Accredited Construction Details (ACD)

Accredited Construction Details (ACD) were developed to assist the construction industry in achieving the performance standards required by Part L of the Building Regulations. The details focus on the issues of insulation continuity, with the aim to minimise thermal bridges and improve air tightness at junctions within the building envelope.

As the overall heat loss of new buildings is reduced through improved fabric standards and air tightness, the heat lost through thermal bridges at junctions between building elements represents a much higher proportion of a building’s total heat loss and therefore ACD play an important role in lowering the impact of new buildings on the environment and also meeting ever more stringent Building Regulations’ requirements.

ACD were introduced with Part L 2006 and will continue to operate under Part L 2010 for an interim period, before an update where they will be absorbed into new ‘schemes’ that are being introduced to ensure that work on site to avoid thermal bridging is being carried out to an acceptable standard.

Under these new schemes in SAP 2009 and Part L 2010 there are three methods by which thermal bridges can be entered into the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) calculations. Linear thermal bridges and associated Ψ (Psi) values previously inserted into SAP calculations by default, are now required to be accurately calculated in order to receive the maximum energy performance benefit, thus all ‘details’ will generally require modelling to ensure compliant SAP calculations.

Thermal Modelling

Therm Energy can model details, using 2D/3D thermal modelling software and create thermal bridge values and temperature factors. Details are modelled and recorded on an approved database and then checked on site via an approved certification scheme at various stages of construction.

This effectively means that the maximum benefit can be allowed for within the SAP calculations and this could potentially lead to reduced insulation levels or avoiding the need to install renewable systems to a new dwelling therefore reducing build costs and saving money.

Therm Energy can provide technical support for its customers through all stages of the new ACD schemes.

For guidance and prices please either telephone the office on 01903 884357 or email us at enquiries@thermenergy.co.uk

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