1 Flashcards
(24 cards)
What’s the definition of sustainability?
To meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
What procedures does your firm implement to promote sustainability?
Paperless files
Care sharing for inspections
Cycle to work scheme
What is the Paris Agreement?
A legally binding international treaty concerning climate change
It was adopted by nearly every nation and came into effect in 2016
Goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees
Name some sustainable building methods?
Ground source heat pump
Air source heat pump
Solar panels
Wind turbines
Rain water harvesting
Green roofs
What’s your understanding of the term carbon neutral?
The balance between carbon emitted and the carbon absorbed from the atmosphere
What are the benefits of a BREEAM certified building?
Helps clients to benefit from lowering the running costs of their built asset and minimising the impact on the environment through consideration at planning, design, construction and operation phases
What’s an EPC?
Energy Performance Certificate. Introduced in 2007 and are a legal requirement for a building to be sold or let. They are valid for 10 years
What is NPPF
National planning policy framework July 2018
Sets out government planning policy for England
Promotes and helps achieve sustainable development
What is and what is stated within the climate change act 2008
It’s a legally binding framework to tackle climate change
Imposed targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions compared with 1990 levels
What is the environmental protection act 1990
Defines structure and authority for waste management and the control of emissions
What’s MEES
Applies to private rented residential and non domestic property’s. Intended to encourage landlords and property owners to improve energy efficiency
Minimum standard EPC of E and above
From April 2018 unlawful to grant new tenancy to F and G rated properties
What’s included with Part L of Building Regs
Conservation of fuel and power
What properties are except from EPCs
Place of worship
Temporary buildings
Standalone buildings with floor area less than 50 sqm, industrial and agricultural buildings with low energy requirements
What is an EPC
Quantifies energy efficiency of buildings. Rated from A - G. Undertaken by accredited assessors. Valid for 10 years. Commercial buildings over 500 sqm and visited by the public must display their rating
What is BREEAM?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
A environmental assessment tool to rate new and refurbished buildings. 5 ratings: pass, good, very good, excellent and outstanding
What procedures does your firm implement to promote sustainability
Recycling
Paperless files
Motion sensor lighting
Encouraged to use electric company cars
Cycle to work scheme
What is your understanding of green roofs?
Roof covering that is partially or completely covered with vegetation that is placed over a waterproof membrane.
Advantages - absorb rainwater, provide extra insulation, increase biodiversity, lower urban air temps
What are photovoltaics and how do they work
Allow the conversion of sunlight into electricity
Sunlight contains energy known as photons
When they hit the solar module within a solar panel they cause electrons to flow through the bottom layer
The movement of the electrons generates electricity that flows to an inverter
Inverter converts DC electricity to AC electricity that is used to power building
What is a soak away and how do they work
Large holes or pits that receive surface water from a drainage pipe. Soak away allows the collected surface water to gradually infiltrate through the soil
What is meant by the term solar gain?
The increase in temperature in space, object or structure due to solar radiation
A building can retain solar gain by having high thermal mass or can avoid it by using reflective materials and insulation
What are the benefits of rainwater harvesting
Decreased the demand for water
Reduces the need for imported water
Promotes water conservation
Lower operational costs
Reduced environmental impact
Give some examples of renewal energy sources
Solar
Wind
Bio mass
Hydropower
Why do you feel sustainability is important to you as a surveyor and to the profession generally?
Unsustainable land uses, building and construction coupled with a growing population is responsible for the depletion of natural resources and the loss of biodiversity
What do you think are the key challenges in achieving sustainability in your area of practice?
Changing mindsets
Costs
Increase demand for higher levels of sustainable properties
