Factors of Environmental Pollution during the Building Process - Term Paper Example

Date: Institution: Student name: Course name: Introduction The proposal that has been used as the case study is the plympton mixed use development on Anzac highway/Marion road. A brief of the proposal is that it is a redevelopment and improvement of the Highway Inn hotel. The proposal has both residential and commercial buildings for customers, temporaryand permanent residents. This scoping material looks into the proposed project and looksinto problems that it might present to the community and the environment. It is mainly focused on environmental factors(GSA, 2013). The method that has been used in developing of the scoping matrix is researching and data analysis. The factors that will reduce and enhance environmental pollution during the development phases were analysed. The effect of each factor is then used to rate its severity or advantage. The main determinant of the rate of the factors is the extent of the damage that the pollution will cause. All the five types of pollution are considered: water pollution, light pollution, air pollution, noise pollution and environmental pollution. Most of these pollution factors are experienced during the building process. Scoping Matrix Project phase Demolition and Construction After Project completion Parameter Pollution it will cause or reduce Domestic and commercial Waste disposal Poor or bad disposal is a threat to the natural environment. It is important for adequate measures that will reduce pollution are used before, during and after construction. This requires proper recycling methods, good disposal for non-recyclable items. Poor drainage may cause wastes to interfere with water supply systems. There should be designated points where waste is disposed. 2 3 Noise There are many sources of noise pollution in the case study. This includes the traffic that is on the two roads, noise made during the demolition and construction process and aircraft noise. It is however reported that the airport noise will not affect them. It is reported that the aircraft noise will not affect the building due to the fact that the site is not within Australian Noise exposure forecast. Noise attenuation gadgets must be added in areas where noise pollution cannot be avoided. Neighbours might also e a source of noise and disturbance and thus should be advised on appropriate living. 3 2 Air quality There are many factors that will affect the air quality. These include dust, cement and other dirt produced during the construction period, bad odours produced in the commercial settings like cafes and ventilation to reduce heat and gases produced by cars and vehicles. In addition to that, liquid domestic garbage will also produce unappealing odours. The proponent has however promised that the building will adhere to the air quality measures adopted in 1998 by the Australian government. 3 1 Quality and constant water supply The water that is consumed in the site should be of good quality. Water that has been used can be recycled on the landscaping options to avoid wastage. The designing of the water system must enforce water conservation, reuse and minimise consumption. Storm water should not be wasted and used in ensuring to reserve other water sources. Water sources should not mix with the water used in household to avoid contamination. 2 3 Soil pollution Soil pollution is caused by soil erosion and release of toxic materials to the soil. All processes involved in demolition and construction must not affect the soil salinity so as not to endanger the ecosystem. 2 2 Light pollution Light sources that are used should not present any dangers to the neighbouring regions and should not affect the work of the Adelaide Airport Limited. In addition to that, residential homes should not be close to the parking areas and vehicle access points to avoid the overflow of light into these areas. The lighting process should adhere to Australian Standards. 2 2 Storm water management Storm water has very bad effects on the environment. Apart from enhancing soil pollution they may also affect the soil salinity and affect water that is stored if it mixes with it. Too much storm water will also affect the landscaping. It carries dirty sediments to water sources from urban areas. Appropriate storm management methods should be enforces in order to conserve water. 2 3 Water sensitive urban design (WSUB) WSUD is very important because it helps in ensuring that the water supply methods used are appropriate for the site. This designing also reduces poor installation to ensure that there are no leaks or accident that will affect the water supply. The proponent of the project must adhere with this design to reduce pollutions and leakages. Care must also be used when demolition the drainage system of the highway hotel to reduce waste. If this is not adhered to there will be many water spillages and wastages in the even after the project is completed. 1 3 Proposal on how to improve the infrastructure in the project Introduction The infrastructure components of the project include all the mechanisms that are part of the project. The infrastructures that are determinants of pollution levels in the proposed area include the utility facilities, waste disposal and management, storm water management and odour management. In the scoping matrix some of these have been mentioned but it is poor designing of the water supply, storm water, gas, sewerage, electricity, communication and ventilation systems for the proposed building will present a challenge to the successful completion of the project. These six systems each require a system that will be effective in the successful completion of the project. Effects of poor infrastructure systems The best way to avoid a hazard is the use of safe design of the infrastructure systems. It is paramount for very clear planning of these sectors to ensure that accidents do not occur in the building before and after the construction phase. As explained by Babrauskas (2001), poor electricity connection is likely to affect electrical equipment due to short circuiting and in some cases may cause electrical fires. Risks that relate to the electrical sector include electrical equipment, overhead and underground cables, switch room and switchboxes. Poor ventilation systems during the demolition and construction will affect the workers. Waste products from the demolition are also a source of environmental degradation (EPA, 2009). Sometimes there may be fumes or too much dust during demolition or produced from the building materials to be used that pose health risk to people in the site. As stated by Harris (199: p. 756) poor ventilation can also be present in the houses and this has health risks such as asthma and lung cancer. Poor installation of .utility systems like gases, internet, communication and water presents hazards such as fires due to gas leaks, trips and falls and accidents. When there are water supply pipes or broken pipes, there will be water wastage which in turn leads to soil erosion. If there are leaks and spills in the sewage structure, there will be odours and soil pollution which affects the ecosystem(Workforce, 2009). According to EPA (2009), one of the impacts of poor storm management is the fact that it leads pollutants and sediments from house roofs, parking, walkways and driveways to the water sources and consequently affects the environment negatively. It can also direct poorly disposed nylon and plastic ware into the water sources and consequently presenting a risk to the aquatic life. The urban runoff water is reported to be the sixth reason behind the pollution of rivers and lakes in urban areas. Therefore, appropriate design methods should be used in the design to ensure successful project completion. Objective The main objectives of this study are to understand the effectiveness of the utility infrastructures that has been mentioned in the proposal.it looks into the relevance of the infrastructure and the effects they may have on the successful completion and utilization of the project. Data collection methods The main data collectionmethod that has been used in the baseline study is the analysis of the case study from previous scholars and looking at their analysis of the project. In addition to that other methods such as observations and interviewing of the staff in the site, the general public and the workers in the area has been paramount in pointing out the main factors. It is through this analysis that the issue of infrastructure has been noted. Although the Australian government has many regulatory laws on matters that regard building infrastructure, it is important that they are adhered to (GSA, 2013). Recommendations The first recommendation is to ensure that water sensitive urban design factors are maintained and upheld as expected by the Australian government. The significance of this fact is that the integration of the design and urban planning will reduce the effects of poor storm water management as well as the effects that might be caused by poor water infrastructure planning that will lead to water wastage, water spills and water contamination. In addition to that, it will reduce water pollution in rivers and lakes due to better storm water management. Cases of soil erosion and sedimentation flow to lakes and rivers from urban regions will reduce. Better storm water management through the urban planning will also lead to availability of more water and reduce the strain in the available water supply. Secondly, there must be clear communication between the design engineers and the workers. All passages that are meant for gas, communication, electricity wires and other utility services must be known. This will reduce cases of conflict and confusion. All utility infrastructure passages must be handled by professionals to avoid accidents. It is also recommended that there are adequate ventilation systems that will ensure the demolition and construction processes will not affect the health of the builders as well as that of the public. The waste recycling and removal process in very important during the demolition process and after successful completion. The industrial wastes that are end products of the demolition process must be disposed well to avoid increase in pollution. All materials that are end products of the demolition and can be recycled should be recycled so as to conserve available material. In addition to this garbage wastes from homes should also be split into recyclable and non-recyclable bins so as to ease the recycling process. This action is important in environmental consecration while reducing cases of waste and sewerage disposal (Rao et al, 2007 p. 82). It is also important for the proposal to adhere to the regulation rules that have been set by the Australian government. These regulations includes rules that govern water usage, emissions, noise, height of buildings, environmental concerns, construction concerns and many factors that govern building. They include the National Environment Protection Air Quality Measures which were accepted in 1998, Environment protection policy which were legislated in 2009 and governs noise levels, the EPA Guideline for Stockpile Management which governs waste disposal and EPA draft Guideline: Waste derived fill Protocol for the production and use of waste derived fill which governs the waste disposal and recycling. A waste management plan for each of the building processes must be pre-planned; this will help in ensuring that when the process begins, there will be no delays or stagnation due to poor waste management planning. Conclusion The proposal on Plympton mixed use development, Anzac Highway/ Marion Rd is a very productive project as it will be a business, recreation and residential setting. Despite of this it presents several environment concerns. Most of these concerns can be well handled if the proposers ensure that they adhere to Australian Laws on matters that relate to noise, wastage, water and utility infrastructure. It must ensure that there is careful planning of every stage to ensure that there is no lazing caused by poor planning. The proponent must also make sure that there is understanding with businesses in the same locality like the Adelaide Airport Limited to avoid lawsuits and disagreements. References Babrauskas, V. (2001). How do electrical wiring faults lead to structure ignitions? In Proc. Fire and Materials 2001 Conf (pp. 39-51). EPA (2009), Buildings and their Impact on the Environment: A Statistical Summary. Environmental protection Agency, United States of America. Government of South Australia (2013), Plympton Mixed Use Development Anzac Highway/Marion Road, Assessment report. Harris, D. J. (1999).A quantitative approach to the assessment of the environmental impact of building materials. Building and Environment, 34(6), 751-758. Pope, C. A., & Dockery, D. W. (2006). Health effects of fine particulate air pollution: lines that connect. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 56(6), 709-742. Rao, A., Jha, K. N., &Misra, S. (2007). Use of aggregates from recycled construction and demolition waste in concrete. Resources, conservation and Recycling, 50(1), 71-81. Reisman, J, Gienapp ,A. &Stachowiak (2009), a handbook of data collection tools. Organizational Research Services. Workcover (2009) SAFE DESIGN OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. New south wales Government . Read More