Sustainability & Fire Safety

Question 1

Can you define what sustainability is?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What is BREEAM?

Answer 2

uilding Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.
Buildings are given a score, 0-100%, based on an assessment of 9 characteristics of the building (energy, land use/ecology, water, health/wellbeing, pollution, transport, materials, waste, management).
Certificates given at:
- design stage
- once building is completed, where it gets its score

It is “enforced” contractually – could be condition of planning consent, funding, corporate responsibility of developer etc.

Question 3

What are the BREEAM levels?

(6… Hicks)

Answer 3

Unclassified
Pass
Good
Very good
Excellent
Outstanding (now all we need is a deck of cards)

Question 4

Can you give me an example of a method of sustainable construction?

Answer 4

Using renewable/recyclable materials
Reducing embodied carbon
Reducing energy consumption of completed building
Reducing waste

Question 5

What is “embodied carbon”?

Answer 5

CO2 emissions associated with the entire life cycle of a product (manufacture, construction, transport)

Question 6

What is the “Code for Sustainable Homes 2007”? Is it still a requirement?

Answer 6

A method for assessing and certifying the sustainable design/construction of NEW HOMES.
Now voluntary.

Question 7

What parts of the building regs cover sustainability?

Answer 7

AD C – Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture
AD F – Ventilation
AD J – Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
AD L - Conservation of Fuel and Power

Question 8

Define BREEAM?

Answer 8

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
- Introduced in 1990 by BRE
- Dominating EA method in UK
- Buildings assessed against criteria in various ‘dimensions’ of performance and awarded credits which are weighted and aggregated to generate a score
- Ratings range from unclassified to Outstanding
- BREEAM schemes available include new construction, Code for Sustainable Homes, Refurbishment and BREEAM in-use.
- Strict criteria with formal assessment undertaken by an accredited person (trained and licensed by BRE)

Question 9

What are the key categories for BREEAM assessments?

Answer 9

Management, Health and well-being, energy efficiency, transport, water consumption, materials, waste, land use, ecology, pollution and innovation

Question 10

Is BREEAM relevant or required for all projects?

Answer 10

”- Relevant to most projects, but more commonly used for new build developments
- Some clients require BREEAM (for CSR)
- TheGovernment’sCommon Minimum Standards(Government Construction Strategy)require that anenvironmentalassessment is carried out on allpublic projects, and states that; ‘…whereBREEAMis used, all newprojectsare to achieve an “excellent” rating….where an alternativeenvironmentalassessment methodology is used,projectsshould seek to achieve equivalent ratings.’
- Local planning authoritiesmay requireBREEAMcertificationeither as part of alocal plan, or as aplanning conditionimposed ondevelopments.”

Question 11

What is BREEAM

Answer 11

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. Since 1990.
Buildings are given a score, 0-100%, based on an assessment of 9 characteristics of the building (energy, land use/ecology, water, health/wellbeing, pollution, transport, materials, waste, management).
Certificate given at:
- design stage
- once building is completed, where it gets its score

It is “enforced” contractually – could be condition of planning consent, funding, corporate responsibility of developer etc.

Question 12

What were the issues identified at Francis Bacon Court:

Answer 12

HPL cladding - (steni colour panels) - The Steni Colour panel is considered combustible product. B rated.
The insulation used behind the rain-screen is Celotex which is combustible.
The investigation showed that there were no cavity barriers in the areas opened up or if there was some mineral wool insulation it was installed not in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendation.
All balconies have timber decking on galvanized beams

The suporting substructure is concrete slab, timber and cement block.
horizontal cavity barriers at each floor and around openings.
The horizontal cavity barrier in this system should be intumescent to close the cavity only in case of fire.
It was observed in front of the floor slab to be Celotex which is not limited combustibility.

Question 13

What was the remedial solution at Raines Court?

Answer 13

• To remove and replace the existing cladding together with the timber infill, with similar type of HPL but meeting the fire rating of A2-s1,d0 minimum and non-combustible sub-structure.
• Replace existing insulation with non-combustible insulation (mineral wool insulation) with cavity barriers to suit and comply with the current regulations.
• Install cavity barriers with mechanical fixings around openings.
• Timber deck balconies to be assessed with regard to the above improvements. Option 2 (subject to planning approval)
• To remove and replace the existing cladding together with the timber infill, with aluminium panel to match existing finish similar to Vitradual by Valcan meeting the fire rating of A2-s1,d0 minimum and non-combustible sub-structure.
• Replace existing insulation with non-combustible insulation (mineral wool insulation) with cavity barriers to suit and comply with the current regulations. * Install cavity barriers with mechanical fixings around openings. * Timber deck balconies to be assessed with regard to the above improvements

Question 14

What were the solutions at Coopers Road?

Answer 14

It is recommended to install the premium ‘A2(FS-Xtra)’ boards on a steel supporting structure, in combination with mineral wool insulation. This meets the requirements for European fire class A2-s1, d0 and can be classified as limited combustibility. The timber frame can be retained as it is adequately protected against fire. The brise soleil above the top walkway could be retained in timber. If required to match, that could also be fashioned in Rockpanel. Timber balconies and bridges CHPKFE recommend that the timber in private balconies and the bridges is replaced with a material of limited combustibility – aluminium or ceramic. courtyard elevations and risers Brise soleil * Timber screens * Roof eaves and soffit * The road elevation panels * Balcony decks and joists

Question 15

What is ACM?

Answer 15

ACM Panels ACM cladding consist of two skins of aluminium bonded to either side of a lightweight core of materials such as polyethylene (PE), profiled metal honeycomb ,or a mineral core. It was a popular product because of its flatness, variety of surface finishes and colours, light weight and formability, but since Grenfell, its popularity has waned. This is because, during a fire, the panels with a PE core can delaminate, causing the flammable core material to ignite, which in turn will flame uncontrollably.

Question 16

What is HPL?

Answer 16

High Pressure Laminate (HPL) panels are a form of cladding typically manufactured by layering mul-tiple sheets of kraft paper or wood fibre bonded with a resin under heat and high pressure. They are available in a wide range of colours, finishes and several thicknesses to suit the structural require-mentsHPL can have a plain or textured finish or a timber effect finish (see Figure 19) where a resin-saturated decorative paper is bonded directly to a plain HPL substrate panel, then topped with a clear protective sheet

Question 17

What about Masonry Cavity Walls?

Answer 17

Masonry cavity walls are formed by inner and outer leaves of brickwork, blockwork, concrete or stonework connected by ties and separated by an insulated or non-insulated cavity. Limitations re-garding the combustibility of insulation materials do not apply for cavities formed behind a masonry wall with a brickwork or blockwork inner and outer leaves that are at least 75 mm thick. Combusti-bility is restricted for ‘relevant buildings’ in accordance with Building Regulation 7(2) (ban on combustible materials) and if over 18m. The same exceptions do not apply to brick cladding systems where other materials are used to construct the internal leaf, irrespective of whether such materials are combustible or not.

Question 18

Give some examples of what approved document B requires for fire protection?

Answer 18

• Early warning system requirements (types of fire alarm, alarm sounding and visuals
• Means of escape requirements (travel distances, number of exits, protection from smoke)
• Fire spread, internal linings (compartmentation, fire resistance of walls and doors)
• Fire spread, structure (structural protection, such as coatings and/or boxing in of steels)
• External fire spread (across a building, between buildings, fire-resistant materials)
• Access and facilities for the fire service

Question 19

What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Answer 19

Replaced 70 pieces of prior legislation.
ALL buildings EXCEPT individual homes (flats and houses).
Requires “designated person” to take measures to prevent fire and help escape. They must do:
- Fire Risk Assessment
- Have plans in event of emergency
- Review regularly
- Reduce risk as far as reasonably practical
Is not primary legislation as it is an ORDER not an ACT.

Question 20

What is the Fire Safety Act 2021 (commenced May 2022)

Answer 20

Amends the RRO.
Increases obligations that “Responsible Persons” must manage and reduce risk of fire to external parts (cladding, balconies, windows), and entrance doors to flats.
RP can go to prison/be fined if not done.
Not height dependent!
Fire safety act 2021- sprinkler systems into buildings 11m or above. –

Question 21

What is the Building Safety Act 2022 (commenced April 2022)

Answer 21

Protects leaseholders from ridiculous costs to make safe cladding tall buildings (over 18m, and 2+ resi units), caps costs for non-cladding defects.
Makes those responsible for building safety defects held to account.
3 new roles:
- Building Safety Regulator (run by HSE)
- National Regulator of Construction Products
- New Homes Ombudsman
Made changes to Defective Premises Act 1972 (6 to 15 / 30 years)

Question 22

What are the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (to come into force January 2023

Answer 22

The Regulations came into force on 23 January 2023 Commencing January 2023, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations) make it a requirement for responsible persons of high-rise residential buildings to provide information on their building/s to their local fire and rescue service. A high-rise residential building is defined as a building containing two or more sets of domestic premises and is at least 18 metres tall or has at least seven storeys.

The Regulations 2022 have been introduced as an important step towards implementing the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report.

The information to be shared includes details of the construction of the external walls, floor and buildings plans, and information on known faults with key firefighting equipment. The Regulations state that this information must be shared via electronic means.

Question 23

What is a fire strategy?

Answer 23

It will include;
* Fire risk assessment:
* Fire prevention measures: installing smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and fire-resistant materials.
* Emergency response procedures: procedures for evacuating the building and ensuring emergency responders have access to the building and the necessary information to respond effectively.
* Fire safety training: This includes providing training to occupants on fire safety and evacuation procedures.

Question 24

What is a “relevant building” under the BSA?

Answer 24

Over 11m / 5 storeys, contains at least 2 dwellings, not leaseholder/owned.
Under ADB, a “relevant building” is anything over 18m.

Question 25

27. What is a higher risk building under the BSA?

Answer 25

Over 18m / 7 storeys.

Question 26

What are some key points in the Building Safety Act 2022

Answer 26

Site Safey case reports: responsibility of the accountable person. –mandatory and submitted to regulator - applies to existing buildings – retrospective approach. HRB – 18m or 7 storeys must submit to Building safety regulator.
Building Safety Case – apply to historic buildings not just new ones.
Building assessment certificates:
Building control officers will get stop notices
Accountable person – commits criminal offence if relevant residential unit is occupied before building control completion certificate issued by the BSR.

Question 27

What are the gateways of the Building Safety Act

Answer 27

Gateway 1 – planning: a live document continuously updated and evolving.
Gateway 2 when building regs app submitted
Gateway 3 handover of docs and completed building.

Question 28

What is the role of the Accountable Person in the Building Safety Act

Answer 28

Accountable person – for higher risk buildings – for landlords for common parts of building – extensive duties inc for applying for building assessment certificates. Maintaining safety case report, showing building is safe for occupation, will also have to deal with complaints for residents. Resident engagement strategy.
Accountable person – criminal offence if relevant building is occupied before building control certificate is issued.
Building safety manager – taken out – changed to building safety management!

Accountable person
Part 4 of the Building Safety Act identifies new dutyholders – who will be known as ‘accountable persons’ (APs) – for residential high-rise buildings (HRBs). This will be the organisation or person who owns or has responsibility for the building. It may also be an organisation or person who is responsible for maintaining the common parts of a building, for example corridors or lobbies. The AP will usually be an organisation or business but could also be an individual. The AP will have a duty to take all reasonable steps to:
* prevent a building safety risk happening, with building safety risk defined as ‘spread of fire and/or structural failure’
* reduce the seriousness of an incident if one happens
* If a building has more than one AP, the AP responsible for the structure and exterior of the building will be the principal accountable person (PAP). When buildings have a single AP, that entity or person is the PAP.

Question 29

What is the role of the Principle Accountable Person

Answer 29

As well as their duties as an AP, PAPs must:
– register existing buildings with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), they can do this between April 2023 and October 2023
– register all new buildings before occupation
– All occupied buildings must be registered by October 2023, it is an offence if a building is occupied but not registered after this date.
PAPs must also:
– prepare a safety case report for the building.
– This should show that:
o APs have assessed all building safety risks and
o taken all reasonable steps to control them
o give the safety case report to BSR on request – BSR will examine it during the building assessment
o apply for a Building Assessment Certificate when directed by BSR
o Detailed, accurate information about the building will be critical when registering a building and when preparing the safety case report.

Question 30

Bream

Answer 30

Given percentage but then “outstanding” average”. Categories Energy/Transport/Waste. Used at any stage of buildings lifescycle – limitation – scoring criteria is for existing buildings. – marked down for existing transport route.

Question 31

Mees new legislation

Answer 31

Existing tenancies have to achieve an E. This is new as it previously didn’t apply to exising tenencies.