Part 1: Architect’s Guide 1 - 62 Services (fluids, ducts, etc) are generally placed in the ceiling void. The maintenance and the possible reconfiguration of the services are then facilitated, especially in the presence of cellular beams. This flexibility allows the different levels to be completely refitted. At the end of life, the demolition consists of a clean dismantling, for a complete recovery of materials. Re-use of steel profiles In Western Europe, a study has shown that about 11% of profiles in the construction sector are directly reused after demolition, without remoulding (ECSC Report ‘LCA for steel construction’. Document RT913. July 2002. Steel Construction Institute). Creating a safe and comfortable internal space All combinations of wall components can be accommodated. Steel solutions in combination with additional products contribute to the excellent sound insulation through the ‘mass-spring-mass’ principle. For thermal comfort, steel allows the design of ‘evolved’ façades, adapted to the various climatic conditions: - Double-skin façades, implementation of a layer of ventilated air, - Fixed or mobile solar control mechanisms Integration of alternative technologies on steel buildings Alternative Energy Technologies (AET) are integrated into building design for a wide range of reasons but typically the primary motivators are green aspirations and planning restraints such as ‘Grenelle’, which will require a certain percentage of a building’s energy consumption to be provided by additional benefits from using AET, including renewable energy. AET provide environmental benefits over the use of standard energy supply. Moreover, they have a very low impact on steel buildings. The main concerns for AETs implantation are: - Plant Room: The location of the plant room and spatial restrictions can impact on the viability of specific technologies - Shading: the shape of the new building may restrict the location of solar PV panels. - Roof Orientation: The orientation and the shape of the roof can be a limitation on energy output, for either solar hot water collectors or photovoltaic panels. - Reliability: If an unproven technology is used then it may not be reliable and so the desired carbon savings cannot be made.
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