Sustainability & Fire Safety Flashcards
Can you define what sustainability is?
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
What is BREEAM?
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.
What are the BREEAM levels?
(6… Hicks)
Unclassified
Pass
Good
Very good
Excellent
Outstanding (now all we need is a deck of cards)
Can you give me an example of a method of sustainable construction?
Using renewable/recyclable materials
Reducing embodied carbon
Reducing energy consumption of completed building
Reducing waste
What is “embodied carbon”?
CO2 emissions associated with the entire life cycle of a product (manufacture, construction, transport)
What is the “Code for Sustainable Homes 2007”? Is it still a requirement?
A method for assessing and certifying the sustainable design/construction of NEW HOMES.
Now voluntary.
What parts of the building regs cover sustainability?
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
Define BREEAM?
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)
What are the key categories for BREEAM assessments?
Management, Health and well-being, energy efficiency, transport, water consumption, materials, waste, land use, ecology, pollution and innovation
Is BREEAM relevant or required for all projects?
”- 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.”
What is BREEAM
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.
What were the issues identified at Francis Bacon Court:
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.
What was the remedial solution at Raines Court?
- 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
What were the solutions at Coopers Road?
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
What is ACM?
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.
What is HPL?
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
What about Masonry Cavity Walls?
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.
Give some examples of what approved document B requires for fire protection?
- 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
What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
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.
What is the Fire Safety Act 2021 (commenced May 2022)
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. –
What is the Building Safety Act 2022 (commenced April 2022)
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)
What are the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (to come into force January 2023
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.
What is a fire strategy?
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.
What is a “relevant building” under the BSA?
Over 11m / 5 storeys, contains at least 2 dwellings, not leaseholder/owned.
Under ADB, a “relevant building” is anything over 18m.
