Clearview National March 2020 - Issue 220 | Page 70

Glass & Sealed Units Extra
Eco-friendly
construction
How modular methods can
contribute to reduced emissions
» ACCORDING TO THE UK
Green Building Council (UKGBC),
approximately ten per cent of
carbon dioxide emissions produced
in the UK are attributed to the
construction industry. In 2017,
the government announced a deal
with the industry that aims to halve
emissions by 2025 — but for this to
be achieved, the sector must make
some changes. Here, Nick Cowley,
managing director at leading
window and door manufacturer
Euramax, explains why modular
construction is the appropriate
method to help reduce emissions.
Modular construction is the
process of prefabricating parts of a
building — referred to as modules
— offsite, before transporting the
elements to the intended location
for assembly. This increasingly
popular method boasts many
benefits for both the industry and
for the public.
FAST AND LOW
In fact, from site preparation to
the completion phase, it can take
just 90 days for a modular home to
be built – 50 per cent faster than
traditional building methods. This
shorter completion time also means
that 67 per cent less energy is used
to construct the build.
In addition, as most of the
building is fabricated offsite, less
machinery is required and there is
often upwards of 90 per cent fewer
deliveries by vehicle to the site. This
elimination of vehicle pollution
and a lower impact on road
congestion means a modular build
site can greatly reduce its carbon
emissions impact in comparison to
traditional construction methods.
REDUCE, REUSE,
RECYCLE
Often referred to
as the ‘three R’s’,
modular construction
promotes the
reduction of waste,
reusing a building,
its materials and
the recyclability of the
materials used.
Traditional construction
materials, such as cement or
concrete, can be harmful to
the environment. Cement
production, for example, is
linked to around eight per
cent of annual global carbon
dioxide emissions. However,
increasing modular construction
has the potential to reduce per
centages like this, as 94 per cent
of materials used in modular
construction, such as Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC)
approved timber and sustainably
sourced steel, are eco-friendly.
As modular builds are
constructed with prefabricated
modules, the entire building
can be easily dismantled at the
end of its planned use, whereas
traditional constructions must
be demolished at the end
of their use. The ability to
dismantle a modular building
means that it can be recycled, or
relocated and reused for another
purpose, ultimately reducing
the environmental impact as
minimal waste is created.
There is also little waste
produced during the
manufacturing and construction
stages of any modular build.
The Waste & Resources Action
74 » M AR 2020 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
Programme
(WRAP),
claims that
offsite construction
produces 90 per cent less
waste compared to traditional
construction methods, a figure
that can be attributed to the
quality-controlled production
that modular builds undergo.
WHATEVER THE
WEATHER
Typical onsite building
locations can be disrupted by
adverse weather conditions,
especially during the winter
months, which can have
a detrimental impact on
construction and account for
significant quantities of wasted
produced.
However, as modular builds
are constructed in a controlled,
weatherproof environment, there
is little risk of climate, seasonal
changes or weather events
affecting production. This means
that modules can be fabricated
to a high standard and with
minimal disruption, reducing
the likelihood of any unnecessary
waste. Yet, if any issues do
arise, production managers can
ensure they are resolved before
the modules are shipped to the
site — further supporting the
reduction of overall construction
waste.
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
However, it’s not just during the
construction phase that modular
builds are environmentally
beneficial. Modular builds are
particularly energy and thermal
efficient and reports indicate that
the lifetime carbon footprint of
a new modular building is 90
per cent lower than that of a
traditional structure.
As the modules are bolted
together, this makes modular
constructions incredibly airtight.
Furthermore, by law, modular
builds must comply with L2
Building Regulations for the
conservation of fuel and power,
ensuring thermal efficiency
and minimal heat loss. As a
result, modular builds are now
commonly installed with energy
saving assets such as energy
efficient glass, geothermal systems
and solar panels.
Euramax supplies high
energy efficient glass, rated A+
by The British Fenestration
Rating Council (BFRC), which
is suitable for modular and
offsite construction projects. By
optimising thermal performance,
modular builds do not require
large amounts of energy, making
them cheaper to run and heat,
and therefore, better for the
environment.
www.euramaxuk.com