Life Cycle Analysis Essay -- science

Life Cycle AnalysisA buildings environmental impact extends from global factors, much(prenominal) as ozone depletion, to the quality of the environment inside the property. These impacts arise from decisions made at all stages of the buildings life sentence, including materials manufacture, site selection, design, construction, occupation and ultimately demolition. Source Greener Buildings, Environmental Impact of holding - Stuart Johnson. A Report On Environmental Life Cycle Analysis ( L.C.A. ) Introduction The world is becoming an ever more environmentally vigilant night club and pressure by governments, NGOs ( Non - government organisations ) and the general public is being put on all aspects of constancy to become more Green. The construction industry has a great impact on the environment both at the construction stage and the buildings future life, as stated in Stuart Johnsons opening logical argument above. As with all industries the construction industry as a whole has and continues to devise ways in which the relationship between the built and the natural environment can improve. One such development is the technique of Environmental Life Cycle Analysis. Life Cycle Analysis Life rung analysis is use to explore the life cycle of a building material. It is computer based and its methodology was developed by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry ( SETAC ). The life cycle analysis will show the environmental impacts of different materials at different stages of its life from the materials extraction through processing, manufacture, use, maintenance and disposal. An example of the type of software apply in L.C.A. is SimaPro 3.0 which was developed by PRe Consultants in the Netherlands. SimaPro provides information on the generation of pollutants and the following environmental effects of different materials and is measured using eco-points. The main issues of life cycle analysis for materials consist of establishing * hazardous conte nts * risks to occupants, trades people and the general environment * ecological degradation from extraction of raw materials * recycled content * pollution from manufacturing * carbon dioxide released during manufacturing and embodied energy * transport implications * durability ( life to replacement ) * recycling and disposal Source Specifying for Greener Buildings - Stephen Curw... ...s 1993 ( CHIP ) HMSO * Specification for Environmental Management Systems. BS7750 1992. BSI. * RIBA Environmental form _or_ system of government and Information for Members. stopcock Smith. RIBA. 1995. Conclusion It is clear to see that the need for environmental life cycle analysis is great if the continuing decline of the environment is to be slowed. Firms within the construction industry must hold their hands up and accept responsibility for the huge environmental impact caused by the building, and support the rich life cycle analysis of as many materials as possible, they also need to desig n for the long term and not just for short term gain. BIBLIOGRAPHY Life Cycle Analysis of Housing - Maf Smith Building for a Future - Autumn 1995 Specifying for Greener Buildings - Stephen Curwell Architects Journal - January 1996 Cost Planning of Buildings 6th Ed. - Douglas J. Ferry & Peter S. Brandon Blackwell Science - 1991 Environmental Impact Assessment A Comparitive Review - Wood Spon - 1995 Buildings and Health ( The Rosehaugh Guide ) - March & Venables RIBA Publications - 1990 Green Architecture - Vale & Vale Thames and Hudson - 1991 BREEAM 1/93 New Offices.