POSSIBLE STRATEGIES

CHAPTER 3
SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION
By: Dr. Rafikullah Deraman, JKBP, FKAAS

3.1 INTRODUCTION
The design, construction and operation of

our built environment have other important

economic effects (i.e: the rate which we use
resources).
Construction are responsible for almost half
of the countrys carbon emissions, half of our
water consumption, one third of landfill
waste and one quarter of all raw materials
used in the economy.
Through its impact on the built environment,
construction plays a central role to promote
sustainable growth and development.
3

 Sustainable construction is refer to the

construction practices that minimize
environmental impact throughout the life
of a construction, by designing for
minimum energy and water use and
waste production, preventing pollution
and enhancing biodiversity.
The strategy for sustainable construction
represents
a commitment from the
industry to work towards the vision by
reducing its carbon footprint
and its
consumption of natural resources, while
creating a safer and stronger industry.
4

It lays out specific actions by industry and by

Government which will contribute to the

achievement of overarching targets .

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION:
POSSIBLE IMPLEMENTATIONS?
Construction Project
Management

Construction
Management

Facilities
Management

Strategies

Site
Management
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Planning
3+5+6+7

Construction
3+4+5+6+7
+8+9
Design Procuremen
Site
3+4+5
t
activities
+6+7
1
started
2+4+5+7
+8+9

Handov
er
5+7

Procurement
Site / Environment
Material Selection
Waste Prevention
Recycling
Energy
Building and Material Reuse
Health and Safety
Indoor Environment Quality

Liability
period
5+7

Decommissioning
6+7

STRATEGIES

Pr
oc
ur
e
m
en
t

Sit
e/
Sur
rou
ndi
ng
En
vir
on
me
nt

M
at
eri
al
se
le
cti
on

W
as
te
pr
ev
en
tio
n

Re
cy
cli
ng

En
er
gy

B
uil
di
ng
&
m
at
eri
al
re
us
e

H
ea
lth
&
sa
fe
ty

Ind
oor
en
vir
on
me
nt
qu
alit
y
7

3.2 POSSIBLE STRATEGIES: An Overview

1. Procurement:
Specific procurement strategies to ensure sustainable
construction requirements are addressed.
2. Site / Environment:
Methods to reduce the environmental impact of
construction on the project site and surrounding
environment are identified.
3. Material Selection:
Identifies environmentally friendly building materials as
well as harmful and toxic materials that should be
avoided.
4. Waste Prevention:
Methods to reduce and eliminate waste on construction
projects are identified.
5. Recycling:
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Identifies materials to recycle at each phase of

6. Energy:
Methods to ensure and improve the
buildings energy performance, reduce
energy consumed during construction,
and identify opportunities to use
renewable energy sources.
7. Building and Material Reuse:
Identifies reusable materials and
methods to facilitate the future reuse of
a facility, systems, equipment, products
and materials.
8. Health and Safety:
Methods to improve the quality of life
for construction workers are identified.
9. Indoor Environment Quality:
Methods to ensure indoor

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3.3:
CAN WE DIG QUITE
DEEPER?

AN EXAMPLE FOR EACH POSSIBLE STRATEGIES

11

Pro
cur
em
ent

12

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1. PROCUREMENT
Procurement is a term which describes the

activities undertaken by a client or employer

who is seeking to bring about the
construction or refurbishment of a building.
Defined by the UK SP Task Force (2006) as
a process whereby organizations meet their
needs for goods, services, and works in a
way that achieves value for money on a
whole life basis in terms of generating
benefits, but also to society and the
economy, whilst minimizing damage to the
environment.
14

It is a mechanism which provides a solution to

the question: "how do I get my project built?

(The Joint Contracts Tribunal Limited, London)

Why ?? USE SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT

Sustainable procurement helps ensure value for
money and lower operational costs whilst protecting
the environment and bringing us wider societal
benefits.
Lord de Mauley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Resource Management,
the Local Environment and Environmental Science (at the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), 2012, London.

15

Procurement Process
PreProcureme
nt
Contract
Stage

Tender
specificati
on

Award
Stage

PreQualificatio
n

16

Procurement Processes
Processes of Sustainable Procurement:

a. Pre-procurement:
Early engagement with the supply chain: communication of opportunities,
which allowed identification of best practice as well as innovative products,
materials and suppliers;
Communication of contract opportunities to potential suppliers.
b. Tender Specifications:
Developing a comprehensive design brief with sustainability requirements
fully integrated.
c. Pre-qualification:
Use of appropriate selection criteria: it focused on past
contractors/suppliers performance but it helped on some aspects of sifting
bidders.
d. Award Stage:
All tenders had a set of award criteria that included sustainability and were
evaluated on the basis of most economically advantageous tender. The
environmental sustainability assessment formed part of the technical
evaluation.
(Further reading: London 2012 Olympic and
e. Contract Stage:
Paralympic Games; The Legacy: Sustainable
Contract requirements, including detailed
sustainability
requirements
Procurement
for Construction
Projects:17
A

2. SITE / SURROUNDING
ENVIRONMENT

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The worlds yearly cement production of 1.6

billion tons accounts for 7% of the global loading

of carbon dioxide into atmosphere.
Portland cement (PC) is one of the most energy-

intensive construction materials and responsible

for a large amount of greenhouse gases.
Producing a ton of PC requires 4 GJ energy and PC

clinker manufacture releases 1 ton of CO2 into the

atmosphere.
Mining large quantities of raw materials i.e.

limestone & clay often results

deforestation and top-soil loss.

in

extensive

The environmental of concrete industry can be

reduced
through
resource
productivity by
conserving materials and energy for concretemaking.

19

Construction/ site activities affect the environment

throughout the life cycle of development.

These impacts occur from initial work on-site
through the construction period, operational period
and to the final demolition when a building comes
to an end of its life.
Raw materials extraction and construction activities
also contribute to the accumulation of pollutants in
the atmosphere
Chen et al. (2000), sources of pollution and hazards
from construction activities can be divided into
seven major types: dust, harmful gases, noises,
solid and liquid wastes, fallen objects, ground
movements and others.
20

SHIFT of excavation and pre-fabricated part

transportation to site from truck to railway.

90% or more avoided truck kilometers

(transport of excavation and pre-fabricated

parts), reduction of 54 to 67% in Non-emissions.

(Further reading: NYC

Global Partners
Innovation Exchange,
2010.)
21

Further reading;
Simon O.A. (

).Impacts Of Construction Activities On The

Environment: The Case Of Ghana.
Chen Z., Li H. & Wong C.T.C. (2000). Environmental
management of urban construction projects in China.
Journal of ConstructionEngineering and Management ,
126(4), pp. 320-324

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3. MATERIAL SELECTION

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Principle of Selection;

CHOOSE MATERIALS AND PRODUCT THAT USE

RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY
educe, reuse, and recycle materials in order to reduce resour
nsumption and habitat destruction and ecosystem disturba

CHOOSE MATERIALS AND PRODUCT THAT MINIMIZE

MBODIED ENERGY AND EMBODIED CARBON
se of local and low embodied energy materials

AVOIDS MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS THAT CAN HARM

HUMAN OR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AT ANY PHASE O
THEIR LIFE CYCLE
aterials or by-products from materials that potential to emit
xins, pollutants and heavy metals to air, water, or soil where
n impact ecological and human health should be avoided.
25

USE LOCALLY AVAILABLE:

Building materials, components, and systems found locally or regionally
saving energy and resources in transportation to the project site.
BUY LESS TOXIC BUILDING MATERIALS:
Avoid thermostats that contain mercury, pressure-treated lumber, and

any products made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC, commonly known as

vinyl).
Some materials and products such as paints, solvents and adhesives
can be flammable. Indeed some materials can release toxic gasses
and smoke during fires.
Asbestos, lead-based products, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls contained in fluorescent luminaires, brominated fire retardants,
pesticides (organo-chlorines), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can be
ingested/swallowed through the air we breathe and through the skin

26

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Materials: Embodied Energy Content

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Source:
Government of Australia (2012),Environmental Sustainable
Building Material Selection

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4. WASTE PREVENTION

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 The amounts of generated construction and demolition (C&D)

waste are
substantial.

Sources:
Bossink, B.A.G & Brouwers ,H.J.H (1996),
Construction waste: quantification and
source evaluation, Journal of Construction
engineering & Management, 55-60
31

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Approach??
Design for durability and adaptability:
Ensure a building's maximum ability to accommodate

future technological advances and other changing needs.

Design for disassembly:
Buildings that can be altered easily are more likely to be

renovated than demolished and replaced. Designing

spaces for easy disassembly also facilitates the
reclamation of construction materials for reuse and
recycling.
Designing sites for adaptability with open plans and

multiuse spaces which do not require adaptation and can

help
minimize future use of resources.

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Use IBS (Integrated Building System)

IBS is an effective construction method for

waste minimization.
The IBS components are effective in reducing
the waste, saving the cost of materials and
improve the environmental performance.
There are five main IBS groups:1) Pre-cast Concrete Framing, Panel and Box Systems pre-cast
columns, beams, slabs, balconies, staircases, toilets etc.
2) Formwork Systems tunnel forms, EPS-based forms, beams and
columns moulding forms, permanent steel formworks etc.
3) Steel Framing Systems steel beams and columns, portal
frames, roof trusses. etc.
4) Prefabricated Timber Framing Systems timber frames, roof
trusses etc.
5) Block Work Systems interlocking concrete masonry units
34
(CMU), lightweight concrete blocks, etc.

IBS Component

35

5. RECYCLING

36

Recycling is the process of collection, separation,

clean-up and processing of waste materials to

produce a marketable material or product.
In 1996, it was estimated that an average of 20 to

30 per cent of the C&D debris generated were

recycled (Southeast Regional Environmental Finance
Center, 1996)1.

Southeast Regional Environmental Finance Centre (1996),

Construction and demolition debris recycling for environmental
protection and economicdevelopment, University of Louisville.
1

37

Construction waste recycling is the separation

and recycling of recoverable waste materials

generated during construction, renovation,
demolition and other construction-related
activities.
Recycling C&D materials generated at a
construction site is increasingly important. The
environmental benefits of recycling can be
significant.
Recycling saves energy through reducing the

net amount of energy expended in extracting

and using raw materials. For example, for every
one million tons of aluminum material recycled,
Americans save the equivalent of 35 million
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bar.rels (5.6 million m3) of oil.

USE ON-SITE SEPARATION

39

Commonly construction wastes suitable for recycling

are;
1) Metals
2) Wood / Timber
3) Brick / Block
4) Cardboard
5) Drywall / Wallboard
6) Masonry / Mortar
7) Glass
8) Asphalt
9) Concrete

40

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http://retaildesignblog.net/2011/11/
03/affordable-building-materialsfrom-recycled-agricultural-waste/

42

6. ENERGY

43

 Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of

the total world annual energy consumption.
This energy is for lighting, heating, cooling and
conditioning and ventilation (LHCCV).
The major energy users in Malaysian office building is
air conditioners (57%), lighting (19%), lifts and pumps
(18%) and other equipments (6%) (R. Saidur, 2009)
Increasing awareness of the environmental impact of
CO2 and NO2 emissions and CFCs triggered a
renewed interest in environmentally friendly cooling
and heating technologies.
One way of reducing building energy consumption is
to design
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which are economical in their use of energy for

Source:
Abdeen, M.O (2008), Energy, environment & sustainable development, Renewable &
Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2265-2300

45

Building Energy Index (BEI)

The energy consumption in buildings is
in terms of the Building Energy Index
(BEI).
The South East Average BEI = 233
kWh/m2/yr , where the Malaysian
(269kWh/m2/yr)
and Singaporean (230kWh/m2/yr)
BEI by MS: 1525 for an air-conditioned
office is 135kWh/m2/yr (majority office
building exceeds to 250 kWh/m2/yr
46

 Typical design in office lighting load is 15-25W/m2

(MS : 1525 is 15 W/m2)
Some places consumed 25 45 W/m2

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Energy efficiency (EC) is the most cost-effective

way of cutting CO2 emissions and improvements to

households and businesses.
EnergyEfficiencycan be maximized by utilizing
materials and systems that meet the following
criteria:
Materials, components, and systems that help reduce

energy consumption in buildings and facilities.

Passive element (building lighting, day lighting and
window shading)
Active element (air-c0nditioning, innovative lighting
system)
Energy Star logo, to go with approved items!
(Further reading: EPA Energy Star,
USA, 2013, & Silicon Valley Home
50
Real Estate Experts Inc., 2013)

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7. BUILDING & MATERIAL REUSE

52

Reuse is referring to the reuse of materials in their

original state
Many materials can be salvaged from demolition

and renovation sites and sold, donated, stored for

later use, or reused on the current project
UNLESS one of the building codes imposes a
specific requirement on the reused material.
Typical materials suitable for reuse include:
plumbing fixtures,
brick,
ceiling,
floor tiles,
wood.

(Further reading: United States Office

of Solid Waste Agency, Environmental
53
Protection and Emergency, October

8. HEALTH & SAFETY

54

 This strategy underlines important element to

achieve sustainable construction safety and
health.
A comprehensive safety assessment tool or
rating system that allows for evaluating project
across a common set of criteria.
Sustainable construction safety and health rating
system contains safety and health elements
which based on their
effectiveness in preventing construction worker
injuries/illness.

55

(Further reading:
Sustainable Construction
Safety & Health (SCSH),
2013)

56

SHASSIC
Safety and Health Assessment System in

Construction (SHASSIC).
Established by CIDB. Latest version is 2014
Is an independent method to assess and
evaluate the safety and health performance of
a contractor in construction works/projects.
Component of assessment ;
Document Check (40%)
Work Site Inspection
(40%)
Employee Interview (20%)
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9. INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

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 Indoor environmental quality usually focuses on thermal

conditions, sound and vibration, light and

electromagnetic radiation, and indoor air quality.
Critical Component ;
Indoor air quality
Thermal Comfort
Lighting
Acoustics

other

PARTICULATE MATERIAL such as dusts and fibers are

likely to be produced during construction and renovation

activities.
Assure that construction/renovation workers are equipped
with any necessary personal protection equipment (PPE).

59

Strategies :
Control Pollutants
Introduce daylight and views
Provide occupants with controls
Acoustic and thermal comfort

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10. OTHER STRATEGIES

Please read further:
UK Government, Strategy for Sustainable
Construction, June 2008.

64

When To Implement ??
Construction Project
Management

BEFORE
CONSTRUCTION

Construction
Management

Facilities
Management
Site Management

DURING

AFTE
R

THROUGHOUT
65

3.3: STRATEGIES TOWARD

SUSTAINABLE
CONSTRUCTION
GREEN BUILDING INDEX (GBI)
CONSTRUCTABILITY
VALUE CONSTRUCTION
LEAN CONSTRUCTION

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1) GREEN BUILDING INDEX (GBI)

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GBI RATING SYSTEM

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1.Energy Efficiency (EE):

Improve

energy consumption by optimizing building orientation, minimizing

solar heat gain through the building envelope,
harvesting natural lighting, adopting the best practices in building services
including use of renewable energy,
and ensuring proper testing, commissioning and regular maintenance .

2.Indoor Environment Quality (EQ):

Achieve good quality performance in indoor air quality, acoustics, visual and
thermal comfort.
These will involve the use of low volatile organic compound (VOC) materials,
application of quality air filtration, proper control of air temperature, movement
and humidity.

3.Sustainable Site Planning & Management (SM):

Selecting appropriate sites with planned access to public transportation,

community services, open spaces and landscaping.
Avoiding and conserving environmentally sensitive areas through the
redevelopment of existing sites and brownfields (contaminated land by low
concentrations of hazardous or pollution, and has the potential to be reused
once it is cleaned up).
Implementing proper construction management, storm water management and
reducing the strain on existing infrastructure capacity.
71

4. Materials & Resources (MR):

Promote the use of environment-friendly materials

sourced from sustainable sources and recycling.
Implement proper construction waste management
with storage, collection and re-use of recyclables and
construction formwork and waste.

5. Water Efficiency (WE):

Rainwater harvesting, water recycling and watersaving fittings.

6. Innovation (IN):

Innovative design and initiatives that meet the

objectives of the GBI.

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GBI CATEGORIES

73

GBI SCORES

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GREEN BUILDING INDEX (GBI)

CLASSIFICATION

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2) CONSRUCTABILITY

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Constructability is the capability of a design to be

constructed. (from The Construction Management

Committee, 1991; by Koskela, 1992).
A technique for reviewing construction processes
from start to finish during the design/preconstruction phase.
It will identify obstacles before a project is actually
built to reduce or prevent error, delays, cost
overruns, wastages, etc..
Sustainable construction can be implemented
within constructability with better outcomes.

79

Constructability reviews are easily

managed for projects where the

contractor is selected at early stage.
The preferred contractor is engaged
at the first client briefing stage and is
involved all the way through the
design phases.
The contractor is an integral part of
all design meetings and reviews all
documents,
plans,
drawings,
specifications, tender documents and
procurement schedules.
Further reading:

R. Mohamad Zin et.al., APSEC-ICCER 2012, 2 4 October 2012, 80

Relationship between
Constructability and Sustainability
2 complementary concepts.
Constructability aims to utilise
the
construction
knowledge
and
experience
of
construction
professionals
to
improve
project
performance.
Sustainability
constructability
efficient

use

integrates
of

resources

with
and

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Example Project

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3) VALUE
MANAGEMENT/ENGINEERIN
G (VM/VE)

87

VM

is a systematic and innovative

methodology
with
a
multi-disciplinary
approach targeted to achieve better value of
construction
products
through
decision
making process.
The fundamental VM technique is to eliminate
the unnecessary cost which does not
contribute to the value of the services,
products, systems and that obviously includes
the construction projects.

88

In many cases, the parties involved in the planning and

design development tend to work in silos.

VM provides a very effective tool to integrate this

diverse discipline and parties to work on a common

goals and adopting a very structured methodology.
The adoption of VM may resulting in a sustainable

construction.
Further reading:
Prof. Sr. Dr. Mohd Mazlan Che Mat, Founding President Institute of
Value Management Malaysia (IVMM), Value Management The Way
Forward, 2010.

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WHEN TO APPLY VALUE

MANAGEMENT
VM studies can take place at any stage in the development of a
project.
VM should be performed as early as possible even before the
commitment of funds, approval of systems or design as to maximize
results.

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Matrix Analysis

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EXAMPLE VM EXERCISE
Example:
In

one study on the condominium

development, the designer proposed the
floor to ceiling height of 100. After being
asked what is the purposed and function of
that, they responded that it was for
marketing purposed, which was than
disputed by marketing guys.

The Building Bye-Laws only requires 86 floor to ceiling

height.

However it was then decided to go for

90 in height. The proposed building was
12 storey of 12 blocks. There was a saving
95

REVIOUS PROJECTS USING VM METHODOLOGY

Example:

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4) LEAN
CONSTRCUTION

97

The word lean was defined by Howell (2001)

as Give customers what they want, deliver it

instantly with no waste.
Generally, construction project based on a cyclic
processes. Therefore, the need to identify the
wasteful activities in the processes and to make
special consideration for them is crucial. Then,
compress the cycle time by eliminating nonvalue-adding time (Koskela, 1999).
Cycle time includes process time, inspection
time, waiting time and moving time.
This concept may assist on sustainable
construction objective.
(Further reading: Proceedings IGLC-7, Seventh Conference of the
98
International Group for Lean Construction, University of California,

According to Koskela (1992) and Thomas et

al., (2002), lean construction includes:

practice of

just-in-time (JIT),

Use of pull-driven

scheduling, etc..

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THANK YOU !

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