Diversity & Inclusion & Sustainability

Question 1

1. How can you achieve good teamworking?

Answer 1

a. Diversity of people, roles, genders, backgrounds, proper communication

Question 2

2. How can diversity aid teamwork?

Answer 2

a. Different views and opinions from different backgrounds, more constructive communication. Creative thinking

Question 3

3. What legislation relates to inclusive environments?

Answer 3

a. Equality Act 2010
b. Human Rights Act 1998

Question 4

4. What are some example behaviours of rule 4 of RICS rules of conduct?

Answer 4

a. Zero tolerance on bullying and harassment
b. Treat others fairly regardless of their background etc, and communicate in a kind fair manner.

Question 5

5. What building regulation relates to diversity and inclusion

Answer 5

a. Document M, access to and use of buildings.

Question 6

1. What regulations govern inclusive environments? What is Approved Document M?

Answer 6

a. Equality Act 2010
b. Access to and use of buildings

Question 7

2. Are you aware of any other Building regulations?

Answer 7

a. Approved Document O - Overheating in buildings - limit unwanted solar gains, means to remove heat from indoors. Safety and enjoyment of occupant, mechanical cooling.
b. Approved Document H - Drainage
c. Approved Document L - Conservation of fuel and power

Question 8

3. Can you define unconscious bias?

Answer 8

a. Treating people or making quick judgements about people due to associations we hold about them, outside of the conscious control or awareness, which could affect someone’s ability to act impartially.
For example a male manager who thinks men work harder, hiring a male for the job.

Question 9

4. What are the principles of inclusive design?

Answer 9

a. Inclusive – so everyone can use it safely, easily and with dignity
b. Responsive – taking account of what people say they need and want
c. Flexible – so different people can use it in different ways
d. Convenient – so everyone can use it without too much effort or separation
e. Accommodating for all people, regardless of their age, gender, mobility, ethnicity or circumstances
f. Welcoming – with no disabling barriers that might exclude some people
g. Realistic – offering more than one solution to help balance everyone’s needs and recognising that one solution may not work for all

Question 10

5. What is the Equality Act 2010 and what is the purpose of it?

Answer 10

a. Legislation - protects people from discrimination in workplace and society

Question 11

6. What are the protected characteristics?

Answer 11

a. Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation

Question 12

1. Can you define sustainability?

Answer 12

a. Designing and constructing buildings in a sustainable way which uses resources now without compromising the needs for those resources in the future

Question 13

2. Can you define what cradle to cradle is?

Answer 13

a. Designing materials and construction elements with the thought of recyclability in the future

Question 14

3. What does BREEAM stand for?

Answer 14

a. Building Research Establishment – Environmental Assessment Method

Question 15

4. What is BREEAM?

Answer 15

a. A rating and assessment method to assess the sustainability factors of a construction project, allowing comparison between projects, and offering goals to be achieved for clients.
b. Globally accredited method

Question 16

5. What are some assessment criteria for BREEAM?

Answer 16

a. Waste / Land use / Resources / Pollution / water / energy / transport

Question 17

6. How is BREEAM used on a scheme

Answer 17

a. A target is set at the early stages of a scheme (as early as possible) for the scheme to achieve this rating.
b. A register is usually produced by a sustainability consultant, this contains all items that award the project with points if achieved to certain levels.
c. The items are focussed and split into BREEAM categories, and focuses on low impact design, reduction of CO2 emissions, ecological values etc.
d. The building is assessed pre construction in the specification and design, and again during construction (how is it constructed), and then assessed in how the building is then used/operated.

Question 18

7. What is SKA?

Answer 18

a. Environmental assessment method for fit outs only
b. Ownership transferred from RICS in 2024

Question 19

8. What is Nabers?

Answer 19

a. Environmental assessment method for commercial office space only

Question 20

9. What are the three pillars of sustainability?

Answer 20

a. Environmental / Social / Economic

Question 21

10. Can you name some sustainable construction methods?

Answer 21

a. Air source heat pumps
b. Solar panels
c. Recycled materials – concrete, timber, tiles

Question 22

11. If the client doesn’t follow any sustainability certifications, what else do they have to follow?

Answer 22

a. Part L of building regulations conservation of fuel and power

Question 23

12. What is COP26?

Answer 23

a. UN climate change conference, where all countries part of the alliance make commitments to cut down on C)2 emissions, by having limits set. This also helps fund countries that are struggling with the effects of climate change.

Question 24

13. Are you aware of any change to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)?

Answer 24

a. EPC requirements are changing from 2025 where minimum energy rating is going from E to C for domestic rental properties

Question 25

14. What other sustainable initiatives are you aware of RICS doing?

Answer 25

a. Value the Planet campaign, committed to forming a panel of climate change experts

Question 26

How is BREEAM scored?

Answer 26

It is scored on a long itemised list, where each item on the project is given an individual score. The whole project is then assessed based on a % and given a % score.

Question 27

Can you give me an example of BREEAM score?

Answer 27

Outstanding is the best at 85%

Question 28

Why is D&I better for you?

Answer 28

It helps me thrive and make better decisions, and grow as a person, as well as bettering my learning on all cultures and groups.

Question 29

What is a disabled person?

Answer 29

Physical or mental impairment, that has long lasting effects on someone’s ability to live/work

Question 30

What legislation is there for disabled persons?

Answer 30

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995

Question 31

Where in the building regulations can you find the DDA compliant regs?

Answer 31

Approved document M

Question 32

How do you promote inclusivity on a project outside your role as a QS?

Answer 32

suggest surveys are undertaken on buildings around access and use of them

Question 33

Can you give 3 types of unconscious bias, and when you may have encountered these?

Answer 33

I am aware of Affinity and attribution bias. For example if i set up a meeting with someone from a religious background during Ramadan, at lunchtime, being cognizant of this.