Sustainability Flashcards
Why is sustainability important in construction?
Because the construction industry has a huge impact on the environment, it accounts for 36% of global energy consumption and 40% of CO2 emission.
Construction can also result in hazardous waste.
What is meant by sustainable development/sustainability?
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future.
What are the three pillars of sustainability?
Environmental, Economic, Social
What is environmental sustainability?
Preventing harmful and potentially irreversible effects to the environment, by the careful use of resources, minimising of waste and energy to protect and enhance the environment where possible.
What is social sustainability?
Development that meets the needs of the wider community, i.e., brings social value such as creation of local labour
What is economic sustainability?
Efficient use of resource, including labour and ensuring design and construction meets the functional needs of the user, i.e., does it represent value for money?
How can you measure sustainability?
Assessing performance against social, environmental and economic principles.
Construction sustainability assessments e.g., BREEAM, LEED.
What is the Paris agreement?
An international treaty on climate change, that sets out a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming below 2c and making efforts to limit below 1.5c.
What measures does G&T take in relation to sustainability?
- Recycling
- Light sensors
- LED lighting
- Paperless
- Promotion of use of public transport
What is Part L of the building regulations?
Conservation of fuel and power
What are the changes to Part L
Higher performance targets (31% reduction in CO2 for dwellings, 27% for other buildings) and a focus on low carbon heating systems
What technologies are available to help meet Part L?
- PV cells
- GSHP
- Green roofs
- Wind turbines
What are green roofs?
Roofs that are partially or completely covered in vegetation. Vegetation usually planted on a drainage membrane and waterproofing layer.
- Helps with drainage, thermal insulation, air quality and ecology
What is a U value?
Measures how effective of an insulator a material is. Lower value is a better heat insulator
How do PVs work?
Convert sunlight into energy.
Sunlight knocks electrons loose from atoms, electrical conductors capture electrons as a current. This is then used for energy.
How do GSHP work?
Fluid runs through a ground loop (network of pipes underground), which conduct geothermal energy. The fluid is compressed and goes through a heat exchanger which extracts the heat and transfers it to a heat pump which is then transferred into the heating system in the building.
How does RWH work?
Rainwater is collected, filtered and stored in a tank.
This water can then be pumped into places where it is needed. Used for applications such as
- Flushing toilets
- In washing machines
- Gardening/irrigation
What is BREEAM?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.
- Third party certification and assessment of the sustainability performance of buildings an infrastructure projects.
- Assessment takes place at various stages from design through to operation and refurbishment.
What are the BREEAM assessment categories?
- Management
- Health and wellbeing
- Energy
- Transport
- Water
- Materials
- Waste
- Land use and Ecology
- Pollution
- Innovation
What are the key advantages of BREEAM?
- Demonstrates level of achievement
- Compliance can lower env impact
- Improves internal env therefore can improve productivity
- Can reduce operating costs
- Improves marketability for the client/developer
What are BREEAM thresholds?
Unclassified <30%
Pass >30%
Good >45%
Very Good > 55%
Excellent >70%
Outstanding >85%
What is LEED?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Similar to BREEAM, it is a tool for assessing the sustainability of a building.
What are some LEED categories?
- Site
- Water efficiency
- Indoor environment quality
- Materials and resources
- Energy and atmosphere
- Location and transportation
- Innovation
- Education and awareness
How is LEED rated?
Certified
Silver
Gold
Platinum
What are the differences between BREEAM and LEED?
BREEAM required assessors to be trained whereas LEED, anybody can submit evidence to the USGBC who does the reviewing.
Cost uplift associated with BREEAM?
Excellent -> outstanding is 8-10% but can depend on what is being carried out.
Disadvantages of BREEAM?
- Complex weighting system
- Costly to comply
- Tickbox exercise with cooincidental credits e.g. proximity to a train station
What is SKA?
RICS environmental assessment model which is specific to fit out projects. Started in response to industry feedback that BREEAM were of low relevance to fit out.
What does SKA look at?
Has good practice measures that look at things such as; energy, CO2, waste, materials and wellbeing
What are the SKA ratings?
Bronze 25-49%
Silver 50-74%
Gold 75-100%
Define net zero carbon in the context of new build construction?
When the amount of carbon associated with a buildings construction stages up to PC is negative or zero, through the use of offsets or the net export of on site renewable energy.
Define net zero carbon in the context of operational energy for a building in use?
When carbon emissions associated with operational energy (annually) is zero or negative. Highly energy efficient powered by onsite or off site renewables, with any remaining carbon balance off set.
What is a DEC?
Display Energy Certificate - shows energy performance of public buildings on a scale of A-G
What are EPCs?
Energy Performance Certificate
Asset rating valid for 10 years that sets out how energy efficient a building is. Range from A-G.
- Includes recommendations of energy efficiency improvements, costs associated and potential cost savings.
What are MEES?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, they were introduced to set a minimum EPC rating of E for resi and commercial buildings. From April 2023 they will also apply to existing leases for commercial buildings.
What is WELL?
A sustainability rating system that focuses on the occupants of a building. Based on concepts such as air, light, thermal comfort, community etc..
WELL certification categories?
Silver 50 points
Gold 60 points
Platinum 80 points
Needs to be reassessed every 3 years.
What is a SWMP?
A plan that details the amount and type of waste that will be produced on a construction site and how it will be reused, recycled or disposed of.
Are SWMP compulsory?
SWMP Regulations 2008 used to be compulsory for construction projects over £300k. However, since 2013 they are no longer compulsory.
They may still be a requirement for BREEAM assessments or by the local planning authority.
What are capital allowances (in context of sustainability)?
Tax relief on the purchase of assets, designed to encourage the upgrade of older and inefficient equipment e.g., plant.
What is the code for sustainable homes?
A method for assessing and certifying the sustainable design and construction of new homes. Was mandatory from 2008-2015.
Nine categories including:
- Energy, water, waste, pollution
What is LCC?
Looks at the cost of construction, operation, maintenance and demo/disposal of a building over a specified period of time.
Outputs a single sum representing the capital cost and future cash flows
What is LCC used for?
- To predict cashflow (to construction to a budget)
- To carry out an operational appraisal
LCC examples?
- Higher expenditure on a building’s fabric may lead to lower operational energy expenditure.
- Lighter weight more expensive cladding system may help save cost on frame and foundations, but will be more expensive to maintain/replace.
Benefits of LCC?
- Value is maximised as costs are evaluated over their whole life.
- Promotes realistic budgeting for operation, maintenance and repair.
- Encourages discussion about durability of materials and components from the outset
What is NPV in terms of LCC?
Net present value. Gives meaning to a LCC for a client. It is the difference between inflow and outflow.
Current cost - depreciation + inflation = NPV
Positive would represent profitability.
How do tax allowances impact on LCC?
As the cost of an asset decreases over the life cycle, the amount of tax that can be deducted increases.
What is a sinking fund?
A fund created to save money for infrequent, high value expenditure. E.g., roof repairs.
What sources of cost data are available for LCC?
BCIS, internal cost data etc for construction costs
Maintenance cost sources in NRM 3
Data from manufacturers, suppliers etc..
Data from modelling
A developer is building an office block to sell or let. How can LCC be beneficial?
Would allow them to review the expected outturn cost and potential ROI. This can them be sued to determine if they would benefit more from letting or selling the block.
What is WLC?
An assessment of the total costsof ownershp of a building. Considers costs such as land acquisition, fees, tax, revenue and externalities.
Requires input from other professionals in other sectors such as accountants and valuers.
What are the advantages of WLC?
- Can help to determine, before construction, if a project is feasible/profitable
- Encourages more holistic approach to construction, sustainable measures are more readily considered if they have a cost benefit over the lifetime of a building.
What are the disadvantages of WLC?
- Accuracy/ reliability
- Exepensive
How does WLC relate to government procurement strategies?
Undertaken on PFI projects
When should WLC be carried out?
During the early stages of a project whilst design can still be significantly altered.
What design considerations would you expect an architect to make when designing a sustainable building?
- Maximising daylight
- Natural ventillation
- Material selection
- Material reuse
How might design help to reduce water consumption?
RWH
Aerator on taps
smaller sinks
vaccum toilets
How might design help to conserve energy?
Triple glazing
Thick external walls
Good insulation
Take advantage of sunlight
Name some acts and regulations that relate to sustainability in the UK?
Clean air act 1993
Climate change act 2008
Building regulations
MEES
What is the climate change act 2008?
Commitment to reduce GHG emissions by 80% by 2050 (1990 base)
Policies relating to corporate emissions
Committee of climate change advise govt
