Built environment lifecycle operations are a bold step towards achieving a more environment and social-friendly industry. Meaning, various companies have to operate while taking into consideration the negative impact they might cause to the environment. Thus, they find ways - and implement them - to become more sustainable.
In order for these companies to operate in accordance to the lifecycle operation principles, they need to evaluate things in a holistic perspective and this can be done using a system called "life cycle analysis" or "life cycle assessment." This process determines the full range of impact associated with the whole operation and that is from the beginning of project development until a facility is no longer capable for operation.
Life cycle assessment (LCA)
Below is the step-by-step process that can be used by any industrial project/facility as part of what we call life cycle assessment:
Identify what they need --prior to the establishment of a facility, just before the construction, the project developer should identify the needs and whether these needs are in accordance to the goal of minimizing the negative impact to the environment as well as to the society as a whole.
Research -- the identification of these needs is done through research where issues on environment and social impact are addressed.
Plan & Design -- planning and designing a system is done after the research; things are carefully planned according to the findings and then project design is established. Again, the environmental and social impact are being considered in this stage of life cycle assessment process.
Construct -- this is the phase of the process where the approved plan and design is being materialized; a facility that is environment and social friendly is built.
Operate & Maintain -- when the construction is done successfully, operation and maintenance works follow. In this stage, the facility management team sees to it that all the things/elements are working well in accordance to the established plan. This means, the operation and maintenance tasks should abide by the principles of built environment life cycle operations.
Decommission / Re-purpose -- this is the final stretch of a facility's intended duration of its operation wherein the management team decides for the future of the said facility. Should the operation of the facility be halted completely (i.e. decommission) or use the facility for other purpose? Either way, the management will need to identify the reason on why should it be decommissioned or used for other purpose.
Green building - a result of built environment life cycle operations principle
As we examine the building and facility industry today, we can notice that a lot of companies are 'going green' - this is a clear result of life cycle operations principle, which is also common in facility management companies. More and more companies now value environment-friendly practices; green buildings are becoming more popular (e.g. energy-efficient, solar panel usage, day lightings, etc.) and gaining positive results.
In order for these companies to operate in accordance to the lifecycle operation principles, they need to evaluate things in a holistic perspective and this can be done using a system called "life cycle analysis" or "life cycle assessment." This process determines the full range of impact associated with the whole operation and that is from the beginning of project development until a facility is no longer capable for operation.
Life cycle assessment (LCA)
Below is the step-by-step process that can be used by any industrial project/facility as part of what we call life cycle assessment:
Identify what they need --prior to the establishment of a facility, just before the construction, the project developer should identify the needs and whether these needs are in accordance to the goal of minimizing the negative impact to the environment as well as to the society as a whole.
Research -- the identification of these needs is done through research where issues on environment and social impact are addressed.
Plan & Design -- planning and designing a system is done after the research; things are carefully planned according to the findings and then project design is established. Again, the environmental and social impact are being considered in this stage of life cycle assessment process.
Construct -- this is the phase of the process where the approved plan and design is being materialized; a facility that is environment and social friendly is built.
Operate & Maintain -- when the construction is done successfully, operation and maintenance works follow. In this stage, the facility management team sees to it that all the things/elements are working well in accordance to the established plan. This means, the operation and maintenance tasks should abide by the principles of built environment life cycle operations.
Decommission / Re-purpose -- this is the final stretch of a facility's intended duration of its operation wherein the management team decides for the future of the said facility. Should the operation of the facility be halted completely (i.e. decommission) or use the facility for other purpose? Either way, the management will need to identify the reason on why should it be decommissioned or used for other purpose.
Green building - a result of built environment life cycle operations principle
As we examine the building and facility industry today, we can notice that a lot of companies are 'going green' - this is a clear result of life cycle operations principle, which is also common in facility management companies. More and more companies now value environment-friendly practices; green buildings are becoming more popular (e.g. energy-efficient, solar panel usage, day lightings, etc.) and gaining positive results.
About the Author:
Dennis Felton uses his years of experience working in the construction industry in writing industry-related topics, including life cycle operation, built environment management. He also runs a personal blog, which reflects his current works.
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