Sustainability

Harnessing natures potential

Sustainable design solutions
We have engineered many solutions such as green roofs to reduce roof rain water run, grey water systems to collect rainwater run off for re-use to reduce mains water usage and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) to replicate natural surface water drainage. Where possible we specify recycled construction materials, and low environmental impact materials by using local sources and sustainable managed sources, as well as site topography to engineer new levels to minimise excavation and offsite disposal.

Environmental efficiency
Developers and designers are encouraged to benchmark the environmental efficiency of a project.  We believe that BREEAM assessments will become the standard tool for these. SWH Health & Safety Limited are pleased to be able to offer you this service.

Carbon emissions
Buildings are major consumers of energy and European Commission research has indicated that by improving energy efficiency carbon emissions from buildings could be reduced by 22%.  As a result, major revisions to the building regulations have occurred, and SWH Approved Inspectors can provide advice on these issues.

Green travel options
We undertake traffic studies, assessment existing public transport, pedestrian and cycle routes and compare this with current and proposed site usage for both new and existing sites. We develop green travel plans to promote flexible working and travel to demonstrate acceptable levels of traffic.

Risk management
Increased risk of flooding is a concern for planning authorities and the community. We prepare flood risk assessments as part of planning applications for clients, which accord with Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25).

Contamination issues
To re-engineer brown field sites; we analyse the potential for existing contamination, managing soil investigation, contamination testing and clear up procedures, liaising with the Environment Agency and Environmental Health.