Basic Requirements for Construction Works
Basic Requirements for Construction Works
The expanded Basic Requirements for Construction Works (BRCW) reflect growing awareness of the environmental impact of structural practices and the products used. The BRCW form part of the original EU Construction Products Regulation (EU-CPR) and now its UK counterpart, the UK-CPR.
The seven requirements refer to:
- Mechanical resistance and stability
- Safety in case of fire
- Hygiene, health and environment (now includes reducing impact of greenhouse gases)
- Safety & accessibility in use
- Protection against noise
- Energy economy and heat retention
- Sustainable use of natural resources
BRCW No. 3
- Throughout its life cycle, a construction must not present a threat to the hygiene, health or safety of workers, occupants or neighbours; or have an exceedingly high impact on the environment quality or on the climate during construction, use and demolition.
BRCW No. 7
- Construction works must now be designed, built and demolished in such a way that the use of natural resources is sustained. The harmonised technical specification for the works must be take particular notice of recyclability, durability and the use of environmentally compatible and secondary materials.
Key hazards to guide against include:
- giving-off of toxic gas
- emissions of dangerous substances, volatile organic compounds (VOC), greenhouse gases or dangerous particles into indoor or outdoor air
- emission of dangerous radiation
- release of dangerous substances into ground water, marine waters, surface waters or soil
- release of dangerous substances into drinking water or substances which might have a negative impact on drinking water
- faulty discharge of waste water, emission of flue gases or faulty disposal of solid or liquid waste
- dampness in parts of the construction works or on surfaces within the construction works.