BEAM Plus New Buildings

84 / 248

BEAM PLUS FOR NEW B UILDINGS MATERIALS ASPECTS (MA)
V ERSION 1.2 MA P1 TIMBER USED FOR TEMPORARY WORKS
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 63
3 MATERIALS ASPECTS 3.P PREREQUISITE
MA P1 TIMBER USED FOR TEMPORARY WORKS
EXCLUSIONS None.
OBJECTIVE Encourage the well-managed use of timber.
REQUIREMENT Virgin forest products are not used for temporary works during
construction.
ASSESSMENT
The Client shall provide documentation and photographic evidence
demonstrating that no virgin forest products were being used for
temporary works, unless exceptional circumstances required such use,
in form of a report prepared by a suitably qualified person. The report
should highlight how contract documents and specifications precluded
such use in formwork, hoardings, walkways, etc., together with evidence
such as site photos and records to demonstrate that no new timber or
timber products were used. Wood products from well-managed or
sustainable sources are acceptable for this credit requirement.
Sustainable timber shall be certified by Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC)[ 1 ], the American Forest and Paper Association (AFPA)[ 2 ], or
“Known Licensed Sources” [3].
The Client’s representative on site shall be responsible for monitoring
and reporting on construction activities, and shall confirm in writing that
the works were conducted in accordance with the specifications and
contract documents, and that all details regarding the use of timber
contained in the report are accurate.
Where it is demonstrated that all practical steps have been taken to
avoid the use of virgin forest products, the credit shall be awarded.
BACKGROUND Timber is the most ecologically benign of construction materials.
However, there are hardwoods which are being extracted from virgin
forests in an unsustainable manner, destroying valuable forests and
ecosystems. Similarly, some softwoods, such as redwood and cedar are
being depleted. Where forests are being harvested in an unsustainable
manner, the result is the extinction of indigenous species and the
clearance of vegetation that would otherwise help regulating 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 are to
assist organisations to develop purchasing policies and practices that
help conserving forest resources are available [4]. PNAP No. ADV-5 [5]
gives guidance for alternatives to the use of hardwoods in order to
reduce the amount of tropical hardwood timber being used in
constructions.
1 Forest Stewardship Council.
2 American Forest and Paper Association. http;/
3 Architectural Services Department, General Specifications for Building 2007, Section 13, Carpentry and Joinery, 13.01.03.
4 World Wildlife Fund.
5 Buildings Department. Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered
Geotechnical Engineer. PNAP No. ADV-5 Tropical Hardwood Timber.