Methods of Analysis of a Building Design - Term Paper Example

ABSTRACT In this essay a method of evaluation of a building design is formed. The method should take into consideration the crucial parameters of design and evaluate their environmental impact. It should evaluate; the construction of the building, operation and demolition of the building. To come up with best method buildings of similar geometrical aspects but constructed of different materials are considered. In this method we have to analyze aspects of carbon emissions, materials used putting into consideration environmental and economic constraints. In order to evaluate these aspects keenly we have to consider the energy consumed during construction and operations of the building, as well as its toxic behavior and pollutants that appear in various stages of its life cycle. [GFS13] The first step is to determine the quantity of construction materials need in order to determine the embodied energy of the total structure. Secondly a proper software is used to calculate the required heating and cooling of each house. From these calculations an energy-time diagram is formed which indicates the long-term energy behavior of the residences, starting from their embodied energy. Following the above, a comparison of the different type of residences is being made regarding their assimilation by the environment, the evaluation of materials’ toxic behavior and the presence of pollutants in the various stages of construction. Moreover, due to the fact that the lifetime of modern buildings can be exceptionally variable, each residence should be recycled or reused along with its materials. [GFS13] Introduction The construction site is considered to be an extremely polluting activity of modern production and therefore the introduction of more sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies may lead to short-term considerably positive results. In order to achieve a different approach in building design it is vital to provide engineers with the technical knowledge of sustainable solutions and also to raise awareness towards the advantages of these designing solutions. Bioclimatic architecture, green building design, a more rational management of domestic wastewater and solid waste, as well as the use of alternative forms of energy to name a few are the appropriate tools towards sustainable building design. [ESa12]In this method we have to analyze aspects of carbon emissions, materials used putting into consideration environmental and economic constraints. In order to evaluate these aspects keenly we have to consider the energy consumed during construction and operations of the building, as well as its toxic behavior and pollutants that appear in various stages of its life cycle. [GFS13] Methods of analysis Parameters Energy Energy is the most critical aspect in sustainable development because the production of energy is directly proportional to pollutant aspects. Embodied energy is the energy consumed by all the processes associated with the production of a building i.e. from obtaining natural resources to product delivery. This involves mining and manufacturing of materials, transportation of materials and administration cost. [Wra11] Carbon emissions Embodied carbon are the carbon dioxide emissions associated with making a building. Embodied carbon includes; greenhouse gas emissions that arise from the energy and industrial processes used in the processing, manufacture and delivery of the materials, products and components required to construct a building. It can also include the carbon emissions associated with maintaining, replacing, repairing and disposing of these materials and components of a building over its lifetime. [Moo93]Carbon emissions in a building are greatly associated with the supplying material. These materials may at times be responsible of up to 50% of total emissions over a building’s lifetime. If a constructor is able to reduce embodied carbon, they may benefit financially by; Reduction in material use Reduction in material waste Good environmental management Reduced reliance on energy-intensive manufacturing routes.[Wra11] Carbon saving aspects in a building construction Carbon saving action Range of carbon savings Using less material More efficient building design (e.g. compact building form) Varies by building type – typically, up to 5% of a building’s total embodied carbon Design for reuse and deconstruction Significant savings on whole-life basis. Change the specification for building elements (e.g. lower- weight roof design) Varies by element type but it reduces typically by up to 20% Design for less waste on site Varies depending with materials specifies by it reduces typically by up to 10% Design for off-site construction e.g. benefits from lower wastage and efficient fabrication Depends on extent off construction site but it reduces by typically up to 10% Using alternative materials Use materials with low carbon content Varies by building but up to 20% Select materials with lower transport-related carbon emissions Varies by transport volume. It reduces by typically up to 2.5% Selecting materials recyclable or reusable Varies by extent of reusability but it is typically up to 10% for some materials High durable and low maintenance through life materials Significant savings on whole-life basis [Wra00][Wra11][Mob99] Materials It is advisable to look at the different materials and comparing them to get the best for construction purposes putting into consideration our aim of carbon emissions reduction. Building materials/products Waste reduction Recyclability /Reusability Embodied carbon generation Other considerations Concrete aggregate Cement About 4% goes to waste and good utilization can reduce this by 20% 100% may be recycled Waste reduction reduce amount of embodied carbon emitted Recycled aggregate has lower carbon content PFA can replace up to 40% of cement used Avoid long distance transportation of reclaimed product to reduce carbon emission Bricks Have high wastage. About 20% are not utilized Bricks can be reclaimed Use of reclaimed bricks reduce carbon emitted Avoid long distance transportation of reclaimed product to reduce carbon emission Metals Good practice can reduce wastage up to 10% Steel used in construction is recycled Anti-corrosion metals may have a high embodied carbon but corrosion resistance means that carbon-intensive coatings may be avoided. Timber About 10% of timber in a construction site goes to waste but good practice reduce it to 5% Timber can at times be reused Reclaimed timber has less embodied carbon. Timber cannot be used as alternative for this construction plans unless on window frames due to its height Important to ensure that reclaimed product is not transported over long distances to reduce embodied carbon. [Wra00][Mob99][ESa12][Kar14][UNE12][Edw00][Kar14][Moo93] Designing for safety Terrorist attacks has caused design and engineering professionals to address integrated fire protection and security measures for the building site as well as within the building. In designing for safety we look at designing for fire protection and attack.[UNE12] In designing for fire protection we use fire resistant materials sprinkler systems and smoke alarms. The most effective and commonly used mode of fire protection is the smoke alarm. Smoke alarms are fitted all over the building to detect any significant amount of smoke in the building and raise the alarm. Smoke alarms should be installed on the escape roots on all levels within the building and areas where people sleep. [wbn13]They can either be installed on the wall or ceiling depending on the manufacturer’s instruction. Smoke alarms must be checked frequently to ensure that they are in good working conditions failure to which they will be just decorations without meeting the primary responsibility of fire protection. Domestic sprinkler systems should be made available which will activate automatically and spray the water. It is also advisable to design for evacuation roots and they should be a minimum of two on opposite ends. The building should also be easily accessed by firefighters, have enough room to pack their equipment around the building. Though the building should have a perimeter wall for general safety, it should not compromise other aspects like accessibility and space for firefighters machines. Conclusion and Recommendation Just as highlighted throughout this discussion when choosing for materials and best way to construct look into considerations these factors; the construction of the building, operations and demolition of the building. Moreover, the aspect of fire protection and general security should not be assumed because they are not less important. I wish to recommend all the clients wishing to construct any building to put into consideration all the available materials and choose the best with least hazard effect to the environment. It should also be a common practice to follow all the government set regulations to meet the set standards Part 2 Kiss Night club fire in Santa Maria, Brazil Fire is assumed as one of the most destructive forces of nature. Brazil is in record as a country prone to fires due to many incidents of fire reported in the natural forests. Though these forest fires destroy property worth millions of money, they are not as vivid as the Niterόi Circus Fire of 15th December, 1961. [Rob01]The most recent deadliest fire incidence is the Kiss Night club fire of 7th January, 2013 in Santa Maria. This is considered as the second most deadly fire tragedy after the circus fire of 1961. In this incidence 242 lives were lost while at least 603 people sustained injuries. On this fateful day the club was highly packed because it hosted students from six universities. The fire is believed to have been caused by pyrotechnic device which was ignited on the stage. The flare ignited flammable acoustic foam in the ceiling. The high number of casualties is attributed to lack of emergency exits and the number of people in the building exceeded the maximum capacity by hundreds. It is also understood that 90% of the people died due to smoke inhalation. More than 150 lives were lost at the front door and the rapidly accumulating smoke within the nightclub. It is also believed that negligence caused increase in number of casualties because security guards kept the front door closed hence making it impossible for the victims to escape. As a result some mistook washrooms for exit doors due to lack of proper instruction on the outline of the building. The casualties of this fire case would have been minimized had there been emergency fire extinguishers, the ceiling made of inflammable materials and the emergency exits should have been increased and left open to ease exit due to high number of attendance. The Smethwick fire of 2013 case study in United Kingdom United Kingdom has many documented fire incidences. In the recent future the emergency response in United Kingdom has been very effective as a result leading to reduced damages and few casualties. Some fire accidents were very fatal while others were contained before they caused a lot of damages. In my case I will focus on the Smethwick fire of 30th June, 2013. This fire was caused by a Chinese lantern that landed on a jayplas plastics and paper recycling plant on Darmoth Road. This fire spread out rapidly due to large amount of plastics which are highly flammable. It took a lot of time for firefighters to put it out. The fire produced a lot of smoke which made air transport in the area a risk. It also polluted the nearby waterways making them toxic. In this incidence there was no casualty on 3 firefighters were taken to hospital for treatment. This was possible due to quick response by the emergency services and easy accessibility of the premises. Moreover, the buildings were far apart hence the fire would not spread to the nearby buildings easily Fire safety engineering issues From the above case studies it is important to put into consideration engineering safety measures to minimize fire causes and effects in case the fire occurs. (i) Emergency exits In designing for any building ensure there are enough emergency exit points. These exit doors should also be easily accessible in case of fire and should be at strategic positions of the building (ii) Accessibility of the building by firefighters The building should be easily accessible for evacuation purposes and packing of firefighting equipment. (iii) Construction materials The constructor should try as much as possible to use inflammable or less flammable materials in construction purposes. (iv) Emergency bells and water pipes Buildings should be designed to have their own emergency water fighting pipes installed. These are used before the other firefighting equipment reach the fire site. The fire alarms are important to inform everyone of danger in order to escape. Opinion and recommendation Fire is a good servant but bad master. It is true that 90% of fires are due to human negligence. It is therefore my urge to everyone to be responsible when handling fire regardless of the quantity. I also recommend countries to set up a well-organized firefighting response system like that of Great Britain. Part 3 Halons and Freons Halons are halogenated hydrocarbons. They are colorless and odorless gases that are electrically non-conducive. Halons have been used in fire extinguisher for some time. They extinguish fire by breaking the chemical reaction necessary for a fire to continue. The environmental impacts of halogens according to montreal-protocol are; global warming and ozone depletion. Global warming affects the troposphere. This has direct effect on climate changes like; glacier retreat, changes in timing of seasonal events and changes in agricultural productivity. Ozone depletion reduces the stratosphere layer that absorbs ultra-violet rays from the sun. The ultra-violet rays have adverse effects on plants, biogeochemical cycles, marine ecosystem and materials like; increased UV causes an increase in skin cancers to humans and causes harm to animals and plants on land and in the oceans.[wbn13] It is due to these two main reasons that Montreal –protocol was developed in order to deal away with halons and Freon to minimize their emissions and eventually eradicate them. The lack of availability of halons in future could leave important facilities unprotected from the threat of fire until a new fire protection system of another type can be installed. As recycled halons are now becoming the only source of supply the cost of halons is rising. Halons are the most potent of all of the ozone depleting substances (ODS). A Halon Management Programme is a responsible way to help avoid unnecessary venting of halons to the atmosphere. [Ozo00] References GFS13: , (G.-F. SARGENTIS, 2013), ESa12: , (E., 2012), Wra11: , (Organization, 2014), Moo93: , (F., 1993), Wra11: , (Organization, 2014), Wra00: , (Organization, 2014), Mob99: , (M., 1999), ESa12: , (E., 2012), Kar14: , (Karimpor M, 2014), UNE12: , (UNEP, 2012), Edw00: , (Torrent, 2000), Moo93: , (F., 1993), wbn13: , (organization, 2013), Rob01: , (Mutch, 2001), wbn13: , (organization, 2013), Ozo00: , (Secretariat, 2000), Read More