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RICS APC > Sustainability > Flashcards

Sustainability Flashcards

1
Q

What is sustainability?

A

Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future.

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2
Q

Why is sustainability important?

A

The construction industry has a huge impact on the environment, accounting for 36% of worldwide energy usage and 40% of CO2 emissions.
Waste and pollution can affect the environment and health of people living in the area. Sustainability encourages an environment, community etc to support itself and surroundings.

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3
Q

What are the factors to consider with sustainability?

A

Economic - Respond to the needs of the wider community.
Social - Efficient use of resource, including labour and ensuring design and construction meet the needs of users.
Environmental - Preventing harmful and potentially irreversible impacts on the environment.

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4
Q

What are the 7 elements of sustainable building?

A

Insulation
Air tightness
Thermal Mass
Natural Light
Sustainable Material
Structural Systems
Deployment of renewable technologies

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5
Q

What is sustainable development?

A

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future

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6
Q

Over what period do you measure/access the impact of a building?

A

The entire life cycle, not just construction.

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7
Q

What is your companies sustainability policy ?

A

Reducing the use of printed materials
Recycled bins around the office
Use of public transport

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8
Q

What is COP27 and what does COP stand for?

A

COP is the Conference of the Parties and is attended by countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - a treaty agreed in 1994.
The 2021 meeting was the 26th meeting which is why it’s called COP26.

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9
Q

What happened at COP27?

A

$130 trillion of private capital to accelerate the transition to a net-zero carbon economy.

Santiago Network was finalised, providing technical support to developing countries for loss and damage caused by climate change (warning systems and excavation)

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10
Q

What are the most common environmental issues experienced on
construction sites?

A

Risks of Water Pollution.
Air and Noise Pollution.
High Energy Consumption and carbon emissions.
Risk of land contamination.
Damage to wild habitats.
High Wastage production into landfill.
Release of dangerous gases and chemicals.

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11
Q

What is the Paris Agreement?

A

In 2015 a global framework was set out to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees and pursuing efforts to limit to 1.5 degrees. Came into effect in 2016.
Each country must determine, plan and regularly report on the contribution that it undertakes to mitigate climate change.

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12
Q

Give me some examples of how the energy performance of existing building can be improved using a recent project as an example?

A

Double glazed windows
Insulation upgrade
A* rated boiler
Renewable energy
Sustainable materials
Local workforce

On Farrel, the inclusion of PV Panels has been proposed to increase the energy efficiency of the building.

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13
Q

Explain what you understand by the term “Cold Bridging”.

A

Cold Bridging is where one element of the structure is colder than another element of the structure. The direct connection between the inside and outside through the more thermally conductive elements results in a wasteful heat transfer. The internal surface temperature will be different from other, better insulated internal surfaces and there may be condensation where warm, moist internal air comes into contact with the, potentially cold, surface. This condensation can result in mould growth.

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14
Q

Give me some examples of how you can avoid Cold Bridging.

A

Overlaps and extending insulation where vulnerable.
Carrying insulation down via roofs to walls.

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15
Q

What is a Brownfield Site?

A

Brownfield land refers to land that has been previously used for industrial purposes, or commercial usage and is now being redeveloped.

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16
Q

What is a Greenfield site?

A

Sites or land that is not constrained by any existing buildings or structures. It is the opposite of Brownfield land.

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17
Q

What is Embodied carbon?

A

Embodied carbon is considering all of the carbon that will be used in the creating of a product. From sourcing the materials, manufacture, delivery, construction, and disposal.

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18
Q

What is BREEAM ?

A

BREEAM – Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

Performance based assessment and certification scheme for new builds and refurbishment projects

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19
Q

What are the BREEAM ratings?

A

Unclassified
Pass >30%
Good >45%
V.Good >55%
Excellent >70%
Outstanding >85%

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20
Q

What are the BREEAM categories?

A

A method of assessing the sustainability of a building in terms of its design, construction and operation.

Water
Energy
Waste
Transport
Pollution
Materials
Land Use and Ecology
Management
Innovation
Health and Wellbeing

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21
Q

How is LEED different from BREEAM?

A

Rating classifications BREEAM - Pass, Good, Excellent etc.
Rating classifications LEED - Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum

Evidence collection BREEAM - Assessor & Accredited Professional
Evidence collection LEED - Design Team or Accredited Professional

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22
Q

What is a Section 106?

A

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.

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23
Q

What is a Section 278?

A

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.

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24
Q

What is LEED?

A

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
An American based Environmental Assessment.

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25
Q

What is SKA?

A

It is an environmental assessment tool for sustainable office fit-outs.
Owned and operated by the RICS.

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26
Q

How is the UK Government improving sustainability?

A

Reduce carbon emissions by 50%.
Implement Site Waste Management Plans.
Water and Energy Conservation.
Sustainable Procurement.
Paris Agreement.

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27
Q

What is an Environmental Impact Assessment?

A

Assessment of possible positive or negative impacts that a proposed project may have on the environment, consisting of environmental, social and economic impacts.

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28
Q

How are BREEAM assessments carried out?

A

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.

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29
Q

What is a CIL?

A

A Community Infrastructure Levy.
Similar to a section 106 agreement however it is not necessary tied to the local area.

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30
Q

Types of SUDs?

A

SUDs = Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
SUDS will slow down surface water run off by allowing it to infiltrate and soak into natural contours and landscapes.
Green roof
Swales
Attenuation tanks
Rainwater harvesting

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31
Q

What are the parts of Part L of Building Regs?

A

Part L - Conservation of Fuel & Power
Part L1a - New dwellings
Part L1b - Existing dwellings
Part L2a - New non-dwellings
Part L2b - Existing non-dwellings

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32
Q

What are the Energy Performance Regulation 2012?

A

Legislation that makes EPCs and DECs a legal requirement.

33
Q

How do you price a green roof?

A

Inverted insulation
Membrane
Ballast
Drainage layer
Soil
Plants

34
Q

What is an EPC?

A

Energy Performance Certificate
The document sets out the energy efficiency of a property on a traffic light system of A-G. A being the most efficient.
An EPC provides an indication of how much it will cost to heat and power a property, as well as energy use.
Provides recommendations of energy efficient improvements and the cost of carrying them out. Provides potential savings from carrying them out.
Required before a building is marketed for sale or rent.
Once obtained, an EPC is valid for 10 years.

35
Q

Is the Code for Sustainable Homes still a requirement?

A

No, scrapped in 2015.
Now picked up as part of building regs & BRE standards.

36
Q

What current challenges is Covid and/or Brexit bringing to Sustainability?

A

Material shortages.
Improved air quality in some places, reduced travel & made everyone think about what is really necessary.
PPE protection that is non bio-degradable - helping to increase awareness on long term sustainability.
Brexit - shortage of lorry drivers saw shortages in fuel. May help encourage more electric car demand.
More demand for electric car charging stations & fast charge points required in all new homes from 2022.

37
Q

What does MEES mean?

A

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard
To set a minimum EPC rating of E for rented residential or commercial buildings.

38
Q

What is a U Value?

A

Thermal transmittance.
How effective a material is as an insulator.
The lower the value, the better the material is as a heat insulator.

39
Q

What is a G value?

A

A measure of how much solar heat (infrared radiation) is allowed in through a particular part of a building.

40
Q

What is net carbon zero?

A

Carbon neutrality, or having a net zero carbon footprint, refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset.
Or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference.

41
Q

What is the RICS futures report 2020?

A

Detailing how community & industry are changing the focus to technology & sustainable goals.

42
Q

What is a Well rating?

A

Assessment rating for wellness of inhabitants.
More focused on end user - quality of air, water & food – CBRE office platinum 2021.

43
Q

What is passive haus?

A

Passivhaus or ‘Passive House’ is an energy performance standard for dwellings, commercial, industrial and public buildings that can be adopted throughout the world.
For very low energy buildings, which can help create buildings that use 90% less energy than standard UK buildings.

The Passivhaus standard can be achieved by measures including:
Shading.
Pre-cooling of the supply air.
Natural ventilation.
Air-tightness.
Mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR).
Insulation.
Avoidance of thermal bridges.
Passive solar gains.
Exploitation of internal heat sources.

44
Q

What are carbon emissions?

A

There are both natural and human sources of carbon dioxide emissions. Natural sources include decomposition, ocean release and respiration.
Human sources come from activities like burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation, deforestation.

45
Q

What do you understand by EDGE - Economic dividends for gender equality?

A

EDGE is the leading global assessment methodology and business certification standard for gender and intersectional equity.
It measures where organisations stand in terms of representation, pay equity and inclusiveness of their culture.

46
Q

What are the key pieces of legislation that affect sustainability in
construction?

A

Energy Act 2011
Energy Efficiency Regulations 2015
Environment Act 2021
Building Act – This is the primary piece of UK Legislation that enables the Building Regulations to be enforced.
Climate Change Act 2008 – This is a legally binding framework to tackle climate change. It imposed targets to cut greenhouse emissions compared with 1990 levels. 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.

47
Q

What are the different forms of taxation relating to sustainability?

A

Landfill Tax which is an environmental tax payable in addition to landfill rates charged by private disposal companies.
The tax was introduced as a means to encourage alternative methods of disposal such as recycling.
The tax is charged by weight at varying rates depending on whether the waste is inert or active.

48
Q

Name some sustainable building methods?

A

Use of recycled materials such as reclaimed timber, recycled tiles and plastics.
Ground Source Heat Pumps.
Air Source Heat Pumps.
Solar Panels.
Wind Turbines.
Solar Shading.
Rain water harvesting.
Green Roofs.
Automated Building Systems (Lighting sensors).
Natural ventilation
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)

49
Q

What is your understanding of the term ‘Green Roofs’?

A

A green roof is a roof covering that is partially or completely covered with vegetation that is placed over a waterproof membrane.
Additional layers such as drainage layers, irrigation systems or root barriers may also be placed over the membrane.

50
Q

What are the advantages of ‘Green Roofs’?

A

Advantages of Green Roofs are that they absorb rainwater, provide extra insulation, increase
biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife, are aesthetically pleasing and lower urban air
temperatures.

51
Q

What are Photovoltaics (PV’s) and how do they work?

A

Photovoltaics allow the conversion of sunlight into electricity.
Sunlight contains energy known as photons.
When photons hit solar modules within the solar panel they cause electrons to flow through the bottom layer.
The movement of electrons generates electricity that flows to an inverter.
The inverter converts DC electricity into AC that is then used to power the building.

52
Q

What is a soakaway and how do they work?

A

Soakaways offer a means of surface water drainage attenuation.
They consist of large holes or pits that receive surface water from a drainage pipe.
The soakaway allows the collected surface water to gradually infiltrate through the soil.

53
Q

What is meant by the term solar gain?

A

Solar gain is the name given to the increase in temperature in a space, object or structure due to solar radiation (the heat from the sun).

54
Q

How can solar gain be managed in buildings?

A

Limiting the size and area of openings such as doors and windows.
Shading or orientating doors and windows from direct sunlight.
Using reflective materials on the glass and building fabric.
Insulating walls and roof spaces to prevent indirect solar gains into the building.

55
Q

How does a ground source heat pump work?

A

Heat from the ground is absorbed at low temperatures into a fluid inside a loop of pipe (a ground loop) buried underground.
The fluid then passes through a compressor that raises it to a higher temperature, which can then heat water for the heating and hot water circuits of the house.

56
Q

How does rainwater harvesting work?

A

Collecting rainwater from a buildings roof or other surfaces.
Passes through a filter to eliminate debris and is stored underground.
The stored water can then be pumped to areas that need it i.e.. flushing toilets, washing machines, gardening etc.

57
Q

What are the key advantages of BREEAM certification?

A

Demonstrates a level of achievement.
Compliance can lower environmental impact.
Can reduce operating costs.
Improves marketability of client/developer.

58
Q

What is the SBEM tool?

A

Simplified Building Energy Model.
Calculation of the energy performance of a new commercial/industrial/retail building.
Used to generate EPC’s for non domestic buildings.

59
Q

What is the key target of the climate change act ?

A

Carbon neutral by 2050.

60
Q

L1 - What is the legislation in the UK that deals with the issue of sustainability in building construction?

A

Climate Change Act 2008
Energy Act 2011
Energy Efficiency Regulations 2015

61
Q

L1 - What is an EPC?

A

Energy Performance Certificate.

62
Q

L1 - When would an EPC document be required?

A

Required before a building is marketed for sale or rent.

63
Q

L1 - How are the requirements BREEAM, which itself is not a legally binding document, enforced?

A

It can be made a contractually-binding requirement, stipulating a certified rating of pass, good, very good, excellent, or outstanding.

64
Q

L1 - What steps do you take in your business activity to ensure that your company operates in a sustainable manner?

A

When the opportunity arises I will car share when travelling to site.

65
Q

L1 - Can you give me an example of a method of sustainable construction?

A

A method of sustainable construction would be the use of recycled materials.

66
Q

L1 - Give an example of a sustainable product or technology that you have encountered?

A

PV panels.

67
Q

L1 - Is the Code for Sustainable Homes still a requirement?

A

No, it has now been superseded by updated building regulations.

68
Q

L1 - What are the levels for BREEAM? How are they achieved?

A

Unclassified
Pass >30%
Good >45%
V.Good >55%
Excellent >70%
Outstanding >85%

69
Q

L1 - What Building Regulations parts cover sustainability?

A

Building Regulations Part L - Conservation of Fuel and Power

70
Q

L1 - What current challenges is Covid and/or Brexit bringing to Sustainability?

A

Material Shortages and shortage of lorry drivers
Improved air quality
Greater demand for electric car charging points

71
Q

Name some different legislation on reducing greenhouse gases?

A

Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener
Sixth Carbon Budget

72
Q

Can you name 5 of the sustainable development goals?

A
  1. End Poverty
  2. End Hunger
  3. Achieve Gender Equality
  4. Sustainable Cities and Communities
  5. Clean Water and Sanitation
73
Q

What is NPPF?

A

National Planning Policy Framework.

74
Q

Have there been any updates to part L of the building regulations?

A

From 15 June 2022 an important update to the Building Regulations will take place which includes an uplift to Part L.
All new homes must produce 31% less carbon emissions than what is currently acceptable in the present Part L regulations.

75
Q

How is BREEAM measured?

A

Each of the categories are scored and then multiplied by the weighting.
Undertaken in 2 stages, 1st during the design stage and 2nd post construction.
Interim and final certificates are issued.

76
Q

How does a ground source heat pump work?

A

They are made up of a ground loop (a network of pipes buried underground) and a heat pump at ground level.
Fluids are pumped through the ground loop which absorb naturally occurring heat stored in the ground.
The liquid is compressed and goes through a heat exchanger, which extracts the heat and transfers it to the heat pump.
The heat is then transferred to the heating system in the building.

77
Q

Where was COP 28 held?

A

Dubai

78
Q

What were the key take aways from COP 28?

A

Fund third world countires impacted by climate change and move away from fossil fuels in energy.

Also launched 30 billion private captial in low carbon, resillent projects

RICS APC (20 decks)

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