Integrating Building Performance Optimization

Question: Discuss about the Integrating Building Performance Optimization. Answer: Introduction An important aspect of modern architecture, total building performance evaluates the impact of a buildings environment on its inhabitants(Oyedele, et al. 2011). This is a proactive approach in that it includes the preventative design in addition to the analyzing, identifying and rectifying all potential problems in the building environment. The safety of the building is the determinant of its inhabitability ad a fundamental dimension fr evaluating the building quality (Yau, Daniel and Chau 2008). Of particular concern is the air circulation in modern buildings which rely on excessive air conditioning during periods of occupancy. Evaluating Critcalbuilding Performance While building performance and its evaluation is a much debated topic, here remains much ambiguity in its evaluation process. The need for a standardized set of protocols to analyze the total building perform acre is essential for architects as well as builders to verify if abuilding is able to meet the expected standards in building performance(Attia et al. 2013).Building failures, particularly in areas with a dense population can lead to consequences that are catastrophic in nature due to the potential for significant loss of life and property (Yau, Daniel and Chau 2008). Furthermore, it is observed that there exist many voids in this critical area of building performanceevaluation(Attia et al. 2013). While there have been several collective efforts for developing a standard definition of building performance by agencies like NBS(National Bureau of Standards), ISO (International StandardsOrganization) , and OB ( the Centre International de Batiment) ; there are still several areas that demand a comprehensive solution that continue to remain vague. Optimum building management is therefore essential for all buildings that are being considered for human occupancy (Yau, Daniel and Chau 2008). The development of a comprehensive and manageable list of performance criteria mandatory for building environment have been identified as visual quality, thermal quality, spatial quality , air quality, acoustic quality and most importantly building integrity over the long term. Building Status Indicators A building-in-use needs to be evaluated on the basis of a total functional value within the economicframework as opposed to the traditional building-as-an-object approach which tends to rely more on the limited value implied by the proposed support class. Evaluating the critical economic value would depend on the building performance principles, particularly, the build systems and its sub systems; testingmechanism as well as techniques and methods used to measure the performance of the building; and the materials used in the construction as well as their quality(Attia et al. 2013).. The diagnostic tools which are used for the assessment and measurement of building performance need to be in keeping with the law and regulations of the country Guidelines For Collecting Evidence Of Building Status The monitoring of building status is an ongoing process that needs to be completed on a regular basis to ensure the health and safety of its inhabitants(Attia et al. 2013).The stakeholder must be informed of this practice in advanced. The feedback collected must be tabulated and evaluated to help determine the health of the building. It would be a better practice to ensure that activity iscentralized as it is hoped that thiswill help avoid further issues in the mater (Adachi, 2007). Complaints from all parties with an interest in the buildingwork, including Building Control bodies as well as other statutory bodies needs to be addressed on priority. The root cause of these complaints needsto be identified and suitable measures to meet its needs to be adopted on a war footing(Adamu, Price and Cook, 2012), (Adachi, 2007). All building work, be it new or in the realms of renovation; must be necessarily evaluated from the planning stage to the completion stage to help ensure that the standards are met and maintained throughout the building process (Adachi, 2007). . Compliance with building regulations must be met and all such certificates must be safely kept for future references (Adachi, 2007). Key performance indicators include policy, resources, consultation, assessment of plans, site inspection, certificates at completion and archiving of records. This is followed by continuing professional development, performance and management systems review, adherence to business ethics and a predefined complaints procedure Thus, building control performance indicators are: Adoption of best practices in process management of building controls compliance operations Having well defied complaints handling processes A proper breakdown of building control work Building control staff who have the requisite skills, , meet the gender and age profile, have specialist experience and exhibit a respect for people Potential Sources Of Indoor Air Problems The list of potential sources of indoor sir problems begins from the building material used in construction and includes fumes wood stoves, lead based paints, heating devices and so on. The possible list includes, asbestos, building materials including lead based paints, particle boards and other constructionmaterials; Radon; biological agents; smoke from the use of wood stoves and fire places , consumption of tobacco products like cigarettes, pipes, cigars and so on, gas range(s), heating devices (Agency for Toxic Substanace and Disease Registry 2015)and even certain disinfectants and pesticides. Insufficient, improper or even lack of air circulation is yet another area of concern. Possible Solutions For Commercial Rental Properties Total building performanceneeds to be addressed using diagnostic tools assessing and measuring the performance and ensuring that they are in line with key performance indicators. Improving air quality in all places that are either occupies or being considered for human occupation is important in keeping with the requirements for building performanceevaluation(Cao et al. 2014). Possiblesolutions include: Proper ventilation to allow circulation of air(Adamu, Price and Cook, 2012) Clean conditions of building surfaces and mechanical equipment in keeping with present standards. Significant sources of emission are identified and isolated as much as possible Prominent sources of biological and chemical contamination are identifies and isolated Airborne contaminants from construction, operations and maintenance activities are planned to minimize expose of local human inhabitants(Adamu, Price and Cook, 2012). Adoption of these measures would play a significant role in assuring that the building performance is within the accepted standards. Many of these measures gains prominence for older buildings due to the nature of hazardous materials used in construction(Adamu, Price and Cook, 2012), which havesubsequently been listed as dangerous for human beings. References Adachi, T. (2007). Impact of cascading failures on performance assessment of civil infrastructure systems.Georgia Institute of technology. Adamu, Z., Price, A. and Cook, M. (2012). Performance evaluation of natural ventilation strategies for hospital wards A case study of Great Ormond Street Hospital. Building and Environment, 56, pp.211-222. Agency for Toxic Substanace and Disease Registry.(2015, June 05).Taking an Exposure History: What Are Possible Sources of Indoor Air Pollution?. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=33po=7 (accessed September 14, 2016). Attia, S., Hamdy, M., OBrien, W. and Carlucci, S.,(2013). "Assessing Gaps and Needs for Integrating Building Performance Optimization Tools in Net Zero Energy Buildings Design". Energy and Buildings 60: 110-124. Cao, G., Awbi, H., Yao, R., Fan, Y., Sirn, K., Kosonen, R. and Zhang, J., (2014). "A Review of the Performance Of Different Ventilation And Airflow Distribution Systems In Buildings". Building and Environment 73: 171-186. Oyedele, L. O., Tham, K.W., Fadeyi,M.O., and Jaiyeoba, B.E., (2011). "Total Building Performance Approach in Building Evaluation: Case Study of an Office Building in Singapore." American Society of Civil Engineers: online. Yau, Y., Ho, D. and Chau, K.,(2008). "Determinants of the Safety Performance of Private Multi-storey Residential Buildings in Hong Kong." Social Indicators Research 89: 501-521.