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MAIN TYPES AND KEY FUNCTIONS OF GREEN ROOFS
Green roofs are essentially a growing medium and vegetation surface applied to a waterproofing layer of a suitable conventional roof build-up. Generally speaking, there are three main types of green roofs: intensive, semi-intensive and extensive (including biodiverse). These definitions denote the amount of input required in terms of irrigation, nutrients and maintenance to keep the green roof flourishing.
Intensive green roofs, therefore, tend to be well manicured and need significant input, whereas extensive roofs need only minimal input.
WATER AND SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE
In countries such as Austria, Switzerland and Germany, green roofs are recognised as a significant source-control component,contributing to storm water management and pollution control. For example, in many German cities businesses receive a rebate in their storm water charges if they have a green roof
Green roofs not only store water at roof level, but also reduce the run-off rate from the roof, which in turn reduces the underground drainage requirements. It is also possible to use or harvest rainfall from a green roof, although the amount of rainwater that can be used may be reduced depending on the type of green roof implemented. Water can also appear discoloured at first, though there are established methods of dealing with this discolouration
THERMAL PERFORMANCE
Green roofs also significantly enhance the thermal performance and comfort of buildings, particularly in terms of summer cooling. Studies in North America have shown that an average of 4.15kWhr/m2 can be saved during the summer months. This impressive performance can also reduce the need for expensive air conditioning equipment and associated energy costs. A prime example of this is a small London café – Paradise Park – where it was calculated that no air conditioning units were needed for the offices beneath a green roof, providing an annual saving of 3,800kWhrs per year and significant financial savings as a result.
Green roofs do provide some additional insulation; however, this varies year-on-year depending on how dry or wet a given winter is. In Germany though, recent studies have shown that a 100mm green roof system can lead to savings of between 2-6kW/ m2 per year on winter energy bills. This variance is dependent on the amount of rainfall throughout the winter in any given year
BIODIVERSITY
Any green space will provide intrinsic value to biodiversity and, as such, increasing biodiversity has been a key driver for green roofs in parts of the UK, especially London and Sheffield. To achieve optimum biodiversity there is a need to look at the type of green roof build-up (the substrates) and vegetation or flowers to be used. Research in both Switzerland and the UK has demonstrated that using various substrate depths and planting with sedums and herbs can increase the benefit of green roofs to rare invertebrate populations. What is more, the use of semi-intensive and intensive green roofs can provide an array of advantages for many common – and in some cases rare – species within the national, regional and local biodiversity action plans. Greater substrate depths will also aid storm water management and the building’s thermal performance
SOUND INSULATION
A further advantage of green roofs is that they provide superior sound insulation compared to more traditional roof coverings. While there is no research in the UK or Europe at present to support this, recent studies in North America demonstrate the increased sound insulation they offer and, therefore, the decreased need for sound insulation or soundproofing on ceilings to reduce the amount of sound penetrating a building. With soundproofing an increasingly important design consideration in a school’s construction, as well as a key stipulation in the DCSF’s guidance document ‘Standard Specifications, Layouts and Dimensions’ (SSLD document five), this is clearly a major advantage
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Ensuring safe access to the roof, as well as safety whilst on it, are also key issues that need to be addressed at design stage. In particular, consideration should be given to which areas of the roof need to be accessed by students and teachers and where the green roof is situated in relation to other surrounding roof areas. Other considerations will be dictated by the age of the students accessing the roof. However, by meeting these health and safety requirements, schools often find a green roof brings unexpected health and safety benefits – for example, a reduction in insurance costs for field trips together with a reduction in associated parental-approval paperwork.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF GREEN ROOFS
Other key benefits occur when green roofs are applied to waterproofing, providing protection from frost, UV light and other climatic factors, and thus increasing the life of a building’s membranes. The provision of appropriately designed landscape at roof level can also create valuable amenity areas within buildings, providing space for outdoor classrooms and other educational activities – a benefit that is largely ignored at present.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER
WHAT IS A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER?
The title Construction Project Manager is used to define any supervisory level managers who supervising construction projects. He may also be called as construction superintendent, general construction manager, executive construction manager, constructor or even contractor or sub-contractor. He could be a salaried employee of a construction company or engaged to manage a particular construction project.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
The construction project manager has to be involved in the project from the beginning through to its completion. By employing his knowledge and expertise in terms of the efficient use of required resources, he has to ensure the achievement of predetermined objectives of cost, time, and quality. To make sure of these objectives, he has to decide which construction methods are appropriate for cost effective scheduling. He has to discuss architectural and engineering drawings with design engineers to effectively plan and harmonize every facet of the project. This may include preparation and use of complicated flow charts and bar charts, and various graphs for data representation. Nowadays, project managers use computers to analyze, conceptualize and implement plans and designs.
Project Manager is in charge of Construction project management. His qualification is construction management or civil engineering or construction science. He has to ensure that the entire project is completed on time, without exceeding budgetary limits. It is a high pressure job. The manager has complete control and is responsible for everything related to the construction project.The construction project manager has to plan a logical, phase wise implementation of the project, assigning predetermined timeframes for the completion of each phase. He has to take all measures to see that the time frame is adhered to.
These days, there is a great demand for people with a good academic foundation in the field of construction management. Employers generally prefer a degree in construction science, with special focus on the management aspect. It is a four-year degree course offered by over 120 colleges in the country.
Coursework for a degree in construction science is very comprehensive. Some of the subjects covered would be engineering and architectural sciences, mathematics, statistics, computer science, project control and development, site planning, building design, construction methods, construction materials, value analysis, cost estimating, contract administration, building codes and standards and inspection procedures.
The American Institute of Constructors (AIC) and the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) also give certification after written examinations and verification of education. The AIC awards the Associate Constructor (AC) and Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) designations and the CMAA awards the Certified Construction Manager (CMM) designation.
REALLY BRIGHT CAREER PROSPECTS
There are bright career prospects for a professionally qualified construction project manager. Practical work experience is of vital importance before a position of independent functioning will be offered. A few years experience at a junior-grade position on construction projects is a prerequisite required by most employers. The position would fetch a handsome salary package and commands a respectable position in society.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers conducted a salary survey in July 2010 and found that candidates with a degree in construction management got an average annual salary figure of $62,923.
USEFUL TIPS ON DETECTING AND REPAIRING COMMON LEAKS AT HOME
The home is full of the potential for leaks – this is especially true for older homes where pipes are worn and aged. These tips will help you detect the leaks in question and also deal with them.
Leaking Faucets
In most cases, leaking faucets are due to a worn out rubber washer. A sink’s rubber washer is often situated underneath the handle. Given the right tools, these can be replaced with relative ease. However, you must shut off the water under the sink or in some cases, the main shut off valve. Of course, you should remove the handle as well. Take note that faucet handles are different from shutoff valves. Once you find the particular problem using water leak detection equipment you can visit your local hardware store or home centre to get tips on how to repair your faucet leaks.
Leaking Toilets
You may not realize it, but toilet leaks can waste several hundred gallons of water each year. Even a minor leak can cause huge volumes of wasted water. Not to mention, it also wastes your money. Thankfully, most toilet leaks can be repaired in an easy and inexpensive manner.
In order to determine whether you have a toilet leak, just remove the tank lid and add a few drops of food colouring in the back of the tank. If there’s no food colouring in your kitchen, then you can just use dye tabs which you can buy from any hardware store. After about 30 minutes, take a look at the toilet bowl and check whether there’s any colour in the water. Do this without flushing. If the water remains clear, then there’s no leak. Otherwise, you have a toilet leak problem which must be repaired as soon as possible.
Most toilet leaks only call for a replacement of the toilet flapper or the filling mechanism. You can purchase these parts from any hardware stores, and the price hovers around 8 bucks each.
Flapper Valve Leaks
The most common cause for a toilet leak is when the flapper doesn’t function properly. This is the rubber valve found at the bottom of the tank which goes up every time the toiled is flushed. A worn out or cracked flappers allows water to flow nonstop from the tank and into the bowl even without flushing the toilet.
Flush Handle Problems
If the flush handle must be jiggled to prevent the toilet from running, then there’s a chance that the flush level bar and chain might be sticking. This can be solved by adjusting the nut that secures the bar and chain inside the tank. If the problem persists, it’s time to replace the flush handle.
Overflow Tube Leaks
The water level, ideally, must be set in a way that it’s even with the fill line found on the back of the tank, about half an inch below the overflow tube. A water level that’s too high and spills into the overflow tube must be adjusted, which can be achieved by turning the adjustment screw or bending the float arm down a bit to enable the water to shut off at the ideal level.
If these DIY repair tips do not work, don’t hesitate to call in a professional plumber to repair the toilet leak or replace broken parts.
