulting tasks encompassing systems design, production, specifications, and scheduling.

2. Provide comprehensive reports and guidance to clients.

3. Coordinate with internal and external design team members, representing the company in meetings.

4. Serve as the primary contact for clients, ensuring their needs are met efficiently by leading or assisting consultants.

5. Foster effective collaboration with all stakeholders impacted by your work.

6. Demonstrate accountability in project management and actively mentor junior staff through training initiatives.

7. Monitor and adjust personal and team workload schedules regularly. Establish and update task priority lists accordingly.

8. Review the accuracy and completeness of documentation produced by colleagues.

9. Uphold adherence to all Quality System protocols.

10. Fulfill administrative duties including tracking project-related man-hour commitments and providing monthly reports on project fee details.

11. Oversee project management activities, including the coordination of junior staff and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.

12. Adhere to security protocols and maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive commercial information.

13. Fulfill any additional responsibilities required to support the company's core objectives as directed by the Directors.

14. Contribute to compliance with relevant ISO standards and national regulations in all operational activities.

DARe-me Consulting Engineers

Core Values

Technical Excellence

Our commitment to quality service extends beyond external interactions with clients, designers, contractors, and industry stakeholders. Internally, we foster a collaborative environment where teamwork is paramount. Our aim is to be the dependable choice for clients and fellow team members alike. Upholding a consistently high level of service is essential in maintaining our reputation as trusted partners.

Excellence in Deliverables

Renowned for delivering superior end-products, we prioritise the continuous development of our workforce. We meticulously review and refine our methodologies, processes, and outputs to ensure unparalleled quality. Our focus on people development drives our relentless pursuit of excellence. We embrace innovation and adaptability to remain at the forefront of our industry, consistently exceeding expectations as the consultant of choice.

Innovation

Innovation lies at the heart of our operations, and we leverage advanced technologies such as the latest computer software and even drones for surveying to enhance our services. By integrating drones into our surveying process, we achieve greater efficiency, accuracy, and safety standards. This innovative approach not only sets us apart but also ensures that we deliver exceptional results to our clients, reinforcing our position as industry leaders.

Empowerment and Growth

Central to our values is the empowerment and growth of our staff. We invest in their professional development through robust technical support and training programs, instilling confidence in their abilities. Additionally, we prioritise streamlining processes to promote a healthy work-life balance, enabling our team members to thrive personally and professionally. Our comprehensive benefits package underscores our commitment to their wellbeing, health, and financial security.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility

We are dedicated to sustainability and social responsibility in all aspects of our operations. From minimising our environmental footprint to actively contributing to community and charitable initiatives, we strive to make a positive impact. Our sustainable practices not only align with our core values but also reflect our commitment to creating a better future for generations to come.

Stay in touch with us on social media, we DARe you!

Get in Touch

83 Old Castle Road, Glasgow, G44 5TG

Glasgow: 0141 374 2965

Edinburgh: 0131 235 2965

London: 0208 087 2965

enquiries@dare-me.co.uk

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Photo By: John Doe
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