Environmental Awareness in Construction

Know about environmental issues affecting the construction industry. 

Environmental issues

• use of oil based products
• carbon emissions
• waster to landfill
• pollution

Environmental legislation

• Environmental Protection Act
• Water Act
• Air Act
• Wildlife Protection Act

Environmental awareness

• the future of the planet
• extending finite resources
• reducing waste
• reducing heat loss and air pollution carbon emissions

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Outline different environmental issues that affect the construction industry.

• 1.2

  Give examples of environmental regulations and recommendations relevant to the construction industry. 

• 1.3

  Outline why environmental awareness is important in the construction industry. 

Know renewable technologies and energy conservation methods in buildings. 

Renewable Technologies

• timber framed construction
• structural insulated panels
• prefabricated buildings
• solar panels
• high levels of insulation

Energy Conservation

• increased levels of insulation
• heat recovery systems
• orientation of the building
• wider insulation filled cavities
• solar panels
• small wind turbines
• air tightness of construction

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Describe how renewable technologies are used in the construction of buildings. 

• 2.2

  Describe methods used to conserve energy in buildings. 

Know the importance of good waste management. 

Renewable Technologies

• timber framed construction
• structural insulated panels
• prefabricated buildings
• solar panels
• high level of insulation

Waste reduction

• using standard modular components
• manufacturing larger components in a factory for site assembly
• prefabrication
• recycling skips for metal, timber, hardcore

Recycling

• crushing demolition waste for fill materials
• glass recycled into new material
• steel - uses scrap metal as part of the manufacture process
• using brownfield sites
• timber recycled in mdf boards

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Explain the importance of re-using and recycling materials in the construction industry. 

• 3.2

  Describe how waste can be reduced in construction. 

• 3.3

  Describe how recyclable materials are used in the construction industry.