NZ Whole Building Whole of Life Framework research – request for information/data
BRANZ has been engaged in work to develop the NZ Whole Building Whole of Life Framework, which aims to facilitate use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a tool for calculating environmental impacts of buildings. As part of this research, BRANZ has developed a number of (currently draft) “Scenario” spreadsheets which aim to provide generic information and data to inform LCAs of buildings, help fill data gaps, provide a basis for testing significance of stages of the building life cycle, and facilitate a more consistent approach to LCA of buildings in NZ.
LCA is a technique for calculating environmental impacts and is enshrined in International standards.
There are 5 spreadsheets in total, covering different stages of the life cycle of buildings. The spreadsheets are as follows:
- NZ WBWLF – Module A4 transport to construction site v0.4.xlsx – provides generic transport distances from the last point of manufacture/assembly/fabrication to a construction site in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.
- NZ WBWLF – Module A5 construction site waste v0.3.xlsx – generation of wastes on construction sites, and end of life routes.
- NZ WBWLF – Module B building lifetime (office) v0.1.xlsx – office building lifetime.
- NZ WBWLF – Module B2 maintain and B4 replace v0.2.xlsx – maintenance by constructed system/material and replacement of constructed systems/materials (assuming maintenance is carried out) during the lifetime of a building.
- NZ WBWLF – Module C demolition & deconstruction waste v0.3.xlsx – “typical” and “best practice” end of life routes for materials at building end of life.
The information provided in these spreadsheets is largely based on publicly available information, where found, and judgement. Having developed these to this point and whilst still going through some internal checks, BRANZ is now seeking wider input, in particular information and data that can help to improve them. I am sending you this email as you have been involved with this project (e.g. as an Industry Interest Group member), have expressed interest in the research in the past, or have been suggested as someone who may be interested in and have information to help inform this work further.
All the above draft spreadsheets are available in Dropbox which can be accessed using the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/feb7npitsd2hyc5/AADwFrybLqOmAH18xC4zMQi7a?dl=0
If you are interested in having a look at any of the spreadsheets and contributing information, please click on the Dropbox link above and then:
- Download the spreadsheet or spreadsheets that are of interest to you.
- Open up the spreadsheet and read the “How to Use” information (yellow tab), which will explain how to navigate around the spreadsheet and interpret the information provided.
- Provide any information and/or data, with supporting documentation where possible, to david.dowdell@branz.co.nz stating clearly in your email the specific data within the spreadsheet or spreadsheets on which you are providing information/data/input.
I have also provided an unfinished draft Study Report in Dropbox which provides further information about the process used to complete the content of the spreadsheets. This is provided if you would like to know how they have been developed.
I would be grateful for any information and/or data you can provide by no later than end of business on 7th August 2015 please, after which we will review and update the spreadsheets. Please also feel free to forward this request onto others who you think would be interested in providing information and data. The intention is that final versions of the spreadsheets will become available on the BRANZ website as one of the outputs of the NZ Whole Building Whole of Life Framework research.
Thank you in advance for any information or data that you can provide that will help us to improve the contents of these spreadsheets.