System to measure office fit-out sustainability

A system claimed to rate the total environmental impact of office fit-outs has been launched by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Comprising 99 measures – and claimed to assess 100% of a project’s sustainability – the ‘Ska’ rating covers good practice across a range of categories, including energy and carbon dioxide (CO2), waste, water, pollution, transport, materials, and wellbeing.

Scores for each categories are weighted for their relative significance towards achieving sustainability, and combined for a gold, silver or bronze ranking. The rank relates only to changes created by a fit-out process, as opposed to existing conditions.

Asserting that “sustainability [is] not just a luxury for big companies who can afford it”, RICS adds that the Ska rating has been developed so that even the smallest companies can take advantage, with a free self-assessment tool available online along with best practice guidance and information. In addition, firms will be able to commission a formal assessment.

RICs says that the system’s benefits mean running costs can be reduced for the occupiers, while improving a firm’s ‘green credentials’ can boost staff morale.

Tim Robinson, the organisation’s director of strategic business development said: “In the current economic climate occupiers are now more likely to refurbish their offices, rather than looking to move into new premises, and as a result it is important that sustainable measures are embedded into these fit-outs.”

Susie Howells, director of environmental consultancy Greenmetrics, told More Than Business News: “There is always scope for subjectivity and interpretation in measuring this type of performance, but by pinning down specific aspects (e.g. lighting or materials) and prioritising their importance, there will be a clear, relative improvement compared to past practice.

“The self-assessment tool provides a way of increasing knowledge and understanding of environmental impacts, and could help to raise aspirations – especially if people begin to see cost and efficiency benefits from the case studies.”

IMAGE Thomas Goos/DPA/Press Association Images

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