Encourage Environmental Awareness

Encourage Environmental Awareness [pic 1]

Name: Nathan Black

Class: Mixed Skills Pre- Apprenticeship

Title of report: Encourage Environmental Awareness

Introduction

My name is Nathan Black and I am the manager of NB Constructions established in 1998. I have been fortunate to have worked on many previous projects in Tayside and surrounding areas such as the Olympia, Dundee train station and Carnoustie High school. We have worked on jobs further afield in Glasgow and Edinburgh such as the SSE Hydro and Hibernian football club stadium, Easter Road. Are main priority as a company is to make all our projects the best quality and standard to satisfy all out customers. We are a very sustainable and an eco-friendly company. Our company is part of memberships of a professional body such as the chartered institution of building services and chartered institute of plumbing and heating engineering engineers. We also included a 10-year warranty.

Carbon footprint is historically clear as total set of greenhouse gas releases caused by an individual, event, organisation, or product. A major factor contributing to the carbon footprint of a building, is the amount of energy expanded to supply, treat and use of water. Rainwater harvesting has a low environmental footprint because it's not pumped long distance.

By keeping eco-friendly and helping protect the environment, we are going to recycle materials for example we will use roll-off containers to dispose of the waste, Rubble will be crushed and reused in construction projects. Waste wood can also be recovered and recycled.

Composite Stone wall

It says composite stone wall has been installed at the moment. We will use meshed damp proofing membrane as the surface by using this it will reduce the risk of dampness within the wall, this will make sure that the wall won't get effected by moisture. We will install this as it prevents heat loss throughout the building and also will reduce the cost of what heat is

Double Glazed windows

On the report it says that single glazing is currently installed which isn't eco-friendly and also it isn't a benefit to the building as there will be a lot of heat loss and the heating inside the building will have to be on more than it should be which will be costing more. To reduce this we will install double glazed windows, this will be a benefit in the winter as double glazing gives more protection from keeping heat inside the building. Double glazing will also be beneficial as it prevents heat loss or gain through the window because the barrier insulates the room from differing air temperatures. Having double glazed windows helps the environment because the windows are extremely strong and will not need expensive steel reinforcements.

Revolving Doors

Also, on the report it says double swing- doors are in operation leading to the entrance hall, which isn't the best for heat loss as many people will be using these doors meaning that they will be open most of the time allowing heat loss and cold air to be trapped in the building. By installing revolving doors, it will be more energy efficient as they prevent drafts, thus preventing increases in the heating or cooling required for the building. Also revolving doors function better as they allow large numbers of people to pass in and out.

A Pitched Slated Roof

The slates in the roof are showing signs of 'nail sickness'. We are going to strip and dispose of the felt and refit the slates that are needing replaced. After replacing and fitting new slates, we are going to strip all the slates off the south facing side of the building and put down solar panels. The benefits from doing this are massive on the environment because Solar power systems get clean pure energy from the sun. Installing solar panels on your home helps combat greenhouse gas emissions. We will be adding a bird access, a new entrance hole, which will be located at the same place as any existing nests and it will be a slot, it'll be where the soffit meets the wall

Uninsulated roof void

 The pigeon waste that is found in the roof will need removed from specialists and cleaned firmly as it is carcinogenic which has the potential to cause cancer. After the roof has been cleaned out we will insulate the roof with glass wool, glass wool is very environmentally friendly as it is made up of recycled glass and natural sand, by using glass wool to be insulated it will help the building trap the heat inside and prevent heat loss from the roofs.

Painted concrete floor

The concrete floor is in good condition so we are going to add to the paint job and brighten it up, Concrete floor is very environmental friendly as concrete flooring is just uninstalling whatever was covering it in the first place, no new materials are being used or produced which then means there is no carbon footprint. Benefits to the building include versatility concrete is very strong so it will last longer. No repairs should come from it meaning money will be saved.

The electrical system 

The electrical system was last installed in 1960, we are going to rewire the building with PVC coated (Polyvinyl Chloride). This will be used as it is very versatile as it can easily be modified if there was to be any faults. Also, by using this wiring is safe for the building as it is extremely fire retardant which is key when wires are involved. Using trunking for the cables to be more flexible and It keeps the wiring installation tidy and safe. Wireless internet will be installed, the importance of having wireless internet is Not having to lay extra cables that are already being installed for lighting systems etc. Another advantage is the time it takes.