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APC Trainer on... sustainability

(M009)

23 May, 2008

By Stephen Hateley

This week we tackle sustainability (M009), an APC mandatory competency

Sustainability competencies test a range of your skills, including professional

practice, business, interpersonal and management, and you need all of them to

be a chartered surveyor. As a mandatory competency, sustainability only needs

to be demonstrated to level 1. But note that it is also an optional competency

for some qualification routes that can be achieved at level 2 and 3.

If you recall from previous articles, assessors are trained to ask questions that

ascertain candidates progress against the three APC competency levels:

Level 1 knowledge and understanding (knowing)

Level 2 application of knowledge and understanding (doing)

Level 3 reasoned advice and depth of technical knowledge (advising)

The following questions are typical of those that could be reasonably expectedat Final Assessment.

Level 1

QuestionWhat regulations and codes of practice govern the construction

industries approach to sustainability?

Answer The candidate should demonstrate a broad appreciation of some of the

awareness of following:

- The Building Regulations

- Code for Sustainable Homes

- PPS22 Renewable Energy

- Energy Certification of Buildings

- Site Waste Management Plans

- BREEAM Assessment, Etc

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Level 2

QuestionWhat is the purpose of Site Waste Management Plans and when dothey apply?

Answer The candidate would be expected to know that from 6 April 2008 itbecame compulsory for contractors to prepare a Site Waste Management Planfor any construction project with an estimated cost over 300,000. Slightly

different rules apply to jobs with a value over 500,000.

The idea is that, by becoming aware of how much waste is being produced,

contractors then take steps to minimise and reduce it. A person is maderesponsible for firstly estimating, and then recording how much waste is

produced and recycled during the job. The Plan must be regularly updated and

lessons learnt as the job proceeds.

Level 3

QuestionHow could a house builder improve the sustainability performance ofthe houses they build and how could this be proven by them?

AnswerThe Code for Sustainable Homes is a voluntary standard to guideindustry in the design and construction of sustainable homes. The Code uses a

sustainability rating system indicated by stars, to communicate the overallsustainability rating of a home. A rating of one (*) to six (******) stars

depending on the extent to which it has achieved Code standards. One star is

entry level above the Building Regulations and six stars is the highest level reflecting exemplary development in sustainability terms.

The Code complements the system of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

that also provides key information about the energy efficiency/carbon

performance of a home.

In terms of practical measures that can be taken, the candidate would be

expected to demonstrate an appreciation of some of the following:

- Insulation reduce heat loss through building fabric

- Household waste storage encourage recycling

- Drying space allowing clothes to be dried without energy use

- Internal lighting use energy efficient fittings

- Ecolabelled white goods

- Low or Zero Carbon Techonology use local renewable or low carbon

energy

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- Cycle storage providing secure cycle storage

- Home office providing quiet rooms for home working

- External water storage e.g. using water butts for external irrigation/watering

- Responsible sourcing of materials

- Composting facilities