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RICS APC 2024 > Sustainability > Flashcards

Sustainability Flashcards

1
Q

What is BREEAM and what do the initials stand for?

A

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method - It is a sustainability assessment method that is used to masterplan projects (sustainable credentials)

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2
Q

Can you give me any examples of things that are eligible for credits under BREEAM?

A
  • Provision of cycle storage
  • The build’s proximity to public transport
  • Rainwater harvesting
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3
Q

What are the BREEAM ratings available?

A

It is scored from Unclassified to Outstanding

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4
Q

What are the 3 pillars of sustainability?

A
  • Social
  • Environmental
  • Economic
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5
Q

Why is sustainability important in our industry?

A
  • Critical global issue facing our generation
  • Construction makes up to 10 - 15% of the worlds GDP
  • Significant % of world global waste comes from construction
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6
Q

What legislation and regulations are you aware of in relation to sustainability?

A
  • Building regulations (Part L) – “Conservation of fuel and power”
  • The Climate Change Act
  • Site Waste Management Plans
  • MEES Regulations (Minimum energy efficiency standards)
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7
Q

What is the purpose of site waste management plans and when do they apply?

A
  • Ensures that all waste produced on site is disposed of safely, efficiently and in accordance with the law
  • It is a legal obligation to prepare a site waste management plan for a construction project with an estimated value over £300K
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8
Q

Why might achieving a high level of sustainability rating be important to some clients?

A
  • Sustainability may coincide with their core business values
  • Act as a benchmark / showcase for future projects / i.e BREEAM is an internationally recognised standard
  • helping to lower running costs, maximise returns through market value and attract and retain tenants with desirable places to live and work
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9
Q

What actions do you take on a day-to-day basis in your role to enhance sustainability?

A
  • Try to ensure that qualitative tender evaluations includes for a question on sustainability (i.e how the Contractor will ensure that the project benefits the local community, souring local materials, jobs, etc.)
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10
Q

What sustainable technologies are you aware of?

A
  • PV panels
  • Air source heat pumps / ground source heat pumps
  • Wind turbines
  • Rainwater harvesting
  • SuDS
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11
Q

What is your understanding of a “fabric first approach?”

A
  • Involves maximising the performance of the components and materials that make up the building fabric / external envelope
  • To reduce heat loss
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12
Q

What is Passivhaus / what does it set out to achieve?

A
  • Passivhaus is a voluntary energy performance standard
  • Aims to reduce the energy required for space heating/cooling to reduce the ecological footprint
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13
Q

What is the Climate Change Act?

A

The Act commits the UK government by law to becoming net zero by 2050

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14
Q

What does the term “Net-Zero” mean?

A

The balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere

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15
Q

What is a green roof

A
  • roofs covered in a layer of vegetation / planting
  • Absorb CO2, introduce an insulation layer and have ecological benefits - encouraging habitats
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16
Q

What is the definition of sustainability?

A

The Brundtland Report describes sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

17
Q

What is a brown roof?

A

Similar to green roofs but with more focus on encouraging plants and wildlife in the area

18
Q

What is a blue roof?

A

Introduced to help how the building stores water run off

19
Q

What is a U-Value

A
  • U-values signify the heat lost through a given thickness of a material
  • The lower the U-value rating, the better the performance
20
Q

What is EPC?

A
  • Energy Performance Certificate, it is required whenever a building is built, sold. or rented.
  • It includes information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs, with an energy efficiency rating (A to G), valid for 10 years
21
Q

What is DEC?

A

Display Energy Certificates (required for public buildings in the UK over 250m2 - must be clearly displayed)

22
Q

What are the MEES Regulations?

A

These are the minimum energy efficiency standards. These impose requirements on Landlords to ensure their properties meet a minimum EPC rating of E to ensure the property can be let.

23
Q

What would you typically find on an EPC?

A
  • The assesser name
  • The assessment date
  • The property floor area
  • The EPC rating
  • Recommendations for improvement
  • Potential EPC rating

RICS APC 2024 (24 decks)

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