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Tag: Study type: Simplified LCA

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

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

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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-17 Accounting of on-site capital goods (e.g. construction ma-chinery, bungalows…)

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Aspect A-17 Accounting of on-site capital goods (e.g. construction machinery, bungalows…)
Description
 Various capital goods can be found on a construction site, such as construction machinery (skid-steer loaders, bulldozers), cranes, and the bungalows for the workers. These capital goods are generally used by a construction company on different construction projects. In this context, it is important to assess the depreciation of capital goods, and allocate the impacts of their manufacture to a certain amount for one construction site. Should capital goods be included in complete LCA studies? Is there necessarily a deviation from EN 15978?

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 capital goods may 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).The capital goods may be taken into account in screening and simplified LCA using default values, or they may be optional, owing to the lack of data.
Rules from:
 EN 15978: 
7.4.3.3 Boundary of the on-site processes (Module A5)
9.4.3 Criteria for the exclusion of inputs and outputs
Guidance
 The practitioner should use detailed calculation based on specific data for complete LCA, and refer to the cut-off rules guidance, if relevant.The capital goods may be assessed in screening and simplified LCA by using default values. LCA data can be calculated using LCA data for building products (as a proxy) if no more precise data are available on complete capital goods (e.g. a crane is composed of x% of steel, y%…, etc.) This aspect may be neglected for most construction projects, owing to its minor relevance.

A-18 Water and energy demand – screening and simplified LCA

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Aspect

A-18 Water and energy demand – screening and simplified LCA
Description
 This aspect concerns the water and energy demand on the construction site. Energy and water are consumed both for the construction of the building and for the workers’ accommodation.

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 Water and energy consumption on the construction site should be considered in accordance with the corresponding study type. It may be included in the context of a screening or simplified LCA.
Rules from:
 EN 15978: 8.5 Scenarios for the construction process stage (Modules A4-A5) 
Guidance
 The practitioner should use default values (ratios) for screening and simplified LCA. Such data can be defined with stakeholders. Practitioners should refer to the guidance on cut-off rules, if relevant.

A-20 Construction wastes – screening and simplified LCA

Written on .

Aspect

A-20 Construction wastes –  screening and simplified LCA
Description
 The construction of a building generates considerable cutting waste. Should such waste 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 Construction waste may be included in a screening or 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).
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
Guidance
 In some EPDs, waste during installation into the building may be documented. The practitioner should use default values (e.g. ratios) for screening and simplified LCA. This information might be a default loss of product on site per type of product, or else the practitioner might use a global average, e.g. 5%, to see whether this aspect is significant in the final LCA results. If a construction waste is included, the impact of production related to the loss of product should be quantified within Module A5.WRAP has consulted with UK industry and has provided baseline and good practice wastage rates for most construction material types, which could be used in the absence of other data.

A-22 Prefabrication of building products – screening and simplified LCA

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Aspect

A-22 Prefabrication of building products – screening and simplified LCA
Description
 This aspect refers to the off-site construction assembly of prefabricated products such as reinforced concrete. Should the off-site construction 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 Prefabrication should be considered in the context of a screening or simplified LCA. The manufacture of building products should be included in Modules A1–A3, and their transport in Module A4. Only the impacts of their installation (waste, machinery etc.) are included in Module A5, based on cut-off rules.
Rules from:
 EN 15978: 8.5 Scenarios for the construction process stage (Modules A4-A5)
Guidance
 The practitioner should use default values (e.g. based on generic data or ratios) for screening or simplified LCA. Such data can be defined with stakeholders.

B-04 Maintenance with simplified LCA

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Aspect B-04 Maintenance with simplified 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. Maintenance is optional in the context of a 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 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), and may be ignored in the context of a simplified LCA.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 cover at least the following elements:

  • roofing and roof framework;
  • façades, exterior joinery work and windows;
  • partitioning, lining and suspended ceilings;
  • floor finishes and coverings, walls and ceiling coverings;
  • HVAC (heating – ventilation – cooling – DHW).

Other components and building parts (e.g. electrical and communication network – high and low power, lighting equipment and sanitary facilities) may be covered, depending on the scope of the study and the available information. In any case the boundaries of the maintenance scenario should be clearly stated.

According to EN 15804, the maintenance scenario should include:

  • 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.

However, water and energy usage related to maintenance operations and cleaning may be taken into through simplified scenarios.
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 may 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.

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.