Evaluation on selection process of pollutant emitting building materials

• Main Author: Zhuang, Junchun
• Other Authors: Chuang Poon Hwei
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/78372
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Many building materials emit pollutants such as Volatile Organic Compound which affect health and well-being. This report identifies these materials and presents the implications they have on indoor air quality. Wood-based products, flooring materials and adhesives and sealants are materials that are identified in this report to be sources of pollutants. The pollutants suspended can worsen indoor air quality which directly and adversely affects the occupants’ health and behaviour. These effects are considered Sick Building Syndromes and have a direct relation to the occupants’ work productivity. Organisations across the world have considered the effects of the emission of harmful substances and have introduced Green Rating Systems to guide project teams to achieve a healthier building. An analysis of three Green Rating Systems is carried out to determine its effectiveness on decision of selecting low emission building materials. The Building Construction Authority Green Mark rating system, Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating systems are the three rating systems analysed in this report. The report presents the criteria and requirements regarding building materials that emitting pollutants for each rating system. A comparison on the weightage of the relevant points available in each rating system is carried out and the criteria are evaluated on its effectiveness. A flowchart is developed to identify the problems when selecting pollutant emitting building materials. The flowchart identifies the undesirable decisions a project team can make which lead to the undesirable outcome. The undesirable decision is for builders in a project, regardless of Green Mark or non-Green Mark, to not use low emission building materials. This can lead to the undesirable outcome of having more sources of pollutants which affects the Indoor Air Quality. There are three proposed solutions to prevent the undesirable decisions and outcome. The proposed solutions in the report aims to encourage the use of low pollutants emitting building materials and reduce risk of poor indoor air quality leading to a healthier environment. The first solution proposed is to have Mandatory National Standards and Regulations on pollutants emitting building materials. The second solution aims to improve the Green Rating System so project teams are motivated to use low emitting building materials to achieve the Green Rating Award. The last solution is to have the Green Building Council to Engage Contractors and Project Teams to heighten awareness through education and encourage the sharing of knowledge on the issue of pollutants emitting building materials.