Sustainability Flashcards
What is circular economy?
In a circular economy, products and materials are reused wherever possible and residual waste kept to a minimum
What are the most common environmental issues experienced on construction sites?
Risk of Land Degradation
Risks to Flora and Fauna
Risks of Water Pollution
Air Pollution
Land contamination
Noise and Vibrations
High Energy usage and Emissions of CO2
High Wastage production into landfill
Release of dangerous gases / materials
What procedures does your firm implement to promote sustainability?
MM incorporate sustainability in STEP, STEP is an online business management system and common wat of working. Provides a process to follow. Under ‘DO’ – delivering the project if the project is developed in UK, capital cost or programme capital value: exceeding 10m then have to use the carbon portal tool. Under win proposal – confirm the tool is being used, or if not using then why.
Carbon portal – used to measure carbon savings on any project. MM have designed and produced own calculation templates for piling works, earthworks and diaphragm walls.
What regulations and codes of practice are you aware of that affect sustainability in construction?
Agricultural Land Act
Building Act 1984 – which enforces the building regulations
Clean Air Act – gives local authorities power to control air pollution
Climate Change Act 2008 – legally binding commitment to cut down emissions and greenhouse gases.
Energy Act 2011 -
Environmental Protection Act
Flood and Water Management Act
Wildlife and Countryside Act
What is the Paris Agreement?
- Legally binding international treaty concerning climate change adopted by nearly every nations following cop 21 and came into affect 2016.
- The goal is to limit global warming to well below 2°C whilst targeting levels below 1.5°C when compared to pre-industrial levels.
- Commitment from all major emitting countries to cut their climate pollution. & Creates a framework for the transparent monitoring and reporting of each individual countries progress.
Name some sustainable building methods?
Green roofs, solar panels, wind turbines, ASHP, rain water harvesting etc.
What is your understanding of the term ‘Green Roofs’?
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.
Advantages – that they absorb rainwater, provide extra insulation and increase biodiversity by providing habitat for wildlife. Aesthetically pleasing.
What is a brown roof?
A brown roof is a style of green roof designed to naturally increase biodiversity. Rather than planting specific types of sedum or wildflowers, the substrate is left to self-vegetate from windblown and bird seed dispersal, creating an all-natural habitat for flora and fauna.
What are Photovoltaics and how do they work?
Allow the conversion of sunlight into electricity
What is a soakaway and how do they work?
A soakaway is a buried drainage feature which seeks to manage surface water on the site and infiltrate into the ground, rather than discharging to an offsite location such as a watercourse or sewer
Can you explain your understanding of the term carbon neutral?
Net zero carbon emissions.
Carbon neutral means that any CO2 released into the atmosphere from a company’s activities is balanced by an equivalent amount being removed
What is meant by the term solar gain?
- Solar gain is the name given to the increase in temperature in a space, object or structure due to solar radiation, i.e. the heat from the sun
- A building can retain this solar gain by having high thermal mass or can avoid it by using reflective materials and insulation
How can solar gain be managed in buildings?
- 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
How does a ground source heat pump work?
Extract heat energy from the ground
- 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
- The cooled ground-loop fluid passes back into the ground where it absorbs further energy from the ground in a continuous process as long as heating is required.
Please explain your understanding of the term SUDS?
Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are designed to manage stormwater locally (as close its source as possible), to mimic natural drainage and encourage its infiltration, attenuation and passive treatment.
What are the benefits of a BREEAM certified building?
The benefits of BREEAM certification are numerous, including improved energy efficiency, enhanced marketability and value, and a demonstration of the building’s environmental performance to stakeholders
What are the benefits of rainwater harvesting?
Rainwater harvesting is the simple process or technology used to conserve rainwater by collecting, storing, conveying and purifying of rainwater that runs off from rooftops, parks, roads, open grounds, etc. for later use.
Less cost. Helps in reducing the water bill. Decreases the demand for water. Reduces the need for imported water. Promotes both water and energy conservation. Improves the quality and quantity of groundwater. Does not require a filtration system for landscape irrigation.
What is an EPC?
Energy performance certificates are a rating scheme to summarise the energy efficiency of buildings. The building is given a rating between A - G, the EPC will also include tips the most cost effective ways to improve your homes energy rating.
