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environmentalbuild winter 2011 1 Winter 2011 www.enuk.net In this issue... 10 years of the Wood Recyclers’ Association
environmentalbuild winter 2011 1
Winter 2011 www.enuk.net
In this issue...
10 years of the Wood Recyclers’ Association
2 environmentalbuild winter 2011
environmentalbuild winter 2011 �
Wayne TaylorAdvertising Manager
Tel: 0161 850 1678
Mob: 07739 113871
Email: [email protected]
All other enquiries: Tel: 0161 850 1680 Fax: 0161 850 09181 Elm Road, High Lane, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 8HR
Copyright EnvironmentalBuild.All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of EnvironmentalBuild.Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. EVL
CONTENTS
Cover Story
ASBESTOS5 Asbestosinbuildings
GAIN7 Renewablemeasuresarethewayforwardforenergyefficiency
9 HowtotakeadvantageoftheFeedinTariff
TIMBER FRAME13 Timberframechosenforpioneeringecodevelopment
eFIG14 eFIGandtheinteriorlandscapingindustry–10yearsandcounting
THE WOOD RECYCLERS’ ASSOCIATION17 WoodRecyclers’Associationnearsits10thbirthday
19 ‘Cradletograve’approachtocabledrumrecycling
THE WOOD WINDOW ALLIANCE20 Alliancestandsforqualityinwoodwindows
20 Woodenwindows-dispellingthemyths
21 QueensCrossHAbenefitsfromenergyefficientwindows
ECOBUILD 201122 Theworld’sbiggestsustainabledesignandconstructionevent
22 JakobGreenWallSystemsbringbuildingsalive
POLLUTION23 Dustmonitoringinurbanredevelopment
CONTAMINATED LAND25 UK’spremierbrownfieldeventreturnstoNEC
FLOOD PROTECTION25 Floodwall™gainsthenewBSIKitemarkPAS1188-1
Wood Recyclers’ Association nears its 10th birthday
Thewoodrecyclingindustryisstillprettymuchaninfant.20yearsagoitdidnotexistintheformthatwenowknowit–andit’sgrowingupfast!
read more on p17
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� environmentalbuild winter 2011
Beware False Prophets
e SincethepublishingoftheFIT(FeedinTariff)therehasbeenalotofinterestinSolarPhoto-Voltaic(PV)whichallows
yourenergysuppliertopayyouanincomeforgeneratingyourownelectricity,foreitheryourownuseorexportingbackintothegrid.ManypeoplearebeingapproachedwithregardgettingaPVsystemfittedforfree,sowhywouldthisbeabadthing?
Well,ifallyoucareaboutissavingroughly40%ofyourelectricity,anddon’tcareabouttheownershipofthesystem,thennothing.
Thetruthis,youwillbelockedintoalegalagreementwhereyouaregivingawayaguaranteedindexlinkedtaxfreeincomeof8%to10%perannum.Basically,investmentbankshave
PV(Photo-Voltaic)forfree?
Soundstoogoodtobetrue?
Well….itis
Thereisnofreelunch
Ifyouareinanydoubt,wewouldurgeyoucontactusformoredetails.Stephen Belfield, Heating Manager.
Contact us onTel:08000093449Fax:01432268680Email:[email protected]:www.dgi.org.uk
realisedtherearefewpalaceswheretheycangetthisreturnoninvestment,andthereforethehavegottenintobedwithinstallationcompaniestoofferfreeinstallations,aslongasyousignovertherighttoclaimtheFeedinTariffforyourselves.
DomesticandGeneralInsulationLimitedofferyoutheopportunitytogetthefullbenefitbyinstallingahighspecification,backedbyaguaranteeofreturnandefficiency,thatsecuresbothsavingsonenergybillsbutalsopaysyouthefullindexlinkedincome.SincetheFITtablewaspublished,interesthasseencompetitiondrivedowntheinstallationprice,butmoresignificantlythemarketisseeingmany‘B’ratedpanelsbeingfittedinplaceof‘A’panels.n
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AsbestosinBuildingse RecentlytheHSElaunchedtheir
‘HiddenKiller’campaigntohighlightthedangerofexposuretoasbestosfibre,particularlytomaintenanceandothertradesmenwhenworkinginbuildings.Thishighprofilecampaigngraphicallyindicatedthataround20tradesmenperweekdieasaresultofexposuretoasbestosandthattradesmenarestillbeingexposedtotheserisks,eventoday,mainlyduetothefactthattheyareunawareofthepresenceofasbestosintheirworkplace.
TheControlofAsbestosRegulations(CAR)2006placesanexplicitdutyonthoseresponsibleforbuildingstomanagetheriskfromasbestosintheirproperty,notonlyfortheirownemployeesbutforanyonewhomaycomeintocontactwithitincluding,ofcourse,anytradesmenemployedtocarryoutanyworkwithintheproperty.
AmajorrequirementofCAR2006,andsubsequentlyanyasbestosmanagementplan,istoinformanyonewhomaycomeintocontactwithitofthepresenceofasbestoscontainingmaterialswithinthe
propertyandtogivethosepeopleadequatetraininginhowtomanagetheriskofexposure.Tradesmenareofcourseundergreaterriskastheymayinadvertentlydisturbasbestosduringthecourseoftheirwork.
InFebruary2010newguidancetoreplaceMDHS100wasintroducedbytheHealth&SafetyExecutive.Titled,Asbestos: The Survey Guide HSG 264,thisnewpublicationreducedthenumberofsurveytypesfromthreetotwoandplacedmoreemphasisontheclientfortheselectionofthesurveyscope.Therearenowjusttwotypesofasbestossurvey–ManagementandRefurbishment.ManagementreplacestheoldType2SurveyandRefurbishmentreplacestheoldMajorRefurbishment/DemolitionSurvey.
Thestartingpointofanymanagementplanistofindoutifthebuildingcontainsasbestosmaterials,torecorditslocation,extentandtypeandtoassesstheriskofexposuretoasbestosmaterialsonthelongtermhealthofanyonewhomaycomeinto
contactwithit.TobesurethatyouaregettingafullyHSG264compliantreport,onlythosecompaniesaccreditedbyUKAS(UnitedKingdomAccreditationService)forbothInspectionISO/IEC17020andTestingISO/IEC17025shouldbecommissionedtoundertakethework.
Amanagementsurveywillgiveyoualltheinformationyouneedtoproduceyourmanagementplanandtoriskassessallasbestoscontainingmaterialsdetectedinaccordancewithaninternationallyrecognisedalgorithmassessmentmethod,asdetailedinHSG264,togetherwithrecommendationsastowhatisrequiredtomakethematerialsafeandprotectyourworkforcefromdangerousandunnecessaryexposuretoasbestosfibre.n
Alan Peck, Chief Executive
Tersus Consultancy Limited
•For More Information: Tel: 0121 270 2550, Fax: 0121 707 2060, E-mail: [email protected], www.tersusgroup.co.uk.
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Renewable measures are the way forward for
energy efficiencyBy Janet Jukes, Grant Aided Heating Installers’ Network
e ThereareveryfewhouseholdsorbusinessesthatwillnotsufferfromthecutsannouncedintheGovernment’sComprehensive
SpendingReview.Energyefficiencywillundoubtedlyberegardedasoneofthemajorconsiderationsifenergybillsandcarbonemissionsaretobereduced.
OverthecourseoftheSpendingReviewperiod,theDepartmentofEnergyandClimateChange(DECC)willreduceresourcespendingby18%inrealterms,andincreasecapitalspendingby41%inrealterms.
DECC’ssettlementisinthecontextofanincreaseinenvironmentalspendingacrossGovernmentby21%.TheSpendingReviewensuresthattheUKcanmeetitsenvironmentalgoals,includingthe2020targetsfora34%reductioningreenhousegasemissionsandfor15%ofenergytobefromrenewablesources,whilstimprovingefficiency,supportinggrowthandfacilitatingaprivatesectorledtransitiontoagreeneconomy.
TheRt.Hon.ChrisHuhneMP,SecretaryofStateforEnergyandClimateChange,comments“Liketherestofthepublicsector,wehavetakensome
toughdecisions,butweremainoncoursetodeliveronourpromisetobethegreenestgovernmentever”.
Inthisrespecttherehasalreadybeenasignificantswingtowardsusingrenewableenergysourcesinconjunctionwithconventionalmeasures.However,theGovernmenthasnowrubber-stampedthisbyannouncinga£860millionfundingfortheRenewableHeatIncentive(RHI),whichwillbeintroducedfrom2011-2012andwillsupporthouseholdsandbusinessesinvestinginrenewableheatmeasures.Itisdesignedtoprovidefinancialsupporttoencouragetheuptakeofrenewableandlowcarbonheattechnologieslikeairandwatersourceheatpumps.
Thiswilldriveamore-than-tenfoldincreaseofrenewableheatoverthecomingdecade,shiftingrenewableheatfromafringeindustryfirmlyintothemainstream.Thepreviousadministration’splansforfundingthisschemethroughanoverlycomplexRenewableHeatLevywillnotbetakenforward.
TheReviewhasconfirmedthattheFeed-inTariffpaidtohomeownerswhogenerategreenelectricitywithsolarpanelsandwindturbineswillcontinue.Feed-inTariffswillberefocussedonthemostcost-effectivetechnologiessaving£40millionin2014-2015.
TheFeed-inTariffschemewaslaunchedinApril2010aspartofanattempttomeetEuropeanUniontargetsonrenewableenergy.Itisdesignedtoencouragepeopletogeneratetheirownenergyandcontributetothesecurityofenergysupplies.
AccordingtotheEnergySavingTrust(EST)theFeed-inTariff(FIT)schemeguaranteesaminimumpaymentforallelectricitygeneratedbythesystem,aswellasaseparatepaymentforthe
cont p11
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How to take advantage of
e TwomonthsagoIreceivedaphonecallfromtheSustainabilityDirectoratoneofourlocalcouncils.Hewas
irate.“Whycan’tIseevanswithloudspeakersontop,drivingupanddownthestreetannouncingthebenefitsoftheFeedInTariff?”ChrisReid,attheLondonBoroughofSutton,isnotknownforhissenseofcalmandpatience,butisoneofthoseraresoulswhoseemsnottohavelosthissenseofurgencyatdealingwithclimatechange,despitehavingspentthelast20yearsworkingonenvironmentalinitiativesinthepublicsector.
Hewasn’tbeingentirelyserious,ofcourse,butIdidn’tknowhimatthetime.IpatientlyexplainedthatalthoughFeedInTariffs(FITs)maderenewableelectricitymoreattractivethanbefore,theschemewasdesignedtogivebetweena5%and8%returnoninvestment,whichmeantthepaybackwouldstillonlybebetween12.5and20years.Thiswasn’tsomethingthatmosthomeowners,businessesorcommunitiesweregoingtorushoutontothestreetstosignupto.Butitwasstillfarbetterthananyhighstreetbankwasofferingandsoweembarkeduponaprojecttolookatsomeofthedetails:Didthe5-8%includeelementsformaintenanceandrepair?Howdidthecouncilinvestinginthepanelscomparewithtakinguponeofthe‘FreePV’deals?Whatarethefinancialandtechnicalrisksinvolved?WhatbulkdiscountcouldbeachievedifthecouncilputPVontheroofofeveryschool?
InconsultationwithLBSutton,CENConsultingdevelopedadetailedfinancialmodeltolookatthesequestions.Accountingforthereplacementofinverterstwicewithintheprojected25yearlifetimeofthepanel,assumingthatthepaneloutputwouldfallby20%inthattime,modellinginstallationsatthetopendofeachFeedinTariffbracketandassumingthatarounda10%reductioninCAPEXcouldbeachievedthroughabulkbuydiscount,thereturnoninvestmentwasactuallyover9%.WiththeappropriatecostofcapitalforLocalAuthoritiesstandingatjust3.95%thingswerelookinggood.Perhapsweneededtogettheloudspeakersout.
ThenextthingtodowasconvincethefinancedirectorthatitwasworthspendingacoolmillionputtingPVpanelsontheboroughsuninsulatedroofs.Andthereinlaythenextproblem.Ignoringissuesraisedbyrepresentativesofthecouncil’spropertydepartmentaboutleaks,re-roofingandthelike,financewantedtoknowwhytheyshouldfundPVonschoolroofsat9%ROIwhentheycouldfundroofinsulation,lightingcontrolsandotherbasicenergyefficiencymeasuresandgainahigherreturn.Goodquestion.Thecarbonsaving,theyadded,fromamillionpoundsworthofPVwouldberelativelyslightcomparedtotheseefficiencymeasures.
IwasfeelinglesspositivebutChriswasirateagain.“Whydoesittaketheofferofafixed9%returntobringthesemeasuresoutofthewoodwork?Whyhaven’twedonethesethingsalreadyiftheygivesuchagoodreturn?AndwhymustwechoosewhethertoinsulateorinstallPV–whynotboth?”
Wehadreachedthecruxoftheissue.Itisaboutinvestmentandrisk.Ontheonehand,ifanorganisationhaslimitedcapitalitmust,ofcourse,choosetoinvestintheprojectwiththehighestreturnsandthehighestcarbonsavings.Ontheotherhand,ifanorganisationcanborrowarelativelyuncappedamounttoinvestinspecificprojectsthenaslongaseachprojectreturnsanetincomeabovethecostofthatcapital(andmakesacarbonsaving)whynot?Putanotherway,howmuchdoesitcosttosaveeachtonneofcarbon?Withanypositivereturn,theanswerisitdoesn’t.Thecostofcarbonsavingisnegativebecausetheprojectresultsinanetincome.
Soifthisisthecase,whatistostopLocalAuthoritiesfrommakingmoneythroughPVandtheFeedinTariff?Well,Isaiditwasaboutinvestmentandrisk.TheriskpartofthatcomesbacktoProperty’sroofreplacementschedulesoI’mafraidtheloudspeakerisstillinChris’bottomdrawer.n
•Having developed our FIT model for PV, CEN Consulting Ltd is ideally placed to assist in the FIT decision making process. Please send any questions or queries surround the Feed in Tariff to [email protected].
FITby Tom Vosper,CEN Consulting Ltd
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renewableinstallersandsupplierstothegrantsandwidermarket.Itlooksforgoodtechnicalandprofessionalstandardsfromitsmembers,withqualitativeawardsamongstitscriteriaformembership.
GAINmembershavesignificantlyextendedtheirrangeofproductsandservicestohelpmeetthefuturechallengesoftherenewablesector.AnearlyinitiativedevelopedbyGAINwastoformallyinsistonfullmembershavingoneofsixinternationalaccreditationsasameansofdifferentiatingtheassociationandputtingamarkerdownintermsofdeliveringhighqualityservices.Thisparticularinitiativeandphilosophyshouldplacememberswithastrongfoundationastheyenteranddeveloptherenewablesmarketplace–amarketplacewhichisalreadyplacingahugeemphasisonqualityandservicesdelivery.
Overrecenttimes,membershiphasexpandedandnowboastsawellbalancedmake-upofinstallercompanies,suppliersandmanufacturers,andmanagingagents.Installersarealsokeentomoveintoothermarkets,includingthatoftheSMEmarketplace,wherelittlehasbeendonethusfarintermsofimprovingenergyefficiency.
GAINcomprisesheatinginstallerswhohaveattainedhightechnicalandprofessionalstandards.Theyneedtobetechnicallycompetentinordertoundertakethegovernmentandothergrantworktheydo.Underfullmembershipcriteriatheyalsoneedtoholdaqualityaward.Heatingandrenewableinstallationsarehighlyskilledworksandshouldbetheresponsibilityofexperts.
Theassociationrecommendsthateveryoneshouldupgradetoacondensingboiler,coupledwithefficientcontrolsandthermostats,andaidedbyrenewableproducts,suchassolarpanels,solarphotovoltaic(PV)systems,windturbinesandairandgroundsourceheatpumps,allofwhichareofferedbymembers.
Solarphotovoltaic(PV)systemsuseenergyfromthesuntoconvertsolarradiationintoelectricitywhichcanbeuseddirectlytorunappliancesandlighting,soldbacktothenationalgridorstoredinbatteriesinoff-gridlocations.Solarhotwaterpanelscanbefittedontoorintegratedintoabuilding’sroof.Theyusethesun’senergytoheatwaterdirectlyoraheat-transferfluid,whichpassesthroughthepanel.Windturbinesharnessenergyfromthewindtoproduceelectricity.Thebladesdriveageneratoreitherdirectlyorviaagearbox(generallyforlargermachines)toproduceheating(orboth).
electricityexportedtothegrid.Thesepaymentsareinadditiontothebillsavingsmadebyusingelectricity.
Oncethemicrogenerationtechnologyisinstalledthereshouldbeamonthlyreductionintheelectricitybill,followedbyanincomefromtheFeed-inTariffprovider.However,ifaloanhasbeentakenouttopayfortheinstallation,monthlypaymentswillbemadetotheloancompany.TheFeed-inTariffsaredesignedsothattheaveragemonthlyincomefromtheinstallationwillbesignificantlygreaterthanthemonthlyloanrepayment(witha25yearloan).
Atypicaldomesticsolarelectricitysystem,withaninstallationsizeof2.2kWcouldearnaround:
•£770peryearfromtheGenerationTariff.Thisisasetratepaidbytheenergysupplierforeachunit(orkWh)ofelectricitygenerated.Thisratewillchangeeachyearfornewentrantstothescheme(exceptforthefirsttwoyears),butoncetheconsumerhasjoined,thetariffwillbethesamefor20years,or25yearsinthecaseofsolarelectricity(PV).
•£30peryearfromtheExportTariff.Theconsumerwillreceiveafurther3p/kWhfromtheenergysupplierforeachunitexportedbacktotheelectricitygrid,thatiswhenitisnotusedonsite.Theexportrateisthesameforalltechnologies.DomesticFeed-inTariffinstallationsarelikelytohavetheirexportdeemed(estimated)at50%inmostcasesuntilsmartmetersarerolledout.
•£120peryearreductiononenergybillsavingswillbemadeontheelectricitybills,becausegeneratingelectricitytopowerappliancesmeansareductionofelectricityboughtfromtheenergysupplier.
Thisgivesatotalsavingofaround£920peryear–assuming50%oftheelectricitygeneratedisexported.Thefigurewillvarydependingonhowmuchisexported.
UndertheComprehensiveSpendingReviewtheWarmFrontgrantsarebeingphasedout.Theelderlyandthoseonlowincomeswillnolongerhaveaccesstoupfrontcashtoinstallenergyefficiencymeasuresintheirhomes.Inthemeantime,theDECCwillfundasmaller,targetedWarmFrontprogrammeforthenexttwoyearswithabudgetof£110millionin2011/12and£100millionin2012/13.From2013,supportforheatingandinsulationforthemostvulnerablewillbedeliveredthroughtheGreenDealforenergyefficiencyandanewobligationonenergycompanies.Atthesametime,fromApril2011,energysupplierswillprovidegreaterhelpwiththefinancialcostsofenergybillstomoreofthemostvulnerablefuelpoorhouseholds,throughSocialPriceSupport–withtotalsupportof£250millionin2011/12risingto£310millionin2014/15.
GreenDealisbasedona‘payasyousave’scheme,whichallowshomeownersto‘retrofit’theirhomeswithloft,wall,floorandwindowinsulationuptoacostof£6,500andmakehugesavingsontheirbills,atnoupfrontcost.Smallamountscanbepaidbackpermonthbasedonthesavingsmadeonthebills.
TheGrantAidedHeatingInstallersNetwork(GAIN),thatactsfortheheatingindustryservingthegrantssector,verymuchwelcomestheGovernment’sGreenDealtoreducegreenhousegasemissionsby80%on1990levelsby2050.Ifthatistobeachieved,between400,000and1.8millionhomesayearwillhavetobeupgradedbetweennowandthen,atanannualcostofbetween£5billionand£15billion.
Energypricesareexpectedtorisesignificantlyinthenext10to15years,whichwillundoubtedlyseemorehomeownersturningtheirattentiontowardsinstallingrenewableenergy–especiallyaspartofapackagewheninstallinganewheatingsystemandonewhichalsohelpstheenvironment.Inthisrespect,itisinterestingtonotethat,accordingtoarecentpollonmicrogenerationusers’websiteYouGen,84%ofrespondentssaidtheywouldrathertheirhomeimprovementswerecarriedoutbyasmalllocalspecialistthanafacelessconglomerate.CathyDebenham,founderofYouGen,says“Homeownerswanttofeeltheworkontheirhomeisbeingdonebysomeonetrustworthy,someonetheycantalktoiftheworkisnotuptostandard.Theremustbeassurancesthatlocalspecialistswon’tbesqueezedout,andthathomeownershaveachoiceoverwhotheygoto”.
ThisiswheremembersoftheGrantAidedHeatingInstallersNetworkcanbeofenormousassistance.GAINrepresentsprofessionalheatingand
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Airsourceheatpumpscanbeusedeffectivelyforeitherspaceorwaterheating(orboth).Airpumpstakeheatenergyfromtheairoutsideandtransferittothebuilding.Theheatisupgradedbyusingapumpandcompressorwhichremovesheatfromonesideofthecircuitandejectsittotheotherside.Groundsourceheatingpumpsuseaburiedgroundloop,whichtransfersheatfromthegroundintoabuildingtoprovidespaceheating.Energycatcherisanewsystemthatextractsvirtuallyalltheheatfromgasboilerfumes,whenevertheboilerisoperating,withanetresultof5%extrasavingongasandareductioninbills.
Inrenewingcentralheatingsystems,householdersshouldreallybeaimingtoobtainaboilertotheSEDBUKA-ratedstandard.Thesearecondensingboilersavailableinmanytypes,suchascombinationboilers,standardwallmountedboilersandfreestandingboilers.Thelattershouldberuninconjunctionwithafullypumpedsystem.Theyshouldhavefoamlaggedcylindersincorporatedtoensurethattheminimumofheatislostfromthecylinder.Allradiatorsneedthermostaticvalves,exceptinthemainlivingroom.Herearoomthermostatshouldmonitortherequiredtemperature,andthuscontroltheboiler.
GAINhelditssecondsuccessfulnationalConferenceinJune2010majoringonthetheme‘WillIncentivesMovetheRenewablesMarket?’Speakerswereverypositiveaboutthefutureprospectsfortheindustry,recognisingthatfromthelimitedgrantworkalreadyundertakenintherenewablesfield,itisclearthatincentivesarekeytomovingthismarketwhichisstillinitsinfancyintheUK.
Talkswereparticularlyinformativeandwellreceivedbythe260delegatespresentfromRSLs,energyadvisorsandtheenergyefficiencyindustry.ThemainsponsorwasEagaPlc,withadditionalsupportfromScottishPowerEnergyRetailLtd.
TheKeynotespeakerwasBaroness(Diana)Maddock,PresidentoftheMicropowerCouncil,withherparticularinterestinenergyefficiencysincethe1990’s,whenshetookthePrivateMembersBill–TheHomeEnergyConservationAct–throughitsjourneytobecomelaw.Currently,throughtheMicrogenerationCouncil,shewishestoseeamassmarketforthemicrogenerationsector.
“Theconsumermarket–owneroccupiedhousing–isaroundonetotwohundredthousandinstallationsperyear,asopposedtothe1.5milliongasboilersinstalledannuallyintheUK”–shereported.“Also,untilnow,ithasbeenanaspirationalratherthananeconomicpurchase,fundedbyconsumerswithcapitaltospareandbeingregardedasalong-terminvestment”.
AttheconferenceAwardsforExcellencewerepresentedforthesecondyearonbehalfoftheGrantAidedHeatingInstallersNetwork.AwardsweregivenfortheBestEnvironmentallyFriendlyCompany2010,theBestGreenTechnologyAward,theBestCustomerFocussedCompany,ApprenticeoftheYear2010,EmployeeoftheYearAwardandtheSpecialAchievementAward.
The2011GAINConference,duetofurtherdevelopthethemeofrenewables,willbeheldinMay/June2011,whenitisanticipatedthatdelegatenumberswillincreasestillfurther.InformationwillbeavailableontheGAINwebsitenearerthetime,ore-mailGAINforfurtherinformationtobesent.n
•The Grant Aided Heating Installers Network which organises regular meetings for installers, scheme managers and suppliers of heating and renewable products, serves the grants and other markets. GAIN is based at P O Box 12, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 3AH; tel: 01428 654011; fax: 01428 651401; e-mail: [email protected]; web: www.gainassociation.org.uk.
environmentalbuild winter 2011 1�
Timber frame chosen for pioneering eco developmente TheUK’slargesttimberframesupplier,StewartMilneTimber
Systems,hasbuiltfourCodeLevel6homesatagroundbreakingzerocarbondevelopmentinSlough,BerkshireforSSE(ScottishandSouthernEnergy).
ThedevelopmentisoneofthelargestofitskindintheUKwithatotaloftenzerocarbonpropertiesincludingamixtureoftwoandthreebedroomfamilyhouses,andonebedroomflats.
AspartofSSE’stwoyearresearchprojecttoassesstheimpactofenergyprovisionforlow-zerocarbonhousing,thetimberhomeswerebuiltusingStewartMilneTimberSystems’SigmaIIBuildSystem.Throughitshighlevelsofinsulation,airtightnessandthermalbridgingtheclosedpaneltimberframeconstructionhelpstoachievemaximumenergyefficiencythroughthefabricandverifiestimber’sreputationasoneofthemostfavouredmaterialsinlow-zerocarbonbuilding.
WendyPringleofSSEsaid:“WiththeUKlookingforzerocarbonbuildingsby2016,wemustunderstandwhatourcustomerswillneedaslowcarbonhousingbecomesmorecommon.InordertobuildtheCodeLevel6homesnecessaryfortheproject,wehadtousethemostsustainablematerialsavailable.Duetoitslow-carboncontent,timberframewasoneoftheobviouschoices.”n
The association recommends that everyone should upgrade to a condensing boiler
1� environmentalbuild winter 2011
eFIG and the InteriorLandscaping industry
10 years and counting…
e InFebruary2011eFIGLtdcelebratesits10thbirthday.eFIG(EuropeanFederationofInteriorLandscapeGroups)isthe
associationfortheinteriorlandscapingindustrywithamembershiprangingfromlargeinternationalandnationalcompaniestosmallerSMEbusinesses.Theassociationwasformedtorepresenteveryonewithintheinteriorlandscapingindustry.Infact,itwasformedtogiveavoicetotheindustryandrepresentallmemberssothattheirworkisappreciatedandvaluesacknowledged,especiallyintimesofeconomicrestraintorcutbacks.
Theinitiativetoformtheorganisationwastakenasaresultofthehoo-hasurroundingPortcullisHouse,thethennewhomeforWestminster’sMPs,andtheinstallationof12largeFicus(fig)trees.Themedia’snegativityfocusedonthecostofthesetreeswithoutgivingconsiderationtothebenefitstheygave.eFIGwasformedtomeettheneedforonevoicetoretaliateorbespokespersonforthewholeinteriorlandscapingindustry.
TheFicustreesarestillatPortcullisHouseand,giventhattheyhaveattributedtocleanairoroxygenatthebuildingand
helpedreducesicknesswhistmotivatingstaffandkeepingthemlessstressed,thentheyhavemorethanpaidforthemselves.
TenyearsonandthecoalitionGovernmentarestillnotseeingthebenefitofplants!DuringtheircampaignandsincetheyhavecondemnedtheLabourpartyforspendingmoneyonplants.Thereseemslittleawarenessofthebenefitsthatplantscanaffordusallinanyenvironmentbutespeciallyintheworkplace.
eFIGcontinuestopromotetheindustryandtheprofessionalismofitsmembers.Tothisend,theyhaveanaccreditationtrainingprogrammeinplaceavailabletoallmembersaswellasannualprestigiousawards–moreofwhichlater–plusamarketingprogrammetoensurethateveryoneiskeptinformed.
The Ficus trees at Portcullis House
byCOLLSMITH,marketing coordinator, eFIG Ltd
environmentalbuild winter 2011 1�
LastyearmembersofthecommitteewereintalkswithBREEAMandtheUKGreenBuildingCounciltopromoteinteriorplantingaspartoftheenvironmentalstandardforbuildingsustainability.WearepleasedtosaythatduetotheirhardworktheUKGreenBuildingCouncilhasrecommendedthatthisbeconsideredbyBREEAMthisyear.ThiswouldbringtheUKmoreinlinewithAustraliaandtheUSA.Australiaoperatea‘GreenStar’ratingforsustainabilityinwhichinteriorplantingisrecognised.IntheUSAtheLEEDaccreditationdoesasimilarjobtotheBREEAMstandardsandin2010theybegantoseeinteriorplantingrecognised.Watchthisspace,astheysay,regardingtheUK’sstandards.
The influence of the interior landscaping industrySincetheinaugurationofeFIGtheindustryhasgrown.There
arenowanestimated350–400interiorlandscapebusinesseswithanannualturnoverofaround£100million.Asmoreandmorebusinesseshaverealisedthevalueofincludingplantswithintheirpremisesthemessagefromtheassociationisthatplantscanfulfilamultitudeoffunctionswithinanyenvironmentincludingaesthetics,design–thereflectionofthecompanyethos–andsigning.Theypresenta‘green’face–helpingthecompanybeseentobegreen.
Therearemanyotherbenefitsofplantsintheinterior–fromaircleaningtohumidifying,fromaidingconcentrationtoperformance,fromnoisereductiontoreducingstressandimprovinghealthandwellbeing.EarlierthisyearresearchfromAustraliaconfirmedthatjustoneplantcouldreducestressandanxietybyasmuchas60%.
An all-round show and accoladesDuringApril2011,eFIGwillco-hostTheLandscapeShowat
Olympia(www.landscapeshow.co.uk)where‘indoorsmeetsoutdoors’andthemanyfacesofinteriorlandscapingcanbeseen.Forinstance,twoparticularlypro-activemembersofeFIGwillhave‘showgardens’there.IndoorGardenDesign,wholastyearwonSilverGiltatChelseafortheirLivingOffice,willshowtheir‘IndoorGarden’andUrbanPlanterswillfeaturean‘IndoorsmeetsOutdoors’environment.
Onthefirsteveningoftheshow,memberswillhavetheirannualAwardsCeremonyandDinnerwherethebestoftheindustrywillberewardedfortheirworkwithaprestigiouseFIGLeafAward.ThiswillbetheseventhAwardCeremonywhen
membersarerecognisedfortheirskillsindesign,installationandmaintenance.Therearealsoawardsfortechnicianswho‘gothatextramile’andaLifetimeAchievementAwardforservicestotheindustry.
Ifyouarelookingforaninteriorlandscaperforaprojectorjustgeneraladvice,seethemembershipdirectoryatwww.efig.eu.comforanaccreditedprofessional.n
1� environmentalbuild winter 2011
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Wood Recyclers’ Association nears its 10th birthday
e Thewoodrecyclingindustryisstillprettymuchaninfant.20yearsagoitdidnotexistintheformthatwenowknowit
–andit’sgrowingupfast!Toremindreaders,woodrecyclerstakepost-industrialand
post-consumerwoodfromavarietyofsourcesandprocessitintowoodchipforfourmainuses:panel-boardproduction,animalbedding,landapplications-compost,mulches,soilconditionersandpathways–andfuelforbiomassplants.Ouroldestandstilllargestmarketispanel-board,butthetrendismovingawayfromthereandtowardsbiomass.Ofthe2m-oddtonnessuppliedtomarketin2009,justoverhalfwenttotheboardmills,andalmostaquarterwenttobiomass,withtheremainingquarterfindingitswayintothe(mainly)highervalueproducts:animalbeddingandlandapplications.
AyearagoIwouldhavesaidthatwewereverymuchasupply-drivenindustry.TheWasteandResourcesActionProgramme(WRAP)2009studyhadmoreorlesshalvedmanypeople’sperceptionofhowmuchwastewoodwasouttherewaitingtoberecycled,from10milliontonnesperannumtoabout4.6milliontonnes.Unquestionably,muchofthedrop–somewherebetween5and20%ofit,intheviewoftheexperts–wasdowntotherecession.AndWRAmemberswere,insomeregionsatleast,findingwoodhardtocomeby.Thiswashavingadouble-whammyeffect,drivingdowngatefeeswhilerestrictingactivityinsomeofourmarkets.Thepanel-boardindustry,forone,wasfeelingthepinchandthiswasreflectedintheirorders.
Nowthesituationisdifferentagain.Suppliesoffeed-stockaregenerallybetter.Thereseemtobesomestirringsinourfeederindustries,theprincipalonesbeingtheconstruction,demolitionandcommercialsectorswherethediresituationofayearagohaseasedsomewhat.Ontopofthis,ourbignewmarket–biomass–hasnotreallykickedinyet.Weestimatethatthedemandsurge
willcomein18monthsto2years.Meanwhile,anumberofrecyclersareexportingbiomass-gradewooduntiltheUKmarkettakesoff.Thisiscausingitsownhighlycompetitivelandscapeandkeepingpricessubduedwhenotherwisetheymightberising.
Ispokeearlierofthenewgovernment,althoughperhapsweshouldstopcallingit‘new’sinceithasnowbeeninpowerforalmost8months.Whateverourpoliticalpersuasion,wehavetoacceptthattheCoalitionishobbledbyanationaldebtofcrisisproportions,andthesignsarethatitisnot–sofaratleast–flinchingfromtheunpleasanttaskofgettingourpublicfinancesbackintokilter.Thisaffectsusall.Forthewoodrecyclingindustry,itmeansthatwehavetoworkveryhardindeedtojustifygovernmentsupport,becausethegoosewhichpreviouslylaidgoldeneggsisfeelingslightlyconstipatedrightnow.
However,itisgoodtoreportthatourtwomajorprojects–developmentofastandardandqualityprotocol(QP)forourindustry–arenowbackonafteraperiodofuncertainty.TheQPwilldefinethepointatwhichamaterialceasestobeawaste.Itcaneasetheregulatoryburdenofrecyclers,makeexportseasierandgenerallytakeourindustrytoanewlevelofcredibility.ThetimescaleforthisexerciseistightandtheQPwillinitiallybelimitedinscope,concentratinginthemainonuntreatedwood,althoughitwillpotentiallyincludeallendusesexceptWID-compliantbiomass.Wealsohavetheprospectoffurtherwork,sponsoredbytheEA,toinvestigateapotentialexpansionoftheQPtoincludeatleastsomewoodtreatments.Thiswouldbeamajorbonus,sincealackofclarityonthisissuehasbedevilledourindustrysincedayone.
Meanwhile,WRAPhaveauthorisedtheBritishStandardsInstitution(BSI)tore-starttheirworktodevelopastandardforrecycledwood,intheformofPubliclyAvailableSpecification(PAS)111.Againthetimescaleistight,butPAS111willbeanessential
by Clem Spencer, Chairman, WRA
environmentalbuild winter 2011 1�
1� environmentalbuild winter 2011
environmentalbuild winter 2011 1�
e Formanyofusthetimbercabledrumisananonymousitem.Lookinglikegiantcottonreels,theirpresenceonconstruction
sitesorattheroadsideiscommon.Howmanyofushowever,considerwhathappenstothemoncethecableorductinghasbeenremovedandinstalled?
Firstly,somefacts.Inmostinstancescabledrumsaremanufacturedintimber.Onaverage,onematuretreecanproducefourcabledrums.IntheUKalonesome150,000timbercabledrumsareusedannually.Inmostinstancesthesecabledrumscanbere-used,yeteachyearintheregionof60,000drumsarenewlymanufactured.Thisfigurewouldbesignificantlyhigher,butforthecabledrummanagementinitiativesdevelopedbyMarlinIndustries.
Asacompany,MarlinIndustries’mainfocusisoneofencouragingthere-useofexistingpackagingusedwithinthecableandductindustries.Formedtwentyyearsago,MarlinIndustrieshasgrowntobetheUK’spremierorganisationforthemanagementofcabledrums–frominitialmanufacturethroughtoendofliferecycling.AlthoughaWalesbasedcompany,withsitesinWrexhamandNewport,MarlinoperatesacrosstheUKandintoEuropewithauniqueblendofdrumcollection,refurbishmentandrecyclingprocesses,handlinginexcessof70,000unitsannually.
MarlinIndustriesdirector,JohnDroog,explains“Re-usingexistingpackagingmakesbothcommercialandenvironmentalsense.In2010
aloneweestimatethateffectivepackagingre-useandrecyclinghaspreventedsome15,000tonnesofCO2emissions.”
Marlinhasdevelopedaneffectivelogisticsfunction,operatingacrossmainlandUKandIreland.ThisenablestheefficientpickupofdrumsandreturntooneoftheMarlinsitesforassessmentandsubsequentrefurbishmentorrecycling,dependingoncondition.JohnDroogadds“Wehavebuiltconsiderableexpertiseandcapabilitytosupportcablemanufacturersoperatingacrossinternationalborders.Ourcabledrummanagementsystemsareunrivalled.Inadditiontoourdrummanagementandrefurbishmentoperationswealsopossessaninhousetimberrecyclingfacility.Thisinitsownrightisasignificantelementofourbusiness.Producingarangeofproducts–decorativegroundcover,animalbeddingandboilerfuel–meanswehaveafullcradletograveapproachtopackagingusedinthecableindustry.”
Maincontractorsandlocalauthoritieshaveasignificantparttoplayinmaximisingthenumbersofdrumsre-usedorrecycled.Aspartofabestpracticeregime,therequirementtoreportemptycabledrumsforcollectionshouldbepassedthroughtosub-contractorsengagedinconstructionandinfrastructureprojects.AllMarlinrequireisatelephonecall,faxore-mailtoinitiatetheprocess.Inmostinstancesthecollectionisfree,plustheconsequentreductioninnewpackagingprovidessignificantenvironmentalbenefits.n
‘Cradle to grave’ approach
to cable drum recycling
foundationstoneforourindustry.
OneconstantinallthishasbeentherelentlesssuccessstoryoftheWRA.Wewereformedlessthan10yearsago,in2001.Ayearagowehadjustsignedupour60thmember.Wearenowupto71withanumberofothersshowinginterest.Accordingtoourlatestannualstatistic,WRAmembersnowaccountforover80%ofallthepost-consumerwoodprocessedintheUK.Ourincreasinglybroadchurchnowincludesmachinerymanufacturers,panel-boardproducers,energycompanies,oneregionalauthority,consultantsandresearchcompanies.Alloftheseaddvarietyandabreadthofexpertisetoourassociationandourindustry.Importantly,theincreasingsizeoftheWRAisindicativeofavibrant,rapidlyexpandingandincreasinglyimportantrecyclingsector.
Itis,onthesurface,surprisingthatatatimewhenrecyclersarefeelingthepinch–asindeedanumberare–somanyshouldfeelthatour£850annualsubscriptionofferssuchvalueformoney.Sowhydothey?
Partoftheansweristhatourmembersknowhowimportantitistokeepabreastofwhatisgoingon,ahappysituationwhichWRAmembersenjoythroughourquarterlymeetingsandregularmail
updatesinbetween.But,morethanthis,theWRAchampionsthecauseofitsmembersbykeepingthelinesofcommunicationtogovernmentwellandtrulyopen.Thisyear,forexample,wehavenegotiatedimprovedtermsforthosewhooperateunderexemptionsfromenvironmentalpermitting.Thishassavedthelivelihoodsofanumberofcompanieswhich,beingunableforanumberofreasonstoobtainanenvironmentalpermit,wouldotherwisehavebeenunabletocontinueoperatingbeyondApril2012.
So,whateverthenextyearbrings,theWRAlookssettokeepongrowingandtomaintainitshighlevelsofcustomerservicetoitsmembers.n
20 environmentalbuild winter 2011
Alliance stands for quality in
wood windowse TheWoodWindowAlliance(WWA)isagroupof40ofthe
leadingnamesintheUKwoodwindowindustry,workingtogethertoraisestandardsandpromotequalitywoodwindows.
Membersoftheallianceaimtoprovideaconsistentlyhighqualityofproductandserviceindelivering,installingandmaintainingwoodwindowsacrosstheUK.Theyalsohavetomeetstrictperformance,qualityandsustainabilitycriteriatoensurethebestpossiblevalueforcustomers.Oncethesestandardshavebeenmet,membersareabletodisplaythedistinctiveWoodWindowAlliancebrandmark,whichisareassuranceofindependentlyauditedqualityandperformance.
What’smore,windowsfromtheWoodWindowAlliancearenotjustthemostenvironmentally-friendlychoice,theyarealsothelongest-lasting–withaminimumestimatedservicelifeof60years.
TheWWA’scampaignaimsaretopromotethesustainabilityandbeautyof21stcenturywoodwindows,whilstdispellingmythsaboutdurabilityandmaintenance.
Woodenwindows-dispellingthemythse Woodenwindowshaveattractedsomebadpressinthepast.
Butarevolutionintechnologyandsustainabilitymeansthatlongheldmisconceptionsarenowobsolete.saystheWoodWindowAlliance(WWA).
Tosettherecordstraight,theWWAhasputtogethersomesimplemythbusters,whichprovidethefactsaboutmodernwoodwindows.
Myth 1Youhavetocutdowntreestomakewoodwindowsandthishasabigimpactonclimatechangefromdeforestation.FactAllWWAwindowsaremadefromsustainablysourcedtimber(FSC,PEFC,SFIorCSA)andcarryafullchainofcustodycertification.Thismeansthatthewoodusedistraceablefromsustainableforestswheremoretreesarereplantedastheyareharvested.
Myth 2WoodwindowsdidnotscoreashighlyasexpectedintheBREGreenGuide.FactDomesticwoodwindowsmadetothestandardrequiredformembershipoftheWWArate‘A+’inBRE’sGreenGuidecomparedwith‘A’fortheirnearestcompetitormaterial.ThesewoodwindowsalsohavethehighestscoreofallwindowsintheGreenGuidebysomedistanceonthecrucial‘ClimateChange’or‘GlobalWarmingPotential’rating(thehighestweightedfactor).
Myth 3Woodwindowsaren’tthermallyefficient,soitishardtoachievethegoalofreducingenergyusage.FactWoodhasverylowthermalconductivity,whichmeansitisagoodinsulator.Buttheenergyefficiencyofawindowactuallyhaslittletodowiththeframematerialandismostlyaffectedbythespecificationoftheglazingunit,sowell-designedwindowshavesimilarthermalefficienciesacrosstheboard.
Myth 4MorePVCwindowsarerecycledthanwoodwindows.FactThewindowindustryingeneralismakingeffortstoimproverecycling.Althoughtherearenospecificfiguresforthenumberofrecycledwindows,theauditedvolumeofrecycledwastewoodin2007was2milliontonnesandthequantitiesforPVCrecyclingwere42,122tonnesin2007and42,730tonnesin2008(source:Vinyl2010progressreport2009).
environmentalbuild winter 2011 21
Queens Cross Housing Association benefits from energy efficient Scandinavian windows from Janexe Janex,oneoftheUK’sleadingsuppliers
ofhighqualitylowu-valueScandinavianbuildingproducts,hasjustcompletedamajorprojectforQueensCrossHousingAssociation,GlasgowwithcontractorsMorrisonSpottiswood.
ThenewbuilddevelopmentatMuranoStreetisalmostfinished,andJanexcontinuestosupplythissocialhousinggroupatGarscubesouth,eastandwest.TheMuranoStreetdevelopmentistheassociation’slargesteverdevelopmentproviding140newbuildtwoandthreebedroomedflatsina4-storeyblockonthesiteoftheformerMcGhee’sBakery.TenantsselectedJanexproductsasthecompanyhasalongsuccessfulhistoryofsupplyinghighquality,lowmaintenance,energyefficientproductsforthesocialhousingmarket.Grantfundinghasenabledthedevelopmenttoprovidemixedtenure–98ofthesehomesareforrentandtheremainderforsharedequity.Allpropertiesaredesignedtoahighenergy-efficientstandardwiththeprovisionofoff-streetparkingforallflats.Theremainingflatswillbebuiltinasingle6-storeycrescent-shapedblockoverlookingtheForth&ClydeCanal.
TheJanextimbercanopywindowsforthisprojectarelonglife,lowmaintenanceproductswithenergyefficientuvalues.Thewindowswerefinishedpaintedgreyontheoutsideandinsides.Theflatentrancedoorssuppliedarecoveredbythepolicesecurity
initiative‘SecuredbyDesign’fortheirsecurityfeaturesandareFD30firedoors.JanexhasalonghistoryofsupplyingleadinghousingassociationsacrosstheUKwithScandinavianwindowanddoorproductsfornewbuildprojectsandforrefurbishments.
AsoneofScandinavia’sfinestproducersofhighperformancetimberwindowsandcompositedoorsfortheUKmarket,JanexwasthefirstScandinavianimportertoachievebothForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC)certificationandPEFC(theProgrammefortheEndorsementofForestCertification)onproductsforUKcustomers.JanexproductsarealsocertifiedbytestingbodyTRADAinitsQMarkschemeforhighperformanceandsecurity.
JanexhasalwaysbeenattheforefrontofproductdevelopmentinScandinaviaanditsstandardproductsachieveextremelylowu-valuesforthermalefficiency.Nosurprisefromafirmwhoseproductsaremanufactured
inNorway,acountryusedtoverycoldwintersandveryhotsummers.Janexcanachieveau-valueof0.70W/m2KforopeningsashesandfixedwindowscalculatedinaccordancewithBSEN10077-1.Thislevelisbetterthanthecurrentpassivhauslevelwhichis0.8W/m2K.
“OurnewhighlyinsulatedwindowconstructionisbecomingmoreandmorepopulartoachievethebestcodesintheCodeforSustainableHomes.WindowsaremanufacturedinNorwayfromhighqualityScandinaviantimbersourcedfromsustainableforests.“saysBrianDavie,directorofsalesScotland,Janex.
Foundedin1992,byNorwegianJanSkaara,thefirmisheadquarteredinEgersund,NorwaywithofficesintheUKinLondonandFalkirk.Theirproductrangeincludestimberwindows,alu-cladtimberwindows,compositeexternaldoors,patio,frenchandbalconyglazeddoors.n
•www.janex.co.uk
Alliance stands for quality in
wood windows
Tothisend,theallianceengageswithkeystakeholderstoensurewoodenwindowsarefairlyrepresentedinpolicyandresearch.Furthermore,theyarecommittedtodrivingstandardshigherstill,tomakewoodonceagainthenumberonechoiceforwindows.
Moreandmorepeopleunderstandthatwindowsmakeabigdifferencetothelookandvalueofahouse,aswellastoitsenergy-efficiency.
Today’shighperformancewoodwindowsdon’tjustlookgood,theyofferunbeatableenergy-efficiencyandservicelife.Withpropermaintenancethey’lllastalifetime.And,ofcourse,theyarethemostsustainablesolution.
TheWoodWindowAlliancemakesiteasiertochoosethemwithconfidence,withover40membersofferingarangeofhighqualityproductsthatmeetindependentlyauditedperformanceandsustainabilitystandardsandfulfiltherequirementsinthelatestBuildingRegulationsandtheCodeforSustainableHomes.n
22 environmentalbuild winter 2011
Ecobuild2011-theworld’sbiggestsustainabledesignandconstructionevent
e Ecobuildistheworld’sbiggesteventforsustainabledesign,constructionandthebuiltenvironmentandtheUK’slargest
constructioneventofanykind.TheEcobuildExhibition2011featuresallthelatestdevelopments,
newproductlaunchesandthepeoplewhomatter.ItwillbeheldonTuesday01–Thursday03March2011atExCeL,London.
Thisyear’sexhibitionwillincludeover1,300exhibitorsatthebiggestEcobuildyet.Itwillfeatureafreeconference–expandedtothreethemes–100sofnewproductlaunches,dozensofattractionsandlivedemonstrations,over130freeseminars,theBREEAMawardsandNaturalZED–BillDunster’slatestecohouse–tonamejustafewofthefeastofattractionsonoffer!
Inaddition,UKarchitecturalstudentsarebeinginvitedtotakepartinaninternationalcompetitiontodesignanenergyefficientNewYorkskyscraperaccordingtotheIsoverMulti-ComfortHousedefinitionandwithPassiveHousecomponents.TheUKfinalsofthecompetitionwillbejudgedatEcobuild2011afterwhichthetopthreeentriesgoontocompeteinthefinalinPraguenextMay.
AfurtherattractionisthetheInnovationFutureZonecompetition,broughttoEcobuildforasecondyearbytheTechnologyStrategyBoard,ModernBuiltEnvironmentKTNandEPSRC.TheZonewillshowcaseshortlistedentriesofnewornear-to-markettechnologiesrelevanttothepriorityareasofenergyefficiency,refurbishment,climatechangeadaptationandprocessefficiency.ThewinningentrywillbeannouncedonthefinaldayofEcobuild.n
e AsthesoleUKagentforJakob’sstainlesssteelropes,rodsandwiremeshproducts,MMAArchitecturalSystemssuppliesgreen
wallsystemsforawiderangeofapplications.TheJakobsystemprovidesanenvironmentallyfriendly,sustainable
solutionforlandscapeandconstructionprofessionals.EachcomponentismanufacturedfromHighGrade316stainlesssteel,whichissuitableforeventheharshestenvironments,includingcoastalapplications,providingcompletequalityassuranceforthewholelifeofabuilding.
Greenwallstructureshelpregulateabuilding’stemperature.Providinginsulationduringthewinterandasunscreeninthesummer,theynotonlyhelptoreduceenergyconsumptionandcost,butalsoimprovethecarbonfootprint.Inaddition,thesystemaffordssignificantprotectiontothestructure,actingasashieldagainstUVandthedamaging,long-termeffectsofwindandrain,aswellasadeterrenttograffitiand,dependingontheplantsspecified,aneffectiveaidtobuildingsecurity.
TheJakobsystemislightweightandfasttoinstall.Allplantingisundertakenonsiteandmaintenanceissimpleandstraightforward–carriedoutattheplanterlevel.
Frominitialdesignthroughtoinstallationandmaintenance,MMAoffersacompletesolution,workingwithcarefullyselectedpartnerstodeliverprojectsofthehighestquality–includingplantingandirrigation.n
• For more information, call 0845 1300 135 or visit www.jakob.co.uk.
Jakob Green Wall Systems bring buildings alive
environmentalbuild winter 2011 2�
e Aspeoplebecomemorehealthconscioustheybecomemoreconcernedabouttheeffectsthatpollutionmayhaveontheir
lives.Forthoselivingincities,airpollutionmaybetheirbiggestconcern,wheretrafficandindustryareidentifiablepollutionsources.
Theredevelopmentofurbanbrownfieldsitesandotherinnercityconstructionordemolitionprojectshasbroughtanotherpotentialpollutionsourcetothepubliceye.Althoughgaseousemissions(e.g.NOx)associatedwithconstructionanddemolitionsitesmayberelativelylow,urbanredevelopmentschemescanhavesignificantimpactsonlocalairqualityduetodustemissions.
‘Dust’isagenerictermusedtodescribeparticulatematter1–75µm(micron)indiameterandisgenerallyproducedthroughthe
crushingandabrasionofmaterials.Itisoftenconsideredintwocategories.
Thesizefractionessentiallyupto10µm(PM10)isusedasanindicatoroflocalairqualityandformspartofNationalAirQualityStandards(NAQS).PM10dustisinhalable,andmedicalstudieshavelinkedelevatedPM10concentrationswithprematuredeaths.
Althoughnotdirectlyassociatedwithpublichealth,dustabove10µmmaybeconsidered‘visible’or‘nuisance’dust.Therearenoformalstandardsfornuisancedust.Thevisualimpactofdustsoilingonsurfacesorevenasdustcloudscanleadtocomplaintsonthegroundsofpublicnuisanceandmayultimatelyleadtocourtcases.
Thereforeitisofteninthebestinterestsofconstructionanddemolitionfirmstomonitordustemissionsfromtheirsites.Indeed,manysiteconditionssetoutbyregulatorybodiessuchaslocalcouncilsnowrequiremonitoringaspartofconsenttowork.Forexample,theGreaterLondonAuthorityBestPracticeGuidance(LondonBPG)canbeusedtohelpdeterminewhichcontrolmeasuresandmonitoringmayberequired.Asarule,PM10dustislikelytobemonitoredonlywherethesiteislocatedinanAirQualityManagementArea(AQMA)orwherethereisahighriskofNAQSexceedence.Itismuchmorelikelythereforethatsiteconditionsrelatingtonuisancedustmonitoringwillbeimposed.
Nuisancedustcanbemonitoredeitherinflux(whilstairborne)orindeposition(whereitsettlesoutoftheair).Differentmethodscanbeusedtomonitordustfluxanddustdepositionandthemostidealwillvarydependingonthesiteandsetting.‘Traditional’equipmentformonitoringdustsuchasusingFrisbee-typegaugescanbeveryvulnerabletovandalismanddifficulttolocateinanurbansetting.Therecanalsobehighsampletransportcostsincurredbyusingsuchequipment,asthedustsamplesarecollectedinbottlesthatalsocollectrainwater.Glassslidemonitoringisanotherapproachtonuisancedustsamplingandalthoughinexpensivetodeploy,glassslidesrequirecarefulhandling.Stickypads,suchastheDustScanDustDiscdustsettlementsampler(pictured)areinexpensive,easilydeployed,andthesimplejewel-casedesignmakesthemeasytohandleandmuchmorereadilytransportedthanalmostanyotherdustsamplecollectors.DustScanstickypadshaveaspecially-formulatedadhesiveandsampletamperingisusuallyevident(unlikewithsomeothermethods).
Althoughsomemightseedustfromredevelopmentschemesasanunfortunatebutunavoidableconsequence,dustmonitoringofconstructionanddemolitionsitesneednotbea‘tickbox’exercise.Byfollowingbestpracticeguidanceorbyseekingadvicefromspecialistdustmonitoringconsultancies,civilengineeringcontractorscanfindthatdustmonitoringusingmethodssuchastheDustDiscneednotbeaninconvenience,orentailexcessivecost,whilestilltickingtheboxesoftheirsiteregulators.n
Dust Monitoring
in Urban
Redevelopment
2� environmentalbuild winter 2011
environmentalbuild winter 2011 2�
Floodwall™ gains the new BSI Kitemark PAS 1188-1e FloodWall’sunique
removableflooddefencedoorsandairbrickcovershavebeenawardedtheprestigiousnewBSIPAS1188-1Kitemarkforremovablefloodprotectiondevices,followingextensiveindependenttestingatHRWallingford,theworldrenownedtestingcentre.
PAS1188-1setsanewindustrystandardinfloodprotectionwhereproductsaresubjectedtoaseriesofrigoroustestsinarangeofsimulatedconditions.OnesuchtestinvolvesareplicalivingroomfittedwithFloodWalldoorsandairbrickcoversinstalledinamassivewatertank,abouthalfthesizeofafootballpitchholding196,000gallonsofwater.
“TheBSIKitemarkawardedtoFloodwallgiveshouseholdersandbusinessesconfidenceinourproductsandtheireffectiveness.Wehavealreadysuccessfullyhelpedprotectmanybuildings–fromlistedpropertiestocommercialoutlets–inareaspronetoflooding”,saidPatrickCurran,salesmanager,“andalsoprovidedmuchneededpeaceofmindtothoseinhighriskareasthathaveexperiencedthedevastationofflooddamage.”
OfficialGovernmentfiguresstatethatoneinsixhomesinEnglandandWalesareatriskoffloodingandthisnumberislikelytoincreasedueto
theeffectsofclimatechange.AstandardrangeofDIYFloodWalldoorsareavailableviamailorder
throughouttheUK.Bespokedoorsarealsoavailablefollowingapropertysurvey:www.floodwall.uk.com.n
•For more information please contact: Patrick Curran, Office: 0800 917 9115, Mobile: 07831 368835, Email: [email protected]. Roseville Group T/A FloodWall, Guildprime Business Centre, Southend Road, Billericay, Essex CM11 2PZ.
UK’s premier brownfield event returns to NECe BrownfieldExpo(BEX),thepremiernationaleventfor
remediationandcontaminatedlandsolutions,returnstotheNECBirmingham,from24th-26thMay2011.
Itshowcasestheverylatesttechnologiessupportingtheaimofreturningpreviouslyderelictlandbacktoproductiveuse.Thethree-dayseminarprogramme,whichrunsalongsidetheexhibition,allowsexpertswithinthesectortoimpartthelatestknowledgeandbestpracticetodelegates.
Thegovernment’scommitmenttobringmorelandintosustainableuse–particularlyasthenumberofavailablegreenspacesfordevelopmentisincreasinglylimited–hasfuelledinterestintheexhibition.Eventdirector,DonnaBushellsays:“BEXisanunparalleledopportunityforindividualswithinthebrownfieldregenerationsectortoshareinnovationsandtonetworkwhichiswhyitattractssuchalargenumberofhighcalibreexhibitorsandvisitors–includinglocalauthoritylandofficers.”
BEXispartofSustainabilitylive!andwillonceagainrun
alongsidetheNationalEnergyManagementExhibition(NEMEX),InternationalWaterandEffluentExhibition(IWEX),EnvironmentalTechnology(ET),andSustainableBusiness–TheEvent(SB).
Foruptodateexhibitornews,features,programmesandinformationonhowtoexhibitorregisterforfreeattendancevisit:www.sustainabilitylive.com/clairebexorcall02086517069.n
environmentalbuild winter 2011 2�
2� environmentalbuild winter 2011
