Sustainability Flashcards
How would you define sustainability in construction ?
Sustainability is based on three pillars:
a) economic - Efficient use of resource, including labour and ensuring that design and construction meets the current and functional needs of the users.
b) environmental - Preventing harmful and potentially irreversible impacts on the environment by the careful use of natural resource, minimizing waste and energy. Measure of the carbon footprint of the building.
c) social - Development should respond to the needs of wider community.
Why is sustainability important in construction ?
Construction makes up 10% to 15% of world’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
Approximately 40% of global waste comes from construction.
What do you understand by sustainable construction ?
Sustainable Construction means “Using recyclable and renewable materials in building projects and minimizing energy consumption and waste production.
The primary goal of sustainable construction is to reduce its impact on the environment.
It is not just an approach to the construction process, but also must consider the impact of the building during its lifetime and at its demolition.
The design should have a minimal impact on the environment over the structures lifespan and should incorporate elements and materials that have a continuous influence on the structure’s environmental impact such as efficient heating systems, insulation, solar panels
How design can impact sustainability ?
Design should not only limit carbon emissions during use, but it should also seek to use materials that have a low carbon footprint, measured from extraction of raw materials, through the manufacturing process and to the final incorporation in a building.
Sustainable materials -
The use of materials that come from sustainable sources such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified timber.
Using materials with low embedded carbon.
Using materials that can be repurposed at the end of the building’s life or recycled
Using materials in a way that eliminates or minimises waste
Waste -
Minimising waste by ordering exact quantities, having components sized at the factory rather than cut on site, restoring over-ordered materials, using prefabricated components, proper storage, segregation for recycling where possible rather than disposal, using materials that can be repurposed or recycled, maintaining a site waste management plan.
Avoid using materials that have no further useful value where possible.
How sustainability can be measured ?
By assessing performance of Social, Economic and Environmental principles.
Cam also be measured using one of the construction sustainability assessments such as BREEAM, SKA and LEED
BREEAM is the principal system in the UK
LEED is the system used globally
SKA is project driven and only covers fit-out/refurbishment. It helps to assess fit-out projects against a set of sustainability good practice criteria.
BREEAM, LEED and WELL apply to all phases of the build and cover new builds and fit-out/refurbishment, where as SKA is project driven and only covers fit-out/refurbishment.
What regulations and code of practice govern the construction industry’s approach to sustainability ?
Building Regulation Part L (conservation of fuel and power)
Code of sustainable homes / buildings
EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for all buildings when they are. constructed, sold or rented out ) / DECs Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for large, public buildings occupied by public authorities or institutions providing a public service to a large number of people.
Site Waste Management Plan
BREEAM and other assessments methods
Certification of Buildings - (Sustainable building certifications are used to assess and recognise buildings which meet certain sustainability requirements or standards).
What measure does your company take in relation to sustainability ?
Recycling points
Lights are switched on times or sensors
LED lighting (Because of their long service life, the replacement rate and disposal rate are lower, while fewer luminaires need to be produced).
Car shares or use of public transport
How does ground source heat pump works ?
It absorbs the energy from the sun warming the ground. It comprises of a series of pipes buried underground, which extract this solar energy, which is then converted into heat for use in home.
How does air source heat pump work ?
An air source heat pump takes heat from the air and boosts it to a higher temperature using a compressor. It then transfers the heat to the heating system in the home. It works a bit like a refrigerator in reverse.
What is the difference between softwood and hardwood ?
The main difference between hardwood and softwood is that hardwood trees are typically slower growers and are come from deciduous trees (shed their leaves annually), which leads to a denser wood, whereas softwood trees are evergreen trees (do not shed their leaves).
What is key UK legislation regarding sustainability ?
Climate Change Act 2008 which sets a legally binding target for for 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emission by 2050 compared to a 1990 baseline.
The Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act 2004 creates new purposes to make Building Regulations on these topics.
Energy Act 2011 - tackles barriers to investment in energy efficiency and enables investments in energy efficiency.
Building Regulations Part L Conservation of Fuel and Power. The regulation moved away from the historic U-values approach to a system closely tied to the amount of carbon being used by a building.
What is greenhouse gas emission ?
The emission into the earth’s atmosphere of any of various gases, especially carbon dioxide (from burning fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas) that contribute to the greenhouse effect, which contributes to climate change.
What is circular economy ?
The circular economy is an alternative to the standard, linear economy of make, use and dispose. Instead, it aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible, and then recover or recycle the materials at end of life.
What are three principles of circular economy ?
A circular economy is based on three principles
Eliminate waste and pollution
Circulate products and materials at their highest value
Regenerate nature
