Sustainability Flashcards
What is sustainability?
Meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to do so.
What are Building Regulations?
Minimum standards for the design, construction and alterations to buildings.
Developed by government and approved by parliament.
They contain a list of requirements (Schedule 1) that are designed to ensure minimum standards for health, safety, welfare, convenience, energy efficiency etc.
A-R
Building Regs set out in Building Act 1984. Regs are made under Act and periodically updated - Government is responsible.
What part of Building Regs relates to sustainability?
Part L - Conservation of Fuel and Power
Limiting heat gains and losses
Providing and commissioning energy efficient fixed building services with effective controls
Providing the owner sufficient information about the building, the fixed building services and their maintenance requirements
What are the Parts of Building Regs?
A Structural Safety B Fire Safety C Resistance to Contaminants and Moisture D Toxic Substances E Resistance to Sound F Ventilation G Sanitation, Hot Water Safety and Water Efficiency H Drainage and Waste Disposal J Heat Producing Appliances K Protection From Falling L Conservation of Fuel and Power M Access to and Use of Buildings N Glazing Safety P Electrical Safety Q Security R Communication Networks 7 Workmanship and Materials
What is a Section 106?
An agreement used where there’s a requirement to mitigate any negative impacts of a development that the local authority cannot be dealt with through normal planning conditions.
Section 106 of XXX
What is a Section 278?
Where development requires works to be carried out on an existing highway and agreement will need to be completed between the employer and the County Council under Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980.
e.g. construction of new access / junction improvement
What is BREEAM?
Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment Method
What are the levels of certification?
Pass >30% Good >45% V.Good >55% Excellent >70% Outstanding >85%
Check these are still correct
What are the BREEAM categories?
Water Energy Waste Transport Pollution Materials Land Use and Ecology Management Innovation Health and Wellbeing
What is LEED?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
An American based Environmental Assessment
How is LEED different from BREEAM?
Rating classifications BREEAM - Pass, Good, Excellent etc.
Rating classifications LEED - Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum
Number of credits BREEAM - 30-132
Number of credits LEED - 49-80
Evidence collection BREEAM - Assessor & Accredited Professional
Evidence collection LEED - Design Team or Accredited Professional
What is SKA?
It is an environmental assessment tool for sustainable office fit-outs. Owned and operated by the RICS. (Sustainability
What does SKA stand for?
What is a DEC?
Display Energy Certificate - Raise public awareness of energy use and to inform visitors to public buildings about the energy use of a building.
How is the UK Government improving sustainability?
Reduce carbon emissions by 50% Implement Site Waste Management Plans Water and Energy Conservation Introduction of Code for Sustainable Homes Sustainable Procurement Kyoto Protocol Paris Agreement (2 Degrees mark)
What is an Environmental Impact Assessment?
Assessment of possible positive or negative impacts that a proposed project may have on the environment, consisting of environmental, social and economic impacts.
How are BREEAM assessments carried out?
In 2 stages
Design stage assessment and interim certificate
Post construction assessment and final certificate
There is an optional pre-assessment report which can help designers understand where improvements can be made
What are the Government Common Minimum Standards?
They are referred to in the Government Construction Stragey and require an environmental assessment to be carried out on all public projects. Where BREEAM is used projects are to achieve ‘Excellent’.
What is the Lisbon Treaty and how does it affect sustainability?
It is an international agreement which forms the constitutional basis of the European Union
Article 191 of the Lisbon Treaty is the Union Environmental Policy, this sets carbon emissions target for all member states
Still relevant post Brexit??… What was UK’s target
What is the Kyoto Protocol?
An international treaty within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which commits state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
What is the Paris Climate agreement?
An international agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaption and financing, starting in 2020.
It aims to;
Hold the average increase in global temperatures below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels
Increase abilities to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change
Make finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low emissions and climate resiliant development
What is a CIL?
A community infrastructure levy. Similar to a section 106 agreement however it is not necessary tied to the local area.
Types of SUDs?
Green roof
Swails
Attenuation tanks
Blue roof
SUDs = Sustainable drainage systems
What is CEEQUAL?
Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment
What is the ISO standard for sustainability / Environemental?
ISO 14,000 & 26,000 (socially responsible)
What are the parts of Part L of Building Regs?
Part L1a - New dwellings
Part L1b - Existing dwellings
Part L2a - New non-dwellings
Part L2b - Existing non-dwellings
