05 Sustainability Flashcards
1
Q
Define ‘sustainability’.
A
“Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” - the Brudtland Report 1987
2
Q
Does sustainability just deal with environmental issues?
A
Can also be a social and economic issue:
- Social - changing attitudes to think for the existing and future health and personal wellbeing, social cohesion and inclusion, and creating equal opportunity for communities as a whole
- Economic - a healthy population is essential for economic development. Companies also require sustainable business plans to drive economic growth
3
Q
What is a ‘greenhouse gas’?
A
A gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, e.g. carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons
4
Q
What is the ‘greenhouse effect’?
A
- Process by which thermal radiation (e.g. from the sun) is absorbed by greenhouse gases and then re-radiated in all directions, including back to the earth’s surface
- This results in an elevation of the average surface temperature of the earth
5
Q
How should surveyors incorporate the idea of sustainability into their work?
A
RICS Surveying Sustainably: A Short Guide for the Property Professional - aims to show surveyors how the concept of sustainability can be incorporated into their roles, for example (building surveying):
- Encourage clients to adopt sustainable technologies in construction projects (e.g. roof insulation, self-closing taps, PIR sensors etc.)
- Undertake feasibility studies to demonstrate potential energy savings associated with sustainable technologies
- Assess tendering contractors based on their sustainability credentials
- Oversee best practice in sustainable waste management in being maintained during construction
- Promote the use of energy assessment methods
- Engage the community in decision-making to encourage social sustainability
6
Q
Give some examples of how you have considered sustainability in a design.
A
- Roof insulation
- Self-closing taps
- PIR (Passive Infrared) light sensors
7
Q
What would you expect to see in your employer’s environmental policy?
A
- Commitment to improve environmental performance
- Commitment to comply with environmental legislation
- Implement practical measures, such as:
- Reduce carbon footprint by implementing sustainable technology in office, e.g. PIR (Passive Infrared) sensors
- Recycle waste
- Reduce amount of printing by promoting digital media
- Car share or use public transport where practicable
- Reduce travel by utilising local offices to complete work
- Train employees to adopt sustainable practices
8
Q
What considerations would you expect from a contractor’s environmental policy?
A
- Commitment to meet relevant statutory requirements (e.g. Environmental Protection Act 1990, Water Resources Act 1991)
- Use of natural resources and materials where possible
- Use local materials and sub-contractors where possible
- Maintain a waste monitoring and management system to minimise landfill and maximise recycling
- Monitor and minimise noise, dust and gas pollution
- Diesel powered plant is refuelled in a cordoned area and any spills are collected and disposed of correctly
- Train staff in environmental awareness
9
Q
What are the legislative drivers of energy efficiency?
A
- Kyoto Protocol
- Climate Change Act 2008
- Building Regulations
10
Q
What is the significance of the Kyoto Protocol?
A
- International treaty adopted in 1997 and enforced in 2005 to reduce greenhouse gas omissions
- UK committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to 12.5% below 1990 levels by between 2008 and 2012
11
Q
What is the significance of the Climate Change Act 2008?
A
Derived from the Kyoto Protocol, it sets legally binding targets to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions in the UK
12
Q
What is the significance of the Building Regulations in relation to sustainability?
A
Sets out provisions by which new and existing buildings must comply, particularly Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power)
13
Q
Is there any future environmental legislation on the horizon?
A
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14
Q
What are the government targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions?
A
As set by the Climate Change Act 2008 - reduce national greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26% (subsequently increased to 34%) by 2020 and 80% by 2050 (both against a 1990 baseline)
15
Q
What impact does the green agenda have on the RICS and surveyors?
A
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16
Q
What planning requirements are in place concerning sustainable development?
A
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17
Q
Name some global or national environmental challenges that have been met successfully.
A
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18
Q
What sections of the Building Regulations relate to issues of sustainability?
A
- Part L - Conservation of Fuel and Power
- L1A - New dwellings
- L1B - Existing dwellings
- L2A - New buildings other than dwellings
- L2B - Existing buildings other than dwellings
- Part G - Sanitation, Hot Water Safety and Water Efficiency
19
Q
What are the general features/controls of Part L?
A
- Insulation
- Allowable area of windows, doors and openings
- Air permeability
- Heating efficiency of boilers
- Space heating controls
- Hot water storage
- Lighting
- Mechanical ventilation
- Air conditioning
- Solar emission
- Certification, testing and commissioning of heating and ventilation systems
20
Q
Under Part L, what is the requirement for new builds?
A
- The designed carbon emission rate must not exceed the Target Emission Rate (TER) for a notional building of a similar type, size and shape
- Fixed building services should achieve a reasonable standard of energy efficiency
- Solar gains should, be limited
- Building owners should be provided with information on how to operate the building to use no more fuel and power than is reasonable
21
Q
How does Part L affect refurbishments to existing buildings?
A
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22
Q
Are any buildings exempt from the requirements of Part L?
A
- Listed buildings, buildings in conservation areas and scheduled monuments, where compliance with Part L would unacceptably alter their character or appearance
- Places of worship
- Temporary buildings (2 years or less)
- Stand-alone buildings other than dwellings with a total useful floor area of less than 50m²
- Conservatories and porches (less than 30m²)
23
Q
What are consequential improvements?
A
Regulation 28 of the Building Regulations requires additional work to be undertaken to make existing buildings more energy efficient when certain types of building work are proposed (guidance within Section 6 of Part L2B)
24
Q
What are the requirements under Part L for consequential improvements?
A
Requirements:
- The works are either an extension, new fixed building services other than renewable energy generators or increase in capacity of fixed building services other than renewable energy generators
- The existing building has a total useful floor area of over 1000 sqm (before extension)
- The existing building is not a dwelling
Where the above applies, the existing building must comply with Part L, but only where technically, functionally and economically feasible:
- Deemed ‘economically feasible’ if there is a simple 15-year payback on the cost of thermal improvement works through energy savings
- 10% rule - consequential works can be restricted to a value of 10% of the principal works
25
How would you go about carrying out consequential improvements?
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26
Would you have to upgrade the insulation to current Building Regulation standard if you were carrying out works to a roof?
If more than 25% of a given roof area is being renewed (where the total useful floor area is greater than 100sqm) , Parts L2A and L2B require the thermal efficiency to be improved where reasonably practicable
27
What are the requirements under Part L where a thermal element is being renovated and give some examples?
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28
How can compliance with Part L requirements be measured for new builds?
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29
Does Part L of the Building Regulations bring any other benefits apart from energy efficiency?
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30
Explain to your client what environmental assessment systems are available.
1. BREEAM
2. LEED
3. SKA
4. Passivhaus
5. Code for Sustainable Homes
6. EPCs
7. DECs
8. SEDBUK
31
What is BREEAM?
1. Building Research Establishment's (BRE) Environmental Assessment Method
2. Sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation
3. Sets benchmarks for standard categories of development (such as offices, retail, educational and healthcare) and offers a bespoke scheme for non-standard buildings
4. Can be applied to new developments, refurbishments, fit-outs and domestic property
32
How are buildings assessed under BREEAM?
* Two stages of assessment:
* Design stage assessment (resulting in an interim certificate being issued)
* Post construction certificate (resulting in a final certificate being issued and rating awarded)
* Trained assessors base their weighted scoring system on energy, land use and ecology, water, health and well-being, pollution, transport, materials, waste and management
* A rating is then given (unclassified, pass, good, very good, excellent or outstanding)
33
What are the advantages of using BREEAM?
1. Allows clients/project teams to ensure the required standard of environmental best practice is being adopted
2. Can be used as a marketing tool for potential purchasers or tenants
3. Some organisations require the use of BREEAM (e.g. LPAs as part of their local development plans or as planning conditions on developments)
34
Is BREEAM really a measure of sustainability?
BREEAM is not actually a measure of sustainability - it only assesses environmental performance of a building
35
What is LEED?
1. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
2. Voluntary environmental certification system developed by the US Green Building Council, similar and competitor to BREEAM
36
What is the difference between LEED and BREEAM?
1. LEED is younger and less experienced - fewer accredited buildings
2. LEED is adapted for the US market where the planning policy on sustainability is weaker than in the UK, making it harder to challenge BREEAM's dominance in the UK
3. BREEAM builds on UK legislation, making LEED harder to apply in the UK
4. LEED generally considered easier to gain accreditation than BREEAM due to less stringent criteria (e.g. for materials, LEED looks at percentage of recycled content and local sourcing, whereas BREEAM considers the wider environmental impact)
5. High-profile marketing has helped LEED become established in other countries, notably the Middle East, China and India
6. Energy credits are based on cost in LEED, whereas BREEAM uses carbon emissions
7. LEED has percentage thresholds whereas BREEAM has quantitative thresholds
37
Why might a client want to use LEED instead of BREEAM?
Depends on their requirements (e.g. it can be easier to gain LEED accreditation, more recognised in certain countries etc.)
38
What is SKA?
1. Environmental assessment tool for sustainable office and retail fit-outs
2. Initially started in 2005 by Skansen (contractor) but taken over by the RICS in 2009
3. Helps assess fit-out projects against a set of sustainability good practice criteria, known as Good Practice Measures (GPM)
39
How are buildings assessed under SKA?
* Can be used as an informal self-assessment of the environmental performance of a fit-out or accredited assessors can award formal certification
* Free online assessment tool measures only what is specific to that project, regardless of the base building
* Only pay for formal certification
* SKA ratings:
* Bronze
* Silver
* Gold
40
What is Passivhaus?
1. Energy performance standard for dwellings, commercial, industrial and public buildings that can be used throughout the world
2. Intended primarily for new buildings, however can be applied to refurbishments although this can be expensive
3. Basic principle is to have excellent thermal performance, exceptional airtightness with mechanical ventilation
41
What is the Code for Sustainable Homes?
1. National standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes
2. Aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote higher standards of sustainable design above the current minimum standards of the Building Regulations
42
How does the Code for Sustainable Homes work?
Uses a 1 to 6 star system to rate the sustainability performance of new homes based on:
1. Energy/CO2
2. Water
3. Materials
4. Surface water runoff (flooding and flood prevention)
5. Waste
6. Pollution
7. Health and well-being
8. Management
9. Ecology
43
Is the Code for Sustainable Homes compulsory?
Not mandatory and only enforced where:
1. Requirement in a local council's planning policy
2. Affordable housing funded by the Homes and Community Agency that requires homes to be built to Code Level 3
3. The level 3 standard is now incorporated in the Building Regulations
44
What are EPCs and under what circumstances would they be required?
* Energy Performance Certificates set out the energy efficiency rating of buildings (ranging from A - G, with A being the most efficient)
* Required whenever a building is built, sold or rented
45
How often do EPCs need to be updated?
EPCs are valid for 10 years
46
What are DECs and under what circumstances would they be required?
1. Display Energy Certificates show the energy performance of a building based on actual energy consumption and are intended to raise public awareness of the energy use of buildings
2. DECs must be displayed in a prominent place clearly visible to the public at all times
3. DECs are required for buildings that have a total usable floor area of over 250 sqm, are occupied by public authorities and are frequently visited by the public
47
How often do DECs need to be updated?
DECs must be updated annually, although are valid for 10 years for buildings less than 1000 sqm
48
What is SEDBUK?
1. Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the United Kingdom
2. Rating scheme developed by boiler manufactures and the government to provide a comparison of average boiler efficiency
3. Ratings range from A - G, with A being the most efficient
49
What is the National Calculation Methodology?
* Procedure for demonstrating compliance with the Building Regulations for buildings other than dwellings
* The annual energy usage for the existing/proposed building is calculated (BER - Building Emission Rate) and compared against a 'notional' building of a similar type, based on standard datasets of construction and service elements (TER - Target Emission Rate)
* The BER must not be higher than the TER
50
Your client is interested in using green energy in his building. Explain to him what is available.
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51
How can solar energy be used in a building?
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52
How can wind energy be used in a building?
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53
How can ground heat be used in a building?
1. A loop of pipe is buried in the ground, water and anti-freeze is run around the pipes and the constantly-available heat from the ground is transferred into the pipes
2. The water passes through a heat exchanger and compressor and is then pumped into the building to provide a source of heat for space heating and hot water
3. Cool water then re-enter the ground loop and the cycle starts again
4. Loops can either be laid flat or in vertical boreholes (the longer the loop, the more heat it draws)
54
What are some disadvantages of GSHPs?
1. Requires some electricity due to the compressor and pump
2. Water is typically not as hot as that provided from a conventional boiler
3. May need to be on all over winter and supplemented by a secondary heat source
4. Only really applicable for well-insulated buildings
5. Can be expensive (approx. £15k for a house), and even more for vertically bored installations
55
What is an ASHP?
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56
What is a biomass boiler and why is it sustainable?
A boiler that generates heat from biomass (i.e. living or recently living organisms/renewable energy sources, such as wood)
57
What is CHP and why is it sustainable?
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58
What is hydro-electricity and how can it be used in a building?
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59
What are the relative costs and benefits of providing high levels of insulation in a building?
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60
Explain how a chilled beam works.
* Pipes of water are passed through a 'beam' (a heat exchanger) at ceiling height
* As the beam chills the air around it, the air becomes denser and falls to the floor and is replaced by warmer air moving up, providing cooling through natural convection
61
What is a downside to LEDs?
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62
What are the benefits of daylight in building design?
1. Reduced heating costs due to solar gain
2. Reduced electrical costs (not as much lighting required)
3. More pleasant working environment
63
What is 'solar gain'?
1. The increase in temperature of a space as a result of solar radiation
2. Objects struck by sunlight absorb its short-wave radiation and re-radiate heat at longer infrared wavelengths
3. Certain materials, such as glass, allow short wavelengths to pass through but do not let longer wavelengths to escape, thus causing a net increase in temperature (aka 'greenhouse effect')
4. Beneficial in cooler climates, however too much solar gain can cause overheating in the summer months (Part L therefore places restrictions on the amount of glazing that can be used on buildings)
64
How can solar gain be reduced?
1. Orientating openings away from sun paths
2. Limiting glass size
3. Shading (louvered cladding, planting)
4. Reflective glazing
5. Ventilation
65
How does increasing daylight contribute to increased cost?
1. Cost of additional glazing
2. More costly to achieve a low U-value compared to modern cavity wall construction
3. Increased maintained costs of glazing
4. Increased cooling costs from solar gain
66
What is air tightness and how does it relate to sustainability?
* Air tightness is the measure of the uncontrolled inward leakage of outdoor air through a building's fabric
* Air pressure tests are required for new buildings to ensure they comply with the air tightness requirements in Part L1A and L2B of the Building Regulations
67
How is air tightness measured?
Air tightness is measured by the air leakage rate per hour per sqm at a pressure differential of 50 pascals
68
What are the pressure test requirements for a new building?
* Part L1A (new dwellings) - 5.0 m³/(h.m²) at 50 Pa
* Part L2A (new non-dwellings) - 10.0 m³/(h.m²) at 50 Pa
69
Why do parts of the construction industry oppose to pressure testing?
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70
What are the benefits of natural ventilation?
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71
What is 'sick building syndrome' and how is it caused?
1. A combination of ailments linked to spending time in certain buildings that have flaws in their heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
2. Other factors include low humidity, airborne particles (e.g. dust), airborne chemical pollutants (e.g. from cleaning materials) and poor lighting
3. Common ailments are headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin
72
How can sick building syndrome be avoided?
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73
Explain how modern natural ventilation systems work.
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74
In what circumstances is air conditioning necessary?
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75
Why should water be conserved?
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76
Explain some methods of conserving water.
1. Rainwater harvesting
2. Grey water harvesting
3. Low-flush toilets
4. Self-closing taps
5. Water efficient appliances (e.g. showers, washing machines etc.)
77
What is grey water and how can it be used?
* Wastewater generated from domestic activities such as laundry, dishwashing and bathing which can be recycled on-site for uses such as landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, washing cars etc.
* Differs from 'black water', which is designated sewage (e.g. toilet water)
78
What are SuDS?
1. Increasing urbanisation has increased the occurrence of flash flooding after severe/sudden rainfall and contamination of groundwater that pollutes the environment by its eventual discharge into natural water courses (e.g. rivers)
2. SuDS aim to replicate the way rainfall drains naturally, by slowing down and controlling (through collection, storage and cleaning) rainwater before it is release into the environment
79
What is embodied energy?
Also know as 'embodied carbon' - refers to the carbon dioxide emitted during the manufacture, transport and construction of building components, together with their end of life emissions
80
How does embodied carbon differ from operational carbon?
Differs from operational carbon, which is the carbon dioxide emitted during the operation of a building component (e.g. lighting, heating etc.)
81
How does sourcing materials locally help environmentally?
Sourcing materials locally can vastly reduce its embodied carbon (some 'unsustainable' materials could even become more sustainable than renewable resources that are transported from greater distances)
82
What is meant by a renewable source in respect of materials?
A natural resource that can replenish with the passage of time, either through biological reproduction or through other naturally recurring processes
83
Give some examples of renewable resources.
1. Timber
2. Solar energy
3. Wind
4. Biomass
5. Fresh water
6. Oxygen
84
From a sustainability point of view, what considerations do you take into account when specifying materials on your projects?
1. Locally sourced where possible
2. Use of renewable resources
3. Low embodied carbon
4. Low operational costs
5. High material performance
6. Specific quantities to reduce waste (e.g. preformed materials)
85
Give some examples of how construction materials can be recycled.
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86
How many tonnes of construction waste per person are produced each year in the UK?
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87
How is construction waste controlled?
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88
Explain how your client might have to comply with government regulations regarding construction waste on his project.
1. Environmental Protection Act 1990 - imposes a duty of care on anyone produces/handles waste, requiring waste to be contained securely to avoid escape and to only be transferred to those with authority to accept it (e.g. registered waste carrier/licensed waste management facility)
2. Water Resources Act 1991 - it is an offence under the Act to cause or knowingly permit any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter or any solid waste matter to enter controlled waters
3. Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 - anyone managing waste must apply the waste hierarchy
89
What is the waste hierarchy?
1. Prevention
2. Preparing for re-use
3. Recycling
4. Other recovery (e.g. energy recovery)
5. Disposal
90
What is a SWMP and what is its purpose?
Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP):
* The Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008 placed an obligation on clients and principal contractors to produce a waste management plan before construction started on projects with an accepted tender cost of over £300,000
* From 1st December 2013, SWMPs are no longer compulsory, however they may be needed for BREEAM assessments, by local planning authority or as part of a client's/contractor's environmental initiative
91
What sort of information would you expect to see in a SWMP?
1. Application of the waste hierarchy
2. Estimation of how much of each waste type there will be
3. Description of how waste is to be managed efficiently
4. Description of how waste is to be disposed of legally
5. Explanation of how re-use and recycling is to be maximised
92
How have you tried to minimise waste on one of your projects?
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93
Describe the points of similarity between construction waste management, waste minimisation, monitoring and targeting, and environmental management systems?
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94
Where could you look to for further guidance on construction waste management?
1. WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme)
2. DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3. Environment Agency
95
What is the difference between green-field and brown-field land?
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96
What contributes to the additional cost of using brown-field land?
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97
Name some of the methods used to remediate contaminated land?
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98
How does the proposed use affect the way in which contaminated land is remediated?
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99
What is life-cycle costing?
* LCC is the cost of an asset throughout its lifecycle while fulfilling the performance requirements
* Defined in the New Rules of Measurement as the total of CROME:
* Construction costs
* Renewal costs
* Operation costs
* Maintenance costs
* End of life costs
100
How might life-cycle costs affect the design process?
Considerations of the life-cycle cost factors (CROME) can help compare cost-effectiveness of different materials/components, not only based on initial cost but also future costs as well
101
What guidance is available in relation to life-cycle costing?
BCIS provides a Standardised Method of Life Cycle Costing document
102
What is whole-life costing?
* WLC is a form of investment analysis that considers all relevant costs and revenues associated with the ownership of an asset
* Can be defined as CROME plus:
* Non-construction costs (i.e. cost of the site)
* Income (i.e. revenue of recycled materials and/or sale of the site)
* Externalities (i.e. social costs such as clean-up costs from air pollution)
103
What are the benefits of whole-life costing?
WLC can be used to assess the financial viability of an investment and may encourage discussions in the sustainability/durability of building components
104
What is the difference between whole-life costing and life-cycle costing?
* The key difference between LCC and WLC is that LCC only compares the costs for construction, operation and disposal, whereas WLC looks at the investment as a whole
* For example, LCC can be used to determine whether refurbishing an existing building or construction a new building will be more cost-effective, whereas WLC can be used to assess whether either option is financially viable as a whole
105
How would you carry out whole-life costing on your project?
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106
How might you use benchmarking in relation to whole-life costing?
* Benchmarking can be used to compare the WLC of buildings and their elements against known cost data (i.e. from previous projects or through industry resources such as BCIS)
* NB: must be careful not to simply benchmark construction costs - need to consider operating, maintenance, refurbishment etc. costs as well
107
How would you undertake a whole-life cost exercise for a lift installation?
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