L1 - Sustainability Flashcards
Principles of Sustainable Development
Meets present needs without impacting on future generations
Coal, Oil & Gas
Finite fossil fuels that all produce CO2 significantly contributing to climate change
Environmental sustainability
rates of renewable resources harvest, pollution creation, and non-renewable resource depletion that can be continued indefinitely.
If they cannot be continued indefinitely then they are not sustainable
E.g. use of fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas)
Economic sustainability
the ability to support a defined level of economic production indefinitely.
Social sustainability (5)
liveability
health equity
community development
human rights
labour rights
How national and international legislation, regulations and taxation relating to sustainability affect construction: Climate Control Regulations – Climate change act;
Reduce UK emissions by 26% 2020, 80% 2050
Energy Act 2011;
Tackle barrier to investment in energy efficiency.
EPC rating of F&G not lettable
Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC);
Improve energy efficiency by encouragement
Kyoto Protocol;
Linked to UN framework binding internationally emission reductions
SKA (RICS);
Non-domestic fit outs,
reduce utility operating costs,
promotes low carbon buildings,
improves occupier engagement
LEED;
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(American based Environment Assessment
Energy Performance Certificates:
All Buildings require an EPC which outlines the energy performance of the property.
Providing indicative costs and what could be done to improve the efficiency of the property.
Display Energy Certificates:
DEC’s display actual energy consumption of public buildings to provide transparency about the energy efficiency of publicly owned buildings.
BREEAM; add example
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.
Environmental performance of new & existing buildings.
Management,
Health,
Energy,
Transport,
Water,
Materials,
Waste,
Ecology,
Pollution,
Innovation
Building Regs and Codes (sustainability);
standards for design,
construction and alteration works aimed to achieve health,
safety,
welfare,
convenience,
energy efficiency
sustainability.
Building Regs
Part A: Structural Safety
Part B: Fire Safety
Part C: Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture
Part D: Toxic Substances
Part E: Resistance to passage of sound
Part F: Ventilation
Part G: Sanitation, Hot Water Safety and Water Efficiency
Part H: Drainage and waste disposal
Part J: Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
Part K: Protection from falling, collision and impact
Part L: Conservation of fuel and power
Part M: Access to and use of buildings
Part P: Electrical safety
Part Q: Security: Dwellings
Part R: In-building physical infrastructure
Brownfield sites:
Already developed land that is now derelict land.
Typically requires clearing and/or remediation if contaminated.
Greenfield;
Not previously built on.
Does not need remediation (cheaper to build but harder to get planning).
Encourages urban sprawl
Contaminated land:
any substance which may become harmful to people or buildings.
Corrosive, explosive, flammable, radioactive or toxic.
Typical sources;
chemical works, docklands, landfill/disposal, petrol station.
Clean up type;
1. Excavation, removal and disposal.
2. Limit spread
3. Treatment to Destroy, Remove or Detoxify.
The principles of material resource efficiency within the supply chain
MMC; Greater efficiency realised over the course of the project as elements are put together off site;
less wastage
construction requires less labour,
quicker
reduces H&S risks
Waste Management Plan
Likely waste,
quantities,
who will remove,
location of waste sites,
process of recording waste movement
Recyclable materials
Glass,
paper,
cardboard,
metal,
tires,
textiles,
batteries.
Composting food and garden waste.
Sustainable materials
Don’t deplete natural resources or detrimentally impact the environment;
Bamboo,
Wood,
Wool,
Linen,
Straw,
Clay,
Stone,
Coconut.
The principles of how design, technology and construction processes can contribute to sustainable building –
viewing the construction process holistically
e.g. BREEAM aids sustainable building by considering not just post completion efficiency but construction processes
and supply chain.
Water Conservation;
Focus on 6 categories;
cold & hot water supply,
efficiency,
sanitary,
washing,
food preparation
Energy Generation:
Sustainable energy can be:
solar
wind
hydro
geothermal
biomass (natural fuel e.g. wood).
Solar photovoltaics:
PV panels are typically placed on roofs or unfarmed land
Solar thermal energy:
Energy from the sun is harvested to be used as heat for building systems
Geothermal energy
Natural heat energy stored in the earth itself.
This can be used for electricity generation,
space heating,
hot water heating.
Ground source
heat pumps works by using the evaporation and condensing of a refrigerant to move heat from one place to another
Air-source
heat pumps extract heat from outside in a similar way to ground source heat pumps.
Tidal range:
The difference between high and low tide
captured by turbine blades
generate electricity.
Wave Power
As wind blows over the surface water
the energy from the waves can
captured by power turbines that generate electricity.
Wind power:
Wind can be converted into electricity
by wind turbines
whether on or offshore.
Biomass:
Organic materials that can be used as fuels.
Biomass can be replaced relatively quickly.
They are used in the form of pellets
burned in boilers as a heating source.
Organic waste:
Waste can be incinerated at 850C and the
energy can be harvested for
use as electricity or heat.
Energy conservation:
In passive solar building design,
windows, walls, and floors
made to collect, store, and distribute solar energy in the
form of heat in the winter and
reject solar heat in the summer.
It does not involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices.
Life cycle costing; example
BUILDING COSTS ONLY
Construction,
maintenance,
operational and
disposal costs.
Whole life costing;
FULL FINANCIAL OVERVIEW -
Includes Life Cycle costs
PLUS Non-construction costs
(design fees, land purchase, S106, finance etc),
income,
agency/marketing
Cost benefit analysis;
reviews the value/equity/income against the cost from the proposal and
whether the outcome is commercially viable.
From a sustainability perspective the change in materials and cost of fitting may not be able to be justified.
Carbon estimating; example of good vs bad
A carbon footprint is an estimate
of the climate change impact of an activity.
Buildings/property vs the environment – Energy use;
Passive vs gas CHS
Land use; existing vs new
Green belt (untouched) vs
brownfield (already in use)
Biodiversity;
Preserve existing wildlife e.g. butterfly mounds
Water;
Discharge (diesel, paint, chemical)
from construction into nearby river or SW run off
Sustainable Materials;
wood,
wool,
stone
Steel
Pollution;
Use of diesel engines, demolition
Waste minimisation;
Large quantities of material requiring disposal
e.g. insulation,
concrete,
tiles
Design considerations – site; best approach to sustainability
Green vs brownfield
Design considerations building form;
solar gain
Design considerations materials; example
sustainable
Design considerations lighting;
use of natural light
Design considerations ventilation;
natural through aligning building with prevailing wind
Design considerations heating;
insulation, solar gain
Design considerations drainage;
Permeable paving,
swales,
Rainwater harvesting,
Green roofs
