Sustainability Flashcards
1
Q
What are the most common environmental issues experienced on construction sites (5)
A
- Risks to Flora and Fauna
- Air pollution
- Land contamination
- High energy use and CO2 emissions
- Risks of water pollution
2
Q
What regulations and codes of practices are you aware of that affect sustainability in construction (4)
A
- Clean Air Act 1956
- Energy Act 2011
- Climate Change Act 2008
-Wildlife and countryside act 1981
3
Q
What procedures does your firm implement to promote sustainability (4)
A
- Recycling of cardboard, plastics and paper
- Use of motion sensors for energy efficient lighting
- Reduced printing by cloud based systems
- Annual tree planting schemes
4
Q
What is the Paris Agreement (3)
A
- Legally binding international treaty concerning climate change in 2015
- Adopted by nearly every nation
- Commits all major emitting countries to cut their climate pollution
5
Q
Name some sustainable building methods (5)
A
- Solar Panels
- Air Source heat pumps
- Ground source heat pumps
- Rainwater harvesting
- Use of recycled materials such as reclaimed timber
6
Q
What is your understanding of the term ‘Green Roofs’ (3)
A
- Roof covering that is covered with vegetation that is placed over a waterproof membrane
- Additional layers such as drainage or root barriers may also be placed over the membrane
- Absorb rainwater, provide extra insulation, increase biodiversity for wildlife
7
Q
What are photovoltaics and how do they work (4)
A
- Allow the conversion of sunlight into electricity
- Sunlight contains energy known as photos, when they hit the panels they cause electrons to flow through the bottom layer
- The movement of electrons causes the production of electricity which flows to an inverter
- Inverter converts DC into AC which is used to power buildings
8
Q
What is a soak away and how does it work (4)
A
- Offers a means of surface water drainage attenuation
- Consist of large holes or pits that receive surface water from drainage pipes
- The soakaway allows the water to gradually infiltrate through the soil
9
Q
Explain your understanding of the term carbon neutral (2)
A
- Carbon Neutral is to have a balance between carbon emitted and carbon absorbed into the atmosphere in carbon sinks
- An important measure of the impact businesses have on the environment and global warming
10
Q
What is meant by the term solar gain (2)
A
- The name given to the increase in temperature in a space, object or structure due to solar radiation
- A building can retain solar gain by having high thermal mass or it can avoid it by using reflective materials
11
Q
How can solar gain be managed in buildings (3)
A
- Limiting size and area of openings such as doors and windows
- Shading or orienting doors and windows away from direct sunlight
- Using reflective materials on the glass and building fabric
12
Q
How does a ground source heat pump work (3)
A
- Heat from the ground is absorbed at low temperatures into a fluid inside a loop of a pipe buried underground
- Fluid then passes through a compressor which raises the temperature which can then heat water and hot water circuits in the house
- Cooled ground loop fluid passes back into the ground where it absorbs further energy from the ground in a continuous process
13
Q
Explain your understanding of the term SUDS (3)
A
- Sustainable Drainage System and allows surface water to be managed as close to its source as possible by allowing water to infiltrate into the ground where it is collected
- SUDS slow down surface water run off by allowing it to infiltrate into natural contours and landscapes
- They are considered to be environmentally friendly as they don’t rely on the manufacturing of plastic components
14
Q
What are the benefits of a BREEM certified building (3)
A
- BREEM is used to measure the sustainability performance of building
- Help clients benefit from lowering the running costs of their buildings and minimise impact on environment
- Higher building value and positive PR is also achieved with BREEM
15
Q
What are the benefits of harvesting rainwater (4)
A
- Decreases demand for water
- Reduces the need for imported water
- Promotes water and energy conservation
- Improves the quality and quantity of ground water
