1.Review health & safety regulations and legislation associated with the storage, handling and use of materials on a construction site

(EA1p, ET1p, ET5p, ET6p, EP2p, EP5p, EP6p)

Enquiry, Learning, Reflection


2.Discuss the environmental and sustainability factors which can impact and influence the material choices for a construction project

(SM3p, EA1p, EA4p, D2p, D6p, ET1p, ET3p, ET4p, EP2p, Ep6p, EP7p,GSb)

Knowledge and Understanding, Learning, Analysis, Application, Communication


3.Present material choices for a given building using performance properties, experimental data, sustainability, and environmental consideration

(SM3p, EA2p, EA3p, D1p, D2p, D5p, D6p, ET1p, ET3p,ET4p, EP1p, EP2p, EP4p, EP7p, GSa)

Analysis Application, Communication


4.Evaluate the performance of a given building in respect of its human comfort requirements

(SM3p, EA1p, EA4p, D4p, D6p, EP1p)

Analysis Application, Enquiry, Communication, problem solving, Reflection

Specific assessments will be contextualised to reflect the context of relevant practical workplace or employer delivery

Written (LO1,3):
In this assessment, students will explain how regulations impact on the use, storage and handling of a selection of vocationally typical construction materials. They will assess how risk assessments can be used to address significant hazards posed by selected materials or activities, and discuss how multiple regulations and legislation would apply to a given site activity, highlighting how to plan and manage for safe handling and use. Students will select construction materials for a given building based upon their performance properties in use and illustrate how the use of sustainable practices and considerations for material choice can improve the environmental rating of the completed building.
Presentation (LO2, LO3, LO4):
For this assessment, students will prepare and present the results of relevant testing procedures to identify performance characteristics of selected construction materials. They will discuss the results in terms of the material properties and regulatory requirements, highlighting any unexpected results and why these may occur. Students will be identify how the material choice impacts on the building performance and meeting regulatory requirements for human comfort. They will also explain how sustainability has been taken into account in materials choice. Students will present their work in a form suitable for technical and non-technical audiences and respond to questions.

This module aims to support students in making material choices to achieve the desired outcomes of a brief. Material selection is an essential part of the design process and is of outmost importance in construction.

The module approaches the subject from the perspective of materials being fit for purpose, as defined by testing standards and properties, but also by consideration of the environmental impact and sustainability.

Awareness of Health & Safety and the compliance with the CDM regulations and design risk management strategies is considered alongside the need to meet legislative requirements throughout the lie cycle of a building. The topics covered in this module include:
• Health & Safety; storage and use of materials,
• handling, and problems associated with misuse and unprotected use,
• environmental and sustainable consideration in material choices and
• human comfort performance parameters.

Material selection is developed through the understanding of testing procedures, in order for students to be able to establish conformity to standards and define performance properties. The performance of materials to satisfy regulations and provide appropriate comfort levels is addressed through design and calculations.

A combination of lectures and practical sessions:
Lectures will introduce key topics and concepts with tutor-assisted practical sessions. In the practical sessions you will get hands-on experience of the principles taught in the lectures. Academic learning will be achieved through reading around the subject area. Module tutors will suggest useful texts, though many others will be suitable and can be found in our e-library. If you require help understanding any of the concepts, you may contact your module tutor for assistance.

Indicative reading list for the module is:
HSE (2015) Managing Health and Safety in Construction: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Guidance on Regulations (L153): L153 (Legislation Series), HSE Books.

HU, M. (2021) Smart Technologies and Design for Healthy Built Environments (Springer Briefs in Applied Sciences and Technology), 1st Edn, Springer

JOYCE R., (2015) CDM Regulations Explained, ICE Publishing, London.

KIRKHAM, R. (2014) Ferry and Brandon’s Cost Planning of Buildings, 9th Edn, Wiley-Blackwell.

SUMMERHAYES, S. D. (2016), CDM Regulations 2015 Procedures Manual, 4th Edn, J Wiley and Son.

TRUSSON, M. (2020) Whole Life Costing for Sustainable Building, Routledge.

The resources for the delivery of the module that will be available to the students include access to a variety of sources and reading material as well as to desktop computer, tablets, and smart boards where appropriate.