Environment
Minimising the impact of the Operation of the college on the Environment
In-use Management
The design concept should include some form of building energy monitoring and managing system to enable the building to operate most energy efficiently as possible.
You can improve energy efficiency by looking in detail at how specific elements of a system are performing.
It is important that the operation of this is understood by the occupants and that a building energy manager is appointed to be responsible for this after handover.
Questions to consider
- Does the project have an energy management system; is it operated in accordance with sustainability principles?
- Is there a monitoring system?
- What does this show?
- Could sustainable improvements be made?
- Does the building have visible sub-metering?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN, OPERATION
Commissioning
Ensuring all systems have been installed correctly and operate as designed is critical when constructing an energy efficient building. Sufficient time for commissioning should always be allowed for and treated as a priority.
Commissioning of systems should take place over the four seasons to ensure each system operates efficiently in all seasons.
Questions to consider
- Has an explicit commissioning period been incorporated in to the construction programme?
- How is this period protected from programme changes?
- Will seasonal commissioning be undertaken throughout the first year of occupation?
- Will comfort levels and energy performance be reviewed by the design team over the first 3 years of operation?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION
Ease of Maintenance
To ensure systems continue to operate at their most efficient and to maximise their design life, maintenance strategies should be as simple as possible and minimise disruption to the teaching environment.
Questions to consider
- Have the specifications for the building, and the building services/systems and landscaping, considered ease and efficiency of maintenance in line with best practice?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN, OPERATION
Building user guide
The principle users of the building, i.e. the staff and students in the college should be trained in how best to operate the building to increase energy efficiency
Questions to consider
- Will there be provision of a simple building user guide covering information relevant for the non-technical building manager?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN, OPERATION
The development as a sustainability/energy efficiency learning resource.
Visual displays in the form of interactive screens and web pages showing real time building energy and water consumption and comparing these against targets have been shown to be very useful in increasing occupant awareness of energy consumption and can also be used as a useful educational tool.
Questions to consider
- How do you want energy consumption to be displayed? Who do you want to have access to this information?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN, OPERATION
Image Source: www.greentouchscreen.com
Food
The source of raw ingredients and the production of food can have a huge impact on the ecological footprint of the college. Food should be locally sourced and food waste should be minimised.
Questions to consider
Where do you source food from?
How will food be produced and distributed in the college?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
OPERATION
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