The fifth and final stage of the Buildability Process is all to do with what happens at the end of a buildings life cycle.  Many buildings are demolished, whereas we believe that, wherever possible, disassembly and reuse whould be encouraged and employed. 

The following points should be looked at when arriving at this stage:

Use the reverse of the installation process to minimize damage
Allow realistic tolerances in the deconstruction process
There should be no “false economy” solutions
Identify markets for reused materials before commissioning deconstruction
Engage with all local third sector and voluntary organisations as potential ‘reusers’
Deconstruction/re use supply chain
Look for “outside the box” proactive reuse and recycling initiatives

So that finishes our series of blog posts concerning Buildability – Managing the Lifecycle of Your Building.  The following points offer a summary of the whole process:

1) Minimise the number of different types of components – this will simplify the process of sorting on site and make the potential for reprocess more attractive due to the larger quantities of same or similar items

2) Use an open building system where parts of the building are more freely interchangeable and less unique to one application – this will allow alterations in the building layout through relocation of component without significant modification

3) Use modular design – use components and pre-assembled subassemblies that are compatible with other systems both dimensionally and functionally

4) Use assembly technologies that are compatible with standard building practice – specialist technologies will make disassembly difficult to perform and may require specialist labour and equipment that makes the option of reuse more difficult

5) Provide access to all parts of the building and all components – ease of access will allow ease of disassembly, if possible allow for components to be recovered from within the building without the use of specialist plant equipment

6) Use components that are sized to suit the intended means of handling – allow for various possible handling options at all stages of assembly, disassembly, transport, reprocessing, and re-assembly

7) Provide a means of handling components during disassembly – handling during disassembly may require points of connection for lifting equipment or temporary supporting devices

8 ) Provide realistic tolerances to allow for movement during disassembly – the disassembly process may require greater tolerances than the manufacture process or the initial assembly process

9) Design joints and connectors to withstand repeated use – to minimise damage and deformation of components and materials during repeated assembly and disassembly procedures

10) Allow for parallel disassembly rather than sequential disassembly – so that components or materials can be removed without disrupting other components or materials.  Where this is not possible make the most reusable or ‘valuable’ parts of the building most accessible, to allow for maximum recovery of those components and materials that are most likely to be reused

11) Use prefabricated subassemblies and a system of mass production – to reduce site work and allow greater control over component quality and conformity

12) Provide spare parts and on-site storage for them – particularly for custom designed parts, both to replace broken or damaged components and to facilitate minor alterations to the building design

13) Sustain all information on the building manufacture and assembly process – measures should be taken to ensure the preservation of information such as ‘as built drawing’, information about disassembly process, material and component life expectancy, and maintenance requirements.

The third phase of the Buildability cycle is construction.  The following points should be considered at the construction stage to improve the environmental impact of the build.

Assembly techniques should be compatible with standard not specialist techniques
Plan for simplicity of assembly and logical trade sequences
Achievable tolerances
Energy efficiency and pollution control on site – generators, lighting, plant etc
Vigorous separation and segregation of waste
Consider new, untried site recycling initiatives (plasterboard, paint tins etc)

The fourth stage to be looked at is the management and maintenance of the building and facilities.

If you caught our last blog post about Buildability then you woudl have read all about how Design and Specification fit into the Buildability Cycle.  This post looks at the second phase in the cycle – Procurement.

Sustainable Procurement

The following highlights several points which should be considered at the Procurement stage, to help improve the sustainability of your project.

Standardize procurement procedures
Put local suppliers on procurement framework
Explore compulsory packaging and materials take back schemes
Maximize recycled content wherever possible
Use easily available construction products
Utilise local labour to boost local economies and reduce carbon emissions from transport
Considerate Contractors scheme
Vigorously check the environmental credentials of any potential suppliers

The next stage is construction, watch out for that post.