Normalisation Adjustment with BEC 2015 as a Baseline

Over the years, many Applicants, developers, and building owners have conducted BEAM Plus assessments via whole-building energy simulations based on successive editions of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department’s (EMSD’s) Building Energy Code (BEC). To ensure consistent interpretation and equitable comparisons, normalisation adjustments have been established, aligning simulation outcomes from various BEC editions to the BEC 2015 baseline and facilitating fair evaluation of project performance across assessment cycles.

These normalisation adjustments reflect the distinct technical requirements of each BEC edition. While they provide a standardised reference, their application warrants caution, as whole-building simulations involve complex variables such as design features, operational practices, and site-specific conditions that may affect results beyond simplified adjustments.

Ultimately, these adjustments promote transparency, consistency, and interpretability of energy performance within the BEAM Plus framework, supporting informed decision-making and advancing sustainable building practices for all stakeholders.

For Example:

A 15% energy reduction under the BEC 2021 baseline is normalised to the BEC 2015 baseline with an adjustment of 11%, yielding an equivalent performance of approximately 26% reduction.

Thus, a 15% reduction under BEC 2021 corresponds to a 26% reduction under the BEC 2015 edition.