Sustainability

Question 1

What are is embodied carbon?

Answer 1

Embodied carbon is the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with materials and construction processes throughout the whole lifecycle of a building or infrastructure.

The emissions from manufacturing, transportation and installation of building materials

Question 2

Can you give me some examples of embodied carbon?

Answer 2

• Using a piling rig to pour piling foundations
• Manufacturing of building materials
• Emissions from vehicles transporting materials to site

Question 3

What is operational carbon?

Answer 3

Emissions associated with energy used to operate the building or in the operation of infrastructure.

The emissions from building energy consumption

Question 4

Can you give me some examples of operational carbon?

Answer 4

Emission from heating up a home.
Emission from lights

Question 5

Can you tell me more about ground source heat pump?

Answer 5

Ground source heat pumps are elements installed underground which is used transfers heat from the ground outside your home to heat your radiators or underfloor heating. It can also heat water stored in a hot water cylinder for your hot taps and showers.

Question 6

Can you tell me more air source heat pump?

Answer 6

This in turn heats your rooms via radiators or underfloor heating. It can also heat water stored in a hot water cylinder for your hot taps, showers and baths.

Heat from the air is absorbed into a fluid. This fluid then passes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump, which raises the temperature and then transfers that heat to water.

Question 7

How does PV panels work?

Answer 7

Panels are installed on the roof of a building which then absorbs sunlight and converts it into electricity from homes via an inverter. The stronger the sunlight the more electricity it will create..

Question 8

What are the environmental, social, economic pillars?

Answer 8

Environmental sustainability - is the ability to preserve and protect the natural environment over time through appropriate practices and policies, meeting present needs without compromising the availability of resources in the future.

Social sustainability - involves a focus on the well-being of people and communities.

Economic sustainability - is the approach whereby economic activities are conducted in such a way as to preserve and promote long-term economic well-being. In practice, it aims to create a balance between economic growth, resource efficiency, social equity and financial stability

Question 9

What are the factors influencing environmental sustainability?

Answer 9

Environmental sustainability is influenced by several factors that can have a significant impact on the ecological balance and the planet’s ability to sustain life.

Some of the main ones include:

• air, water and soil pollution;
• climate change, caused by the excessive amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere due to human activities;
• The loss of biodiversity;

-The over exploitation of natural resources;

• Economic models that involve unsustainable consumption

Question 10

What are the factors influencing economic sustainability?

Answer 10

Factors influencing economic sustainability include:

• The responsible management of resources.
• The capacity for efficiency and innovation of economic systems and enterprises.
• Financial stability at the macro level.
• States’ level of social innovation, that is, each country’s commitment to promoting policies, programs and initiatives that address crucial social issues such as poverty, gender equality, access to education and health care, environmental sustainability, and other social issues.
• International cooperation and partnerships between public administration and private enterprises.
• The level of equity and social inclusion.
• Corporate responsibility.

Question 11

What is life cycle costing?

Answer 11

The assessment of cost for replacement and maintenance various components over a period of time.

Question 12

What are the stages of LCC?

Answer 12

Stage 2 – Component Level
Stage 4 – Elemental Level

Question 13

Learning centre – What elements did you consider for the LCC for the project?

Answer 13

Building superstructure
Internal components
Internal wall, finishes
Internal services

Question 14

What BREEAM Credit are relevant to LCC?

Answer 14

Man 02 – Life Cycle Costing and Service Life Planning)

Question 15

What are the advantages of life cycle costing?

Answer 15

• Life cycle costing allows consideration of the long-term implications of a decision.
• It enables informed decisions to be made on material selection.
• Life cycle costing can result in lower operational, maintenance and replacement costs.
• It can also be used to plan future maintenance requirements ensuring easier access and less disruption to the operation of the building

Question 16

What are the disadvantages?

Answer 16

• Future costs are optional and the costs of maintenance can always be deferred.
• Components are not always replaced due to end of life which is impossible to assess at design stage.
• The cost of defects caused by bad workmanship and design faults cannot be predicted.
• It is hard to predict life spans, future inflation and maintenance requirements over long periods.

Question 17

What costs should be considered in life cycle costing?

Answer 17

• Capital costs.
• Operational costs.
• Maintenance costs.
• Replacement costs.
• Disposal costs.

Question 18

Where can you get information about maintenance costs?

Answer 18

• Building Maintenance Cost Information Service (BMCIS) – part of BCIS
• From sub-contractors and suppliers.

Question 19

What is COP26 and what does COP stand for?

Answer 19

• 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.

Question 20

What happened at COP26?

Answer 20

• At COP26 a newly established Glasgow Financial Alliance was announced for Net Zero carbon emissions of $130 trillion of private capital to accelerate the transition to a net-zero carbon economy.
• The private sector is now under more intense scrutiny from both clients and institutional investors on ensuring net-zero commitments are robust and legitimate.
• There are new requirements for all listed companies in the UK to produce net-zero transition plans by 2023.

Question 21

Please explain your understanding of the term sustainability?

Answer 21

To meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Question 22

What are the key principles of sustainability?

Answer 22

• Social - Building healthy communities with sufficient numbers and range of buildings.
• Economical - Build strong, responsive, competitive economies ensuring sufficient land and right types.
• Environmental: - Contributing towards the protection and enhancement of our natural, built and historic environment.

Question 23

What are the core principles of Planning and Decision making around
sustainability?

Answer 23

• Creative processes should be used not just scrutiny.
• Proactive steps should be taken to achieve sustainable development.
• Secure the development of high quality built assets.
• Account for the character of the surrounding area.
• Support a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy.
• Conserve & enhance natural environment and reduce pollution.
• Encourage use of brownfield sites.
• Conserve heritage.
• Maximise use of public transport, cycling and walking.
• Support health, social and cultural well-being.

Question 24

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

Answer 24

• 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.

Question 25

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

Answer 25

* Agricultural Land Act – Enables land to be acquired for a particular purpose for example to control pests and weeds, for use as woodlands or to support agricultural activities. * 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. * Clean Air Act – This legislation provides local authorities within England to introduce measures in order to control air pollution. * Climate Change Act – 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.

Question 26

What are the Key Building Regulations that relate to sustainability in construction?

Answer 26

* Building Regulations Part L — Conservation of Fuel and Power. * Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations. o Requires that EPC's are produced for dwellings and non-dwellings. o Quantifies energy efficiency of buildings. o Required when buildings are built, sold or rented. o Commercial buildings over 500 sqm. and frequented by

Question 27

What are the different forms of taxation relating to sustainability?

Answer 27

* 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.

Question 28

What different code of practice are you aware of for measuring sustainability?

Answer 28

- BREEAM - SKA rating -LEED

Question 29

What is BREEAM?

Answer 29

BREEAM (Life Cycle Assessment). o Sets best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings through specification, design, construction and operation. o BREEAM Stands for the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. o The assessment is undertaken by a licensed assessor based on energy, land & ecology, water, health & wellbeing, pollution, materials and waste and management. o BREEAM applies to new and refurbishment projects, domestic and non-domestic. o Rating are: - Outstanding. - Excellent. - Very Good. - Good. - Pass. - Unclassified.

Question 30

What procedures does your firm implement to promote sustainability?

Answer 30

* Recycling of cardboard, paper and plastics. * Use of Energy efficient lighting (motion sensors). * Energy efficient equipment (LED lamps, energy efficient monitors). * All company cars are to be EV’s by 2025. * Cycle to work schemes. * Reduce printing by using cloud-based systems. * Charitable contributions (tree planting / environmental programmes). * Sign up to Green initiatives and codes of practice (use office space with high EPC / BREEAM ratings).

Question 31

Name some sustainable building methods?

Answer 31

* 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).

Question 32

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

Answer 32

* 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. * Rooftop ponds are an alternative form of green roof which are used to treat grey water. * The vegetation, soil, drainage layer, root barriers and irrigation system are typically the key components of a green roof. * 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.

Question 33

What are Photovoltaics and how do they work?

Answer 33

* allow the conversion of sunlight into electricity. * Sunlight contains energy known as photons. * When photos 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.

Question 34

Can you explain your understanding of the term carbon neutral?

Answer 34

* Carbon neutrality is to have a balance between the carbon emitted and the carbon absorbed from the atmosphere in carbon sinks. * This is an important measure of the impact that businesses and projects have on the environment and global warming. * To date no artificial carbon sinks are able to remove carbon from the atmosphere at the levels required to offset global warming.

Question 35

What is meant by the term solar gain?

Answer 35

* 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). * A building can retain this solar gain by having high thermal mass or can avoid it by using reflective materials and insulation.

Question 36

How can solar gain be managed in buildings?

Answer 36

* 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.

Question 37

What are the benefits of a BREEAM certified building?

Answer 37

* BREEAM buildings help clients to benefit from lowering the running costs of their built assets and minimising the impact on the environment through consideration at planning, design, construction and operation phases. * Other benefits include greater marketability to building tenants through lower running costs and creating desirable places to live and work. * A higher building value and positive PR message is also achieved through the increased sustainability of the building, particularly when achieving BREEAM excellent and very good ratings.

Question 38

What are the benefits of rainwater harvesting?

Answer 38

* It decreases the demand for water. * It reduces the need for imported water. * Rainwater harvesting promotes both water and energy conservation. * Improved BREEAM compliance can be achieved. * Lower operational costs can be gained.

Question 39

What is an EPC?

Answer 39

* Energy Performance Certificates were introduced in 2007 and are a legal requirement for a building to be sold, let or constructed. * Once obtained, an EPC is valid for 10 years. * The most efficient built assets typically have the lowest fuel bills and are in band A. * EPC’s are rated on a scale of A-G. * The energy efficiency of the built asset along with the potential efficiency following improvements are identified. * The EPC will also show the amount of CO2 emissions produced by the property in tonnes and will advise the amount this could be reduced by.

Question 40

What sustainable initiatives are you aware of that are being implemented by the RICS?

Answer 40

* The RICS SKA ratings encourages green codes of practice for commercial properties. * RICS has also launched the ‘Value the Planet’ campaign and committed to forming a climate change expert panel to implement the UN’s sustainable development goals. * RICS has launched a Responsible Business Report filled with solutions for companies to operate in a greener capacity, regardless of the firm’s size. This includes introducing higher recycling rates and reducing energy, transport and water use where possible.

Question 41

What things do you implement to promote sustainability?

Answer 41

* Printing only when necessary. * Car sharing. * Use of energy efficient equipment. * Recycling. * Use of cycle to work schemes. * Being careful to minimise waste where possible. * Avoiding the use of plastic bottles. * Use of cloud-based storage systems.

Question 42

How does a ground source heat pump work?

Answer 42

* 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.

Question 43

Please explain your understanding of the term SUDS?

Answer 43

* SUDS will slow down surface water run off by allowing it to infiltrate and soak into natural contours and landscapes. * SUDS are considered to be environmentally friendly as they do not rely on the manufacture of plastic or clay drainage components and instead utilise natural vegetation and material to absorb surface water.

Question 44

How does air source heat pump work?

Answer 44

An air source heat pump works by extracting heat from the outside air, even in cold weather, and transferring it to your home for heating and hot water, using a refrigeration cycle in reverse, similar to a refrigerator