Practical Training – Sustainable Building and Renewable Energy Systems

Burdens Environmental are the National Federation of Builders (NFB’s) newest associate, selected to promote sustainable and green construction methods to our members as a direct result of the NFB’s Sustainable Construction Report.

This focused and practical arrangement will see Burdens Environmental offering a range of services to all NFB members including, training with ‘hands on’ demonstrations for green products.

The sustainability message is being reverberated loud and clear and the introduction of sustainable materials and systems are an attractive proposition for developers and project planners resulting in new products and methods being driven down the supply chain. 

The NFB’s Sustainable Construction Report indicated that the respondents were not unwilling to use new sustainable products and systems but one of the inherent challenges with their inclusion in a project is how to utilize, build or install them.

Burdens Environmental are offering three modules in the training programme; each one has a number of training courses or “elements” which provide training on specific topics. Further additions will be made throughout 2010 or on request by NFB members. The three modules are:

Module 1.  Building healthy buildings with natural materials

This module focuses on aspects of modern, traditional, heritage and conservation building with emphasis on the use of natural materials to create healthy buildings. This module also covers refurbishment of existing buildings as well as part build and new build.

Elements will include air tightness and healthy buildings, lime and lime products, and eco refurbishment:

Module 2. Renewable energy systems

This module covers three of the most popular renewable systems, biomass, ground source heat pumps and solar thermal -other elements will be available during 2010. These courses are intended to act as an introduction to the technologies for prospective installers who can use the training as a platform for formal induction into accredited installer networks. Other renewable energy training elements will be available on request.

Elements will include, Biomass systems, ground source / air ground source heating, and solar thermal systems.

Module 3.  Green construction methods

This module looks at methods of construction design techniques and specification to achieve high levels of sustainability and energy efficiency. The topics will cover how to choose and assess  green materials and services, going on to cover techniques for combining green technologies and methods to create a finished building or building element such as a loft conversion or extension. Issues relating to air tightness and breathability will be included in these training elements. This section also covers the use and application of renewable technologies to existing buildings.

Elements include, designing a green building, Specification for green building and monolithic and solid wall construction methods.

It is anticipated that in the main these training events will be delivered by or in conjunction with the manufacturers. Their role will be to provide detailed specifications of the products, offering attendees the opportunity to learn from the ‘horses-mouth’ how they envisaged the product in question should be used to generate the best results for both the contractor and the end user.

The training will be held at Burdens' depots located throughout England and Wales, enabling those who attend to familiarise themselves with the actual products and where applicable be given the opportunity to ‘have-a-go’ at the practical application.

If you would like more information on training  in the meantime, or to request support with a particular product or system please contact the NFB training team on 0845 075 0041/2.