Page 13 - Build 153

● The top countries motivated to lower greenhouse gas emissions are the UK (32%), Australia (29%) and Singapore (31%). These are also the top countries naming environmental regulations as an important trigger for green building.
Since economic forces are the most impor- tant drivers for many of the countries surveyed, it is important that the positive nancial and business impacts of green building are demonstrated.
The study did nd that green buildings o er signi cant operational cost savings compared with traditional buildings. Res- pondents expect a 14% saving in operation- al costs with new green buildings and 13% in retro t and renovation projects.
Challenges to green building activity
Eight challenges to increasing green build- ing were named by global respondents, including higher perceived costs, lack of support, lack of market demand and lack of public awareness. The perception that green is only for high-end projects, lack of trained green building professionals and inability to prove business case and access to capital were also challenges.
Among the ndings were that:
● higher perceived initial costs were men-
tioned by 50% of respondents, a reduction from the 76% who considered this the top challenge in 2012
● as the bene ts of green building have become more widely measured, the concern about proving the business case has declined from 32% in 2012 to 25% in 2015.
Most use rating systems
Nineteen di erent green building rating systems are used with 78% of respondents using a rating system.
The top two reasons for using a rating system were to create better-performing buildings and to get a marketing and competitive advantage.
Barriers to using a rating system are that they are too costly or time consuming.
What’s new?
Good Repair Guides
Another 10 BRANZ Good Repair Guides have been added to this popular series on how to repair common problems in New Zealand houses.
‘I am also encouraged by the increasing proportion of townhouses and apartments in Auckland’s growth that will be an important part of the solution to the city’s housing challenges.’ – Dr Nick Smith, Minister for Housing.
‘Due to its location and environment, New Zealand faces many potential disasters. In some cases, such as a weather-related or volcanic disaster, there may be time for a warning. But an earthquake or a tsunami close to land could strike without warning.’ – Dr Wendy Saunders, Natural Hazards Planner with GNS Science.
‘We want a planning system that recognises the consequences for all current and future residents, and for the country – one that coordinates these interests but does not restrict growth.’ – Bill English, Finance Minister.
PACKED WITH NUMEROUS DRAWINGS
and photos, these guides give practical, hands-on advice for dealing with a wide range of repair and/or replacement issues.
Recently released titles are:
● Clay and Concrete Roof Tiles ● Concrete Floors
● Construction Stains
● Hinges
● Leaking Basement Walls
● Overlay Flooring
● Rainwater Storage Systems
● Retrofitting Wall Insulation
● Wall Linings
● Wet Area Sheet Wall Linings. Previously published titles in the series are:
● Aluminium Windows
● Damp Subfloors
● Dealing with Mould
● Driveways and Paths ● External Gutters
● External Timber Steps ● Horizontal Timber
Weatherboards
● Improving Internal
Ventilation
● Insulating Timber Windows ● Interior Painting
● Profiled Metal Roofing
● Repainting Textured Finishes ● Subfloor Timber
● Timber Decking
● Timber Floorboards
● Timber Windows
Details Available for $21 each from the BRANZ Shop at www. branz.co.nz or call 0800 80 80 85.
Safety scheme set to help
WORKSAFE NEW ZEALAND is looking at introducing the Safety Star Rating Scheme as part of the government’s wider strategy to reduce workplace deaths, major accidents and illnesses. Currently, these cost the economy around $3.5 billion a year.
The proposed scheme will be for large and medium size businesses that comprise around 21,000 companies employing 80% of New Zealand’s employees.
It will be a premier product in health and safety standards and assessment to provide businesses with guidance on their strengths and weaknesses and how they can improve.
Some businesses may undergo the proposed rst self-assessment stage of the pilot phase but choose not to progress further. They might not complete the full assessment but will still get value from advice on how to improve their health and safety system.
Build 153 — April/May 2016 — 11
FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH