Sustainability

Question 1

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

Answer 1

The Environment Act 2021
Climate Change Act 2008
Building Regulation Part L - conservation of fuel and power
Zero Carbon Homes Policy
BREEAM

Question 2

What is an EPC?

Answer 2

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) tells you how energy efficient a property is.

An EPC contains information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs and steps to improve a property’s energy efficiency.

An EPC gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (best) to G (worst) and is valid for 10 years.

Question 3

When would an EPC be required?

Answer 3

1. selling a property
2. renting out a property
3. building a new property

Question 4

What is the role of the BRE?

Answer 4

The role of the BRE is to delivers innovative and rigorous products, services, standards and qualifications to make buildings better for people and the environment.

Question 5

How are the requirements BREEAM, which itself is nor legally binding document, enforced?

Answer 5

The requirements set out in the BREEAM can be included in project specifications and be an enforceable part of the contract.

Question 6

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

Answer 6

1. Maintenance only drives electric vans round London
2. Promote file saving on computers, and try not to print out emails etc.
3. Recycling on construction jobs

Question 7

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

Answer 7

• Wind turbines
• Photovoltaic cells
• Ground source heat pumps
• Rainwater harvesting
• Green roofs
• Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems

Question 8

How do you balance economical, social and environmental factors?

Question 9

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

Answer 9

I have encountered photovoltaic cells during my work experience. Last year I worked on property in Clapham where we installed photovoltaic cells on the roof.

Question 10

Is the Code for Sustainable homes still a requirement?

Answer 10

No, this code was scrapped in 2015.

Question 11

What are the levels of BREEAM? How are they achieved?

Answer 11

Outstanding (85%)
Excellent (70%)
Very Good (55%)
Good (45%)
Pass (30%)
Unclassified (Less than 30%)

Question 12

What building regulation parts cover sustainability?

Answer 12

Building Regulation Part L - conservation of fuel and power

Question 13

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

Question 14

What is BREEAM?

Answer 14

• Building Research Establishment, Environmental Assessment Method
• International scheme that provides 3rd party certification on projects
• Certification takes place at design, construction, operation and refurbishment

Question 15

What are BREEAM assessment categories?

Answer 15

1. Management
2. Health & Wellbeing
3. Energy
4. Transport
5. Water
6. Materials
7. Waste
8. Land use and ecology
9. Pollution
10. Innovation

Question 16

What other environmental assessments are there?

Answer 16

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
BREEAM
SKA - for fit outs
CEEQUAL - civil engineering

Question 17

What material is used for solar panels ?

Answer 17

Silicon