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Tag: Lifecycle stage: B (all modules)

B-05 Maintenance with complete LCA

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Aspect B-05 Maintenance with complete LCA
Description
 Maintenance is defined as the combination of all planned actions during the service life to maintain the product installed in a building in a state in which it can deliver its required functional and technical performance.

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 maintenance procedure refers only to planned action in response to anticipated losses of performance of building components and building parts. Building modifications in response to unexpected events (e.g. flood, inappropriate use, or vandalism) should be considered as reparation (B3).The overall maintenance scenario should be developed in accordance with:

  • individual EPD (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 [ISO 15686].

The maintenance scenario should include (EN 15804):

  • the production and transportation of any component and ancillary products used for maintenance, including cleaning;
  • the transportation of any wastage from maintenance processes or from maintenance-related transportation;
  • the end-of-life processes of any wastage from transportation and the maintenance process, including any part of the component and ancillary materials removed;
  • water and energy usage related to cleaning.

Water and energy usage related to maintenance operations other than cleaning should always be included.
Rules from:
 EN 15978:
7.4.4.1 General
7.4.4.3 Boundary for maintenance (Module B2)
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  – B2 Maintenance

7.3.3.1 B1–B5 use stage related to the building fabric

Annex A
Guidance
 It is expected that not all necessary information required to develop a maintenance scenario will be included in the EPDs. Nevertheless, the maintenance scenario should encompass the planned actions for listed components (see above), based on the available information. Knowledge gaps should be filled by referring to state-of-the-art practice.In addition, LCA of existing buildings should take into account real and established practices (real-life data) specific to a particular building, but scenarios based on current practice may also be developed.When developing a maintenance scenario at the building scale, the it should be consistent with the reference service life of each component or building part.Maintenance examples (from EN 15804): Painting work on window frames, doors, etc. as well as the annual inspection and maintenance of the (oil or gas) boiler […].

B-03 Maintenance – product LCA

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Aspect B-03 Maintenance – product LCA
Description
 Product LCAs can have different system boundaries, which can include or exclude maintenance.

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 maintenance is subject to the study type definitions. For complete LCA studies, the aspect should be considered in line with the cut-off criteria; for screening and simplified LCA studies, this aspect is optional.
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 fabric6.3.5 Criteria for the exclusion of inputs and outputs
Guidance
 For many construction products, no predictable maintenance procedures exist during the product life cycle, e.g. for the studwork in an internal wall or a concrete floor structure. However, for some products, such as flooring, regular cleaning is required. Many products (e.g., windows, internal walls, ceilings) also require regular surface maintenance, e.g. repainting.For complete LCA studies: Maintenance should be considered where it is likely to have a significant impact based on the cut-off rules. Specifically, if maintenance is likely to have more than 5% input by mass of total inputs over life cycle stages B1–B5 it must be considered.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 guidance’).

Maintenance processes at the product level should be considered on the basis of the most likely scenario or scenarios (e.g., Scenario 1, window in Finland vs. Scenario 2, window in Slovenia, other aspects being the same, e.g. orientation, exposure etc. – the likely recommended intervals for repainting the same window will vary depending, on this scenario).

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

In cost terms, regular maintenance visits to check equipment can be significant, although the only environmental impact is associated with the transport of staff to the site. See aspect A-02 (transport of staff) for more information.

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-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-07 Repair with simplified LCA

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Aspect B-07 Repair with simplified 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 simplified 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 loss 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.

Water and energy usage related to the repair process should always be included.

However, in the context of a simplified LCA, only the production of the replaced component/repaired part need be included.
Rules from: EN 15978:7.4.4.1 General

7.4.4.4 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 simplified LCA. For provision and guidance, please refer to the aspect ‘Repair with complete LCA’ of the present document.

B-08 Repair with complete LCA

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Aspect B-08 Repair with complete 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. This aspect of the EeBGuide also addresses the distinction between repair, maintenance and 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 The reparation procedure refers only to corrective, responsive or reactive actions in response to loss 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.

It should be noted that:

  • EPD containing information about the reference service life of a product should comply with the ISO 15686 series [EN 15804].
  • The RSL should be declared, with a description of use that should (normally) encompass maintenance (proactive actions), notably according to ISO 15868-8.
  • The manufacturer cannot be held responsible for the actual design of the building, the use and application of the product, environment, workmanship or use [EN 15804].

It is thus to be expected that little information related to the repair module will be included in cradle-to-grave EPDs (or cradle-to-gate with corresponding options). Instead, most information would probably be divided between the maintenance module (necessary operations to maintain product performance, including sub-component replacement, in a given set of in-use conditions) and the replacement module (replacement at the end of life of the component).

Consequently, the repair module is considered optional in the context of the present guide.

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.

Water and energy usage related to the repair process should always be included.
Rules from: EN 15978:
7.4.4.1 General
7.4.4.4 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 complete LCA in the case of insufficient data.The overall repair scenario should be consistent with respect to the building structure (e.g. replacement of coating is mandatory when replacing the support). In the context of a complete building LCA of an existing building, it is recommended that the repair module be based on the history of the building.The progressive loss of performance of some components has an impact on the overall behaviour of the building (e.g. loss of performance of insulation may lead to an increase of energy demand due to heating). If sufficient data are available, these aspects should be addressed by using a sensitivity analysis.

B-09 Inclusion of energy and materials for repair

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Aspect B-09 Inclusion of energy and materials for repair
Description
 The inclusion of energy and water use, material use, etc. is framed by standards EN 15804 and EN 15978. The EeBGuide provides additional information and guidance on how (and when) to include or exclude a given aspect of the study.

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 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.

Water and energy usage related to the repair process should always be included. However, repair is considered optional. Please refer to the aspects ‘Repair with complete LCA’, ‘Repair with simplified LCA’ and ‘Repair with screening LCA’ for further detail.
Rules from:
 EN 15978:7.4.4.1 General

7.4.4.4 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
 In the context of simplified and screening LCA, only the production of the replaced component or repaired part need be included.Please refer to the aspects ‘Repair with complete LCA’, ‘Repair with simplified LCA’ and ‘Repair with screening LCA’ for further detail.