Internet review

The web site information included below includes two key and other informative sites. If there are any other interesting sites or sources of information that you have found useful, please e-mail me at s.todd@salford.ac.uk

The Building Research Establishment

www.bre.co.uk

This web site has been completely re-designed and includes:Key Services:

• consultancy;

• research;

• certification and testing;

• market sectors;

• publications, events and training; and

• A–Z of BRE.

The main menu is structured as:

• about BRE;

• key services;

• BRE by sector;

• A-Z of services;

• news;

• careers;

• search site; and

• contact us.

There is also a link to OFFSITE 2005 which features full-scale interactive demonstrations and displays from exponents of offsite technology and other modern methods of construction (MMC).

Links to other BRE websites include BREEAM and the SMARTWaste System.

BREEAM – Offices, EcoHomes, Retail, Industrial, Schools, Health and Bespoke

BREEAM assesses the performance of buildings in the following areas:

• management – overall management policy, commissioning site management and procedural issues;

• energy use – operational energy and carbon dioxide (CO₂)issues;

• health and well-being – indoor and external issues affecting health and well-being;

• pollution – air and water pollution issues;

• transport – transport-related CO₂ and location-related factors;

• land use – greenfield and brownfield sites;

• ecology – ecological value conservation and enhancement of the site;

• materials – environmental implication of building materials,including life-cycle impacts; and

• water – consumption and water efficiency.

Developers and designers are encouraged to consider these issues at the earliest opportunity to maximise their chances of achieving a high BREEAM rating.

Credits are awarded in each area according to performance. A set of environmental weightings then enables the credits to be added together to produce a single overall score. The building is then rated on a scale of “Pass”,“Good”, “Very Good” or “Excellent”, and a certificate awarded that can be used for promotional purposes.

Clients, planners and development agencies and developers are using BREEAM to specify the sustainability performance of their buildings in a way that is quick, comprehensive and visible in the marketplace. Property agents are using it to promote the environmental credentials and benefits of a building to potential purchasers and tenants. Design teams are using it as a tool to improve the performance of their buildings and their own experience and knowledge of environmental aspects of sustainability. Managers are using it to measure the performance of buildings and develop action plans, monitor and report performance at both the local and portfolio level.

BREEAM offers a range of benefits, from environmental to financial:

• demonstrating compliance with environmental requirements from occupiers,planners, development agencies and developers;

• environmental improvement – in support of a wider corporate strategy or as a standalone contribution;

• occupant benefits – to create a better place for people to work and live;

• marketing – as a selling point to potential tenants or customers;

• financial – to achieve higher rental incomes and increased building efficiency;

• best practice – to provide a thorough checklist or tool for comparing buildings; and

• client request – responding to the requirements of users.

The SMARTWaste™ System

Collectively the tools described here will help the construction industry to identify cost savings, improve resource use, improve productivity and demonstrate continuous improvement through:

• waste benchmarking;

• identifying key demolition products for reuse or recycling;

• identifying key waste products for reduction, reuse and recycling;

• sourcing local resource and waste management facilities;

• sourcing local supplies of reclaimed and recycled building products; and

• demonstrating continuous improvement in resource efficiency.

BRE have developed the SMARTWaste (Site Methodology to Audit, Reduce and Target Waste) system for a step-by-step evaluation of waste and its generation. The system has four core tools which are SMARTStart™ (simple overview),SMARTAudit (detailed audit), SMARTStart+ (Local Government performance) and BREMAP™ (resource exchange). The SMARTWaste system can be applied to any waste generating activity, and has already been adapted and used for the construction, demolition, refurbishment, manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries. SMARTWaste is a web-based selection of integrated tools.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

www.rics.org.uk

The main menu of the RICS web site includes:

• about RICS;

• built environment;

• property;

• environment;

• management;

• training; and

• RICS services.

The Latest News section includes:

• The Queen’s Speech 2005; and

• RICS Housing Market Survey, April 2005.

Biodiversity Scotland

www.biodiversityscotland.org.uk

A new web site has been launched by the Scottish Biodiversity Forum,supported by the Scottish Executive. The new web site will act as a gateway for users to access information on Scotland’s biodiversity. It deals with five main topic areas, including:

• What is biodiversity?

• What is Scotland doing?

• Who is involved?

• What can I do?

• News and publications.

The Carbon Trust

www.thecarbontrust.co.uk/energy

The Carbon Trust aims to help business and the public sector cut carbon emissions and reduce the impact of climate change. It provides free, practical advice to business and public sector organisations to help to reduce energy use thereby cutting carbon emissions. The Carbon Trust is an independent not-for-profit company set up and funded by government to help the UK meet its international climate change obligations. The main menu is structured as:

• Home;

• Getting started;

• Focus on savings;

• Further help;

• Resources;

• News;

• Events;

• Publications;

• Energy surveys; and

• About the Carbon Trust.

The site also includes information on:

• the benefits of energy saving;

• simple tips for instant savings;

• create your own action plan;

• free site survey and follow up support;

• Information Centre – products and services;

• in-depth advice on saving energy; and

• help for energy professionals.

The Combined Heat and Power Association

www.thechpa.co.uk

The Combined Heat and Power Association works to promote the wider use of combined heat and power and community heating. Clean and efficient Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is already in use on close to 1,400 locations around the UK. The site includes information on:

• national conferences and other events;

• latest news from the CHPA;

• find a company offering CHP-related services; and

• District Energy Initiative.

The site also gives a good explanation on what CHP is and the latest developments in industry, technology and the political environment.

DTI Energy Group – Digest of UK Energy Statistics

www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/index.shtml

The DTI’s Energy Group deals with a wide range of energy-related matters, from its production or generation to its eventual supply to the customer. The Information and Statistics section of their web site includes:

• energy statistics and publications;

• energy statistics;

• energy prices;

• press notices;

• UK energy indicators;

• energy efficiency indicators (EC SAVE Programme);

• oil and gas information and statistics;

• energy flowchart; and

• regional energy consumption statistics.

Global Insight

www.globalinsight.com

This web site details a report which has concluded that the emissions trading scheme “is unlikely to cause any reduction in CO₂ emissions from power sectors across Europe”.

Water UK

www.water.org.uk

Water UK is the industry association that represents all UK water and wastewater service suppliers at national and European level. It aims to provide a positive framework for the water industry to engage with government,regulators, stakeholder organisations and the public.

CIRIA

www.ciria.org

CIRIA’s primary aims are to improve the quality, efficiency,cost-effectiveness and safety of both the provision and the operation of the modern built environment.

They seek to be the leading provider of performance improvement products and services to organisations involved in procuring, delivering, owning and maintaining the fabric of the modern built environment. The web site has been redesigned to include three main areas:

• 1.

  Markets:

• 2.

  • buildings and facilities;

  • transport; and

  • water and utilities.

• 3.

  Themes:

• 4.

  • asset and facilities management;

  • coastal and marine;

  • contaminated land;

  • ground engineering;

  • inland waters and groundwater;

  • knowledge management;

  • performance measures;

  • procurement;

  • standardisation;

  • sustainability;

  • water supply and sewerage;

  • building envelope;

  • construction process;

  • environmental management;

  • health and safety;

  • innovation;

  • materials;

  • planning;

  • risk and value management;

  • surface water drainage and flooding; and

  • waste management.

• 5.

  Products and services:

• 6.

  • membership;

  • publications;

  • conferences; and

  • training.

The links menu also includes a new “Compliance-Plus” section which links construction good practice to environmental legislation.

Stephen Todd