Level 1 Questions

Question 1

What is a green roof? How is it constructed?

Answer 1

Roofs which provide for vegetation

Extensive: low maintenance, light weight, low cost

Intensive: actual roof gardens, expensive, maintenance

Build up is as follows:

• Vegetation
• Reservoir layer
• Insulation
• Drainage layer
• Root barrier
• DPM
• Structural deck

Question 2

What is a blue roof? How is it constructed?

Answer 2

Stores water, a void in middle to hold rainwater

Form of SuDS?

Question 3

What are the 3 pillars of sustainability? Give examples/

Answer 3

Social
- Quality of life, education

Economic
- smart growth, cost of living

Environmental
- Environmental protection / habitat restoration

Question 4

What is the RICS doing in relation to sustainability?

Answer 4

RICS Building Carbon Database - a free-to-use, publicly available resource for building professionals to have access to more detailed comparative data on carbon emissions

Professional Statement on whole-life carbon assessment for the built environment

Introduction of a training tool kit for property valuation professionals to factor sustainability costs into the valuation process, funded by the EU

Established the World Built Environment Forum - to share insights in to sustainability

The Futures Report 2020

Question 5

What is an EPC?

Answer 5

Energy Performance Certificate

Sets out energy efficiency of buildings, scored A-G

Valid for 10 years

Question 6

What is BREEAM? Whats the scoring criteria?

Answer 6

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

Unclassified (0-30) Pass (30-45), Good (45-55), Very good (55-70), Excellent (70-85), Outstanding (85+)

Question 7

What are the 9 categories of BREEAM?

Answer 7

THWIMPLE

Transport
Health and Wellbeing 
Water / Waste
Innovation
Management 
Pollution 
Land 
Energy / Ecology

Question 8

What is SKA?

Answer 8

A RICS environmental assessment method, benchmark and standard for non-domestic fit outs

RICS has SKA assessors

Bronze, silver, gold (25 / 50 / 75)

Question 9

What is sick building syndrome? What has the HSE recommended to deal with it?

Answer 9

• A term given to symptoms of acute health and comfort effects with no specific cause, but can be attributed to spending time in a particular building.

• Symptoms include:
o	Headaches/dizziness
o	Aches and pains
o	Irritated eyes
o	Nausea 
o	Fatigue
o	Poor concentration
o	Tight chest
o	Skin irritation

HSE - Building surveys, regular cleaning, HVAC maintenance

Question 10

What is a site waste management plan?

Answer 10

Obligation on client and PC

Describes how materials will be managed effectively and disposed of legally

Question 11

Explain SuDS

Answer 11

Sustainable Drainage Systems

• Permeable paving
• Natural methods such as planting vegetation
• Linear drainage

Question 12

What is SAP?

Answer 12

• Standard Assessment Procedure
• Developed by BRE
• Cited in Part L of building regulations, now adopted by UK government
• Methodology for calculating the energy performance of dwellings
• Building Regulations require that a SAP calculation and a Predicted EPC is submitted for new dwellings prior to the commencement of work. A SAP calculation indicates a score from 1 to 100+ (the higher the number the better with 100 being net zero)

Question 13

What are some sustainable technologies?

Answer 13

Passive design considerations:

• Orientation
• Shading
• Natural ventilation

Sustainable construction methods:

• Timber frames
• Passivhaus approach
• Triple glazing windows
• Reduction in glazing
• Material selection
• Prefabrication

Sustainable technologies:

• Solar panels / PV panels
• Smart appliances
• Heat pumps
• Rainwater / greywater harvesting
• LED lighting
• Wind turbines

Question 14

What is the Carbon Plan?

Answer 14

Part of Climate Change Act

Released every 5 years, target % against 1990 level.

Plan for meeting carbon budgets

Question 15

What is whole life costing?

Answer 15

Economic consideration of all whole life costs over a defined period (all costs)

Question 16

What is life cycle costing?

Answer 16

Cost of the asset through its life cycle, only costs relating to the construction and operation

Question 17

What is life cycle analysis?

Answer 17

Assessment of environmental impact of a product of service throughout its life cycle

Question 18

What is rainwater harvesting?

Answer 18

Collecting and storing rainwater for use

Collected in catchment area and transported to tank, then pumped to a point of use

Used for: toilet flush systems, urinals, sprinklers, irrigation

Question 19

Greywater harvesting?

Answer 19

Collecting and storing waste water from sinks, basins, baths, showers, etc

Chemically treated

Used for flushing, irrigation, etc

Question 20

Blackwater system?

Answer 20

Waste from toilets and urinals is collected, filtered and stored

Chemically treated

Used for flushing / irrigation