Wednesday 10 February 2010

new training room - an eco build project

We have built a new training room in the centre. As this is first chance we have had to build something from scratch since we have implemented our environmental policy we have spent quite a lot of time and effort in sourcing suitable environmentally friendly methods to do the build.

This is a breakdown of the features of the new room:

• We have opted for timber instead of steel for the supporting structure and staircase. All timber is FSC. No MDF.
• Plasterboard containing recycled gypsum was sourced although we couldn't get 100% recycled. • Insulation: We reviewed several types of natural insulation including wool, hemp, recycled newspaper but we settled on Steicoflex which is made from wood fibre (FSC).
• We used non-PVC wiring.
• We have fitted an under floor heating system because it will work well with low energy heating systems like ground source heat pumps. This is a low temp water system. Pipes are PEXpipe (cross linked polyehtelene with oxygen barrier), manifold and pump by IPPEC Ltd. http://www.ippec.co.uk/
• In terms of waste the main commitment has been using a skip company that recycles 99% of building waste although some off cuts of timber have gone to staff and customers as fuel for wood burning stoves.
• Carpet: reclaimed carpet tiles from Fuller Gray Carpets http://www.fullergraycarpettiles.com/
• Paint:
Walls: ECOS solvent free environmentally friendly paint http://www.ecospaints.com/
Woodwork: reuse of otherwise wasted paint from existing stores.
• Lights: 2 LED panels by SMD 600 x 600 panel. Power 33W colour 5500K
• GU10 fittings with LED bulbs: Trialled Exergi 4W cool white, this was too cool so we have ordered an equivalent 4 W warm white from Excled- It also has 3 Cree LEDs
• Natural Ventilation system with stack effect.
• Re used old doors.
• Used old sink and fittings for the pantry.
• We are using natural lino for the pantry floor.

Eco-Cube


We have popped a small blue cube into each of the urinals.


Besides giving our male climbers something to aim for, these small blue cubes allow us to operate water free urinals. This saves us 648 litres per day, which is a staggering 235,425 litres per year.


How can a small blue cube make this happen? It is made up of pro-biotic microbes which compete with nasty bacteria for food and effectively starve them out. So, that makes us guilty of bacteriocide as we kill of zillions of the little blighters. Well, we did that before with the use of chemicals. We now use no chemicals in the cleaning process.


Water and chemical free.


It is a large change with very little outlay or effort.