PH Knowledge Base - Featured Guidance: Certification

The Trust regularly updates the 'How to build a Passivhaus' UK Passivhaus Knowedge Base with the latest, topical guidance. This month we are focussing on the Passivhaus building and component certification process and the associated quality assurance benefits.

	What is Passivhaus building certification? The Passivhaus Standard is voluntary and based purely on building physics which applies to both domestic and non-domestic buildings. The criteria for Passivhaus certification are performance based, instead of individually specified construction or technical details. Certification requires that overall planning is carried out with a calculated energy assessment within the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP), plus elaboration of the details and supporting documentation on components and services. This ensures that the planned building will actually perform as designed. Read more

	Guidance document: Claiming the Passivhaus Standard Mark Siddall, LEAP and Nick Grant, Elemental Solutions Updated March 2015 Within the UK, there are occasionally claims that buildings meet or exceed the Passivhaus standard simply because they might meet one or more of the Passivhaus requirements. This paper by Mark Siddall and Nick Grant provides guidance on quality assurance measures that are required to meet the Passivhaus Standard in the UK. Download

Dos and Don'ts ✓ Make sure you are using the correct climate data within PHPP ✓ Model your design in PHPP at the early design stages ✓ Engage with a Passivhaus Certifier at the earliest opportunity ✗ Don't leave the collation of information to the last minute as this could cause delays in the certification process ✗ Don't assume that a building specification from a previous development will suit all future Passivhaus buildings

	The benefits of component certification As an independent authority, the Passivhaus Institute in Darmstadt, Germany, tests and certifies products in respect of their suitability for use in Passivhaus and EnerPHit developments. Products that carry the Certified Passivhaus Component seal have been tested according to uniform criteria; they are comparable in terms of their specific values, and are of excellent quality regarding energy efficiency. Their use facilitates the designer's task and contributes significantly to ensuring the faultless functioning of the resultant Passivhaus. Read more

	Passivhaus building certifiers in the UK A number of UK organisations have been approved to assess and issue the Passivhaus Certificate, the EnerPHit Certificate (for retrofit projects) and PHI Low Energy Building Certificate. Read more

The certification process

	Certification check lists All accredited Passivhaus certifiers use check lists for their quality assurance, which are normally provided on their appointment to the project. These check lists should be referenced during the design stages with information collated as the project develops; this will save time when checks need to be made and signed off by the certifier. Read more

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