This document discusses sustainable building design, policy, legislation, and environmental building assessments. It provides an overview of key concepts in green building and sustainable construction, including the importance of material selection and addressing environmental, performance, and cost implications. The document also outlines the development of policies and legislation related to sustainability in both the UK and Malaysia, and discusses various tools for assessing the environmental performance of buildings, including BREEAM, LEED, and the Green Building Index.

1. Tantish Kamaruddin
Quantity Surveying Department
Faculty of Built Environment
UTM, Skudai
Sustainable Building Design,
Policy & Legislation

2. The key in creating a high performance
green building lies in the ability of the
design team to understand and apply the
concept of ‘ecological’ or ‘green design’.
Designers must use their best judgment in
making decisions in material and product
sseelleeccttiioonnss..
The implications to environment,
performance, cost criteria must be well
addressed in the selection process.

3. Policy legislation
Significant changes in attitudes towards the
environmental and social impact of construction
have been taking place in recent years.
Pressures on the industry involving the three
strand of sustainability-economics, ssoocciiaall eeqquuiittyy
and environmental enhancement-have led to
activity in development of appropriate policies
throughout the sector, and to more stringent
legislation.

4. Policy Integration
The holistic nature of the sustainable construction agenda and the fact
that the built environment affects the quality of our lives.
So, the built environment has the potential to be a focus for a wide range
of policy.
Policy on architectural quality, planning and community participation,
pollution prevention, biodiversity and animal habitats, ttrraannssppoorrtt
infrastructure, the relationship between town and rural area, health at
home, crime in communities, energy use and generation, and developing
appropriate new jobs and skills are all intrinsically connected to the
environments in which we live and work.
The integrative aspects are increasingly apparent and interesting, and the
development of overarching indicators of sustainable development have
much to do with the quality of construction per se.(Halliday, 2008)

5. Examples of Case Study No: 1 of Legislation Enforcement in Municipal
Building Department, Tübingen (South Germany)
When the city of Tübingen decided to undertake the
development of a derelict French barracks into a new city
quarter in the 1990s, they developed a number of
innovative strategies for procurement and for
environmental protection.
Rather than selling the land to a developer, they determined
to set the guidelines and to oversee the development
themselves.
In this way, they have been able to maintain control and to
recycle the profits into the infrastructure, including
transport and landscape.
They decided to go beyond the regulatory framework in
setting environmental guidelines for the development.
Next slide is the contractual agreement that forms the basis
for environmental protection.

6. No. Item Description
1. Protection of Wood On principle the use of wood preserver is not allowed. If the
construction necessitates wood preserver (see examples in DIN 68 800
Part 3, April 1990), the following products are allowed: inside the
building only pure boris salt products and outsides the building beech
distillates or CKB salts (chromate/potassium/boric acid).
2. Paint, Varnish, Adhesives (for
carpets, coverings, etc.)
Only non-solvent materials signed with RAL-UZ 12 (Blue Angel,
Environmental Label No.12) are allowed.
3. Halogen-free materials Exceptions are admitted in the field of electric cables as well as tubes
for the sewage system. In the last case, the tender must include the
following sentence: ‘The contractor is committed to recycle PVC waste
from the building site separately.’
4. Materials containing CFCs The use of materials containing totally halogenated
chlorofluorocarbons (for example, R11 and R12) is nnoott ppeerrmmiitttteedd.. TThhee
use of partly halogenated chlorofluorocarbons is exceptionally not
allowed, but reasons must be given for each individual case.
5. Tropical Timber The use of tropical timber is not allowed.
6. Mineral Fibrous Insulating
Material
Only mineral fibrous insulating material with carcinogenic index lower
than 40 is allowed. (Carcinogenic index in the meaning of technical
guideline for hazardous materials 905).
7. Resolution of the City Council
to the use of grey water
8. Resolution of the City Council to
the low-energy standard
9. Consideration of the accident
prevention regulations

7. Regarding compliance with the conditions
(as in previous slide) for environmental
protection. The architect/engineer
commits:
1. To include the before said regulations
in planning and tendering, and
2. Guarantee the compliance of the
before said regulations in the
submission as well as in the project
monitoring.
Note:
Sometimes the architect or engineer may
think that it is unavoidable to use a
material not in accordance to No.1-5. In
this case, the deviation must be explained
in detail and the municipality must agree
before tendering. The valid alternatives
must be nominated precisely in the tender.

8. House of Parliament-Thermal Imaging

9. White House Thermal Imaging

10. Downing Street Thermal Imaging

11. THERMOGRAPHIC SURVEY ANALYSIS
With projects ranging from single domestic dwellings to large-scale commercial developments,
thermographic surveys provide rapid analysis and quantification of infrared images to identify
energy inefficiencies and property defects regardless of the severity.
Speed and cost effectiveness are the cornerstones of every IRT Surveys thermographic survey.
While it only takes seconds to capture a thermal image of a property, we have also invested in
cutting edge analysis tools to ensure we can quickly produce detailed property reports that
allow for efficient planning of future refurbishment programs. Typically, one full day on site
equates to just two full analysis days.
While the reports are being prepared, an interactive model and can be uploaded ttoo tthhee IIRRTT
Carbon Dashboard website. Clients can then use this model to simulate different changes free of
charge online and download carbon diet plans with clear recommendations and likely potential
savings.
Experienced thermographers can provide you with impartial advice based solely on your
building or property stock’s current performance as shown by thermal imaging, construction
and energy data.
This has helped to establish effective roadmaps for achieving their goals, which tend to include:
improved performance
compliance with legislative requirements
reduced carbon footprint
securement of funding for energy efficiency measures

12. Thermographic Camera

13. QUANTIFY ENERGY LOSS
Patented ‘Envision’ software enables thermal images to be quantified for energy loss.
Over 150,000 properties worldwide have been assessed with Envision and each
thermographic survey includes a breakdown of where energy is being lost and the areas
where potential savings can be made.
IRT Surveys has raised the bar in energy assessments by offering a highly visual and numeric
energy audit process that reduces guesswork and speculation and does not require a technical
understanding to interpret.
Rather than simply pointing out your problem areas, our reports show you the predicted
potential savings from changes to draft proofing, lighting, insulation and bbooiilleerr uuppggrraaddeess
would yield in future years with absolutely no vested interest in any product or service.
Instead, our reports are based purely on the information from the thermal image, energy and
SAP/SBEM data of your property’s current performance, with clarity and impartiality at the
core of IRT’s service.
With reports compiled from our head office in Dundee, our experience and state-of-the-art
technology ensures an extremely quick turnaround for projects of all sizes, particularly when
compared with more traditional surveying and analysis techniques.

14. Comparison of insulated Un-
Insulated Premise

15. Development of UK Policy for sustainable
development
1990
The UK Government formally set out its environmental aims in the White Paper
This Common Inheritance. It suggested 4 principles of sustainability:
1. Decisions should be based on the best scientific information and aannaallyyssiiss ooff rriisskkss..
2. Where there is uncertainty and potentially serious risks exist, precautionary
action may be necessary.
3. Ecological impacts must be considered, particularly where resources are non-renewable
or effects may be irreversible.
4. Cost implications should be brought home diretly to the people responsible-
”polluters pays”.

16. 1994
The UK Strategy was published subsequent to the 1992 Rio de Janeiro UN
Conference on the Environment and Development. It identified a number
of sectors of the economy that are significant to sustainable development.
Amongst these were:
Minerals extraction
Energy
Transport
Manufacturing and services
Development and construction
Waste

17. 1999- A Better Quality of Life- A Strategy for
Sustainable Development in the UK
After extensive consultation, through “Sustainable
Development:Opportunities for Change”, the UK government published the
policy paper A Better Quality of Life- A Strategy for Sustainable
Development in the UK. This emphasised that one of the fundamental
principles of sustainable development is that it is a process with economic,
social and ethical, as well as environmental dimensions. TThhee ppuubblliiccaattiioonn
was reviewed and a progress report published in 2002.
Four tenets of sustainable development were included in the consultation
paper that led to A Better Quality of Life:
1. Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone.
2. Effective protection of the environment.
3. Prudent use of natural resources.
4. Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.

18. April 2000- For sustainable construction- Building a Better
Quality of Life: A strategy for more sustainable construction
in the UK
Five further consultation paper were issued
covering issues that the government felt they
needed to consult on in greater depth due to
the effect that they have on society and
environment: business, tourism, forestry,
biodiversity and construction. It highlighted the
priorities from sustainable development
review of particular relevance to construction,
The policy paper indicates that a sustainable
construction approaches involves the following
actions:
Delivering buildings and structures that
provides greater satisfaction, well-being
and value to customers and users
Respecting and treating its stakeholders
more fairly
including:
More investment in people and
equipment for a competitive economy
Achieving higher growth whilst reducing
pollution and use of resources
Sharing benefits of growth more widely
and more fairly
Improving our towns and cities, and
protecting the quality of the countryside
Contributing to sustainable development
internationally
Enhancing and better protecting the
natural environment
Minimising its impact on the consumption
of energy (especially carbon based energy)
and natural resources
Being more profitable and more
competitive

19. Achieving Sustainability in Construction
Procurement- June 2000
Published by The UK Govt Construction Client's Panel.
The panel comprised representatives of Defense Estates; The Dept for
Education and Employment; the Dept for Food; Environment and Rural
Affairs; the Dept of Transport; Local Govt and the Regions; the Dept of
Trade and Industry; English Heritage; Environment Agency; Health
Safety Exec; Highway Agency; NHS Estates; Office of Govt Commerce; and
tthhee PPrriissoonn SSeerrvviiccee..
The plan sets out how govt client of construction will take forward the
sustainable development agenda through better procurement of new
works, maintenance and refurbishment.
the plan is changing the way that govt procures construction, leading to
the purchase of better built deveopment.
An example of the target set down is that March 2003, all new projects
should achieve an excellent rating under BREEAM or equivalent.
And.....they didn't.

20. Malaysia context of the legislation
CIDB has introduced Construction Industry Master Plan (CIMP
2006-2015) with 7 Strategic Thrust as follows:
1 Integrate the construction industry value chain to enhance productivity
efficiency.
2 Strengthen the construction industry image.
3 Strive for the highest standard of quality, occupational safety and health,
and environmental pprraaccttiicceess..
4 Develop human resource capabilities and capacities in the construction
industry.
5 Innovate through research and development and adapt new construction
methods.
6 Leverage on information and communication technology in the
construction industry.
7 Benefit from globalisation including the export of construction products
and services.

21. Critical success factors towards the achievement of
the strategic thrust of CIMP 2006-2015
Critical Success Factors Description
Productivity Continuous improvement throughout the value chain from inception to
operation and facility management.
Quality Emphasis on quality in the use of manpower, materials, equipment, and the
methods adopted.
Human Resources Creation of competent construction workforce through skill upgrading and
knowledge enhancement.
Knowledge Sharing the best practices to upgrade the level of knowledge of the
construction community.
Innovation Continuous RD is vital to introduce new and creative methods, materials and
tooling, and equipment.
Environmental Friendly Practices Sustainable practices are critical for the well-being of future generations. Very
few industries have a significant effect on the environment as that of the
construction industry. As such, the industry must be conscious of its impact on
the environment and to take special precaution to ensure it harmonises with
the environment for the sake of future generations.
Industry Sustainability Generating new opportunities both in the domestic and overseas markets.
Professionalism Enhancement of professionalism is vital to the improvement of the industry
image.

22. Environmental Building Assessment
However, existing environmental building assessment methods have
their own limitation which reduced its effectiveness and usefulness.
There is a requirement for greater communication, interaction and
recognition between design team and construction industry players
in promoting the building assessment methods. The inflexibility,
complexity and lack of consideration of a weighting system are still a
major obstacle in accepting these methods. As for performance
assessments, instead of grouping it under global heading, it should be
addressed according to its’ player and area. This is aa bbeelliieeff bbeeccaauussee
that the problems faced by a group might not be the same as the
others influencing by the demographic, climate or situational factors.
(Ding, 2008)

23. Assessment tools for
sustainable construction and
green buildings
Currently, building performance
assessment methods have been globally
established, (Ding, 2008)

24. Green Building Index (GBI)
GBI was produced and
published by PAM in
2006.
GBI is an assessment
tool tthhaatt wwaass ttaaiilloorreedd
to Malaysian context
from LEED, US.