Sustainability Flashcards
(22 cards)
What are the three main pillars of sustainability?
Environmental, social and economical
Explain the environmental aspect of sustainability?
Protecting and preserving the natural world, including air, water, land, and biodiversity.
It involves reducing pollution, conserving resources, and mitigating climate change.
Explain the social aspect of sustainability?
Well-being of people and communities, including fair labour practices, access to education and healthcare, and social equity.
It also includes promoting human rights and ensuring a just and equitable society.
Explain the economical aspect of sustainability?
Achieving economic growth and prosperity while ensuring that economic activities do not harm the environment or social fabric.
It involves promoting innovation, creating jobs, and fostering a stable and responsible economy.
What does BREEAM stand for?
British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
Explain how BREEAM is used to assess environmental performance of buildings.
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)
Globally recognised scheme to assess sustainability of buildings throughout their life cycle from design to construction, operation, deconstruction and reuse.
Process measures performance against established benchmarks, such as Energy, Health and Wellbeing, Innovation, Land Use, Materials, Management, Pollution, Transport, Waste and Water.
Name 4 key environmental categories that BREEAM uses?
Water
Health & wellbeing
Energy
Materials
(WHEM)
Waste
Management
Land use
Innovation
Pollution
Transport
Resources
Resilience
What are the BREEAM key environmental categories?
Water
Waste
Health and Wellbeing
Energy
Materials
Management
Transport
Pollution
Innovation
Land use and ecology
Resources
Resilience
(Make sure you can briefly explain each)
https://breeam.com/about/how-breeam-works
What is the purpose of BREEAM?
BREEAM is used to specify and measure the sustainability performance of buildings.
Name some BREEAM ratings?
Outstanding
Excellent
Very good
Good
Pass
Unclassified
Name some environmental construction methods?
Prefabrication (reduces waste)
using recycled materials
renewable energy sources
Name some environmental construction technologies?
Solar panels
Rainwater harvesting system
energy efficient windows
ground or air source heat pump
green roofs
What is in a green roof build up?
structure
roofing membrane
root protection
insulation
drainage barrier
growing medium
vegetation.
What is Passivhaus
Passivhaus is a building standard focused on extremely energy-efficient design.
It aims to minimize heating and cooling needs by focusing on airtight construction, high-quality insulation, and smart ventilation.
The goal is to achieve high levels of indoor comfort while using significantly less energy than conventional buildings.
Can BREEAM be used for existing buildings?
There is an In Use BREEAM Standard for owners to assess sustainability of their property
or Refurb & Fit Out BREEAM Standard
What is a blue roof?
A blue roof is a sustainable roofing system designed to manage stormwater runoff by temporarily storing rainwater on the roof surface.
Any other sustainability schemes?
Passivhaus
WELL Building Standard
What is WELL Building Standard
WELL is a system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring building features that impact human health and well-being, through
- air
- water
- nourishment
- light
- fitness
- comfort and mind.
What do you do in your projects to improve sustainability?
As a QS it is difficult to have a direct impact in sustainability as we are not designers but we can make suggestions to designers for them to design.
Life cycle costing can also play a role in sustainability.
What benefits does BREEAM bring to buildings?
BREEAM certification offers numerous benefits, encompassing environmental, economic, and social advantages for buildings and their occupants.
It promotes sustainable building practices, reduces environmental impact, and improves the value and performance of buildings.
BREEAM also enhances the well-being of building users, supports compliance with regulations, and can lead to increased property values.
Any sustainable technologies used at Elleray Hall?
Rainwater harvesting, solar panels
What is contained in Approved Document L?
Doc L is part of the Building Regulations and focuses on conservation of fuel and power — essentially, energy efficiency requirements for buildings.
