Design & Energy Efficiency

Building Services Design

Our highly skilled and experienced team of engineers can provide a comprehensive design solution with the goal of providing a smooth transition from concept through to project completion.

We adopt a collaborative approach to our design process, working closely with main contractors, architects, structural engineers and end users to fully understand the services requirement and ensure a practical and economical solution that meets the needs of the building occupants.

We work with specialist sub-contractors to integrate their systems into the overall services design process which helps to provide a cost effective and coordinated scheme.

Our engineers are trained in the use of the latest design software to assist the design process and can carry out detailed calculations from steady state load assessments through to dynamic building simulations. We have capability to work in either a 2D or 3D environment which allows for a fully coordinated solution, eliminating clashes and providing greater cost certainty when the project gets to site.

We can provide guidance on your buildings energy demands and offer advice on ways to improve its energy performance, reducing both cost and carbon footprint.

Oxford High School – Sixth Form Design Building

Our design capabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • HVAC Design (Mechanical Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Heating & Cooling)
  • Passive Ventilation (Natural Ventilation, Windcatchers)
  • Public Health (Domestic Hot & Cold Water, Drainage)
  • Engineering Services (Compressed Air, Specialist Gases, Chilled Water)
  • Electrical Services Design (HV & LV Power, Lighting, Data)
  • Ancillary Services (Fire Alarm, Security, CCTV, Access Control)
  • Renewable technologies (Photovoltaic, Solar Thermal, Air Source Heat Pump)
  • Lighting Impact Assessments
  • Energy & Sustainability Studies
  • SBEM and Building Regulations Part L2A Calculations
  • Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
  • Building Log Books
  • Dynamic Simulation and Thermal Modelling
  • 2D / 3D Draughting (AutoCAD, Revit MEP, Navisworks, Solibri)
  • Design Software (HevaComp, TAS, Cymap, Pro Design, Relux, Dialux)

Part L Compliance

The Building Regulations Approved Document Part L2a (new buildings) and Part L2b (existing buildings) deal with the conservation of fuel and power used by non-domestic buildings. The documents aim to limit heat gains and losses through thermal elements within the building fabric and to provide building services which are energy efficient and have effective controls.

Compliance with these regulations is mandatory, and our CIBSE accredited engineers are able to demonstrate compliance by the production of a Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM).

We understand that no two buildings are the same, and what works for one may not be the best solution for another. Our approach is not to look at the services in isolation, but to work with the Architect and take a holistic view to finding the most practical and commercially viable approach to achieve overall compliance for your specific project.

In accordance with Part L of the building regulations, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required for every commercial building over 50m2 when it is constructed, sold or let. An existing EPC is valid for a period of 10 years, after which time the building should be assessed again and a new EPC provided. Our CIBSE accredited engineers are able to produce non-domestic EPC’s for level 3, 4 & 5 buildings using the very latest building analysis software.

Low Carbon Energy Assessment

In addition to providing Part L compliance checks, as CIBSE accredited Low Carbon Consultants we are able to offer valuable advise on how you might be able to minimise your buildings energy use, both in design and in operation.

This will not only help to reduce energy bills and the overall running costs of your building, but will provide further environmental benefits by the redcution of your buildings Carbon footprint.

Of particular benefit to end users, we can look at life cycle costs, plant replacement strategies, feasibility studies for the implementation of Low & Zero Carbon technologies (LZC) and more.

BIM

Following the BIM process is becoming ever more important within the Construction Industry and the integration of Building Services Design is a crucial part of this.

Our team are capable of working within the BIM environment and to the ISO 19650 framework. They are fully conversant in the use of 3D modelling software (Revit) and have a full understanding of the requirements of COBie data delivery.

At Axiom, we believe that a collaborative approach to problem solving is the key to the successful delivery of a BIM project.