BEAM Plus Interiors Manual

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BEAM PLUS INTERIORS
COMMERCIAL, R ETAIL AND INSTITUTIONAL
MATERIALS ASPECTS (MA)
MA 6 SUSTAINABLE FLOORING P RODUCTS
Copyright © BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved. Page 67
unsustainable manner, the result is the extinction of indigenous
species and the clearance of vegetation that would otherwise help
regulate the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Improved forestry
practices can be encouraged by seeking timber from sources where
the forests are well managed.
Hong Kong uses only imported timber, and is one of the largest
importers of tropical hardwoods. The construction sector in Hong
Kong is a major consumer of hardwoods from tropical rainforests, with
a large proportion used wastefully, and ending up at landfill sites.
Timber should originate only from well-managed sources and should
be reused whenever possible. Guidelines, templates and
implementation measures to help organisations develop purchasing
policies and practices that help conserve forest resources are
available ]. PNAP No. ADV-5 [ ] gives guidance for alternatives to
the use of hardwoods in order to reduce the amount of tropical
hardwood timber used in projects.
Sustainable timer is defined as a wood-based material originally
sourced from forestlands participating in an acceptable system or
program which certifies sustainable forest management. Acceptable
systems or programs must include adherence to management
practices which conserve biological diversity and maintain productive
capacity of forest ecosystems, and be independently audited and
monitored.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) [ ] and Programme for the
Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) [ are independent, non-
profit organisation established to promote the responsible
management of the world’s forest.
Regionally Manufactured Materials
By using regional materials, environmental impacts and material costs
are reduced, and the local economy is supported. Pollution
associated with transportation, including air and noise, has become a
serious obstruction to the quality of life, and even the health of citizen.
Further, energy consumption by transportation, as well as the demand
of petroleum, has dramatically increased. The use of regional
materials reduces the transportation activities and the accompanying
pollution associated. It can relieve air pollution generated by trucks,
trains and other vehicle deplete non-renewable fossil fuels in the long
transportation. By purchasing the regional materials, transportation
problems are further reduced.
Due to the reduced transportation costs, the regional materials are
more cost effective. Also, the support of local manufacturing and
labour forces contributes to a healthier local economy.
Environmentally Manufactured Materials
For an organisation to be successful in addressing environmental
issues, it must set clear objectives at the highest level with an
appropriate programme for their management, checking and review.
2 World Wildlife Fund.
3 Buildings Department, Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers PNAP No. ADV-5,
Tropical Hardwood Timber.
4 Forest Stewardship Council.
5 Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.