Sustainability

Question 1

What does BREEAM stand for?

Answer 1

Building, Research, Establishment, Environmental Assessment Methodology

Question 2

When do site waste management plans apply?

Answer 2

Is compulsory to prepare a site waste management plan for any construction project with an estimated cost of over £300,000

Question 3

What is regulation part L?

Answer 3

Regulations of conservation of fuel and power

Question 4

What other approved documents are in relation to sustainability?

Answer 4

Approved document B: Fire Safety
Approved document D: Toxic substances
Approved Document E: Resistance to sound
Approved document F: Ventilation

Question 5

What is the purpose of BREEAM?

Answer 5

Is the longest establishes method of assessing, rating and certifying the sustainability of buildings, communities and infrastructure.

Question 6

What are the ratings of BREEAM?

Answer 6

• Unclassified, less that 30%
• Pass, 30-44%
• Good 45-54%
• Very Good 55-69%
• Excellent 70-84%
• Outstanding 85% pluss

Question 7

What element is BREEAM going to evaluate?

Answer 7

• Energy consumption
• Water
• Pollution
• Materials
• Waste
• Health and wellbeing

Question 8

What are the benefits of BREEAM?

Answer 8

• Reduced operational costs
• Making a building more attractive to sell or let.
• Limits the developers risk for the future of the building
• Created a healthy workplace

Question 9

Who set up BREEAM?

Answer 9

The BRE – Building Research Establishment in 1990

Question 10

What is LEED?

Answer 10

It’s a widely used certification to provide a framework for healthy, highly efficient green buildings.

Question 11

What does EPC measure?

Answer 11

How energy efficient a building is.

Question 12

What can influence an EPC rating?

Answer 12

• Insulation
• Heating system
• Renewable energy

Question 13

Name some examples of sustainable technologies that enhance provide renewable energy.

Answer 13

• Solar Panels
• Ground-source Heat Pumps

Question 14

How do solar panels work?

Answer 14

• sunlight hits the panel, the photovoltaic cells absorb the energy
• Absorbed energy energises the cells causing them to release electrons and produce an electric charge
• An inverter converts this electricity for use in the building.

Question 15

How do ground-source heat pumps work?

Answer 15

• absorb heat from the Earth
• Thermal Transfer Fluid is pumped through a heat exchanger which transfers the heat to a refrigerant, which is then compressed in a compressor.
• This hot refrigerant flows into a condenser which is then used to heat the building.

Question 16

What are the main differences in BREEAM and NABERS?

Answer 16

BREAAM is a design-based energy rating, whereas NABERS UK measures and rates the actual energy use of offices.

Question 17

What does NABERS stand for?

Answer 17

National Australian Built Environment Rating System

Question 18

What does LEED stand for?

Answer 18

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

Question 19

What are the NABERS ratings?

Answer 19

1 star: Poor
2 stars: Below average
3 stars: Average
4 stars: Good
5 stars: Excellent
6 stars: Market leading

Question 20

Who set up NABERS?

Answer 20

The Australian Government

Question 21

What is the difference between BREEAM and LEED?

Answer 21

They’re similar in that they are both green building standards, but they differ:

• scoring system
  certification process, BREAAM uses licensed assessors while LEED relies on the design team to gather information

Question 22

What is the RESET certification?

Answer 22

A certification that focusses on the quality of indoor air quality.

Question 23

What does RESET stand for?

Answer 23

Regenerative, Ecological, Social & Economical Targets.

Question 24

What is the FITWEL certification?

Answer 24

A system that focusses on occupant health-promoting environments.

Question 25

What are the levels under FITWEL?

Answer 25

1 star, 90-104 points
2 star, 105-124 points
3 star, 124-144 points

Question 26

What is the WELL certification?

Answer 26

A rating system that measures how well a building’s design and operations impact the health and well-being of its occupants.

Question 27

What are the levels under WELL?

Answer 27

Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum

Question 28

What is the difference between FITWEL and WELL?

Answer 28

Approach
FITWEL is more practical and materials-based, while WELL is more holistic.

Focus
FITWEL focuses on location, shared spaces, and healthy eating, while WELL focuses on using medical research to improve human health.

Cost
WELL is more expensive than FITWEL because it requires more costly onsite testing.

Time
FITWEL certification can be completed in as little as 12 weeks, while WELL certification typically takes six months.

Suitability
FITWEL is better suited for existing buildings, while WELL is better for new construction. FITWEL is also more flexible and modular than WELL.

Development
FITWEL was developed by the General Services Administration (GSA) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Question 29

Who created the WELL building standard?

Answer 29

Delos and the International WELL Building Institute (IWIB) in 2014

Question 30

Who created the FITWEL building standard?

Answer 30

The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)

Question 31

What is the Paris agreement 2050?

Answer 31

To keep global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees and emissions need to be reduced by 43% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.

Question 32

What is the Paris agreement?

Answer 32

The Paris Agreement is a global climate accord aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C, by requiring countries to set emissions-reduction targets, adapt to climate impacts, and provide financial support for developing nations.