Sustianable Construction

Question 1

Can you list some of the sustainability measuring system?

Answer 1

• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
• BREEAM (Building Research Establishment, Environmental Assessment Method).
• SKA (operated by RICS, SKA rating is an assessment tool for sustainable fitouts).

Question 2

Tell me about BREEAM.

Answer 2

• Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.
• International scheme that provides independent third-party certification of the projects.
• Assessment takes place at several stages in the built environment life cycle.

Question 3

What are the BREEAM headline assessment categories?

Answer 3

• Management
• Health and well-being
• Energy
• Transport
• Water
• Materials
• Waste
• Land use and Ecology
• Pollution
• Innovation

Question 4

What are the key advantages of BREEAM certification?

Answer 4

• Can lower environmental impact.
• Can reduce operating costs.
• Improves marketability of client and developer.
• Demonstrates level of achievement.
• Improves internal environment of building (increase productivity).

Question 5

What are the BREEAM rating thresholds?

Answer 5

• Outstanding >85%
• Excellent >70%
• Very Good >55%
• Good >45%
• Pass >30%
• Unclassified <30%

Question 6

Define the term net zero carbon in the context of new build construction.

Answer 6

• When the amount of carbon emissions associated with a buildings product and construction phases is zero or negative up to PC.

Question 7

Define the term net zero carbon in the context of operational energy for a building in use.

Answer 7

• When the amount of carbon emissions associated with a buildings operational energy on an annual basis is zero or negative.

Question 8

How can solar gain be prevented in buildings?

Answer 8

• Horizontal shading (brise soleil)
• Use of reflective glazing
• Orientation of glazing

Question 9

Which building regs (Approved Documents) apply to sustainability?

Answer 9

• Approved Document Part L: Conservation of fuel and power

Question 10

What is passivehaus?

Answer 10

• A performance-based set of design criteria for low energy buildings.
• Seeks to eliminate the need for space heating and cooling.

Question 11

What is an Environmental Impact Assessment?

Answer 11

• A process of evaluating the likely environmental impact of a proposed development.