CIBSE Scotland Energy Assessor Scheme

The Building Standards Division of the Scottish Government (BSDSG) have entered into Protocol with The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Scotland to produce EPCs for existing buildings.

As a “Protocol Organisation” CIBSE Scotland is only allowed to register existing CIBSE Members.

CIBSE Scotland currently have an application pending with BSDSG to be approved as a scheme provider for certifiers of design under Section 6 of the Scottish Building Standards. This scheme will approve participants to both certify that new works comply with Section 6 (this is equivalent to the requirement under Regulation 20 in England and Wales) and to issue Energy Performance Certificates for new works.

Under the scheme, approved certifiers will be able to certify compliance of new work with Section 6 and to issue Energy Performance Certificates for new buildings. Those approved under the CIBSE Scotland Protocol are only able to issue Energy Performance Certificates for existing buildings. Those applying to join the certifier of design scheme must take the two day training required by Building Standards Division, even if they are already approved under the Protocol arrangements.

To produce EPCs for new buildings you will need to join the scheme (once approved) and to produce EPCs for existing buildings you will need to be approved under the Protocol arrangements.

CIBSE Protocol Arrangements

Although there are no specific qualifications for energy assessors for existing buildings in Scotland, each Protocol Organisation sets their own qualification requirements according to the Protocol agreement that they establish with BSD. CIBSE Scotland may accredit assessors under the Protocol agreement with the following qualification requirements:

1. Membership of CIBSE

It is a condition of the protocol agreement with Building Standards Division that anyone seeking accreditation through CIBSE must be a member of CIBSE at one of the following grades - Licentiate (LCIBSE), Associate (ACIBSE), Member (MCIBSE), or Fellow (FCIBSE). The requirements to qualify vary within these grades as explained below. For CIBSE Membership, visit www.cibse.org/membership or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

2. CIBSE Low Carbon Consultant Training in Part L for England and Wales and Section 6 for Scotland

• CIBSE Training is applicable to Licentiates (LCIBSE) and Associates (ACIBSE) only.
• Members (MCIBSE) and Fellows (FCIBSE) are not required to do CIBSE Training as the seniority of the grade of membership and the requirements for entry to these grades is such that these members are judged to be qualified by responsible experience.
• Assessors who have completed CIBSE Training for England and Wales prior to the introduction of training for Scotland do not have to complete training for Scotland as well – please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for information with subject line “Scotland – Section 6”
• For CIBSE Training information visit www.cibsetraining.co.uk

3. Summary of Experience (examples with dates, employer, job title, and personal involvement in the work)

• Licentiates (LCIBSE) should produce a 7 year summary of experience demonstrating practical experience of work directly related to the energy performance and assessment of existing buildings. The work should have required assessment of the thermal performance of the existing building, assessing the efficiency of the existing building services installations, and the preparation of reports to clients.
• Associates (ACIBSE) should produce a 5 year summary of experience demonstrating practical experience of work directly related to the energy performance and assessment of existing buildings. The work should have required assessment of the thermal performance of the existing building, assessing the efficiency of the existing building services installations, and the preparation of reports to clients.
• Members (MCIBSE) and Fellows (FCIBSE) should produce a 7 year summary of experience demonstrating practical experience of work directly related to the energy performance and assessment of existing buildings. The work should have required assessment of the thermal performance of the existing building, assessing the efficiency of the existing building services installations, and the preparation of reports to clients. It should be noted that this summary should be specifically written to demonstrate that the applicant has the necessary experience. Standard CV’s and summaries describing experience predominantly in new buildings are not acceptable.

4. Application to CIBSE Scotland to produce EPCs for Existing Buildings under BSDSG/CIBSE Protocol

• Download and complete this application form and submit to CIBSE Certification via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with subject line: SCOTTISH EPC APPLICATION
• You will need to have your application signed off by two sponsors, one of whom must be MCIBSE or FCIBSE (with CIBSE membership number provided) and the other an Employer (Director/Manager/Partner) or a Client if self-employed.

5. Email Employer Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) or if Self-Employed, your own PII to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

6. Fees - download charges schedule

7. All documentation can be sent electronically to CIBSE Certification by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Hard copy documents are not required to be mailed, but can be sent to:

222 Balham High Road
London
SW12 9BS

The following software calculation tools are recommended by the BSDSG for use in Scotland:

1. Integrated Environmental Solutions Ltd (IES) - Virtual Environment version 5.8 (including 5.8.1 and 5.8.2
2. Hevacomp
3. DesignBuilder v1.5
4. Lifespan-SBEM Version 1.0

Frequently Asked Questions

I am an LCEA England and Wales – how do I apply for Scotland?

• CIBSE Membership and Summary of Experience requirements appropriate to your experience are required with the application Form for Scotland.

Membership Requirements

• The individual EA making the application should be LCIBSE, ACIBSE, MCIBSE or FCIBSE. An individual making the application who is not a member of CIBSE at one of these grades cannot apply for accreditation even if their company is a member of CIBSE Patrons – the individual EA should be the member. This is a BSD requirement.

Why the 7 year Summary of Experience?

• Under the Protocol specifically for CIBSE Scotland, an assessor needs to demonstrate that they have practical experience of work directly related to the energy performance and assessment of existing buildings. The work should have required assessment of the thermal performance of the existing building, assessing the efficiency of the existing building services installations, and the preparation of reports to clients. MCIBSE and FCIBSE applicants are not required to do CIBSE training but are required to produce this Summary of Experience. LCIBSE applicants are required to complete CIBSE training and this Summary of Experience. ACIBSE applicants are required to complete CIBSE training and a 5 year (not 7 year) Summary of Experience.

Why do applicants not need to submit a software certificate as proof of completion of software training?

• CIBSE Scotland are following the Protocol as established with BSDSG. Currently, there is no requirement to produce the certificate as part of the accreditation process. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that they are competent to use the software and to ensure that calculations are carried out correctly.

Is there a requirement to be a LCC before accreditation by CIBSE Scotland?

• No, there is no requirement to be a LCC before making an application for Scotland.

Do we receive a Certificate for Scotland from CIBSE Certification once Accredited?

• Yes, CIBSE Certification will issue accredited assessors in Scotland with a certificate.

Lodging EPCs

• There is currently no requirement to lodge certificates centrally for non-domestic EPCs in Scotland.

I have a Technical Query for Scotland on existing or new build, who do I contact?

• Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with subject line: “Scotland EPC Query”

Will there be QA checks for Scotland LCEAs?

• Under the current Protocol agreement with BSDSG, there is no requirement for QA checks for Scotland. However CIBSE Scotland via CIBSE Certification may set-up QA procedures in future.