Construction

This content builds on outcomes of discussions etc. from workshops and information given by institutions through a request for projects.

1. Background and context
2. Legal requirements
3. Examples of projects in Scottish institutions
4. Opportunities and challenges
5. General support from other organisations

1. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The term Sustainable Construction is widely used and generally incorporates new build, refurbishment; and maintenance projects. In practice, sustainable construction aims to reduce the impact of the whole life of the project by dealing with the important issues at the start, this involves:

• Considering social and environmental issues as well as financial and incorporating these within the ‘value for money’ approach used in the procurement process;
• Considering the whole life cost of the project at an early a stage as possible; and
• Being aware of the potential impacts on the environment and society and ensuring that actions are taken to reduce these risks throughout the lifetime of the project.

In 1999 the government launched the ‘Achieving Excellence Initiative’. Its aim was to deliver value for money and sustained improvement in construction procurement projects. The initiative has produced a number of best practice guides on procurement and construction including one on sustainability (Procurement Guide 11 – Sustainability).

In the Government’s ‘Building a better quality of Life – A Strategy for More Sustainable Construction’ (launched in 2000) 10 themes for action were proposed:

1. Re-use existing built assets
2. Design for minimum waste
3. Aim for lean construction
4. Minimise energy in construction
5. Minimise energy in use
6. Do not pollute
7. Preserve and enhance bio-diversity
8. Conserve water resources
9. Respect people and their local environment and
10. Set targets.

In 2007, the new Scottish Government introduced five Strategic Policy Objectives to focus government and public services on creating a more successful Scotland through increasing sustainable economic growth. This new structure is intended to ensure the government exploits the links between different areas of the Scottish Government and develops more joined-up policies.

In particular, Objective 5, Greener Scotland, sets out to improve Scotland’s natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it. Ministers have identified colleges and universities as having a key role to play in achieving this goal.

In 2008 the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council issued revised Sustainable Development Guidance for Estate Management which provides detailed guidance on how to integrate sustainable development within capital and refurbishment projects.

Click here to access the SFC Sustainable Development Guidance for Estate Management, March 2008

Click here to see the two High Performance Buildings Guides prepared by HEEPI SUST (The Lighthouse on Sustainability) and Thirdwave, 2008

UK Strategy for Sustainable Construction, BERR, June 2008
Click here for BERR's web site
Click here for the 64 page report itself

‘The key thrust of Achieving Excellence is the delivery of best value for money. This is not the lowest cost but the best balance of quality and whole life cost to meet the user requirement’
(Achieving Excellence in Construction, Building on Success,
The future strategy for achieving excellence in construction, OGC, Feb 2003)

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2. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

The legal requirements associated with protecting the environment from the impacts of Construction and Development activities are particularly stringent. As the main client it is essential that Colleges and Universities understand the risks involved of non compliance and that contractors are clear as to their responsibilities. Regulations cover all aspects of the environment including:

• Emissions to air
• Contamination of land
• Nuisance and noise
• Waste management and disposal
• Discharges to water

Click here to go to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) NetRegs website (providing guidance on legislative requirements for the sector and by activity)

In addition to pollution prevention there are requirements associated with minimisation of waste through the National Waste Strategy including the requirements set in 2006 by Scottish Ministers for all public bodies to set a minimum 10% requirement for recycled content in all construction projects valued over £1m they procure or fund. The Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP) provides information and tools for improving efficiency and minimising waste in a range of areas that can apply to the activities within a college or university. WRAP can help you comply with the Scottish Government’s
requirements on recycled content within construction projects by helping you determine the recycled content of a new building. They also have a catalogue of suppliers which provide materials with varying levels of recycled content.

Click here for the main WRAP website
Click here for information on Recycled Content
Click here for information on how to choose construction products

In addition to the above the SFC Sustainable Development Guidance for Estates Management also has a summary of legislative requirements towards the end of the full report. SFC have invited institutions to report on progress by end June 2008 and annually thereafter.

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3. CONSTRUCTION RELATED PROJECTS IN SCOTTISH FHE SECTOR

This section sets out examples of energy-related projects in Scottish universities and colleges. The projects are classified as follows:

1. Building management
2. Sustainable design and construction
3. Waste minimisation

1. Building management

Combined Heat and Power – University of Aberdeen (2006/2007)

Construction of a new Combined Heat and Power Plant
For more information you can email John McManus

Management of Built Environment – University of St Andrews (2006/2007)

To attain the highest possible environmental ratings for buildings and to consider sustainable development in the design, build and operation of refurbished and new builds.
For more information you can email Roddy Yarr

2. Sustainable design and construction

Experience of BREEAM assessment – University of Aberdeen (2006/2007)

Use of BREEAM assessments in new builds and refurbishments
For more information you can email Alan Wight

Sustainable new build – John Wheatley College (2006)

Learning spaces, sustainable design new build project
For more information you can email Alex Kirk

Sustainable design – University of Glasgow (2006)

Biomedical and Cardiovascular research Buildings costing £31m, which have been designed to the highest sustainability design standards.
For more information you can email Albert Young

Sustainable design and construction – ReLocate Project – Queen Margaret University (2006/2007)

Relocation and redevelopment of campus focuses on excellent BREEAM.
For more information you can email Steve Scott

Very good BREEAM in College new build – Langside College (2006/2007)

New College will be far more energy efficient than existing 1960s structure. Expect to achieve BREEAM Very Good rating. Construction begins in January 2008 and the builder is a “Considerate Constructor”
For more information you can email John Pugh

Very good BREEAM in College new build – South Lanarkshire College (2006/2007)

New build in East Kilbride – to be operational early 2008. Will have “Very Good” BREAM rating.
For more information you can email Angus Allan

3. Waste minimisation

Recycling in Construction – Glasgow Metropolitan College (2006)

Built Environment - Sand, lime, tiles, brick timber in schools
For more information you can email John Halpin

Click here to go to the EAUC Resource Bank for more case studies and resources relating to construction.

To see examples of projects undertaken by other organisations (and contact details) click on the initiatives section of the Scotland’s Sustainable Construction Forum

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4. OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

There are a number of opportunities and challenges that have been identified by staff and students in Colleges and Universities in Scotland. Some of these are summarised below:

• Integrating sustainable development into refurbishment rather than new build
• Learning from others
• Knowing which standards are most suitable for the sector
• Appointing good consultants to influence design throughout project
• Develop a holistic sustainability policy and clear vision for capital projects
• Work with others (internal and external) and share the same vision
• Set SMART targets
• Communicate to the design team the need for sustainability to be the focus of the development
• Integrate sustainable development within capital projects including biodiversity
• Be familiar with SFC guidance on sustainable development and integrate in Estates Strategies
• Incorporate best practice within procurement, energy and waste in operations
• Work with local, small contractors to support them with delivery on recycled content
• Involve design teams in recycling materials from the outset
• There is a need for a whole institution approach to sustainable construction
• A strong relationship with contractors is critical to deliver on aspects such as recycled content
• Include WRAP recycled content statements in Estates Strategy and procurement processes
• Discuss implications of recycled content for new build projects or refurbishment within institutions
• Integrated recycled content into policy and projects.

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5. SOURCES OF SUPPORT

Construction Procurement

Achieving excellence procurement guides
WRAP

Demolition & Deconstruction

BRE Deconstruction market share report

CIRIA. Environmental handbooks for building and civil engineering projects Part 3 Demolition and site clearance. CIRIA, London, 2000.

Health and Safety

ICE recycling demolition waste

SEDA Golders Sustainable Resource Management Tool (management of demolition wastes)

SEDA minimising waste by designing for deconstruction

Tayside Contracts Best Practice Case Study

Design for Deconstruction

Design for deconstruction. Principles of design to facilitate reuse and recycling (C607), W Addis, J Schouten, 2004

Environmental Management System (EMS) and Award Schemes

BREEAM and EcoHomes

British Standards Institute (BSI) 

CEEQUAL (Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Award Scheme)

Eco-Management and Auditing Scheme (EMAS)

GreenCode

IEMA Acorn Scheme

Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) 

Sustainable Building Design Scheme for architects

 

Other

Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN)

Rethinking Construction. DETR, July 1998

National Waste Plan

Scottish Sustainable Construction Forum

 

General construction policy and guidance

Click here for The Scottish Funding Council Sustainable Development Guidance for Estate Management. (Note that this document provides useful reference section with links to other reports and sources of information

High Performance Buildings Guide for Univerities and Colleges 1. The Business Case and 2. The Process of Delivery, prepared by HEEPI SUST (The Lighthouse on Sustainability) and Thirdwave, 2008

BREEAM for (Higher) Education [Forthcoming 2009] and project information

NHS Environment Assessment Tool guidance [under review 2008]

Building a better quality of life – a strategy for more sustainable construction, DETR, April 2000

Achieving Excellence in Construction, Building on Success, The future strategy for achieving excellence in construction, OGC, Feb 2003.

Scottish Building Standards

Index 21 – developed by Aberdeenshire Sustainability Research Trust, Robert Gordon University and Aberdeenshire Council. The Index has been devised specifically to clarify the meaning of sustainability for the planning system and the factors involved thus relate only to matters under planning control.

 

Key performance indicators and auditing

Auditing and benchmarking tool for waste, BRE

A sustainability checklist for developments: a common framework for developers and local authorities (X262), 2002, Building Research Establishment

Sustainable construction - implementing targets and indicators. Experiences from CIRIA's Pioneers' Club (C633), 2004.

Sustainable construction: company indicators (C563), WS Atkins, 2001.

Regional Sustainablity Checklist for developments

 

Legislation

NetRegs 

Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)

 

Materials

AggRegain Supplier Index

BREMAP (map showing locations of materials/products)

Construction product library run by Technical Indexes

Forest Stewardship Council (Timber specifications)

Sourcing suitable aggregates

The Green Directory

WRAP information on plasterboard, aggregates, flatglass

WRAP’s details of over 3,200 recycled products

WRAP’s Net Waste tool for recycling content and site maste management plans construction projects

Recycling

WRAP’s recycled product guide

CIRIA register of recycling sites for construction sector

Environmental sustainability of recycled and secondary aggregates

Quick Wins & Reference Guides Opportunities to use recycled materials in building works and civil engineering, WRAP

National Industrial Symbiosis Programme

Site Waste Management Plans

ICE Guidelines (signage) Waste Aware Construction 

Storage and handling of waste 

Netregs SWMP

Envirowise 

WRAP Guidance

 

Sustainable Accounting

Sustainable accounting (Great Western Hospital Case study)

Sustainable accounting in the construction sector, Casella Stanger, Forum for the Future, Carillion plc, CIRIA, London 2002

 

Sustainable Construction Procurement

Sustainable construction procurement. A guide to delivering environmentally responsible projects (C571), B Addis, R Talbot, 2001.

Central Procurement Directorate of Northern Ireland 

 

Sustainable Design

CIRIA. Environmental handbooks for building and civil engineering projects Part 1 Design and Specification. London 2000

City of Edinburgh Council. Sustainable Design Guide

Edinburgh Standards for Sustainable Building – Supplementary Planning Guidance, 2007

Organisations associated with sustainable design in Scottish regions

Scottish Ecological Design Association

Wooley T and Kimmons S. Green Building Handbook Volume 2. A guide to building products and their impact on the environment. Spon Press, 2000.

Energy Saving Trust

The Carbon Trust

Project Manager’s Guide to Energy & Water Efficiency, The Energy Consortium

Sustainable Building Design Scheme

 

Sustainable Procurement

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (copies of Environmental purchasing in practice, IEMA 2002 available free to CIPS members)

Environmental purchasing in practice – guidance for organisations, The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, Vol 2, Sept 2002 (available free to IEMA members)

 

Training

Toolbox talks 

 

Waste Minimisation in Construction

BRE, Waste materials and recycling pack (X278)

CIRIA. Environmental handbooks for building and civil engineering projects Part 2 Construction. CIRIA London 2000.

Demonstrating waste minimisation benefits in construction (C536), 2001.

Waste Aware Construction Poster Creator, Revised June 2008 

Waste minimisation and recycling in construction - a review (SP122), 1995

Waste minimisation and recycling in construction - boardroom handbook (SP135) 1999

Waste minimisation and recycling in construction - design manual (SP134), 1998. 

Waste minimisation in construction - training pack (C555TP)

 

Whole Life Costs (WLC)

Achieving Excellence in Construction, Procurement Guide No 7 – Whole-life costing and cost management, OGC, 2003

Whole life costing and life-cycle assessment for sustainable building design, S Edwards, E Bartlett, I Dickie, November 2000

Click here to access a list of organisations that can provide you support in a range of topic areas
Click here to go to the Construction Topic Support Network Page
Click here to go to see the outcomes from construction related events in Scotland

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