Sustainability

Question 1

What is your understanding of sustainability?

Answer 1

Meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations

Question 2

What are the three pillars of sustainability?

Answer 2

Social – Taking care of society
Economic – Supplying jobs
Environmental – Reducing CO2

Question 3

What is LEED?

Answer 3

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

Question 4

What is the criteria for LEED?

Answer 4

Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum

Question 5

What is BREEAM?

Answer 5

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

Question 6

What is the criteria for BREEAM?

Answer 6

Outstanding 85%, Excellent 70%, V. Good 55%, Good 45%, Pass 30%

Question 7

How is a breathable building constructed and what is required?

Answer 7

Allows natural circulation in a building – roof stack to allow hot air to escape upwards
Uses convection currents to draw air through façade vents and out a central roof stack

Question 8

What is the criteria of BREEAM?

Answer 8

(H.E.L.P.W.W.M.M.T)

Health/Wellbeing, Energy, Land Use, Pollution, Water, Waste, Materials, Management, Transport

Question 9

What are some Sections of BREEAM?

Answer 9

Management – 12%
Health and Wellbeing – 15%
	High frequency lighting
Energy – 19%
	Reduction in C02 emissions
Transport – 8%
	Provision of public transport
Water – 6%
Materials – 12.5%
	Responsible sourcing of materials
Waste – 7.5%
	Recycling, site waste management plan
Land Use and Ecology - 10%
Pollution – 10%
Innovation (additional 10%)

Question 10

How are BREEAM assessments carried out?

Answer 10

2 stages;
Design stage assessment and interim certificate
Post construction assessment and final certificate

Question 11

Name some items that will aid a good BREEAM score?

Answer 11

Employing local apprentices
Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP)
Geothermal Piles
Photovoltaic Panels – similar to solar panels but convert straight to electricity
Sedum Roof
Cycle store

Question 12

Any alternatives to BREEAM and LEEAD?

Answer 12

SKA – RICS version for office fit out projects
Gold, Silver, Bronze
Not wasting stripped out materials – recycling etc

Question 13

What is Section 106?

Answer 13

Town and Country planning act
Requirement to mitigate any negative impacts of a development
Can include money, or stuff i.e. affordable housing or a park
Requirements include;
Restricting use of the land to specific uses
Requiring the land to be used in a specific way
Requiring a sum or sums to be paid to the authority

Question 14

What is Section 278

Answer 14

Highways Act
Paid to highways authority – generally county council
To specifically accommodate new development – slip road or traffic lights

Question 15

What is the difference between CIL, Section 106 and 278?

Answer 15

Section 106 – mitigates negative impacts of the specific development
Section 278 – highway specifically
CIL – provides infrastructure for the wider community

Question 16

What are Building Regulations?

Answer 16

Minimum standards for the design, construction and alterations to the building
Developed by government and parliament
Cover minimum standards in a range (A-P)

Question 17

What is CIL?

Answer 17

Community Infrastructure Levee
CIL tax on new developments charged per m² of floor
Spent on infrastructure – roads, schools etc
Varies between local authorities countrywide and rate is pre-set

Question 18

What part of building regulations refers to Sustainability?

Answer 18

Part L – Conservation of fuel and power

Limits heat gains and losses

Question 19

What is the difference between Part L1 and L2?

Answer 19

L1a – New Dwellings
L1b – Existing Dwellings
L2a – New Non-Dwellings
L2b – Existing Non-Dwellings

Question 20

Can you name any other building regulations?

Answer 20

B – fire safety
E – sound
M – access to / use of buildings

Question 21

What is an EPC?

Answer 21

Energy Performance Certificate – info on a home’s energy use and typical costs (energy efficiency)

Question 22

What is a Sedum Roof?

Answer 22

A green roof – plants and soil on top for water retention, insulation and oxygen production

Question 23

How would you price a sedum roof?

Answer 23

Insulation
Membrane
Ballast
Drainage layer
Soil
Plants

Question 24

Name some types of SUDS (Sustainable Drainage)?

Answer 24

Blue Roof
Green Roof
Grey Roof

Question 25

Name some benefits of using the English paving stone rather than cheaper Chinese version for Site C?

Answer 25

Air miles
Local economy
Ethically sourced

Question 26

What is the WELL building standard?

Answer 26

Measurement system for the impact of a building on human health and well being based upon;
Air
Water
Nourishment
Light 
Fitness
Comfort
Mind

Question 27

How is WELL rated?

Answer 27

Silver - 20% optimisations achieved
Gold - 40% optimisations achieved
Platinum - 40% optimisations achieved

Question 28

What aids a good WELL rating?

Answer 28

Ergonomic stand up desks
water filters
green walls for air purification
access to daylight
onsite fitness clubs

Question 29

Is BREEAM compulsory?

Answer 29

No but is good practice