Materials Resource Efficiency in Regeneration
Review of outline design pre-demolition audit
Step 3 of 10 in the Materials Resource Efficiency in Regeneration process
- Parties involved:
- Design team
- Workstage:
- Design
CONTENTS
Introduction
At outline design stage, the project team should consider how to incorporate resource efficiency principles within the concept of the building, including identifying and quantifying opportunities for reclaiming and recovering elements of, and materials from, the structures to be demolished. More detailed information is available in Section 9 of "The efficient use of materials in regeneration projects".
Outline design factors
At the outline / conceptual design phase of the project, architects and consultants advising the client should consider the range of available opportunities for achieving resource efficiency objectives and requirements. The following should be taken into account:
- Off Site Construction / modern methods of construction;
- Design Solutions, for example by designing to match standard component sizes;
- Designing for adaptability / deconstruction;
- Specifying sustainable materials and components;
- Specifing products/elements with higher recycled and reclaimed content;
- Considering elements and materials that can be derived from the existing building.
This is considered in more detail in Step 4 of this module, and in Section 9 of "The efficient use of materials in regeneration projects".
Reuse of existing building elements, in particular, needs to be considered early in the design phase. If on site reclamation has limited potential, there are likely to be opportunities for on site recycling. This will generate aggregates that are likely to be needed in the new build.
Pre-qualification information
The pre-qualification process can be used by the client to assess the commitment and capability of contractors with respect to material resource efficiency. Suggested questions concerning material recovery and categories that should be evaluated are available.
Pre-demolition audit
A pre-demolition audit would usually be undertaken during contract bidding or at the start of the demolition phase. The method is the same as that proposed by the ICE Demolition Protocol:
- produce a Bill of Quantities of the different materials in the building to be demolished;
- identify the tonnages of material that can be recovered; and
- determine the percentage of materials recoverable.
This approach is also similar to that adopted in the preparation of Site Waste Management Plans. An example can also be found in Section 9 of "The efficient use of materials in regeneration projects".
Pre-demolition audit as part of the design stage
Undertaking a pre-demolition audit during the design phase is the preferred approach as it can help in maximising the recovery of demolition arisings. The audit would provide:
- data on the potential range and quantities of recovered materials available for the new build, so that the designer can modify the design of the new build to maximise the amount of on site recovered materials; and
- data for inclusion in the tender documents, removing the need for multiple 'pricing audits' to be undertaken by the bidders and enabling the contractors to suggest demolition methods that increase the quantity of recovered materials.
Pre-demolition audit during other stages
If the audit cannot be undertaken during the design phase of the project, the tender documents can incorporate the requirement for indicative KPI targets to be submitted within the bidders' proposal. The indicative KPIs can be used to help evaluate the bid or as part of contract negotiation. Further information on KPIs can be found in Section 5 of "The efficient use of materials in regeneration projects" and in Step 2 of this module.
Timeline
The Proposed pre-demolition audit (1184 kb) ![[pdf]](http://www.wrap.org.uk/display_images/document_icons/pdf.gif){kind=icon}
is an approach applicable both by designers (if the audit is undertaken during the design phase) and by contractors (if the audit takes place before demolition). It is important that enough time is made available to undertake a demolition audit and prepare a plan for material recovery.
Requirements for material recovery should be considered in procurement process for demolition services, as illustrated in Step 1 and Step 2 of this module. Finally, the developer and the demolition contractor should jointly assess and agree requirements, as illustrated in the guidance Demolition: Implementing Best Practice.