Directline Structures
Environmental Policy and Statement for
Sustainability of Construction
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Established in 1988, Directline Structures aims to incorporate sound environmental considerations into all Projects with which they become involved. In depth knowledge of the practicalities of energy efficient design has been accrued through extensive study by the Senior staff and through experience of design and construction projects.
In pursuing the policy it is the objective of the organisation to:
- Be aware of the latest developments in environmentally conscious building design and theory and incorporate such principles into new work where appropriate.
- Seek to inform Clients of the long term benefits of adopting an environmentally conscious approach.
- Share accrued knowledge with other professionals with a view to extending the quality and quantity of environmentally conscious buildings.
- Ensure that all employees are aware of the latest ecological thinking and are encouraged to use this knowledge within schemes where appropriate.
- Incorporate environmental features into every design wherever possible and within the framework of the constraints of each project.
Directline Structures has an inherent policy of avoidance of waste, and provision for recycling.
As a design and build company, Directline Structures has control over the design of projects from initial concept through to completion. Value engineering and attention to the effect of design is maintained throughout the process.
In all designs, waste is minimised by attention to detail, and review of the options available. Over-design is avoided, while ensuring that all requirements of good practice are maintained.
The use of a steel portal frame structure is clearly the most economical method of constructing industrial units both in cost and environmental impact. Structural steel can be made entirely from recycled material and on average contains 80% recycled steel.
The Astron system of steel buildings has been adopted for a variety of reasons:
- Attention to detail allows our steel buildings to be dismantled and re-used if necessary. This is the ultimate in recycling.
- At the end of the building’s life, all the steel can be dismantled and smelted for re-use.
- The Astron system is inherently more economical than buildings made from ‘hot-rolled’ steel, with a saving of up to 20% of the weight of primary steel. This is due to ‘state of the art’ design, sophisticated computer controlled manufacture, and control of material used at the factory. Waste at the factory is also very low due to ‘lean management’ policy.
It is our policy not to use composite (foam-filled sandwich) panelling (unless specifically instructed to do so by a client’s professional advisor). Composite sandwich panelling whether of foam or rock wool is costly or impossible to divide into its composites and will almost certainly go to landfill. The foam fill in particular is difficult to justify with sustainability in mind.
Astron insulation is not only in compliance with the building regulations, but carefully detailed to provide the ‘airtight’ property which is also required. This is as a standard, proven detail.
Our cladding is of built up construction with fibre insulation. At the end of this building’s life, or during modification, the cladding can be simply removed for reuse or recycling. The insulation can also be reused or recycled due to its glass composition.
Recycled aggregates are used where appropriate. This is generally the use of brick and concrete as hardcore.
The use of “grey” water is considered for each project. Due to the cost of the tank and installation the return period is difficult to justify unless there is significant need for water in toilets or other processes.
Rain water is disposed of to soakaways or existing water courses as appropriate. Connection to sewer systems is avoided unless this is the only option available. Rainwater from yard areas is taken to infiltration trenches where this is feasible as it can also avoid the use of petrol interceptors and the problems they can cause if not maintained properly. |
