- dedicated to developing new products and technologies directed toward reducing
- The impact on the environment.
- promote recycling, reducing industrial waste and incorporating conservation of
- Resources, into all aspects of our corporate activities.
- Promote waste reduction and development of low-impact substitute technologies within our division and with our suppliers and subcontractors to reduce environmental harm.
- Surrounding communities. Primary goals are to eliminate/reduce the use of hazardous substances throughout our business operations.
- avoiding the use of prohibited substances in its processes and products
reducing the use of harmful substances in its processes and products
- using recyclable materials wherever possible
Building Regulations
Building codes are rules that specify minimum levels of performance for the construction and use of the building.
These rules are intended to protect public safety and general welfare and covers areas of structural stability durability, fire safety, accessibly, noise control, ventilation and thermal comfort.
Building codes do not generally deal with the aesthetics of visual appearance or other values of buildings.
When working out the technical content of the building regulations the method for achieving energy efficiency should also be balanced against other needs such as the following.
- Other essential performances such as structural stability, resistance to rain penetration and fire safety
- The need for design details that are practical and within the capabilities of the construction workforce
- Building services that are easy for occupiers to manage successfully
- Regulations which are simple to interpret and enforce
The thermal insulation sections of building regulations in the U.K originally restricted themselves to the control of thermal insulation in domestic buildings, the early aim was to ensure minimum standards of health and comfort, and to reduce the risk of condensation in housing.
The regulations achieve their objectives by controlling the following areas of building design and performance.
- Annual rate of CO2 emissions by the completed is kept to a minimum
- Thermal insulation of the fabric of the building is maximised
- Air tightness of the fabric of the building is maximised
- Summer overheating is limited by shading and other measures’
- Performance of fixed services such as heating, ventilation and lighting equipment is optimised.
- The actual quality and performance of construction is verified
- Operating and maintenance instructions are available.
U Values
A simple method of setting performance targets for thermal comfort and energy use in buildings is to specify the insulation of the buildings fabric and the flowing methods can be used.
Lower U –Values mean better thermal insulation Higher R- Values mean better thermal insulation.
- Target U Values or R Values for construction elements such as walls and roofs
- Thickness of command insulating materials within elements
- Maximum areas of glazing , such as by percentage of floor area
To show compliance with insulation targets the following simple methods can be used.
- Following an approved type of construction
- Calculations to show target U- Values or R- Values been matched or bettered.
- Calculations to show that under –performance in one area is compensated for by better performance in another area
Trading off
Trading off is a term widely used it is an informal way of describing how a shortfall in performance in one area is balanced by extra performance in another area.
This system is permitted giving more design flexibility for example allowing larger areas of glazing to be used providing that higher standards of insulations is are used in the walls and roof.
(Enviromental science in building , Randall Mc Mullan)
Built Environment
With the everyday challenges of using out natural environment with care we do have a need to construct a built environment with comfortable places where we can live and work and we should consider the following in physical constructions factors.
- Temperature
- Quality of air
- Lighting environment
- Acoustic environment
Thermals
In order to maintain a constant temperature in a building you need to restrict the rate at which heat energy is exchanged with the surroundings.
Keeping heat inside a building as long as you can save energy and also save a lot of money on heating costs.
Good thermal insulation will also reduce the flow of heat into a building when the temperature outside id higher then the temperature inside.
In simple terms a well insulates structure will, if ventilation and direct sun light are controlled will stay cooler in the summer then a under insulated structure.
A thermal insulator is a material which opposes the transfer of heat between areas at different temperatures.
Thermals insulators used in construction today are made in a wide variety and forms as follows.
- Rigid preformed materials – Aerated concrete blocks
- Flexible materials – Fibreglass quilts
- Loose fill materials – Expanded polystyrene granules
- Materials formed on site – Foamed polyurethane
- Reflective materials – Aluminium foil
Ventilations
Ventilation in buildings is the process of changing the air in a room or internal space. This process should be continuous with new air taken from a clean source.
If there was no air change in a room for instance the room would start to smell and vast odours would start to spread the room with bad air.
For this reason it is vital to have a constant air change flow in a room as it is what we breathe to stay alive and to breathe in bad air would be bad for our health and can cause major affects on our body.
In additions to the above air is also used for other things such as below.
- Removal of carbon dioxide from human breathing
- Control of humidity for human comfort or conditioning of materials
- Control of air velocity for human comfort
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Removal of odours
- Removal of micro –organism ,mites ,mould, fungi
- Removal of excessive heat energy
- Removal of water vapour to help prevent condensation
- Removal of particles such as dust and smoke
In addition to this good ventilation can help in
- Control of fire
- Conservation of energy
- Noise from the system
Ventilation of buildings and spaces is required by several sources of regulations in the United Kingdom and Ireland such as the building regulations, Work place regulations, Housing acts, and Health and safety at work legalisation.
The quantity and rate of air renewal varies and includes the following.
- Air supply to a space – such as 1.5 room air changes an hour
- Air supply to a person – Such as 8 litres per second per person
Acoustics
Acoustics is the science of sound. Or, more technical terms "... the generation, transmission and reception of energy in the form of vibrational waves in matter
Acoustics is the study of the physical characteristics of sound. It deals with things like the frequency, amplitude and complexity of sound waves and how sound waves interact with various environments. It can also refer casually and generally to the over-all quality of sound in a given place.
In general acoustics requirements in a room for example depend on the nature of and
Purpose of the space the general requirements for good acoustics are as follows.
- Adequate levels of sound
- Even distribution to all listeners in the room
- Rate of decay ( Reverberation time ) suitable for the type of room
- Background noise and external noise reduced to acceptable levels
- Absence of echoes and similar acoustics defects
Good acoustic in a room will create a better comfort factor as every one in the room will be able to hear, there are sound proof walls and boards that are fitted in new buildings to keep unwanted sound out and an equal acoustic level within the room.
Sound reflects in the same manner as light provided that the reflecting object is larger then the wavelength of the sound concerned.
Light
It is usually necessary to provide a room with natural light from the sun the natural light which in brought in by open spaces and windows is a source of heat and makes a pleasant environment.
Natural light can be used as the sole source or together with artificial light the provision of natural lighting in buildings must be considered together with factors of artificial lighting, heating, ventilation and sound control.
Sources of light
- Natural light
- Daylight
- Sunlight
- Artificial light
- Up light
- Spot light
Benefits of natural light
- Preferred by people
- Healthy
- Reduces the need for artificial light and hence energy savings
- If controlled correctly can reduce the heat gains in the building
Disadvantages of natural light
- If not controlled effectively could lead to Glare and heat gain
Condensation
Condensation in buildings is a form of dampness caused by water vapour in the air
Condensation also builds up in windows causing misting in the windows.
Condensation it not really a problem where it has been designed to take the affect of condensation i.e., tiled bathroom or indoor swimming pool however unwanted condensations in offices and homes is a problem.
This unwanted condensation builds up mould and makes unhealthy living conditions by far is not needed in this day and age.
Warm air can hold more moisture than cold air and if air in a building acquires additional moisture, this increased moisture content will not be seen in places where the air is also warmed.
But if this moist ait comes into contact with colder air or with a cold surface then the air is likely to be cooled to its dew point.
At this point the air moisture is turned into a water vapour which in the end causes condensation and windows to mist.
Causes of condensation in buildings are moist air and cold structures. The factors that influence the production of condensation can be considered under the following.
- Moisture sources
- Ventilation
- Temperatures
- Use of buildings
To prevent condensation in buildings it is necessary to have adequate ventilation, good heating source and insulation a combination of these three things is usually necessary to prevent condensation.
Conclusion
Environmental science in buildings is a major factor in the construction industry the comforts that we take for granted in our homes and work places all have a theory behind them and then integrating them to be set so that natural environment does not affect out daily lives.
For instance anti glare windows that keep the glare out but let the light come through which make us feel happier and healthy.
To make a sustainable solution all building contractors should lead the way in using renewable resources and solutions and thus making the U.K a sustainable leader in the E.U.
Bibliography
- www.wikpedia.com
- Environmental science in building , Randall Mc Mullen
- www.biuldingdesing.co.uk
- www.planportal.go.uk