Sustainability Flashcards
(17 cards)
What does BREEAM stand for?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.
How is BREEAM used?
Provides a framework to assess and improve the sustainability performance of a building.
It does this by setting criteria and awarding schemes with it’s relevant ratings.
What are the BREEAM ratings?
Pass.
Good.
Very Good.
Excellent.
Outstanding.
What are some examples of BREEAM criteria?
Energy - Improving the efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
Land Use & Ecology - Protecting and enhancing ecological value.
Water - Minimising consumption and wate.
Health & Wellbeing - Enhancing occupant comfort and safety.
Pollution - Reducing risks from air, water noise, and land pollution.
Transport - Encouraging sustainable travel options.
Materials - Using sustainable and responsibly sourced materials.
Waste - Reducing construction and operational waste.
Management - Ensuring sustainability is integrated into project management
Innovation - Encouraging new and improved sustainability practices.
What is the Climate Change Act 2019?
A legally binding role of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
What is the Paris Agreement?
Legally binding international treaty to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.
What are the key principles of sustainability?
Social - Ensuring community well-being by supporting inclusive environments, human rights and access to essential services.
Economical - Balancing profitability with environmental and social considerations, encouraging responsible business practices that support long-term growth.
Environmental - Reducing pollution, and promoting renewable energy sources.
What are some pieces of legislation which affect sustainability in construction?
Clean Air Act.
Building Act.
Climate Change Act.
What is Part L of the building regulations?
Conservation of fuel and power.
What are some sustainable building methods?
Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps.
Recycled materials.
Pre-fabricated and modular buildings.
Solar PV’s.
Green roofs.
What is meant by the term Carbon Neutral?
When the carbon emitted is equal to the amount of carbon absorbed from the atmosphere.
What are the Seven Core Concepts of the WELL building Standard and how did these guide planning and discussions in my meetings during the 1 James Street Project?
Air.
Water.
Nourishment.
Light.
Fitness.
Comfort.
Mind.
This shifted the focus to how prop tech would enable tracking these concepts throughout the building.
What challenges did you encounter when aligning the design team’s approach to meet WELL certification requirements, and how did you overcome them?
Ensuring that the methods to achieve the concept were within the project budget.
I overcame these challenges by highlighting the items associated with the works and tracking their cost compared to other building elements which enabled me to discuss items which were exceeding the project budget.
What is the difference between Whole Life Costing and Life Cycle Costing?
Life Cycle Costing focuses on the construction, maintenance, operation and disposal of the asset.
Whereas, Whole Life Costing also includes client and user costs, such as project financing, land, income and external costs.
What is an SBEM?
Simplified Building Energy Model
What are the Key Building Regulations that relate to sustainability in
construction?
Building Regulations Part L — Conservation of Fuel and Power.
Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations.
Requires that EPC’s are produced for dwellings and non-dwellings.
Quantifies energy efficiency of buildings.
Required when buildings are built, sold or rented.
Commercial buildings over 500 sqm. and frequented by the public need to display a display energy certificate (DEC) based on actual energy used.
Please can you give me some examples of environmental assessment methods?
SKA - Assessment method produced by RICS to help landlords and tenants understand the environmental impact of office refurbishment
BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
