Life Cycle Analysis
"A buildings environmental impact extends from global factors, such as ozone depletion, to the quality of the environment inside the property. These impacts arise from decisions made at all stages of the buildings life, including materials manufacture, site selection, design, construction, occupation and ultimately demolition."
Source: Greener Buildings, Environmental Impact of Property - Stuart Johnson.
A Report On Environmental Life Cycle Analysis ( L.C.A. )
Introduction
The world is becoming an ever more environmentally vigilant society and pressure by governments, NGOs ( Non - government organisations ) and the general public is being put on all aspects of industry to become more "Green".
The construction industry has a great impact on the environment both at the construction stage and the buildings future life, as stated in Stuart Johnsons opening statement above. As with all industries the construction industry as a whole has and continues to devise ways in which the relationship between the built and the natural environment can improve. One such development is the technique of Environmental Life Cycle Analysis.
Life Cycle Analysis
Life cycle analysis is used to explore the life cycle of a building material. It is computer based and its methodology was developed by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry ( SETAC ).
The life cycle analysis will show the environmental impacts of different materials at different stages of its life from the materials extraction through processing, manufacture, use, maintenance and disposal. An example of the type of software used in L.C.A. is SimaPro 3.0 which was developed by PRe Consultants in the Netherlands. SimaPro provides information on the generation of pollutants and the following environmental effects of different materials and is measured using eco-points.
"The main issues of life cycle analysis for materials consist of establishing:
* hazardous contents
* risks to occupants, trades people and the general environment
* ecological degradation from extraction of raw materials
* recycled content
* pollution from manufacturing
* CO2 released during manufacturing and embodied energy
* transport implications
* durability ( life to replacement )
* recycling and disposal"
Source: Specifying for Greener Buildings - Stephen Curw...
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...s 1993
( CHIP ) HMSO
* Specification for Environmental Management Systems. BS7750: 1992. BSI.
* RIBA Environmental Policy and Information for Members. Peter Smith. RIBA. 1995.
Conclusion
It is clear to see that the need for environmental life cycle analysis is great if the continuing decline of the environment is to be slowed.
Firms within the construction industry must hold their hands up and accept responsibility for the huge environmental impact caused by the building, and support the full life cycle analysis of as many materials as possible, they also need to design for the long term and not just for short term gain.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Life Cycle Analysis of Housing - Maf Smith Building for a Future - Autumn 1995
Specifying for Greener Buildings - Stephen Curwell Architects Journal - January 1996
Cost Planning of Buildings 6th Ed. - Douglas J. Ferry & Peter S. Brandon Blackwell Science - 1991
Environmental Impact Assessment : A Comparitive Review - Wood Spon - 1995
Buildings and Health ( The Rosehaugh Guide ) - March & Venables RIBA Publications - 1990
Green Architecture - Vale & Vale Thames and Hudson - 1991
BREEAM 1/93 New Offices.
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