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APPOINTMENTS & NEWS
Lifecycle Analysis – A ‘Game Changer’ for Light Steel Solutions
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uilding safety is a key concern of the Light Steel Frame Association (LSFA), our members and end-clients. But safety does
not have to come at the expense of sustainability – with light steel frame, construction professionals can achieve both. Te LSFA is on a mission to highlight the safety and sustainability credentials of light steel – here we contrast and compare different metrics for assessing environmental impact. Once environmental discussions focused on
lifecycle analysis including recycling buildings at the end of life. More recently the focus has been on embodied carbon. But this is only part of the sustainability equation. Embodied carbon assessment is a subset of a broader discipline of lifecycle analysis which covers a range of different environmental impacts. To understand the environmental performance of a product, the LSFA and our members firmly
believe its entire lifecycle needs to be taken into consideration – not just the manufacturing and construction phases. A lifecycle assessment of a steel product looks at resources, energy and emissions, from steel production to its end-of-life stage, including recycling or reuse. As the construction industry continues to
prioritise safe and sustainable building solutions – light steel framing has become an increasingly attractive option. Tis type of steel framing offers several environmental advantages that make it well suited for numerous applications in both residential and commercial buildings.
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS National targets for carbon emission reductions and the drive for buildings that are ‘low carbon’ in operation present a huge challenge to the construction industry – a challenge which the steel
construction sector is playing a major part in overcoming. In addition to being strong and economical, light
steel frame systems also provide excellent thermal insulation properties due to their airtight nature – reducing in-use carbon emissions for the lifetime of the building. Te use of light steel also allows for more efficient insulation systems compared to other materials used in offsite technology portfolios. Lightweight metal studs create air pockets that can be filled with insulation which helps reduce heat loss through walls or roofs and increases thermal efficiency within a structure’s envelope. Tese structures require fewer resources to build
and maintain while providing greater durability over time, they have longer lifespans resulting in lower long-term costs associated with maintenance and repairs. In addition, the frames have exceptional acoustic performance which makes
them suitable for use i needs to be reduced o Overall, light steel p
environmental benefit facilitates easy transpo requirements and pref quick to assemble on s multiple types of finis for a variety of claddin architects greater scop compromising sustain its excellent thermal p potential savings in te costs throughout the l
ONCE PRODUCED – Manufactured from th on earth, steel can be without detriment to characteristic gives ste of its lifecycle. Te rec steel recycling is highl efficient and has been recovery rates from de 99% for structural stee
LSFA _Appointments & News_DPS
Advertorial.indd 2 12/12/2023 11:07
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