Level 1 Sustainability

Question 1

What is sustainability?

Answer 1

Fulfilling the needs of today without comprimising future generations. Having consideration for future generations, considering our use of materials and resources with acknowledgment of the damaging effects,.

Question 2

What is embodied carbon?

Answer 2

Carbon emissions associated with the whole lifecycle of the project.
Transporting, manufacturing, operational and end life.

Question 3

What are greenhouse gasses?

Answer 3

Gas that absorbs and emits radiant energy, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nirtous Oxide.

Question 4

What were the outcomes of COP27

Answer 4

Clean Construction Accelerator Act:
- encourages annual public report
- assess the impact of materials and design choices
- Work with business, indursty, residents and workers to educate and create a joint roadmap to reach net zero goals.
- demand accountability and transparancy.

Making Net Zero the new normal
- Private practices are committing to undertaking lifecycle carbon assessments for all its building projects, new and retrofit.
- Estimated currently less than 1% of buildings are evaluated in a way which quantifies carbon emissions generated through lifespan.

Question 5

What are the three pillars?

Answer 5

Social, Economic and Environmental
Social - Legislation, equality, fair pay, community benefits, health & well being
Economy - Tax, Leglislation, Profit, Supply Chair

Question 6

What are EPCS?

Answer 6

Energy Performance Certificates required to evaluate the energy efficiency of a building and provides recommendation on how to improve.

Question 7

What is BREEAM?

Answer 7

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

Question 8

What are Green Roofs?

Answer 8

Roof covering that is partially or completely covered with vegetation over a waterproof membrane. The layers include:
- vegetation
- soil
- drainage layer
- root barrier
- irrigation systems.

They absorb rainwater, provide extra insulation, increase biodiversity, habitats, wildilfe, aesthetically pleasing and lower urban air temperature.

Question 9

What are ground source heat pumps?

Answer 9

1. Heat from the ground is absorbed at a low temperature into a fluid inside a loop of pipes below ground.
2. The fluid passes through a compressor that raises it to a higher temperature which can then heat the water for the heating and hot water circuits of the house.
3. The cooled ground loop fluid passes back into the ground where it absorbs further energy from the ground in a continuous process.

Question 10

What are the new Building Regulations?

Answer 10

Part L: Conservation of Fuel and Power - look for a fabric first approach. Transitional period.
Part F: Ventilation - mandated checklists in place to install mechanical ventilation product in new and existing homes.
Part B: Fire - New regulations to strengthen the ban on combustible materials, extended on the type of materials.
Part O: Overheating - introduces glazing limits in new builds to reduce unwanted solar gain.
Part S: Infrastructure for charging electric vehicles.