Product category:
Window Systems
News Release from: KEB Fabrications | Subject: Building sustainable communities
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 15 April 2005
Building sustainable communities
Lawrence Breakspear, Managing Director at KEB Fabrications, looks at the implementation of Sustainability within the Social Housing sector.
Lawrence Breakspear, Managing Director at KEB Fabrications , looks at the implementation of Sustainability within the Social Housing sector The word sustainability at times conjures up images of replanted forests in the minds of many people and yet it is a diverse expression that carries a much wider significance in a Social Housing context
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 15 Apr 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Whilst, the value of reducing environmental impact has long been recognised, Social Housing clients, contractors and suppliers are also addressing the important elements of economic and social sustainability.
In the past, contractors may have been wary of embracing sustainability through lack of knowledge, adherence to traditional methodology and a tendency to ignore long-term costs such as energy costs and maintenance.
With no incentive to consider the whole-life costs of building design but with a significant incentive to reduce initial capital costs, contractors were often discouraged from embracing new technology and working practices with the potential to deliver sustainable rewards.
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Post Egan Era These attitudes changed post-Egan, with the introduction of Best Value and with the Government's publication of the 'Building a better quality of life' document, which outlined a strategy for more sustainable construction in the UK.
Contractors and suppliers are encouraged to consider life-cycle costs and the environmental, economic and social impacts of their buildings.
This idea is often referred to as the "triple bottom line", in which synergies between the Economic, Environmental and Economic dimensions of sustainability are exploited for general advantage.
Triple Bottom Line Economic Sustainability can be defined as making the most efficient use of resources such as labour, materials, energy and water.
These efficiencies deliver improved profitability and reduced long-term costs.
Environmental sustainability is more widely recognised as the careful use of natural resources whilst reducing the impact on the environment from emissions, effluent and waste.
The requirements of Social Sustainability are in recognising the needs of all parties impacted by the project, from inception to demolition.
This includes everyone who will use the building, the local community, workers on the project and people in the supply chain.
Sustainability does not require outstanding environmental performance at the cost of a company failing financially nor does it mean outstanding financial performance at the cost of adverse effects on the environment or local community.
There are no perfect solutions simply goals and visions that forward looking organisations are working towards.
A sustainable approach is a balanced approach encompassing Economic, Environmental and Social elements, working individually and collectively to deliver a sustainable future for all.
Sustainability in Practise As an experienced Social Housing specialist, KEB Fabrications embraces sustainability throughout all business and working practices, working closely with leading system's supplier Profile 22, to deliver high performance durable products.
At KEB Fabrications we offer accredited, advanced design, high quality PVC-U window products which we manufacture and install throughout the UK.
They are manufactured from a lightweight, aesthetically pleasing PVC-U profile from Profile 22, the performance of which is unaffected by exposure to the elements whilst offering low maintenance characteristics.
Ecobalance studies have demonstrated that PVC-U offers excellent longevity and a good ecological balance when compared to wood or aluminium.
The basic scientific information shows that PVC-U is a safe and reliable material that can be recycled and is environmentally benign.
The use of low-emissivity glass sealed units helps to deliver superb thermal efficiency, providing whole life energy savings and a comfortable environment.
Finally, we use leading, high security hardware, providing reassurance for the householder.
The combination of these components ensures that our products demonstrate sustainability and meet the requirements of the Decent Homes standards.
We actively recycle materials associated with the manufacture of our windows and doors such as profile off-cuts and glass cullet.
Where appropriate, this policy is extended to the recycling of old window frames that have been removed during the installation process.
We work with a specialist waste management company to remove old aluminium, steel, PVC-U or timber frames, which are then broken down into their constituent elements for recycling.
The recycling of metals and glass is well known but new technology means that now timber can also be recycled into moulded, pultruded and composite products.
The cost of processing means that it is not a viable option for every project but there are clear benefits to recycling rather than adding to the landfill burden.
Fit For Purpose The close relationship that KEB Fabrications builds with its clients and end-users means that from the outset the right product is chosen for the purpose.
For example, the company offers advice on design elements such as low-level hardware for wheelchair users.
During the installation phase, priority is given to minimizing disruption by communicating regularly with householders, circulating literature on product use and maintenance and undertaking customer satisfaction surveys after installation.
This is reinforced through the feedback obtained from clients which helps to improve our tenant liaison, which is at the cornerstone of our installation philosophy.
A policy of recruiting local labour also facilitates the best possible interaction with the community and allows project capital to trickle down into the local economy in a clear demonstration of socio-economic Sustainability and Best Value.
Beginning to End Sustainability begins at the pre-design stage and at the outset of a Partnering agreement, in questioning the requirements of the project and extends beyond the buildings life into recycling.
It is a strategy through which economic development brings tangible benefits to the local environment and to the community a better quality of life.
These attributes are entirely compatible with various initiatives, including importantly the 2010 Decent Homes Standard.
By allowing economic progress and environmental quality to be compatible goals whilst at the same time protecting natural resources, everyone benefits now and will continue to for a long time to come.
For further information on providing for future sustainable communities, call KEB Fabrications on 0121 555 5533 or visit www.kebfabrications.co.uk.
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