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BSEE


BULLETIN 6: This is the final arcle in a series of six by the Brish Plascs Federaon Pipes Group, providing advice on how to make the right choices to minimise the environmental impact of a building, with full knowledge and use of Environmental Product Declaraons (EPDs) and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs).


All bulletins are available to view and download at www.bpfpipesgroup.com /sustainability-and-the- circular-economy /overview/


W


hat questions do you need to ask and what should you consider when specifying piping systems?


What do ‘embodied carbon’ and ‘operational carbon reduction’ mean?


As the focus on reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions turns towards the construction sector, opportunities exist to reduce the environmental burden from building construction at the design stage. Making ethical early choices and going beyond the minimum required will help mitigate climate change and move towards net-zero carbon buildings.


As we described in Bulletin 1, around 8 per cent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) come from manufacturing, transporting, installing and disposing of UK construction products, so any savings made during these processes will help towards improving our environment.


The reality of a


building project Being able to access reliable and robust evidence on the environmental performance of products such as pipe systems is vital to those involved in specifying and


ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN- BPF Asking the right questions – making choices


selecting construction products, from architects to consulting engineers, quantity surveyors to contractors. Making savings on the environmental impacts of manufacture, transport, installation and disposal of construction products requires well-informed decisions which support these environmental ambitions. Studies (source: UK Green Building Council) have shown that the greatest impacts come from the structure of a home – such as walls, floors and ceilings – and that addressing product choices in these areas is key to bringing about positive change. However, optimising essential services like hot and cold water supply will also minimise their impact on the environment throughout their lifecycle.


Carbon reduction In Bulletin 3 we discussed the seven


environmental impact factors, of which greenhouse gases (GHG) are one. GHG reduction or carbon reduction is a good overall indicator of the effect of a product on the environment and two types of emissions are relevant here: • ‘Embodied carbon’ describes emissions from construction materials, the building process, associated fixtures and fittings and deconstruction and disposal of a building at the end of its lifetime.


• ‘Operational carbon’ describes the emissions associated with the building’s ongoing operation, such as heating, cooling, power and water provision.


The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a product, presented in these Bulletins for consistency as an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), addresses the first of the above, ie. manufacture of materials, transformation into products, transport, installation and disposal at end of life (see Bulletins 2 and 4 for more detail).


Making the best choices LCAs and EPDs are essential tools to


objectively assess a product’s impact through procurement and sourcing alongside performance and cost considerations. To make these choices you need to: • Request an independently verified EPD to BS EN 15804 for each option;


• Check the EPD is current, for the complete system/product proposed and covers all stages, from cradle to grave;


• Ask again! EPDs that only cover part of the product’s lifecycle (eg. cradle to factory gate) will not support like-for-like comparisons of options available for hot and cold systems inside buildings. Our previous Bulletin 4 covers the essentials of an EPD.


In comparing EPDs, greenhouse gas emissions (represented by Global Warming Potential – GWP – in the seven categories) and fossil fuel use (represented by Depletion of Abiotic Resources – ADP) are good indicators of all seven environmental impact categories. For hot and cold water supply inside buildings, the contribution to all seven categories from any of the four plastic pipe types manufactured to European Standards (polybutylene, cross-linked polyethylene, polypropylene or multi-layer) are significantly lower than copper systems for the same application. See Bulletin 5 for a graphical demonstration of this. These comparisons clearly demonstrate that plastic piping systems – with their excellent and long-lasting technical performance – are the best environmental choice.


ENERGY MANAGEMENT Using thermal destratification in buildings with high ceilings O


Alan Macklin Group Technical Director at Elta Group


ne of the challenges associated with commercial and industrial premises is regulating the internal temperature, with high ceilings a common characteristic in


these settings. Here, Alan Macklin, technical director at Elta Group and chairman of the Fan Manufacturer’s Association, explains how the latest destratification technology can prove an invaluable asset.


There are numerous types of premises and facilities that have high ceilings; from warehouses to retail, museums to factory floors, common across all of these is an inevitable battle for thermal comfort. This is because, as many will already know, hot air rises, leading to a concentration of heat far above where it is needed. To keep rooms at a temperature that avoids discomfort for building occupants, this can often mean heating the ceiling area to as much as 10oC-20oC more than the desired floor-level temperature. When you consider the extra energy expenditure this requires, it is important to look for alternative, more cost-effective means.


Thermal destratification Stratification is a natural process in which layers of


air, increasing in temperature, build from floor to ceiling. It is the reason that the ceiling area of a tall room is invariably warmer than the bottom, as the lighter warm air rises above heavier, cooler air. Thermal destratification mixes the internal air to prevent these layers from forming, to create a more uniform temperature across the full height of the room. By pushing hot air at the ceiling down towards ground level, this effectively circulates thermal energy to ensure the whole premises is a consistent temperature.


10 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER AUGUST 2020


By minimising temperature differential to as little as 1oC, the latest destratification fan technology can reduce annual heating costs by as much as 30%. When you consider the total cost of keeping large spaces at a comfortable temperature for occupants, this can amount to a significant figure.


Easy installation and maintenance


It is also true that destratification fans, such as Elta Fans’ Zoo Fans range, require a less invasive installation than traditional air movement methods. They can be fitted in a matter of minutes using a simple cable and grip method, and the self-contained design means the fan won’t interfere with existing lighting or sprinkler systems. When you consider that time is money, any installation that keeps downtime / premises closure to a minimum can be seen as a massive bonus.


Thermal destratification also ensures that heating systems as a whole suffer less wear and tear. As heat is directed to where it is needed, it allows thermostats to switch off quicker and systems to cycle off sooner, which ultimately increases the lifespan of all HVAC equipment.


Occupant wellbeing It should be noted that there is a general


increased focus on providing comfortable working environments for staff. The concerning re- emergence of Sick Building Syndrome in offices (whereby poor air quality leads to a range of health concerns) highlights the work that needs to be done towards occupant well-being, and businesses cannot ignore the health and safety of their employees. Thermal destratification is an effective and cost-efficient way to achieve this.


A side-effect of improving occupant comfort is that it can actually boost productivity in facilities such as factories and warehouses. Ensuring a more ambient temperature and eliminating hot and cold spots will enable employees to continue working for sustained periods of time, in a comfortable environment.


Final thoughts


Managing air circulation in premises with high ceilings results in a number of challenges, requiring the balance of potentially large energy bills with the need to achieve a comfortable, ambient temperature. By turning to the latest thermal destratification fans, it is possible to prevent spiralling running costs, while simultaneously improving occupant comfort.


www.eltafans.com Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


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