Citation
Todd, S. (2009), "Internet review", Structural Survey, Vol. 27 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2009.11027eag.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Internet review
Article Type: Internet review From: Structural Survey, Volume 27, Issue 5
The web site information included below includes two key and other informative sites. If there are any other interesting sites or sources of information that you have found useful, please e-mail me at s.todd@salford.ac.uk
Building Research Establishment
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BREEAM Alliance. The BRE’s Alliance aims to drive international sustainability standards. The new BREEAM Sustainability Alliance gives the direction and leadership that will improve the sustainability of buildings throughout Europe and beyond. This has been set up by BRE Global in response to demand from industry partners, developers and Green Building Councils. This will enable the development of a single rating tool for Europe. BREEAM is already used extensively throughout Europe and in October last year the Dutch Green Building Council announced that they were adopting BREEAM for The Netherlands, and work is underway to adapt the methodology in Ireland, Turkey, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. BRE Global also recently concluded a memorandum of understanding to work with the CSTB in France and is actively working in the Gulf, under a similar agreement with the Emirates Green Building Council. The key goals for the Alliance are:
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to develop and promote common rating tools for the environmental assessment of buildings across Europe;
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to influence the direction of Government and EU policy for sustainable buildings and engage leading stakeholders;
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to share knowledge and advance the understanding of genuine sustainability through events, training, conferences and publications; and
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to fund sustainability research.It will be supported by a focused and dedicated secretariat which will have offices based in Brussels, London and other European cities.
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PURE. PURE the Clean Planet Trust is the UK’s leading carbon offset charity with the specific objective of combating climate change. To date, PURE has supported over 30 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across the UK and internationally (see www.puretrust.org.uk). PURE was awarded the highest score (15 out of 15 stars) in a recent Which report that assessed seventeen carbon offset providers in the UK. The report looked at key issues like transparency for customers, ease of use and value for money. PURE is also one of only six offset providers whose offset projects are accredited under the Government’s Quality Assurance Scheme for Carbon Offsetting. The Government scheme was established in 2008 with the aim of raising the standards of carbon offsetting in the UK. Earlier this year PURE - the UK’s leading offset charity - established an exciting new partnership with BRE. The partnership focuses on encouraging the adoption of better carbon management practices for the business community and individuals and aims to establish UK based offset projects that will help the UK reach its 2050 80 per cent carbon reduction target. BRE manages the day to day administration of the PURE Trust on behalf of its trustees.
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Research highlights the business benefits of low carbon buildings. Research recently conducted by BRE social scientists demonstrates the business benefits experienced by companies and organisations that operate from low carbon buildings. The project, which was commissioned by the Carbon Trust in Scotland, took a look at three recently completed BREEAM excellent buildings in Scotland and explored the impact of the buildings on occupier experience and on the organisations as a whole. Buildings included “Great Glen House”, the Scottish Natural Heritage HQ, Inverness, “Solais House”, NG Bailey’s Central Scotland HQ, Bellshill and “Carrochan”, the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority HQ, Balloch. The research consisted of a series of interviews with business, building and facilities managers and focus groups with building occupants. Participants were asked whether they perceived that productivity, job satisfaction and well being had increased since moving into their new buildings. The following eight key business benefits were uncovered:
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Reduced operational costs - for example, utility costs, facilities’ staff time, paper and travel.
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Expected increase in the low carbon buildings’ asset value over a standard speculative building.
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The high levels of daylight, good air quality and natural ventilation in the buildings have had a positive impact on occupant health and well being, compared with occupant’s previous air conditioned premises.
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Open plan, transparent offices (related to natural ventilation strategy and increased daylight penetration) encourage communication and break down silos. The research suggests this can have a positive impact on staff - colleagues and managers are more accessible.
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Award winning, low carbon buildings provide excellent profile raising and marketing opportunities. Clients and the local community enjoy visiting the building and are encouraged to attend meetings and events.
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Raised awareness of sustainability amongst occupants, encourages pro-environmental behaviour at work that spills over into the home environment.
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Improved image amongst staff who feel it is important to work in a sustainable building, and enhanced amenities for staff which contribute to making staff feel valued at work.
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There is some indication that a sustainable building can have a positive impact on recruitment.
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UK and France sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop common single rating tool for environmental assessment certification. BRE Global, CSTB and CERTIVEA have signed a MOU for the development of a Pan-European building environmental assessment method. With the recent launch of the SB Alliance, the relationship between BRE Global and CSTB has increased in scope and strength and it is felt that further increased cooperation between both signatories could lead to the establishment of a system for assessing the environmental performance of buildings that is both nationally-effective and recognized on the global scale; and that is increasingly adopted in Europe and worldwide. Therefore, BRE Global, CSTB and CERTIVEA have signed a MOU to initiate joint programme with the overall objective of aligning the certification schemes delivered by the two institutes in the countries in which they operate. This will ultimately allow the development and promotion, at the European level, of a common assessment method and a common brand run by a European council. During the development period of this European scheme, signatories will offer their respective markets a one stop service. Therefore CERTIVEA, CSTB’s subsidiary and certification organisation, will deliver BREEAM as an optional complement to the existing NF démarche HQE®. These developments will be in line with the work on common metrics which is being undertaken by BRE Global, CSTB and other major organizations such as DGnB, VTT, NIST, ITC-CNR and FCAV within the SB Alliance, as well as the common carbon measurement to be established between BREEAM, LEED, and Green-Star currently being led by BRE Global.
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Green Guide online – one year on. The Green Guide to Specification went online a year ago and now has over eleven and a half thousand registered users. These users can access over 2000 specifications and the latest updates include the ratings for floor finishes. BRE Global continues to work with industry to develop and increase the range of materials and specifications included in the Green Guide. Ratings on the Green Guide provide very useful guidance but it is not intended that specifiers should make decisions based on this information alone. The embodied environmental impacts of building materials and components measured in the Green Guide are just part of the overall sustainability of a building as measured in Industry standard schemes such as BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes. BRE Global is continually enhancing the Green Guide online and is actively developing many areas including:
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presenting Green Guide Ratings for manufacturer specific products allowing them to differentiate themselves away from the generic profile rating;
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releasing Ecopoint values for generic and manufacturer specific profiles thus providing further evidence for “Best in Category” product profile over a Generic profile;
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allowing users to compile their own bespoke specifications and determine the environmental performance of these with the forthcoming launch of the Green Guide Calculator;
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information Papers later in the year which will include “Performance and Service life in the Environmental Profiles Methodology and Green Guide to Specification” and “The Green Guide Explained”; and
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in addition to the online version, the fourth edition of The Green Guide to Specification has been published in hardback and provides more detailed background information than is available on the free online version of The Green Guide.
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BREEAM communities launched. The Athletes’ Village and the BBC’s MediaCityUK, Manchester are key pilots for the new scheme, incorporating world leading sustainability into their designs. The new BREEAM scheme for communities has being launched to help planners and developers improve, manage and independently certify the sustainability of development proposals through the various stages of the planning process. The initial scheme has been piloted on projects throughout the nine English regions. Foremost amongst these is the Athletes’ Village for London 2012 and MediaCityUK, the new headquarters and mixed-use development for the BBC in Manchester. Both projects are committed to maximising the sustainability potential of their specific development site and ensuring that the final product incorporates world leading sustainability.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
The current homepage gives access to:
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World Class Regulation. A regulatory regime that members are proud of, and the public support:
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RICS Rules of Conduct.
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Royal Charter and Bye-Laws.
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RICS Regulation microsite.
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RICS Regulatory Board.
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Essential Practice Standards. Access to technical practice standards:
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Mandatory RICS practice standards.
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Advisory practice standards.
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Access RICS practice standards via isurv.
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Register with an approved consumer redress scheme.
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Keeping up to speed:
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RICS clarification to Members on Foxtons case.
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Digital Communications Strategy Group (DCSG).
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RICS influencing and shaping public policy.
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Global intelligence, trusted advice:
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RICS position papers.
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RICS press releases.
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RICS market survey and analyses.
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Insight, rigour and authority:
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RICS research home page.
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Economic commentary.
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Leading the debate:
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Built environment.
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Environment.
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Property.
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Management.
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Training.
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A world of images in one place.
NHBC Foundation
The NHBC Foundation was launched in 2006 in partnership with the BRE Trust. Its remit is to provide the necessary data and intelligence to develop long-term solutions to industry challenges which lie ahead and lead debate and thinking among industry experts. The NHBC Foundation facilitates research and development, and shares guidance and good practice to the homebuilding industry. Much of the NHBC Foundation’s research is focused on the challenges of the Government’s 2016 zero carbon homes target. The “Latest” section gives information on:
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NHBC Foundation launches the Zero Carbon Compendium.
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NHBC Foundation aids industry response to zero carbon.
There is also a very useful Research and Publications section. The NHBC Foundation has developed a programme of research projects to address key issues within the industry. By developing pragmatic and relevant research for the industry, the NHBC Foundation seeks to address the challenges of the Code for Sustainable Homes and the drive towards zero carbon, whilst considering broader environmental issues. Some of the recent valuable publications include:
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Zero Carbon Compendium (NF17). This Compendium is the first synthesis of international activity in this field, providing a unique snapshot of how 15 different countries are demonstrating leadership in low carbon technology, culture change, policy development and change management.
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A Practical Guide to Building Airtight Dwellings (NF16). This guide brings together the experiences of those who have already got to grips with airtightness, for the benefit of others and provides design tips and guidance on common air leakage paths.
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The Code for Sustainable Homes Simply Explained (NF15). This guide helps developers get to grips with the Code by distilling the experience gained from a large number of Code assessments and advises designers and builders on a strategic way through.
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Zero Carbon Homes – An Introductory Guide for Housebuilders (NF14). This guide explains simply the background to zero carbon and summarises the Government’s current proposals. This important publication explains the concept of zero carbon and outlines the current CLG consultation on its definition.
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Community Heating and Combined Heat and Power (NF13). An introductory guide to these systems which are likely to become increasingly common in the future as we head towards zero carbon.
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The Use of Lime-based Mortars in New Build (NF12). Posing the question “why return to lime-based mortars?” this guide looks at the advantages of such mortars over cement-based mortars and considers best usage as well as limitations.
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The Merton Rule (NF11). This publication considers the practical, environmental and economic effects of The Merton Rule and reviews the effectiveness of achieving CO2 reductions through the use of the planning system.
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Learning the Lessons from Systemic Building Failures (NF10). Using examples to illustrate problems that have arisen with innovative forms of construction, this review identifies solutions as well as exploring some of the reasons for the problems and issues that have occurred as a result.
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Zero Carbon: What Does it Mean to Homeowners and Housebuilders? (NF9). This extensive market research study involves consumer research focusing on ascertaining attitudes towards zero carbon issues and identifying levels of understanding along with thoughts and feelings on the potential impact zero carbon homes may have on lifestyles. The builder research portrays their views on the Code and how they believe their customers will react to new construction methods and technologies:
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Site Waste Management (NF8). This comprehensive guide and accompanying templates provides detailed background information and procurement guidance, explaining the three levels of site waste management practice that are relevant to different types of contract.
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A Review of Microgeneration and Renewable Energy Technologies (NF7). This research assesses the 11 types of technology most appropriate for new developments, including biomass, solar, photovoltaic, air source heat pump and fuel cell technologies. It examines cost-efficiency and carbon saving benefits, with crucial factors like payback periods, seasonal variation and location taken into account.
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Modern Housing (NF6). This research draws heavily on Government data from the Communities and Local Government English House Condition Survey (EHCS) and examines a range of issues including households’ satisfaction with their homes and neighbourhoods and the key factors they consider important when choosing them.
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Ground Source Heat Pump Systems (NF5). With detailing on cost benefits, analysis on construction practices, reliability, maintenance and interfaces with other systems the research makes important strides in addressing the use of ground source energy.
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Risks in Domestic Basement Construction (NF4). The use of basements is being increasingly considered as an option by builders and developers. Basements have inherent risks relating to water ingress and load-bearing capacity and the guide is designed to clarify risk management issues in the construction process.
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Climate Change and Innovation in House Building (NF3). The guide focuses on a range of issues associated with the changing patterns, systems and methods of construction in new homes which have changed the risk profile for lenders traditionally used to dealing with brick and block construction.
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Conserving Energy and Water, and Minimising Waste (NF2). The first in a series of findings from the Foundation to tackle the climate change agenda came in the wake of a series of legislative and regulatory initiatives from Government targeting the house-building industry as a key to reducing carbon emissions.
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A Guide to Modern methods of Construction (NF1). The Foundation’s launch project focuses on the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and detailed issues relating to modular and panellised construction alongside other methods of off-site manufacture.
Hydro International
Hydro International offers innovative products for the cost effective control of stormwater and treatment of wastewater. The Group has developed a range of technologies to control urban run off, treat stormwater, combined sewage overflows and municipal wastewater with the aim of providing cost-effective solutions for controlling quantity and improving quality of water. Through the application of advanced vortex and complementary technologies Hydro International’s line of products provide an economical solution to control the quantity and improve the quality of water. The website gives product information, including:
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The Hydro Filterra® Bioretention System.
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The Stormbank Rainwater Harvesting System.
ESK Building Products
Esk Building Products is the sole manufacturer of coloured calcium silicate facing bricks in the UK. The site provides details of all their calcium silicate brick products and information on the introduction of any new products.
Kingspan Offsite
Kingspan Off-Site is one of Europe’s leading manufacturer and innovator of modern methods of construction, providing high performance solutions to the private and affordable house-building and commercial sectors, as well as the public sector. The site gives information on the following products:
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Structural Timber Systems.
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Steel Frame Systems.
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Roof and Floor Systems.
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Façade System.
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Building and Integrated Renewables.
The site also gives access to information about the ‘Lighthouse’ which was the first Code Level 6 House built at the BRE.
British Board of Agrément (BBA)
The BBA is the UK’s major authority offering approval of construction products, systems and installers.
The main menu includes:
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About Us.
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User Benefits.
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BBA Services.
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CE Marking (The CE marking symbolizes the conformity of a product to the Community requirements incumbent on the manufacturer of the product. It indicates that the product conforms with all the Community provision.)
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Testing Services.
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Environmental Activities.
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Management Systems.
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The Highways Authorities Product Approval Scheme (HAPAS).
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Technical Guidance.
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What’s the difference? Jargon explained.
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Careers.
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Contact Us.
The site also includes a useful search facility which can find specific certificates and approved installers.Stephen Todd