Tag: Related study objective: comparative assertion

A-07 Land preparation and earthwork during the construction process – screening and simplified LCA

Written on 22. October 2012.

*Aspect*		*A-07 Land preparation and earthwork during the construction process – screening and simplified LCA*
*Description*		This aspect relates to the impact of site preparation, including the fuel consumption of, for example skid-steer loaders or bulldozers during the groundworks and landscaping. Under the specific goal and scope, this aspect might be interesting for, say, a construction company that needs to identify the hotspots of its construction site. Should the land preparation and earthwork during the construction process be considered in the context of a screening or simplified LCA?
*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	building products	screening LCA	simplified LCA	complete LCA
*Provisions*	The land preparation and earthwork may be included in screening and simplified LCA if they are relevant to the goal and scope of the study (e.g. a construction company might have more interest than a building designer in this aspect).
*Rules from:*	*EN 15978: 7.4.3 Boundaries of the construction process stage* 8.5 Scenarios for the construction process stage (Modules A4–A5)According to the rules from EN 15978, the system boundary for the construction process shall include the groundworks and landscaping
*Guidance*	The practitioner should use default values (e.g. ratios or generic data) for screening and simplified LCA, and also refer to cut-off rules. Ratios can be defined with stakeholders. This aspect can be neglected for most construction projects, as it is of minor relevance.

Back to 4.4. Module A5

A-08 Land preparation and earthwork during the construction process – complete LCA

Written on 22. October 2012.

*Aspect*		A-08 Land preparation and earthwork during the construction process – complete LCA
*Description*		This aspect relates to the impact of site preparation, including the fuel consumption of, for example skid-steer loaders or bulldozers during the groundworks and landscaping. Under the specific goal and scope, this aspect might be interesting for, say, a construction company that needs to identify the hotspots of its construction site. Should the land preparation and earthwork during the construction process be considered in the context of a complete LCA?
*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	building products	screening LCA	simplified LCA	complete LCA
*Provisions*	The land preparation and earthwork should be included in complete LCA if they are relevant for the goal and scope of the study (e.g. a construction company might have more interest than a building designer in this aspect).
*Rules from:*	*EN 15978: 7.4.3 Boundaries of the construction process stage* 8.5 Scenarios for the construction process stage (Modules A4–A5) According to the rules from EN 15978, the system boundary for the construction process shall include the groundworks and landscaping
*Guidance*	The practitioner should use detailed calculation (based on specific data) for complete LCA. The impact of land preparation and earthwork can be assessed using generic data accounting for the impact of the fuel consumption of construction machinery (e.g. skid-steer loaders or bulldozers).This aspect can be neglected for most construction projects, as it is of minor relevance.

A-09 Product storage on site before installation – screening and simplified LCA

Written on 22. October 2012.

*Aspect*		A- 09 Product storage on site before installation – screening and simplified LCA
*Description*		Storage of products on arrival at site before installation includes such aspects as maintaining specific temperature or humidity in a storage space on site, and protection from weather, vandalism, theft, etc. Under the specific goal and scope this aspect might be interesting for, say, a construction company that needs to identify the hotspots of its construction site. Should the storage of products be considered in the context of a screening or simplified LCA?
*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	building products	screening LCA	simplified LCA	complete LCA
*Provisions*	Product storage on site before installation may be included in screening and simplified LCA if it is relevant for the goal and scope of the study (e.g. a construction company might have more interest than a building designer in this aspect).If there are impacts from product storage (e.g. maintaining specific temperature or humidity conditions in a storage space on site) then this may be included in Module A5 next to the infrastructures required for the product storage (e.g. protection from weather, vandalism, theft), but these can be evaluated for significance using the cut-off rules.Any wastage because of poor product storage should be accounted for in Module A5 (manufacture, transport and disposal of wasted material).
*Rules from:*	*EN 15978: 8.5 Scenarios for the construction process stage (Modules A4–A5)*
*Guidance*	The practitioner should use default values (ratios) for simplified LCA. Such data can be defined with stakeholders. This aspect can be neglected for most construction projects, as it is of minor relevance.

A-10 Product storage on site before installation – complete LCA

Written on 22. October 2012.

*Aspect*		A- 10 Product storage on site before installation – complete LCA
*Description*		Storage of products on arrival at site before installation includes such aspects as maintaining specific temperature or humidity in a storage space on site, and protection from weather, vandalism, theft, etc. Under the specific goal and scope this aspect might be interesting for, say, a construction company that needs to identify the hotspots of its construction site. Should the storage of products be considered in the context of a complete LCA?
*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	building products	screening LCA	simplified LCA	complete LCA
*Provisions*	Product storage on site before installation should be included in complete LCA if it is relevant for the goal and scope of the study (e.g. a construction company might have more interest than a building designer on this aspect).If there are impacts from product storage (e.g. maintaining specific temperature or humidity conditions in a storage space on site) then this may be included in Module A5 next to the infrastructures required for the product storage (e.g. protection from weather, vandalism, theft), but these can be evaluated for significance using the cut-off rules.Any wastage because of poor product storage should be accounted for in Module A5 (manufacture, transport and disposal of wasted material).
*Rules from:*	*EN 15978*: 8.5 Scenarios for the construction process stage (Modules A4-A5)
*Guidance*	The practitioner should use detailed calculation based on LCI data for complete LCA. For most construction projects, this aspect is likely to fall under cut-off rules.

A-11 Transport of construction workers – screening and simplified LCA

Written on 22. October 2012.

*Aspect*		A-11 Transport of construction workers – screening and simplified LCA
*Description*		This aspect concerns the transportation of construction workers from home to work and to the construction site. Under specific goal and scope, this aspect might be interesting for, say, a construction company that needs to identify the hotspots of its construction site.
*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	building products	screening LCA	simplified LCA	complete LCA
*Provisions*	The transport of construction workers may be included in screening and simplified LCA if it is relevant for the goal and scope of the study (e.g. a construction company might have more interest than a building designer in this aspect).Transportation of workers to construction site may be included for screening and simplified LCA if it is in the focus of the study. Refer to cut-off rules, and use default values (such as ratios).
*Rules from:*	*EN 15978: No specific rule is defined (8.5 Scenarios for the construction process stage (Modules A4–A5))*
*Guidance*	The practitioner should use default values (generic data, ratios) for simplified LCA. Such data can be defined with stakeholders.This aspect may be neglected for most building LCA studies, because it may fall outside the goal and scope. However, specific building stakeholders, such as construction companies, may have a special interest and thus will take it into account.If taken into account, this aspect is likely to fall under cut-off-rules for most construction projects. Such a statement should be supported through detailed studies of the construction stage. It will be revised if more evidence is available.

A-12 Transport of construction workers – complete LCA

Written on 22. October 2012.

*Aspect*		*A-12 Transport of construction workers – complete LCA*
*Description*		This aspect concerns the transportation of construction workers from home to work and to the construction site. Under specific goal and scope, this aspect might be interesting for, say, a construction company that needs to identify the hotspots of its construction site.
*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	building products	screening LCA	simplified LCA	complete LCA
*Provisions*	The transport of construction workers may be included in complete LCA if it is relevant for the goal and scope of the study (e.g. a construction company might have more interest than a building designer in this aspect).In the context of a complete LCA, the transportation of workers to site may be taken into account based on detailed calculations if relevant for the goal and scope of the study, unless this aspect falls under cut-off rules.
*Rules from:*	*EN 15978*: 8.5 Scenarios for the construction process stage (Modules A4-A5)
*Guidance*	The practitioner should use detailed calculation based on specific data for complete LCA. For more information about the relative share of impacts of the transport of workers, the practitioner can refer to the existing literature.This aspect may be neglected for most building LCA studies, because it may fall outside the goal and scope. However, specific building stakeholders, such as construction companies, may have a special interest and thus will take it into account. If taken into account, this aspect is likely to fall under cut-off-rules for most construction projects. Unless the energy used for transport of staff to site is likely to exceed 1% of the primary energy requirement for the site operation, it is not necessary to collect data from staff on their journey to and from the construction site. If necessary, the significance could be reviewed by considering costs as a proxy for primary energy, although it should be recognized that petrol and diesel are often highly taxed relative to electricity. Such a statement should be supported through detailed studies of the construction stage. It will be revised if more evidence is available.

A-13 Transport of construction machinery to the building site – screening and simplified LCA

Written on 22. October 2012.

*Aspect*		A-13 Transport of construction machinery to the building site – screening and simplified LCA
*Description*		This aspect concerns the transportation of machinery necessary for the construction of a building from the storage place to the construction site. Under specific goal and scope, this aspect might be interesting, e.g. for a construction company that needs to identify the hotspots of its construction site.
*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	building products	screening LCA	simplified LCA	complete LCA
*Provisions*	The transportation of construction machinery to the building site is optional, owing to both potentially missing data and minor relevance. It may be included in screening and simplified LCA if it is relevant for the goal and scope of the study (e.g. a construction company might have more interest than a building designer on this aspect).If the transportation of construction machinery is accounted for, rules for its estimation should follow the recommendations of EN 15804. In this case, practitioners should refer to the cut-off rules, and use default values (ratios) for the transportation distances and load factors.
*Rules from:*	*EN 15978: No specific rule is defined (8.5 Scenarios for the construction process stage (Modules A4-A5)) EN 15804:* No specific rule is defined (6.3.4.3 Construction stage)
*Guidance*	The practitioner can use default values (ratios) defined with stakeholders for screening and simplified LCA.This aspect may be neglected for most construction projects, owing to its minor relevance.

A-14 Transport of construction machinery to the building site – complete LCA

Written on 22. October 2012.

*Aspect*		A-14 Transport of construction machinery to the building site – complete LCA
*Description*		This aspect concerns the transportation of machinery necessary for the construction of a building from the storage place to the construction site. Under specific goal and scope, this aspect might be interesting, e.g. for a construction company that needs to identify the hotspots of its construction site.
*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	building products	screening LCA	simplified LCA	complete LCA
*Provisions*	In the context of a complete LCA, the transportation of construction machinery to site should be taken into account if it is relevant for the goal and scope of the study (e.g. a construction company might have more interest than a building designer on this aspect),.Rules for estimation should follow the recommendations of EN 15804. In this case, practitioners should refer to the cut-off rules, and use detailed calculations for the transportation distances and load factors (unless this aspect falls under cut-off rules).
*Rules from:*	*EN 15978*:8.5 Scenarios for the construction process stage (Modules A4-A5)
*Guidance*	The practitioner should use specific data for the ancillary materials and for the processes or construction tools (which can be defined with stakeholders) for complete LCA.This aspect may be neglected for most construction projects, owing to its minor relevance.

A-15 Installation of the product into the building – screening and simplified LCA

Written on 22. October 2012.

*Aspect*		A-15 Installation of the product into the building – screening and simplified LCA
*Description*		The installation of products into the building needs ancillary materials and processes (e.g. energy). What should be taken into account during the installation stage (e.g. drills, screwdrivers)?
*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	building products	screening LCA	simplified LCA	complete LCA
*Provisions*	The inclusion of ancillary materials should follow EN 15804/EN 15978. This information should be available in construction product datasets or EPD data that are compliant with EN 15804.The energy and related emissions from the construction tools and installation materials should follow EN 15978. They may be omitted for screening and simplified LCA studies, owing to their minor relevance.
*Rules from:*	*EN 15978:* 8.5 Scenarios for the construction process stage (Modules A4-A5)EN 15804: 6.2.3. A4–A5, Construction process stage, information modules 7.3.2. Construction process stage
*Guidance*	General guidance for product LCA studies (e.g. EPD) According to both EN 15804 and EN 15978, the installation of products into the building, including ancillary materials and their related processes, should be taken into account. The practitioner should comply with EN 15804 as far as possible, assuming the provisions are sufficiently clear. If an aspect is not clearly defined in the standard (e.g. there is so far no list of ancillary materials for the different applications of building products), the practitioner should always document assumptions made concerning the inclusion of ancillary materials. Specific guidance for product LCA studies (e.g. EPD) For cradle-to-grave product LCA, the practitioner needs to combine a cradle-to-gate LCA with some LCA data for ancillary materials implemented in the construction stage in order to fulfil the functional unit. For example, for cradle-to-grave EPD of a glued laminated timber beam in a building, the functional unit can be as follows: the function ‘support the structural elements from the roof for 100 years’ is defined for 1 ml of a beam of 5 m for a cross-section of 0.3 × 0.1 m. The ancillary materials in this case might be galvanized steel bolts, for example. The impacts related to their manufacture and transport to the site should be allocated to Module A5, as they are not primary raw materials in the wooden beam manufacturing process. However, in other cases, e.g. ready-mixed concrete assembled on site with reinforcing steel, as these two raw materials are not ancillary materials the impacts of their manufacture and transport to the site should be allocated to Modules A3 and A4 respectively. For other specific cases it may be tricky. For example, for ceramic tiles that need on-site mortar to be installed in the building, the allocation of the impacts of the mortar may be not clear, as it depends on the status of the mortar: is it a raw material next to the ceramic tiles (impact allocated to Modules A1–A3) or only an ancillary product (impact allocated only to Module A5)? The more the environmental impacts of ancillary materials (related to manufacturing and transport to the site) are allocated to Module A5, the more relative impact this life cycle stage will have compared with production and end-of-life. It should be emphasized that the ancillary materials’ upstream impacts are not direct impact of a construction site. In this context, the results for Module A5 should be interpreted accordingly. Specific guidance for building LCA studies If relevant for the goal of the study, use ratios (generic data) for screening and simplified LCA, though the ancillary materials may be omitted, because of their minor relevance.

A-16 Installation of the product into the building – complete LCA

Written on 22. October 2012.

*Aspect*		A-16 Installation of the product into the building – complete LCA
*Description*		The installation of products into the building needs ancillary materials and processes (e.g. energy). What should be taken into account during the installation stage (e.g. drills, screwdrivers)?
*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	building products	screening LCA	simplified LCA	complete LCA
*Provisions*	The inclusion of ancillary materials should follow EN 15804/EN 15978.The energy and related emissions from the construction tools and installation of ancillary materials should follow EN 15978.They should be included for complete LCA studies, and particularly for cradle-to-grave product LCA.
*Rules from:*	*EN 15978: 8.5 Scenarios for the construction process stage (Modules A4-A5) EN 15804:* 6.2.3. A4–A5, Construction process stage, information modules 7.3.2. Construction process stage
*Guidance*	General guidance for product LCA studies (e.g. EPD) According to both EN 15804 and EN 15978, the installation of products into the building, including ancillary materials and their related processes, should be taken into account. The practitioner should comply with EN 15804 as far as possible, assuming the provisions are sufficiently clear. If an aspect is not clearly defined in the standard (e.g. there is so far no list of ancillary materials for the different applications of building products), the practitioner should always document assumptions made concerning the inclusion of ancillary materials. Specific guidance for product LCA studies (e.g. EPD) For cradle-to-grave product LCA, the practitioner needs to combine a cradle-to-gate LCA with some LCA data for ancillary materials implemented in the construction stage in order to fulfil the functional unit. For example, for cradle-to-grave EPD of a glued laminated timber beam in a building, the functional unit can be as follows: the function ‘support the structural elements from the roof for 100 years’ is defined for 1 ml of a beam of 5 m for a cross-section of 0.3 × 0.1 m. The ancillary materials in this case might be galvanized steel bolts, for example. The impacts related to their manufacture and transport to the site should be allocated to Module A5, as they are not primary raw materials in the wooden beam manufacturing process. However, in other cases, e.g. ready-mixed concrete assembled on site with reinforcing steel, as these two raw materials are not ancillary materials the impacts of their manufacture and transport to the site should be allocated to Modules A3 and A4 respectively. For other specific cases it may be tricky. For example, for ceramic tiles that need on-site mortar to be installed in the building, the allocation of the impacts of the mortar may be not clear, as it depends on the status of the mortar: is it a raw material next to the ceramic tiles (impact allocated to Modules A1–A3) or only an ancillary product (impact allocated only to Module A5)? The more the environmental impacts of ancillary materials (related to manufacturing and transport to the site) are allocated to Module A5, the more relative impact this life cycle stage will have compared with production and end-of-life. It should be emphasized that the ancillary materials’ upstream impacts are not direct impact of a construction site. In this context, the results for Module A5 should be interpreted accordingly. Specific guidance for building LCA studies For complete LCA the practitioner should use specific data for the ancillary materials, and for the processes or construction tools (which can be defined with stakeholders) . For most construction projects, this aspect is likely to fall under cut-off-rules.