Sustainable schools guidance published

Target Zero the first project to undertake a detailed comparison of different energy efficiency measures, low or zero carbon technologies and Allowable Solutions to identify the most cost effective means of carbon reduction has published the first of its independent guides.

Commissioned by Corus and the BCSA, Target Zero’s aim is to provide guidance on the design and construction of sustainable, low and zero carbon buildings in the UK.

The first of five guides covers secondary schools, and the research was based on Christ the King Centre for Learning secondary school in Knowsley, Merseyside.

Corus General Manager Alan Todd said: “The work has been undertaken by leading organisations in the field of sustainable construction to provide information and guidance for construction clients and their professional advisors on how to design and construct sustainable secondary school buildings.

“The findings of this guide will  inform those that have been set the zero carbon challenge to turn the aspirations of Government into reality.”

Key findings of the Schools report included:

The likely 2010 Part L compliance target of reducing operational carbon emissions by 25% is achievable using energy efficiency measures.

Operational carbon emission reductions up to 119% of regulated emissions, (96% of total carbon emissions) can be achieved using a package of energy efficiency measures, plus a 50kW wind turbine, 1,300m² photovoltaics, a biomass boiler and 216m² of solar thermal panels.

The study found that no current single on-site low or zero carbon technology could achieve true zero-carbon.

Using structural steelwork for the building frame has a lower embodied carbon impact than an in-situ concrete frame.

No significant difference was found in the thermal mass performance of the heavy-weight concrete frame option compared with the lighter steel framed solution

For further information and a copy of the full report visit www.targetzero.info