Sustainable Construction Method - Coursework Example

? SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION METHOD SECTION A: THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS It is important to define the environmental impact assessment as a “process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made”. An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects (Anastas, and Zimmerman 2003, pp45). The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that decision makers consider the ensuing environmental impacts when deciding whether to proceed with a project. The construction process and building use not only consume the most energy of all sectors and create the most CO2 emissions, they also create the most waste, use most non-energy related resources, and are responsible for the most pollution. Materials such as copper, which is largely mined in South America where whole mountains have been taken down and landscapes altered in the search for ever more rare resources (Lovins et al 1999 pp 34).. The environmental aspect can be looked as: emissions into the air, water spills, waste generation, soil pollution, resource consumption, local impacts, and impacts associated with transportation, effects on biodiversity and emergency situations and incidents. The construction industry impacts on the environment in a number of ways, both directly and indirectly and these can be divided to: 1. Pollution The environmental impact of construction can be felt in terms of pollution. This is not in the extraction but in the processing of materials for construction. And again, not surprisingly, the construction industry has the biggest effect of all sectors because of the quantity of materials used in construction. In the past there was a simple general equation between the amount of pollution and the amount of energy in a process (McLennan, 2004, pp 56). On the whole the more energy required, and the more processes, the more waste and the more pollution was generated. Processes such as the processing of plastics for PVC, PU and PI, the manufacture of Titanium Dioxide, the galvanizing of metals were all very polluting. Much of this is now controlled by legislation and pollution of air, land and sea within the European Union and many Western Nations is now reducing. The loss of control of manufacturing processes therefore has a considerable environmental impact. 2. Resource Use The construction industry is the major consumer of resources of all industries. 3. Habitat Destruction While the three greatest and most imminent threats to the survival of our civilization are global warming, peak oil (the growing energy gap between supply and demand) and resource depletion, habitat destruction can have a more immediate and disastrous effect on certain localized areas and species. Sometimes these can also have a global impact (for example the impact of the deforestation of the Amazon rain forests). . 4. Waste There are increasing regulations about waste disposal from construction and many products, even common products like gypsum plasterboard and mineral wool insulation are now labeled as hazardous and require special disposal. In addition there are many projects to find new uses for waste construction materials. However here, as with waste disposal, the less processed a material is, and the less hazardous, the easier re-use, recycling or healthy disposal (for example through composting) will be. Many essential materials are now in short supply. 5. Climate change The main base performance criteria for energy efficient buildings all concern the thermal performance of the building shell where most of the CO2 gains can be most easily made. The fact is that if we are serious about climate change then we need to stop playing games with technologies which do not deliver real CO2 savings. The real challenge in this area is the refurbishment of existing buildings. However it would help for a start, if we also produced really energy efficient new buildings. Employer shall design, execute the Works in accordance with the contract and the work shall be fit to the purpose for which the works are intended as define in contract. Employers should remit monthly premiums to designated health plan to cover for the employee’s health needs, and this paramount. They should also regular training and advice and mentorship. Though it may be the sole responsibility of the employer to ensure safety of the employees, everyone controlling site work has health and safety responsibilities. Checking that working conditions are healthy and safe before work begins, and ensuring that the proposed work is not going to put others at risk, requires planning and organization. This can be achieved by: having the right people for the right job at the right time to manage the risks on site; focusing on effective planning and manage the risk - not the paperwork; improving health and safety in your industry. B. Achieving a BREEAM rating of “very good” The BREEAM assessment process isn’t just about the building itself, it covers a whole array of elements which encompass the office environment. It looks at things like how energy efficient a business is, what impact an office has on the health and wellbeing of its people, water, material and waste – it even looks at management policies to see how environmentally sound they are (Holling 1999 at al, pp 82) There are several factors which contribute to attainment of this mission such as: Good building management, How the building contributes to the health and well-being of staff, A reduction in CO2 emissions from building operations and transport to and from a building, Location and access for staff, Water use and efficiency, Use of responsibly resourced materials, those with a low embodied energy and recycled materials, Best use of the building’s location and footprint and Minimizing pollution (Ji Yan and Stellios 2006, pp 45). Therefore, consideration of the above factors with a lot of attention will definitely lead to attainment of a BREEAM rating of “very good”. C. SWMP plan Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) are a legal requirement for all construction projects which lay with both the client and the principal contractor, in this case the SWMP has adhered to principles of environmental management based on the degree of elements and other aspects of construction management (Cote et al, 2004 pp 57). These plans are designed to encourage better waste management practices, reduce the cost of waste disposal and decrease waste crime. Proper advice, training, tools and data should be provided to improve on this plan. Also provide a selection of training and support packages that will assist with planning, implementing and reviewing SWMPs to achieve compliance and added benefits (Bukchin J. 2010, pp 67-71). PART B: MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION Executive summary This particular proposal has been prepared by consulting engineers done on the behalf of their client. The aim of the project is to present a preliminary assessment findings pertaining to `energy options that can be exploited by client. Moreover this current assessment has been undertaken with an aim of reviewing the zero and low options carbon energy solutions with an aim of attaining the need to utilize sustainable energy in line with the specifications of the modern methods of construction Therefore, the initial strategy for these particular energy options will be developed in accordance with the energy hierarchy which entails: be lean, be clean and be green. These stages are developed with an aim of reducing the consumption rate of energy in the development and modern buildings. Hence, in this particular development there will be incorporation of both passive modern designs of building, in addition to equipment that are energy efficient in nature. The appraised technologies based on financial, practical and technical feasibility in terms of zero and low potential carbon systems for this particular project include: Biomass heating boilers Wind turbines Ground source heat pumps Photovoltaic modules for generation of electricity Gas fired power and heat Based on the review, zero and low carbon systems have been considered unsuitable for this particular project in terms of feasibility. Hence it is essential that significant movements are undertaken via passive designs by initiating changes to the existing structures while at the same time ensuring that the newly built structures maximize the potentiality of improving various ways of ensuring that energy is saved. Moreover, the proposed measurers that are passive in nature will assist in reducing the amount of carbon emitted by approximately 25.3% in comparing to the buildings which are already in place. Additionally, the same will provide further improvement on the part L2A TER target which is approximated to be 9%. kgCO2/m2/annum Existing building 115 Part L2A Benchmark 93.3 Proposed building 86 It is important that the report will be used for by the client name above and for the sole purpose which is clearly stated. Additionally, the report will remain confidential and will only be available to the client and his advisors. More importantly, the consulting engineer (me) will have to accept any responsibility to the aforementioned client and assure the client that the report has been prepared with diligence, care and skill by an engineer who is competent. However, other parties should on rely on this particular report at their own risk. Additionally, no party has the right to include this particular report in the form of documents, statements and circulars or publish it without obtaining written approval from the consulting Engineer (me) Renewable and sustainable energy This particular section provides a review of zero and low available option of carbon energy which aims at meeting the criteria of the city of the council in which the school is to be constructed. 1. The council will require that all the developments whether conversions or newly built. Additionally the measurements of the floor should be 1000sq.m or more than ten residential units, or a site area with 0.5 ha or less, the remaining 10% of its energy requirements should be provided by renewable energy generation which should be on site. Moreover, this particular renewable energy generation which is located on site should be in a position to provide additional 10% of carbon dioxide reduction process. 2. Based on the existing national grid, provision for generating excess energy should be included. Gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) CHP makes use of a reciprocating engine which is gas fired in addition to being connected to a generator with an aim of making it to generate power and heat. On the other hand, heat that is useable is generated via recovery of heat that is generated in the engine via the conventional generator which is further rejected into the atmosphere (Ivar 2006, pp 88). However, in order to increase the performance of the engine, there is need to ensure provision of electrical loads and constant heating. Hence, it is essential that public electrical supply and fired boiler system supplements the whole system. However, to ensure financial viability of the system, it is important to ensure that the selection of the unit meets the heat base in addition to ensuring that the load is maintained above the day’s proportion this results into any additional cost to be reduced especially those associated with the whole process of running the CHP Ivar 2006, PP 91-93. Due to the fact that the these building thermal base loads is not efficient enough to run the CHP smoothly, therefore this particular technology is not recommended for this particular project. Biomass heating Established technology consist of biomass boilers which makes use of natural sources of fuel such as wood pellets and wood chips for the purpose of combustion. This makes the boilers to be 80% efficient and thus the carbon dioxide that is emitted during this process is absorbed by plants resulting into carbon neutral cycle (Chris et al, 2006 pp 45-47). However, it is important to note that if wood chips are used the amount of emissions will be lower as compared to when pellets are used. This is due to the fact that wood chips provide less energy during the process. Moreover, it is important to point out that biomass heating can result into reducing quantity of carbon dioxide that is emitted. However, the same is considered unsuitable for some sites especially those located in remote areas and city centers (Tainter 1988, pp 51-53). Additionally due to the existing constraints in the sites which include increased fire risks, limited plant space and access to the vehicles, biomass is not recommendable for this particular development. Solar thermal systems (SWH) Solar hot water is suitable for the requirements laid down by base load heating. However, due to the fact that this particular project requires low base load in addition to the existing potential visual effects of the solar collectors’ availability on the roofs of houses, solar hot water are not suitable source of renewable energy for this particular project. Maximize passive design by using site layout and good insulation The phrase “Be Lean” measures will decrease the energy consumed and carbon monoxide Emitted for the development. The building will be put up exceeding the energy standards required by part L 2006 of the Building Regulations. This will be achieved by suitable means of thermal insulation by limiting heat loss through roofs, walls, doors, etc. The building will be partially demolished to the first floor slab and rebuilt meeting the values in the table. The thermal performance of the remaining structure will be upgraded to maximize its efficiency. All windows should be replaced to double with solar glass to the south facing facade. The following table shows the U values which have been used to SBEM model the Primark store. Fabric Component Existing store U value w/m/k Proposed store u value w/m/k External walls 1.38 0.28 Roof 0.47 0.23 Glazing 5.8 1.45 South Facing Glazing 5.8 1.23 Floor lab 0.22 0.24 PASSIVE DESIGN The limitation of unwanted infiltration will substantially improve the buildings thermal -performance through extensive thermal performance. This scheme is aiming at achieving a permeability of 7.2 cubic metres/ hr/ square metres at 50Pa and will be measured according to Part L of the Building Regulations. The front entrance is would be a south facing facade with substantial heat gain potential. All south facade will be solar controlled in order to reduce heat gains and internal cooling. Energy Efficiency and passive design (Be clean) The energy use of the building will be minimized from that witnessed in other methods of constructions; this is because the design incorporates energy measures in the passive design of electrical and mechanical engineering systems, together with passive enhancement of the building fabric (Anastas, and Zimmerman 2003, pp71). Both indirect and direct energy consumption of the school building will be controlled by the following principles Controls: A major portion of ?12.5million school building project should be directed toward controls in order to ensure efficiency measures and consumption controls for the building are both affected, this being a school Building management systems might be installed for regulation. Air re-circulation: Floors, the floor will be under conditioning through dedicated air handling units (AHU), this will have to integrate numerous energy saving techniques and devices. Normally, a bout 20% of the accumulative volume flow rate on the floor will be expected to be fresh air. The other percentage of the air will be applied in space conditioning purpose (Cote et al 2004, pp 67-70). The least amount of air will permit up to 70% of the total air in circulation to be recalculated again within the space Free Cooling: the dinning hall will to accumulate of 300 individuals, therefore, in order to minimize the mechanical cooling demand within the art and dinning hall, the floor, through BMS and a number of control sensors permits the building design to utilize ‘free cooling’ by regulating of the exterior temperatures (Bukchin et al 2010, pp 81-83) . These will be achieved by combining dampers with the walls to form a mixture of fresh air within a re-circulated air, and thus it will necessitate an air -temperature condition required and hence fresh air will be circulated through the building Performance of a passive Building Conclusion In modern construction, passive construction is most of the electrifying things of the modern world; it is an example of sustainable construction method for buildings and it address the preliminary energy consumption in buildings, as a substitute to simple site energy (Ivar et al 2006, pp 104). Though, it is challenging to achieve passive conditions, but once done, it provides a solid target for main –edge engineers, builders and designers to focus for, and impact on the building rating methods and codes and hence tighten building Standards Reference list Anastas, P. L. and Zimmerman, J. B. (2003). "Through the 12 principles of green engineering". Environmental Science and Technology. March 1. 95-101A. Ben-Gal I., Katz R. and Bukchin J. (2010), "Robust Eco-Design: A New Application for Quality Engineering", IIE Transactions, Vol. 40 (10), p. 907 - 918. Available at: http://www.eng.tau.ac.il/~bengal/Eco_Design.pdf Buzz Holling (1999) .Resilience and Stability of Ecological Systems, Waste and recycling, DEFRA Household waste, Office for National Statistics. Fan Shu-Yang, Bill Freedman, and Raymond Cote (2004). "Principles and practice of ecological design". Environmental Reviews. 12: 97–112. Holm, Ivar (2006). Ideas and Beliefs in Architecture and Industrial design: How attitudes, orientations, and underlying assumptions shape the built environment. Oslo School of Architecture and Design. ISBN 82-547-0174-1. JA Tainter (1988). The Collapse of Complex Societies Cambridge Univ. Press Ji Yan and Plainiotis Stellios (2006): Design for Sustainability. Beijing: China Architecture and Building Press. ISBN 7-112-08390-7 McLennan, J. F. (2004), The Philosophy of Sustainable Design. Retrieved from http://engagebydesign.org/values/ on 29th -11-2011 Paul Hawken, Amory B. Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins (1999). Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution. Little, Brown. Ryan, Chris (2006). "Dematerializing Consumption through Service Substitution is a Design Challenge". Journal of Industrial Ecology. 4(1). Various. " Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design." The principles of sustainability’’ Accessed at http://www.nps.gov/dsc/dsgncnstr/gpsd/ch1.html Read More