GBE CPD Metadata Pending

GBE CPD Content

GBE CPD Screening Criteria

• NGS GBE
• Is created by green architects and specification writers for generalist UK architects and specification writers
• Aim is to make their lives a little easier by signposting lots of green stuff to help them on their way into the world of Green
• The rest of the world is watching
• We try to put ourselves in their boots/hats
• Designing and specifying buildings is complex and time consuming
• Greener a building even more so
• They do not know where to look for information
• They only know conventional sources
• They want quick easy answers to everything
• We try to provide it
• When NGS GBE was launched
• We were asked will we do environmental profiling
• We said no, that will delay delivery of information
• We are not BRE they do that and charge a lot of money for it
• And in NGS GBE’s view, make a poor job of it
• It will be far better to bring a lot of information on materials that look green, to the audience quickly
• Then as we progress, check if there is any evidence to substantiate such views
• Violet manufacturers want their violet materials to look Green
• How do NGS GBE find green products?
• We know of many Green databases
• We have many guidance books
• We visit green builders merchants
• We attend exhibitions, see products and assemblies
• We learn at conferences, workshops
• We see and scrutinize advertising
• How do NGS GBE judge materials?
• We look at manufacturer’s literature and samples
• We ask questions about them
• We make judgements like any architect would but with a greener flavour
• If it addresses an issue(s) we give it credit(s)
• If we like it we take note and add to our schedules
• It can become part of Green Building Calculator
• If and when we can we add it to GBE to promote it
• What level of evidence?
• We do not look for any more evidence than an architect might be expected to look for in normal practice
• We ask for the literature and any/all supporting evidence and read it
• We also read the bits that architects get bored with
• E.g. H&S datasheets and specifications
• But with our backgrounds we know when greenwash prevails and ask questions
• When asked do we take any responsibility
• We can and will justify our opinion
• The reason we chose something is in its specification or product page data for all to judge for themselves
• The more we learn the better our judgement
• We do this full time
• What do we do that saves architects time?
• We find, gather and deliver the information in a consistent format that architects can use in practice and in contract documents.
• Product pages and specifications
• When we write specifications for products:
• We collect samples, read the literature and merge the data
• “The best way to understand something is to try to improve it”
• We rewrite guidance literature as  instructions and specifications
• We interrogate the data
• We reformat it and have to understand it to do so.
• Transparency
• NGS GBE discloses:
• Process
• Methodology
• Evaluation
• Criteria
• * Ratings
• Green Product Definition
• For the purposes of NGS GBE , a ‘green’ product / material is:
• A commercially available product / material (currently available in the UK) that embodies one or more positive environmental attributes or qualities that distinguish it from other products or materials in the same function category.
• Evaluation
• By panel of selected experts
• In practice one of us reviews the product and records our thoughts on file
• Forward the file to other panel members and ask if we have missed anything or got it wrong and ask for feedback
• Usually the first person gets it right
• Usually products are rejected if manufacturer approaches NGS GBE
• *, ** or ***
• NGS GBE assessment is *
• NGS GBE EPD is ***
• NaturePlus is *** top 10 % green products
• CD2E profiling is ** or *** EPD
• CAP’EM is *** EPD Bio-based SME bias
• BRE Environmental Profiling is *** but has been superseded by EN 15804 LCA and EPD
• but strangely biased towards violet
• Manufacturer’s self declaration is ** rating
• NGS GBE BEST
• Building Element Screening Test
• Elemental Assembly
  Scoring system
• NGS GBE is now formalising the process with a scoring system
• Its still about:
• does it address an issue
• If Yes score 1
• if No score 0
• Total up and there is a score
• No weightings, yet

GBE CPD Screening Criteria

• Thermal lag/Decrement delay
• Thermal mass
• Energy saving in use
• Cold bridge reduction/avoidance
• Breathing construction
• Hygroscopicity Durability/Long design life
• Maintains/Improves function over time
• Absorbs smells
• Moisture mass
• Low allergy
• Exclude methane and radon
• Electromagnetic radiation absorption/barrier
• Water demand reduction in use
• Water harvesting
• Water recycling in use
• Avoiding Noise/transfer/vibrations isolation
• Acoustically insulating
• Damage prevention/avoidance
• No site excavations/waste to landfill
• Stewardship certification/take back schemes
• Recycled or secondary aggregates
• Industry bi-product usage
• Recycled content
• Recyclable
• Reusable
• Reuse of arisings on site
• Enables deconstruction and reuse
• Recoverable: Compost/Energy
• Optimum/Avoidance of excess use of resource
• Avoidance of adhesives/demountability
• Low/zero health risks in use/construction
• Low/Zero VOC/Good indoor air quality Zero/low formaldehyde content/offgassing
• Avoiding non-renewable petrochemical/plastics
• Alternative to/Avoidance of preservatives
• Natural/plant based ingredients renewable Carbon sequestration in growth
• Renewable/Rapidly Renewable ingredients
• Abundant, economically and environmentally accessible ingredients
• Low/Lower embodied CO2
• Avoidance of synthetic adhesives
• Low/Lower embodied energy
• Local sourcing:
  6=Site 5=Local 4=County 3=Region 2=UK 1=Continent 0=World
• OPC cement replacement/CO2 reduction OPC cement elimination/CO2 reduction
• Avoidance of chlorine (CFC HFC HCFC HFA PFC)
• Zero Ozone Depletion Potential
• Avoiding PVC/emissions/off-gassing
• Suitable/developed for refurbishment/alteration
• Low skill requirement/Suitable for DIY/Self build
• Low/Zero irritant in application
• Dry construction/Waterless
• Accommodates thermal insulation thickness
• Layering: simplified servicing/low penetrations of barriers

Post CAP’EM Spin-offs

• Specifiers want all green materials in elements
• Specifiers want a system
• Want the ability to do own calculations for:
• unique assemblies
• Unique buildings
• Instantaneously
• Easy
• Not by government agency (or BRE)
• Opportunity
• NGS GBE: Brian & Renuables: Andrew
• MyNGS GBE Specification assembly tool
• + CAP’EM product LCA data
• Elements made of many components
• Components replaced by products
• LCA for products > elements
• Buildings made of elements
• Feed in areas
• LCA for whole buildings
• Funding?
• Unsuccessful bid
• TSB Technology Strategy Board
• Design & Decisions Tools
• Government Funding
• 50% funding, 50% match time