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B-04 Repair – product LCA

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Aspect B-04 Repair – product LCA
Description
 For product LCA, the repair module should not be included in the baseline scenario. Additional scenario could be developed to demonstrate the effects of repair scenario(s).

related study objective

 ☒ stand-alone LCA ☒ comparative assertion

related study phase

 ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
goal and scope definition inventory analysis (LCI) impact assessment (LCIA) interpretation reporting

relevant for
new buildings existing buildings construction products screening LCA simplified LCA complete LCA
Provisions The consideration of repair is subject to the study type definitions. This aspect is optional: product modification during service life should be divided between the maintenance and replacement modules for the baseline scenario (refer to aspect B-32 ‘Distinction between Modules B2, B3, B4 and B5 for further guidances’). However, an additional scenario including repair may be developed. The aspect should be considered in line with the cut-off criteria.
Rules from:

EN 15804

 6.3.4.4.1 General

6.3.4.4.2 B1–B5 Use stage information modules related to the building fabric:

6.3.5 Criteria for the exclusion of inputs and outputs
Guidance
 For many construction products no predictable repair procedures exist during the product life cycle (e.g. for the studwork in an internal wall, or a concrete floor structure). However, repair can be predicted for some products, such as glazed front doors.

For complete LCA studies: For product LCA, the repair module should not be included in the baseline scenario. Repairs could be considered where they are likely to have a significant impact, based on the cut-off rules; specifically, repairs should be considered  if they are likely to have more than 5% input by mass of total inputs over life cycle stages B1–B5. In these cases, repair may be included within an additional scenario.

Where it is unclear whether an activity should be considered as maintenance, repair, replacement or refurbishment, the most suitable module should be chosen and justified (refer to aspect B-32 ‘Distinction between Modules B2, B3, B4 and B5 for further guidances’).

Repair processes at the product level should be considered on the basis of the most likely scenario.

See the section 3.4 on service life planning for guidance on the development of scenarios.

All processes B1 to B5 should include the impacts associated with the process. For maintenance, the impact of producing and transporting the materials used, the impact of the maintenance activity, e.g. water and energy used, and the impact of disposing of any waste produced, e.g. waste water from cleaning, need to be considered. These impacts may be aggregated, and reported as a single process, or broken down and reported separately to enable alternative scenarios to be generated. This may be helpful where there are significant variations between scenarios.

B-05 Products within complex systems

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Aspect B-05 Products within complex systems
Description
 When does a product need to be considered within the context of a system (e.g. an energy storage or energy-generating product)?

related study objective

 ☒ stand-alone LCA ☒ comparative assertion

related study phase

 ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
goal and scope definition inventory analysis (LCI) impact assessment (LCIA) interpretation reporting

relevant for
new buildings existing buildings construction products screening LCA simplified LCA complete LCA
Provisions A product needs to be considered within the context of a system whenever it is part of the system that provides the overall product’s function, i.e. part of the object of assessment.The assessment of one individual product is not sufficient if the product’s function is given only within a more complex system. Then the entire system has to be assessed; the impacts of the product can be calculated from comparison with a reference scenario without the product’s function if this is possible, or else with an alternative state-of-the-art solution.
Rules from:

EN 15804

 EN 15804 introduces the concept of EPDs as information modules, which can be aggregated to provide complete information at the building level.
Guidance
 LCAs can be undertaken for products, collections of products grouped into components (such as a door, cladding system or heating system), collections of products grouped into building elements such as an external wall or roof, for prefabricated parts of buildings such as ‘bathroom pods’ or temporary accommodation, and for construction processes such as cleaning or demolition.EN 15804 has been written to allow EPDs for any of these products, components, elements or parts of building or construction processes to be compatible, because they are built up from ‘information modules’ for products and construction processes in a logical and consistent way.

An LCA dataset for a precast concrete panel could be built up from  LCA datasets for cement, aggregate, reinforcement, concrete additives etc. An LCA dataset for a cladding system could be built up from LCA datasets for float glass and aluminium extrusion etc. The gate-to-grave sections of the LCA dataset can be developed with more certainty, as the use stage of the LCA dataset can be defined more specifically in a building. This is linked to the aspect G-06 (Distinction between the declared unit and the functional unit’).

The gate-to-grave modules of an EPD for a precast concrete floor panel can be much more specific, because its typical use can be envisaged much more clearly, and any defined scenario is more likely to be applicable.

The same principle applies for products and components that are part of a greater energy supply system. If their function can only be addressed adequately if the overall system’s function is assessed, then the entire system should be part of the object of assessment and be accounted for.

B-06 Repair with screening LCA

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Aspect B-06 Repair with screening LCA
Description The repair module covers all corrective, responsive or reactive treatment of a building product or construction works to return it to a condition in which it can deliver its required functional and technical performance. It covers only the partial replacement of components and building parts (in case of failure), and should be distinguished from the replacement module, which is related to the complete replacement of component and building parts.

related study objective

 ☒ stand-alone LCA ☒ comparative assertion

related study phase

 ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
goal and scope definition inventory analysis (LCI) impact assessment (LCIA) interpretation reporting

relevant for

            
new buildings existing buildings construction products screening LCA simplified LCA complete LCA
Provisions Repair is optional in the context of a screening LCA. For provision and guidance, please refer to the aspect ‘Repair with complete LCA’ of the present document.The reparation procedure refers only to corrective, responsive or reactive actions in response to losses of performances of a building component or building part.Repair is distinguishable from maintenance and replacement by the following aspects [EN 15804]:

  • Maintenance is a planned (proactive) action that maintains component performance, whereas repair is a corrective (reactive) action in response to damage.
  • Replacement covers the complete replacement of a component, whereas repair covers only replacement of sub-components.

According to EN 15978, the boundary for repair should include:

  • production of the repaired part of the component and ancillary products;
  • transportation of the repaired part of the component and ancillary products, including production impacts;
  • aspects of any losses of materials during transportation;
  • the process of repairing the part of component and ancillary products;
  • waste management of the removed part of the component and of ancillary products;
  • the end-of-life stage of the removed part of the component and of ancillary products.

However, in the context of a screening LCA, only the production of the replaced component/repaired part should be included.
Rules from: EN 15978:
7.4.4.1 General7.4.4.4 Boundary for repair (Module B3)
8.3 Time related characteristics
8.6.3 Scenarios for maintenance, repair, replacement

EN 15804:
6.3.3. Reference service life
6.3.4.4.2  – B3 Reparation
7.3.3.1 B1–B5 use stage related to the building fabric
Annex A
Guidance Repair is optional in the context of a screening LCA, and may be neglected in many cases. For provision and guidance, please refer to the aspects ‘Repair with complete LCA’ and ‘Distinction between Modules B2, B3, B4 and B5 for further guidance’ of the present document.

B-11 (Buildings) / B-06 (Products) Definition of the service life of a building product

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Aspect B-11 (Buildings) / B-06 (Products) Definition of the service life of a building product
Description
 The lifespan, or service life, of building components and elements is usually defined as the period of time during which their performance meets or exceeds initial requirements. More detailed definitions can be found in reference work (e.g. the ISO 15686 series [ISO 15686] and [Guidance Paper F 2004] concerning the Construction Products Directive). Service life depends on many parameters, and is one subject of the ISO 15686 series.

Related study objective

 ☒ stand-alone LCA ☒ comparative assertion

related study phase

 ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
goal and scope definition inventory analysis (LCI) impact assessment (LCIA) interpretation reporting

relevant for
new buildings existing buildings construction products screening LCA simplified LCA complete LCA
Provisions The service life of a product or building component has an influence on several aspects of the use stage of building LCA:

  • It should be taken into account for calculation of the frequency of replacement when the service life of the component is lower than the reference study period (refer to the aspect ‘Replacement frequency: whole number replacement cycles’ for further detail).
  • It should be provided with a maintenance scenario (and valid only under the conditions described with this scenario), as required by EN 15804 (annex A).
  • The performance of products and components usually declines gradually. Whenever possible, the loss of performance should be taken into account if it has an influence on other aspects of the use stage (e.g. modification of the performance of heating and cooling systems, insulation, etc. may have an influence on energy consumption).

The service life of a product or component is influenced by many parameters, notably the indoor and outdoor environments, maintenance level, design of the product, etc. (see ISO 15868-8 for further information). When providing information related to service life for an EPD, ISO 15804 requires that the intended use and in-use conditions of the product or system be specified and documented (EN 15804, Annex A).

When developing LCA at the building scale on the basis of several EPDs, it should be verified that the declared service lives and in-use conditions are compatible with the specifics of the building (notably its location and maintenance scenarios).

Only end of life related to loss of performance should be taken into account in the base-case scenario. End of life related to obsolescence (e.g. replacement of the product system by a newly developed or more efficient one before the end of life) may, however, be assessed in a complementary assessment. For more information on obsolescence please refer to ISO 15686-1 (Chapter 7).
Rules from:
 EN 15978:
7.4.4.1 General
8.3 Time related characteristics
8.6.3 Scenarios for maintenance, repair, replacement

EN 15804:
6.3.3. Reference service life
7.3.3.1 B1–B5 use stage related to the building fabric
Annex A
Guidance
 The RSL could be based on empirical, probabilistic or statistical data, but should always take into account the intended use (description of use) as described in ISO 15686-1, -2, -7 and -8 [EN 15804, Annex A].RSL should be determined on the basis of:

  • individual EPDs (cradle to gate with corresponding option, or cradle to grave);
  • client requirements and current practices;
  • product and component manufacturers’ information;
  • existing applicable standards such as ISO 15686-1, -2, -7 and -8;
  • the conventional service life in a national context or within an LCA software package for buildings.

It is expected that some service life data may be missing for the assessment at the building scale. In this case, several additional sources may be used to determine the service life of the product or system:

  • publicly available or commercial databases, including in some cases those related to whole-life costing;
  • research group publications and initiatives, such as the joint CIB/RILEM technical committee (CIB W080/RILEM TC 175-SLM);
  • scientific publications, e.g. from the DBMC conferences (International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components). More publications are available from the ICONDA database).

For building products, it may be useful to use conventional values for the respective product category (e.g. in a national context or within an EPD programme), if available. For example, the EOTA guide in Europe states some commonly agreed service lives:

  • 10 years for easily replaceable products (e.g. paints);
  • 25 years for products that can be replaced with some minor effort (e.g. façade, windows, building-integrated photovoltaics, etc.);
  • 50 years for products that are difficult to replace (e.g. thermal break);
  • 100 years for irreplaceable products (e.g. structural bricks, concrete columns, etc.).

Refer to the aspects ‘Distinction between Modules B2, B3, B4 and B5’ and B-14 ‘Replacement frequency’ for further guidance on how to interpret and use RSLs for product and building LCA.

B-12 (Buildings) / B-07 (Products) Replacement frequency

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Aspect B-12 Replacement frequency
Description
 The frequency of replacement is related to the reference study period and the reference service life of the component to be replaced. The ratio between them could lead to a partial number of replacements (e.g. where the reference study period is 30 years but the reference service life for a component is 20 years). Should replacement cycles be calculated as ‘whole-number/full number’ of replacements, or does it make sense to calculate ‘proportionate/partial’ cycles of replacement?

related study objective

 ☒ stand-alone LCA ☒ comparative assertion

related study phase

 ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
goal and scope definition inventory analysis (LCI) impact assessment (LCIA) interpretation reporting

relevant for
new buildings existing buildings construction products screening LCA simplified LCA complete LCA
Provisions As the baseline scenario, replacement cycles have to be calculated in whole numbers, according to EN 15978 and EN 15804 (examples are given there). Only whole numbers of replacements are allowed (no partial replacements). The number of replacements is related to the reference study period and the reference service life of the component to replace. The number of replacements must be rounded up unless justified.In order to show the effect of improved durability, a scenario with partial replacement cycles can be made. This scenario has to be documented and justified, and a sensitivity analysis conducted by comparison with the baseline scenario.
Rules from:
 EN 15978:
8.6.4 Scenarios for refurbishment – Module B5
9.3.3 Replaceable components and number of replacements

EN 15804:
6.3.4.4.2 B1–B5 Use stage information modules related to the building fabric: – B4 Replacement

ILCD:
6.10.3 Considered alternatives, the functional unit, and assumptions
Provisions: 6.10 Comparisons between systems

Guidance
 Partial replacement numbers should be avoided. Replacement numbers should be rounded up, unless justified as described below:
The last replacement of components may be skipped, provided:
–       the component is not essential to security, health or comfort;
–       the absence of replacement is based on actual practice;
–       the final replacement occurs during the last 10% of the study period;
–       a specific maintenance scenario is developed in this case.
This guidance needs to be applied homogeneously in comparisons. For example, for a study period of 50 years, in the case of an internal paint with a 15-year reference service life the last replacement could be ignored (i.e. two replacements rather than three).

7.6 Module B5 – Refurbishment

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No specific aspects are given for module B5 for products. Please refer to EN 15804 for information concerning this module.

B-08 Modelling of energy use

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Aspect B-08 Modelling of energy use
Description
 Is B6 relevant at a product level? How should the operational energy use be modelled?

related study objective

 ☒ stand-alone LCA ☒ comparative assertion

related study phase

 ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
goal and scope definition inventory analysis (LCI) impact assessment (LCIA) interpretation reporting

relevant for
new buildings existing buildings construction products screening LCA simplified LCA complete LCA
Provisions Energy used by products during the use stage should be assessed in terms of importance. For a product, a scenario may be defined if the product is relevant for the energy supply of a building. However, the actual operational energy use can only be given for a building; data for this module for products are always based on a specific scenario, and do not necessarily apply to other situations.
Rules from:

EN 15804

 6.2.5 B6–B7, use stage, information modules related to the operation of the building
Guidance
 The regulated energy use (the energy use covered by national building regulations in Member States) of building-integrated technical systems is determined by the design of the building and the use of the building.Regulated energy use reported in Module B6 would normally be provided at a building level through modelling with the relevant national system derived from the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive.At a product level, it is not possible to model the relevant regulated operational energy use related to the product, because it is dependent on all the other parts of the building, although the product could be included within a ‘model’ building and a building assessment undertaken.

If a product requires non-regulated energy to use it – for example a blind that requires electricity for operation, or an intelligently glazed panel that requires electricity to switch to clear from opaque, or a grey water system that requires energy for pumping – then this energy use should also be modelled in Module B6. This would need to be based on a scenario for use, such as the number of operations per day. The results of Module B6 should be separated from the other modules. Additional data to support the development of relevant scenarios on building level should be provided if relevant in the product LCA study, even if the use stage modules are not assessed at the product level.