enviornmental science Flashcards
What are examples of natural materials used in buildings?
- Timber (softwood or hardwood)
- Aggregate (stone)
- Clay (white, brown, blue etc)
- Iron ore (melted to make steel)
These materials are commonly utilized in construction for their availability and properties.
What does LCA stand for in environmental assessment?
Life Cycle Assessment
LCA evaluates the environmental impacts of a product throughout its life cycle.
What are the main stages LCA looks at?
- Extraction of relevant raw materials
- Refinement and conversion of process materials
- Manufacturing and packing processes
- Transportation and distribution at each stage
- Operations during its lifetime
- End of life (final transportation, water treatment, disposal)
These stages help quantify the environmental impacts associated with a product.
Define Embodied Energy.
A term used to quantify energy consumed by all activities associated with a production process
It includes energy from resource acquisition to product delivery.
What is the difference between (PER) and (GER)?
- PER: Process Energy Requirement - energy inputs from raw materials extraction to finished product
- GER: Gross Energy Requirements - includes all direct and indirect energy inputs from extraction to eventual disposal
Understanding these metrics is crucial for evaluating energy efficiency.
How can embodied energy be lowered?
- Reuse of building materials if in good condition
This can save around 95% of the energy typically consumed.
What does BREEAM stand for?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
It sets best practice standards for environmental performance of buildings.
What are the key assessment topics of BREEAM?
- Design
- Specifications
- Construction
- Operations
These topics help establish benchmarks for building development.
What are the scoring categories for BREEAM?
- Outstanding = 85+
- Excellent = 70+
- Very Good = 55+
- Good = 45+
- Pass = 30+
- Unclassified = 30-
These categories reflect the overall environmental performance of a building.
What does LEED stand for?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
It is a voluntary environmental certification system developed in the US.
What types of projects can LEED apply to?
- Hospitals
- Schools
- New construction
- Retail
- Housing
- Commercial
- Existing buildings
- Interiors
LEED is versatile and applicable to various building types.
What are the score ranges for LEED certification?
- Certified (40-49 points)
- Silver (50-59 points)
- Gold (60-79 points)
- Platinum (80+)
These scores indicate the level of sustainability achieved.
What is the purpose of the Green Star rating system?
To provide a framework for best practice benchmarks for sustainability
It aims to reduce climate change impacts and enhance quality of life.
What are the scoring categories for Green Star?
- Energy
- Water
- Management
- Innovation
- Land use and ecology
- Transport
- Material emissions
- Indoor environmental qualities
Ratings are based on these categories, ranging from 1-6.
What are the rating levels for Green Star?
- 1 - Minimum practice (10+)
- 2 - Average practice (20+)
- 3 - Good practice (30+)
- 4 - Best practice (45+)
- 5 - Australian excellence (60+)
- 6 - World leadership (75+)
These levels indicate the performance rating of sustainability.
What does Estidma stand for?
Sustainability in Arabic
It is a method of rating used in hotter countries.
What are the values of Estidma?
- Environment
- Social
- Economic
- Cultural
These values guide the sustainability assessments.
What are the three different rating systems under Estidma?
- Pearl Community Building System (PCBS)
- Pearl Building Rating System (PBRS)
- Pearl Community Rating System (PCRS)
These systems provide structured assessments for sustainability.
