Sustainability Flashcards
Please explain your understanding of the term sustainability?
To meet the needs of the today whilst securing the needs for tomorrow.
(Bruntland Report)
What are Building Regulations relating to sustainability in construction?
- Building Regulations Part L: Conservation of Fuel and Power.
- Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2012.
What is the main objective of Part L?
To reduce the amount of carbon emission produced by buildings.
How can carbon emissions of buildings be reduced?
- Ensuring buildings are properly insulated.
- Windows and doors are sealed to prevent heat loss.
- Ensuring heating systems are energy efficient.
What are carbon emissions?
Carbon emissions are the emissions released into the atmosphere, often through human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels such as coal or gas.
Are you aware of any recent changes to Part L?
Part L was reduced down four parts into two volumes: Volume 1: Dwellings and Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings.
Provision of photographic evidence and reports (insulation depths etc.)
Changes to SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) calculations with new software.
2023 Part L was updated to remove primary energy factors **as a performance standard. **
This is where energy is converted from primary sources such as oil and coal to a secondary energy carrier (electricity or gas)
Requirement for photographic evidence as part of the final sign-off to show thermal continuity - thermal bridging. (submitted to SAP assessor or building control)
Wastewater heat recovery to all showers.
What is an EPC?
Energy Performance Certificate: legal requirement for a building to be sold, let or constructed.
- EPC’s are rated on a scale of A-G.
- Once obtained, an EPC is valid for 10 years.
If EPC is rated as F, are there any exemptions to upgrading?
Yes, exemptions can be applied for via the government website where an account will be made.
- ‘High cost’ exemption
- Wall insulation exemption (if the only relevant improvements for your property are wall insulation)
- Property devaluation exemption (reported by RICS registered valuer)
What are MEES?
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations 2018 set a minimum energy efficiency level for domestic private rented properties.
Privately rented properties must have an EPC rating of at least E. The legislation prevents landlords from renting out a property with a rating of F or G.
What are the key principles of sustainability?
- Social
- Economical
- Environmental
How do you incorporate the three pillars of sustainability into your projects?
I consider the appointment of local contractors where possible and local suppliers.
An example of using the three pillars are, when designing the dormer windows at Winckley Square ;
Social aspects: the design contributed towards the protection and enhancement of the Listed Building and Conservation Area.
Economical: The cost for reduced maintenance liabilty.
Environmental: The dormer and windows were designed to achieve the required uvalues with the provision of insulation.
What is the governments net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050?
In 2019, the UK pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 in the country’s drive to end its contribution to global warming.
What is the Future Home Standard?
All new build homes built from 2025 will produce around 75 per cent less carbon emissions than those constructed under current regulations and no longer be reliant on fossil fuels for heating and hot water.
What are the core principles of Planning and Decision making around sustainability?
- Proactive steps should be taken to achieve sustainable development.
- Account for the character of the surrounding area.
- Encourage use of brownfield sites.
- Conserve heritage.
- Maximise use of public transport, cycling and walking.
- Support health, social and cultural well-being.
What are the most common environmental issues experienced on construction sites?
- 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.
What are the key pieces of legislation that affect sustainability in construction?
- Building Act – This is the primary piece of UK Legislation that enables the Building Regulations to be enforced.
This is to assist in the conservation of fuel and power, to prevent waste, misuse or contamination of water and to ensure those in and around buildings are kept safe.
What different code of practice are you aware of for measuring sustainability?
BREEAM ‘Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method’.
SKA Ratings (RICS Environmental assessment method for non-domestic fit outs such as office refurbishments).
What procedures does your firm implement to promote sustainability?
- Recycling of cardboard, paper and plastics.
- Use of Energy efficient lighting (motion sensors).
- Energy efficient equipment (LED lamps, energy efficient monitors).
- Cycle to work schemes.
- Reduce printing by using cloud-based systems.
What is the Paris Agreement?
- The Paris Agreement was adopted by nearly every nation and came into affect in 2016.
- The goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius whilst targeting levels below 1.5 degrees Celsius when compared to pre-industrial levels.
- It also creates a framework for the transparent monitoring and reporting of each individual countries progress.
Name some sustainable building methods?
- Use of recycled materials such as reclaimed timber, recycled tiles and plastics.
- Renewable energy sources such as:
- Ground Source Heat Pumps.
- Air Source Heat Pumps.
- Solar Panels.
- Rain water harvesting.
- Green Roofs.
- Automated Building Systems (Lighting sensors).
What is your understanding of the term ‘Green Roofs’?
- A green roof is a roof covering that is partially or completely covered with vegetation that is placed over a waterproof membrane.
- 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.
What are Photovoltaics and how do they work?
- Photovoltaics allow the conversion of sunlight into electricity.
- Sunlight contains energy known as photons.
- The inverter converts DC electricity into AC that is then used to power the building.
What is a soakaway and how do they work?
- Soakaways offer a means of surface water drainage.
- The soakaway allows the collected surface water to gradually infiltrate through the soil.
Can you explain your understanding of the term carbon neutral?
Carbon neutrality is to have a balance between the carbon emitted and the carbon absorbed from the atmosphere.
What is meant by the term solar gain?
Solar gain is the name given to the increase in temperature of a space due to solar radiation.
A building can retain 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.
- Insulating walls and roof spaces to prevent indirect solar gains into the building.
How does a ground source heat pump work?
- Heat from the ground is absorbed into a fluid inside a ground pipe.
- 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.
What are the benefits of rainwater harvesting?
- Decreases the demand for water.
- Reduces the need for imported water.
- Lower operational costs can be gained.
What sustainable initiatives are you aware of that are being implemented by the RICS?
The RICS SKA ratings encourages green codes of practice for commercial properties.
RICS Sustainability Report 2022 - Highlights the increasing need for sustainable strategies across the built environment to meet net zero commitments.
In 2023, RICS launched V2 of the “whole life carbon assessment for the built environment”
