OCDEA Technical Bulletin

For On Construction Domestic Energy Assessors

Special EditionThermal Bridging Edition
Issue 31 Version 4.1| October 2012 All content National Energy Services, Ltd
This is Version 4.1 of the special edition of the NHER OCDEA Technical Bulletin, first published in July 2011. The special issue was produced to help our OCDEAs, NHER Plan Assessor users and their customers to better understand how thermal bridging is dealt with in SAP 2009. It describes the thermal bridging junctions in Table K1 of the SAP 2009 document and the associated Accredited Construction Details (England and Wales) for each junction. It also indicates where junction details and associated values are available from other sources: EST Enhanced Construction Details, Scottish Accredited Construction Details, Association for Energy Conscious Buildings and Constructive Details from BBA/RDL. Web links are provided at the end of this bulletin for each of these sources. Junction details and values are also available from some manufacturers.

Contents: Table K1 items and their associated ACDs

External wall junctions
E1Steel lintels perforated base ...................... 4 E2Other lintels ............................................... 4 E3Sill ............................................................. 5 E4Jamb .......................................................... 5 E5Ground floor .............................................. 6 E6Intermediate floor within dwelling.................................................... 7 E7Intermediate floor between dwellings (flats) ....................................... 8 E8Balcony within dwelling ............................. 8 E9Balcony between dwelling ......................... 9 E10Eaves (ceiling insulation) ........................ 9 E11Eaves (rafter insulation) ........................ 10 E12Gable (ceiling insulation) ....................... 10 E13Gable (rafter insulation) ........................ 11 E14Flat roof ................................................. 11 E15Flat roof with parapet ............................ 12 E16Corner (normal) .................................... 12 E17Corner (inverted) .................................. 13 E18Party Wall between dwellings (party corner)...................... 13

Party wall junctions

P1Ground floor .............................................. 14 P2Intermediate floor within dwellings ................................................. 14 P3Intermediate floor between dwellings (flats) ...................................... 15 P4Roof (ceiling insulation) ............................ 15 P5Roof (rafter insulation) ............................. 16

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Source: The Governments Standard Assessment; Procedure for Energy Rating of Dwellings; 2009 edition; incorporating RDSAP 2009; BRE, p. 78

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The second diagram above assumes a room in the roof. If no roof room is present and the ceiling is not insulated, omit E6 and P2 (unless the ceiling is clearly a structural element).

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E1
Masonry: MCI-WD-01 MII-WD-01

External wall: Steel lintel (perforated base plate) ACD = 0.5 (default = 1.0)
Typical example: MCI-WD-01

Various EST Enhanced Construction Details are available with values of less than 0.1. Various Constructive Details are available with values between 0.28 and 0.38. The length of the junction is the length of the opening in the wall. In NHER Plan Assessor the lintel length can be set automatically from the opening width.

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: MCI-WD-01

E2
Masonry: MCI-WD-02 MCI-WD-03 MII-WD-02 MII-WD-03 MEI-WD-01

External wall: Other lintelsACD = 0.3 (default = 1.0)

Typical example: MCIWD-02
Timber Framed: TFW-WD-01 Steel Framed: SFW-WD-01

Scottish Details: 1.08, 2.08, 3.08; Scottish ACDs also include details for roof lights (5.01, 5.02). Various EST Enhanced Construction Details are available with values of less than 0.1. The AECB Silver Standard has a junction with a value of 0.06 (calculated with internal dimensions). Various Constructive Details are available with values between 0.054 and 0.060. The length of the junction is the length of the opening in the wall. In NHER Plan Assessor the lintel length can be set automatically from the opening width.
EST ECD MV01 lintel with = 0.01

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: MCI-WD-02

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E3
Masonry: MCI-WD-04 MII-WD-04 MEI-WD-02

External wall: SillACD = 0.04 (default = 0.08)

Typical example: SFW-WD-02
Steel Framed: SFW-WD-02 Timber Framed: TFW-WD-02

Scottish Details: 1.09, 2.09, 3.09 The AECB Silver Standard has a junction with a value = 0.03. Various Constructive Details are available with values between 0.034 and 0.046. The length of the junction is the length of the opening in the wall. In NHER Plan Assessor the sill length can be set automatically from the opening width.

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: SFW-WD-02

E4
Masonry: MCI-WD-05 MCI-WD-06 MII-WD-05 MII-WD-06 MEI-WD03

External wall: JambACD = 0.05 (default = 0.10)

Typical example: SFW-WD-03

Timber Framed: TFW-WD-03 Steel Framed: SFW-WD-03 Scottish Details:1.09, 2.09, 3.09 The AECB Silver Standard has a junction with a value of 0.03. Various Constructive Details are available with values between 0.039 and 0.051.
Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: SFW-WD-03

The length of the jamb is the length of the opening in the wall. In NHER Plan Assessor the jamb can be set automatically from the opening height.

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E5
Masonry: MCI-GF-01 MCI-GF-02 MCI-GF-03 MII-GF-01 MII-GF-02 MII-GF-03 MEI-GF-01 MEI-GF-02 MEI-GF-03

External wall: Ground floorACD = 0.16 (default = 0.32)

Example of E5 dimension

Timber Framed: TFW-GF-01 TFW-GF-02 TFW-GF-03 Steel Framed: SFW-GF-01 SFW-GF-02 Scottish Details: 1.10, 2.10, 3.10; 1.11, 2.11, 3.11; 1.12, 2.12, 3.12

Various EST Enhanced Construction Details are available, with values in cases less than 0.04. The AECB Silver Standard has junctions with values of between 0.01 and 0.10. Various Constructive Details are available with value between 0.025 and 0.160.

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: MCI-GF-03

Note: for all junctions the value depends on the level of insulation in the adjoining elements. The value can increase as the level of insulation increases. However, the ACDs (England and Wales, Scotland) do not prescribe insulation thicknesses for which the values apply. The other options (EST, AECB, CD) are more prescriptive to varying degrees. Measure the ground floor perimeter of the property. Include perturbations (like bay windows) and any other wall to ground floor lengths. Floors above unheated space or exposed upper floors should also be counted as this type.

EST Enhanced Construction Detail MV01 F02 with = 0.075 OCDEA Technical Bulletin Issue 31 Version 4.1 | National Energy Services 2012

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E6
Masonry: MCI-IF-01 MCI-IF-02 MII-IF-01 MII-IF-02 MEI-IF-01

External Wall: intermediate floor within a dwelling ACD = 0.07 (default = 0.14)
Timber Framed: TFW-IF-01 Steel Framed: SFW-IF-01

Typical example:

Scottish Details: 1.14, 2.14, 3.14; 1.15, 2.15, 3.15. The AECB Silver Standard has junctions with values of between 0.00 and 0.03. Various Constructive Details are available with a value of 0.00.

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: MII-IF-02

A floor above a heated basement should be included in this length. Enter the perimeter of all external intermediate floors. These include roof room floors to gables or to walls where the eaves are above the RIR floor level.

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E7
Masonry: MCI-IF-01 MII-IW-01 MEI-IF-01

External wall: Intermediate floor between dwellings ACD = 0.07 (default = 0.14)
Typical example: MCI-IF-01

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: MCI-IF-01

Various Constructive Details are available with values between 0.057 and 0.093. This is the external floor perimeter of a flat with another dwelling below. In mid-floor flats this would also be the ceiling. This should also be used for floors above separate heated spaces such as commercial premises.

E8

External wall: Balcony within dwellingNo ACD (default = 0.0 or 1.0)

No ACDs available. This DCLG SAP Convention supersedes and replaces the *footnote in Table K1. A default value of 0.00 can be used if the balcony supports do not bridge the insulation. Otherwise use a default value of 1.0 or a calculated value.

The diagram shows the Scottish ACD 5.11 (for which no value is quoted).

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E9

External wall: balcony between dwellings No ACD (default = 0.04 or 1.0)

No ACDs available. This DCLG SAP Convention supersedes and replaces the footnote in Table K1. A default value of 0.04 can be used if the balcony supports do not bridge the insulation. Otherwise use a default value of 1.0 or a calculated value.

E10
Masonry: MCI-RE-01 MCI-RE-02 MCI-RE-03* MCI-RE-05* MII-RE-01 MII-RE-02 MII-RE-03* MII-RE-05* MEI-RE-01 MEI-RE-02 MEI-RE-03* MEI-RE-05*

External wall: Eaves (ceiling insulation) ACD = 0.06 (default = 0.12)

Timber Framed: TFW-RE-01 TFW-RE-02 TFR-RE-03* TFW-RE-05* Steel Framed: SFW-RE-01 SFW-RE-02 SFW-RE-03* SFW-RE-05

Typical example: MII-RE-05*

Scottish Details:1.01, 2.01, 3.01 Various Constructive Details are available with values between 0.064 and 0.128. Length of eaves entered.

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: MII-RE-05

All wall to eaves bridges should be classified under this junction, this includes bay window walls and dormer walls.

*Included here as main junction is eaves to roof with insulation over joist at that point.
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E11
Masonry: MCI-RE-04 MCI-RE-06 MCI-RE-07 MCI-RE-08 MII-RE-04 MII-RE-06 MII-RE-07 MII-RE-08 MEI-RE-04 MEI-RE-06 MEI-RE-07 MEI-RE-08

External wall: Eaves (rafter insulation)ACD = 0.04 (default = 0.08)

Typical example: MEI-RE-04
Timber Framed: TFW-RE-04 TFW-RE-06 TFW-RE-07 TFW-RE-08 Steel Framed: SFW-RE-04 SFW-RE-06 SFW-RE-07 SFW-RE-08

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: MEI-RE-04

Scottish Details: 1.04, 2.04, 3.04 The AECB Silver Standard has junctions with values of between 0.00 and 0.044. Various Constructive Details are available with between 0.02 and 0.036. Lengths of eaves entered. All wall to eaves bridges should be classified under this junction; this includes bay windows and dormer walls.

E12
Masonry: MCI-RG-01 MII-RG-01 MEI-RG-01

External wall: Gable (ceiling insulation)ACD = 0.24 (default = 0.48)

Typical example: TFW-RG-01
Timber Framed: TFW-RG-01 Steel Framed: SFW-RG-01

Scottish Details: 1.02, 2.02, 3.02; 1.03, 2.03, 3.03; 1.05, 2.05, 3.05 Various EST Enhanced Construction Details are available, with values substantially less than 0.1. Various Constructive Details are available with values between 0.048 and 0.087.

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: TFW-RG-01

All wall to gable bridges should be classified under this junction; this includes bay window walls and dormer walls.

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E13
Masonry: MCI-RG-02 MCI-RG-03 MCI-RG-04 MII-RG-02 MII-RG-03 MII-RG-04 MEI-RG-02 MEI-RG-03 MEI-RG-04

External wall: Gable (rafter insulation)ACD = 0.04 (default = 0.08)

Typical example: TFW-RG-04
Timber Framed: TFW-RG-02 TFW-RG-03 TFW-RG-04 Steel Framed: SFW-RG-02 SFW-RG-03 SFW-RG-04

Various Constructive Details are available with values between 0.065 and 0.073.

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: TFW-RG-04

All wall to gable bridges should be classified under this junction; this includes bay window walls and dormer walls.

E14
Masonry: MCI-RF-01 MII-RF-01 MEI-RF-01

External wall: Flat roofACD = 0.04 (default = 0.08)

Typical example: MCI-RF-01

Steel Framed: SFW-RF-01 Scottish Details: 1.06, 2.06, 3.06 All wall to flat roof bridges should be classified under this junction; this includes bay window walls and dormer walls.

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: MCI-RF-01

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E15
Masonry: MCI-RF-02 MII-RF-02 MEI-RF-02

External wall: Flat roof with parapetACD = 0.28 (default = 0.56)

Timber Framed: TFW-RF-01

Steel Framed: SFW-RF-02

Typical example: TFW-RF-02

Scottish Details: 1.07, 2.07, 3.07 The AECB Silver Standard has junctions with values of between 0.12 and 0.25. Further clarification is given in the DCLG SAP Conventions document: From the thermal bridging point of view the principal difference between a parapet and not is whether the wall passes over the edge of the roof, or the roof passes over the top of the wall. These two possibilities form different types of junction. If the wall passes over the edge of the roof, treat as a roof with parapet. If the roof passes over the top of the wall, treat it as a roof without a parapet. All wall to flat roof bridges should be classified under this junction, this includes bay window walls and dormer walls.

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: TFW-RF-02

E16
Timber Framed: TFW-EW-01

External wall: Corner (normal)ACD = 0.09 (default = 0.18)

Typical example: TFW-EW-01

Scottish Details: 1.23, 2.23, 3.23 The AECB Silver Standard has a masonry junction with a value of 0.066 (ref 2.2.2). Various Constructive Details are available with values between 0.04 and 0.056.
Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: TFW-EW-01

Height of wall to wall corners where internal area is less than external area. Also describes: Dormer corners

Corners to unheated garage There are no England and Wales ACD options available for masonry construction types; use default value or a value from another source. If the construction around the corner is the same as the rest of the dwelling and not interrupted by structural elements the ACD value of 0.09 can still be used. Ignore corners in bay windows if the insulation is continuous.

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E17

External wall: Corner (inverted)No ACD (default = 0.00)

Typical example

No ACDs available. A value of = 0.0 is normally used. However, there is a Scottish ACD with = -0.119. Scottish Details: 1.24, 2.24, 3.24 Various Constructive Details are available with values between -0.08 and -0.052.

E18
Masonry: MCI-IW-01 MII-IW-01 MEI-IW-01 MEI-IW-02

External wall: Party wall between dwellings ACD = 0.06 (default = 0.12)
Timber Framed: TFW-IW-01 TFW-IW-02 Steel Framed: SFW-IW-01 SFW-IW-02

Example of E18 dimensions

Scottish Details:1.13, 2.13, 3.13 Various Constructive Details are available with values between 0.035 and 0.046.

Front elevation

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: MCI-IW-01

This is the corner between the external wall and the party wall.

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P1

Party wall: Ground floor No ACD (default = 0.16)

Typical example

No ACDs availableuse default or calculated value from another source. Also use for junction with heated corridor/ stairwells or other heated spaces.

Scottish Details: 1.16, 2.16, 3.16; 1.17, 2.17, 3.17; 1.18, 2.18, 3.18

Various Constructive Details are available with values between 0.043 and 0.073.

P2

Party wall: Intermediate floor within dwelling No ACD (default = 0.04)

Typical example

No ACDs availableuse default or calculated value from another source. The default of 0.04 can also be used for houses with a split level arrangement. Disregard intermediate floor junction with walls adjacent to heated corridor/stairwells or other heated spaces.

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P3

Party wall: Intermediate floor between dwellings No ACD( default = 0.04)

No ACDs availableuse default or calculated value from another source. The default value of 0.04 can also be used for flats with a split level arrangement. Use this value for each flat. Disregard intermediate floor junction with walls adjacent to heated corridor/stairwells or other heated spaces.

P4
Masonry: MEI-IW-02 MCI-IW-02 MII-IW-02

Party wall: Roof (ceiling insulation)ACD = 0.12 (default = 0.24)

Typical example: TFW-IW-02
Timber Framed: TFW-IW-02 Steel Framed: SFW-IW-02

Scottish Details: 1.21, 2.21, 3.21 Various Constructive Details are available with values between 0.041 and 0.087.

Accredited (Indicative) Detail Number: TFW-IW-02

Also used for roof adjacent to heated corridor/ stairwells or other heated spaces.

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P5

Party wall: Roof (rafter insulation)No ACD (default = 0.04)

Typical example

No ACDs availableuse default or calculated values from another source. Also used for roof adjacent to heated corridor/stairwells or other heated spaces. Scottish Details: 1.22, 2.22, 3.22 Various Constructive Details are available with values between 0.069 and 0.071.

Dormers
Dormers are not specifically included in Table K1. However, a convention exists for how to enter them into SAP software. The Scottish ACDs 5.04 and 5.05 include some junctions for dormers .

Further information:
The Accredited Construction Details for England and Wales can be found by visiting the Planning Portal Website. The EST Enhanced Construction Details can be found by visiting the EST website. These provide alternative details to ACDs for E1, E2, E5 and E12, with substantially lower values. BBA and Robust Details Ltd have junction details under the name Constructive Details. Details of the scheme can be found here: www.constructivedetails.co.uk/ The Scottish Accredited Construction Details can be found by clicking here. Scottish Details can be used in England and Wales if the construction matches. The Association for Energy Conscious Buildings (AECB) also have junction details and associated values available to members. Details of membership are available by visiting: www.aecb.net. Their design guidance for the Silver and Gold standards provides detailed guidance on how to minimise thermal bridging. All values from these above sources can be taken as being produced by someone with suitable expertise and experience for the purposes of Building Regulation submissions. This technical bulletin is consistent with DCLG SAP Conventions (v4.0), dated 12 September 2012. The DCLG SAP Conventions are a key reference and provide further detail and background; the DCLG Conventions can be found in NES one useful documents and at the BRE website.

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