Sustainability

Build more efficiently to offer a better environment for the next generation

“SCI provides comprehensive guidance that enables the construction supply chain to deliver sustainable buildings”

Sustainable construction has risen to the top of both the business and political agendas. Recent contact with major clients of construction has made it clear that all aspects of the sustainability agenda are now an essential business need for them and therefore for their suppliers. As part of its commitment to the sustainability agenda SCI has developed a number of research projects.:

Reducing energy consumption in buildings

In order to support changes in the energy performance of buildings, SCI undertakes research in the following areas:

· Structural building performance

· Reducing CO₂ emission

· Impact of insulation thickness and thermal performance

Improving occupant comfort in buildings

With the increasing importance of the social aspects of sustainable development, greater emphasis is being placed on the occupant comfort.

Reducing the impact of the construction process

The construction process has environmental and social impacts – noise, dust, traffic, waste and health and safety hazards. However, those impacts can be minimised and quality can be improved by moving as much of the construction process as possible into the factory.

Recycling and reducing “End of Life” impact

SCI has completed a project on the use of recycled paper as a ‘green’ option for insulating built-up steel cladding panels in industrial buildings. Paper fibres can be used as an alternative to glass fibre or rock fibre insulation. The recycled paper insulation is made from 100% recovered waste paper and is also recyclable at its end-of-life.

SCI deliverables

A number of resources have already been delivered that can assist with the delivery of sustainable construction - these are summarised below:

· Sustainable Construction in Steel Information Sheets: 1- Energy Efficiency; 2 - BREEAM Environmental Assessments

· Recommendations on the application of low and zero carbon technologies - click here to learn how to measure, manage and reduce your contribution to global warming

· Sustainable Model Designs in Steel - visit www.modeldesignsinsteel.com

· Cladding Design: Impact of changes to Part L of the Building Regulations

· Benefits of Offsite Steel Construction in Urban Locations

· European Case Studies on Sustainable Construction

· Design guidance on the use of insulated render cladding systems as applied to light steel framing.

· Achieving Sustainable Construction.