Construction Technology and Environmental Services Flashcards
What is buildability?
Practical knowledge of how things work - Designers may not know best method of construction and contractor is there to convert design aspirations into best-fit in terms of value, Life Cycle Cost.
E.g. pre-cast steps at Headwall.
Explain benefits of pre-fabricated construction
- Time reduction to construct on site / programme accuracy
- money saving
- Quality management / accuracy
- Just in time deliveries
Explain SUDDS
Sustainable Urban Drainage System (pourous material / attenuation) - reduces stress on exisitng drainage
Designed to allow sustained surface water to drain.
Examples are permeable pavings, swales and lagoons
What SUDDS do you have on your project?
- Tobermore’s Hydropave system used on all driveways and non-adoptable road sections. A permeable hard-wearing block which is 100% recyclable and harvests 100% of the water used.
- Swales for run off from the main and a lagoon for the adoptable road storm water.
How does an Air Source Heat Pump Work?
An air source heat pump has two components; an outside and inside connected by a loop of pipe filled with refrigerant. Air pulled in from the outside and as circulated through compressor converts refrigerant liquid into gas (endothermic reaction) and circulates through a condenser which forces the gas back into a liquid (exothermic) where it releases energy through a heat exchanger to heat central heating system or hat water. Refrigerant then returns to outward facing unit to repeat cycle.
What are benefits of the ASHPs
- cheaper to run over whole life cycle of system (20 years) - small amount electric to run / parts should last for whole life
- Reduces CO2 emissions of the asset
- Works on reduced operating temperatures - The refrigerant boiling point can be as low as -20 degreesC.
Why did you use ASHPs on your project?
Condition (18) of planning permission required a scheme for the project to secure at least10% of predicted energy requirement from renewable/low-carbon sources.
ASHP reduced overall scheme consumption by 165k kWh/year compared to baseline boilers (DER). which was an improvement of 55% against baseline.
What are disadvantages of ASHPs
- Higher capital installation costs
- Requires exterior space to install unit
- Requires building envelope to be thermally efficient (well insulated)
How does a Ground and Air Source Heat Pump compare
Ground source:
- same lifespan (20 years)
- improved coefficient due to consistent temperature underground
- lower running costs
- no planning permission required
- Higher/more intrusive installation costs
- Requires larger outdoor area to lay pipework.
Government position on ASHPs
Government Heat and Buildings Strategy:
- Part of Net-Zero by 2050.
- Gas boilers banned from new builds 2025
- All Gas Boiler installations phased out by 2035
- Grants for ASHP/GSHP from 2022-2025
Explain SAP Calculations
Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) basis of compliance with Part L1A (overheating) of Build Regs 2014.
- SAP Calcs determine a Dwelling Emission Rate (DER) which compares value of energy requirements of similar dwelling to determine compliance with a Target Emissions Rate (TER)
What was Dame Judith Hackett Report?
Grenfell enquiry -
- Building Regs converted into manual
- Integrated into full PDF.
- All approved docs searchable.
What is Building Act (1984)
Primary statute and Informs the Building Regs (2010)
What is Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)
CSCS cards provide proof that individuals working on construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they do on site.
By ensuring the workforce are appropriately qualified the card plays its part in improving standards and safety on UK construction sites.
Is CSCS Legal Requirement
No, although lots of principal contractors require on projects.
