principles and benefits of LCA Flashcards
How is sustainability achieved in construction projects?
Achieved by using renewable and recyclable resources, reducing energy consumption and waste, creating a healthy environment, and protecting the natural environment
Sustainability is also achieved through the use of locally sourced materials, resource protection, and re-use and refurbishment of materials.
What are the stages of a construction project’s full cycle?
- Sourcing raw materials
- Building materials
- Construction
- Occupation
- Demolition
- Disposing or recycling materials
These stages cover the lifecycle assessment of a construction project.
What does the lifecycle assessment cover in a construction project?
- Extraction of raw materials
- Manufacturing
- Transportation of goods
- Construction process
- Maintenance and refurbishment
- Demolition process
- Recycling or disposal of materials
It includes all stages from raw material extraction to final disposal.
What are the spatial requirements in construction?
- Housing space standards
- Design layout
- Spatial arrangement
- Circulation space
- Number of floors
- Number of rooms
- Use and function of rooms
When future proofing a building, what factors should be considered?
- Designing for the future
- Business expansion
- Flexibility
- External potential
- Potential for remodelling
These considerations affect the commercial value of the building.
What are some project budget and economic restraints?
- Cost and benefit ratio
- Local land prices
- Available funds
- Sources for additional funding
- Life cycle costs
- Funding for infrastructure projects
What planning constraints may affect construction?
- Area of natural beauty
- Site of special scientific interest
- Tree preservation order
What is Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ)?
The overall conditions of a building’s interior, including thermal comfort, lighting, acoustics, and indoor air quality
What is the benefit of repurposing existing buildings?
Reduces impact on resource use and can extend the life cycle assessment of a building
Buildings can have a new lease of life through repurposing.
How does recycling materials impact the environment?
Reduces the impact on natural materials, decreases carbon footprint, and minimizes resource processing, manufacturing, shipping, and transport
What is architectural salvage?
Removal of decorative parts from a property, including doors, windows, panelling, moulding, and more
It supports the growing market for repairing heritage properties.
What can be done with masonry products that cannot be recycled?
They can be crushed into aggregate and used in various products like store, slate, marble, and granite
Brick and concrete can also be used as hardcore or aggregate for concrete.
What metals can be recycled indefinitely?
- Ferrous metals
- Non-ferrous metals
Scrap and reclaimed metal are ideal for reducing natural resource depletion and carbon footprint.
What is the energy saved when recycling metals compared to mining?
- Steel - 62-74%
- Copper - 87%
- Zinc - 63%
- Lead - 60%
Why is landfill discouraged?
It wastes valuable resources, can produce dangerous gases, and is costly
The UK government has implemented measures to discourage landfill use.
What happens to wood used in mimosas boilers after processing?
It is processed into animal bedding after being stressed and screened for foreign particles
What toxic gas can be produced by mixed organic materials in landfill?
Hydrogen sulphide
Plasterboard can be recycled to avoid this issue.
What legislation controls pollution and environmental protection?
- Control of Pollution Act
- Environment Protection Act
- Wildlife Countryside Act
- Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act
- Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act
- National Parks and Access to Countryside Act
- Climate Change Act
- Planning and Energy Act
- Energy Act
What is BREEAM?
A sustainability assessment method that uses a third-party certification scheme to assess the environmental, social, and economic impact of a building
