Course CodeBSS200Fee CodeS2Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationTo obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested. Learn about building biology Unfortunately, many buildings contain hazardous materials or substances without the owner's knowledge. Freshly constructed cement homes have high levels of moisture, homes built in the 1960's contain asbestos cement which is known to be carcinogenic and old piping systems are frequently painted with lead paints. In addition to the household disinfectants, fly sprays, paints, varnishes, and other fumes released from a large range of furnishings and commodities are of no benefit to the occupant's health. Study this course to find out better ways to plan, design and construct buildings, as well as how to make changes to existing buildings to enhance the overall health of their occupants. Lesson Structure There are 10 lessons in this course: Introduction To Building Biology Building Materials Construction Services Temperature: Heating & Cooling The Internal Environment: Ventilation Light Acoustics Ergonomic Considerations Psychological Considerations Aims Explain the concept of healthy buildings including its relevance to human health. Select building materials which are safe to human health. Evaluate the health impact of different building techniques, including construction and design. Explain how the way in which services are installed, can impact upon the health of people using a building. Explain how building design can impact upon the quality of the physical environment inside. Explain ergonomic considerations in building design. Explain psychological considerations in building design. More Things Buildings Affect Our Health than What You Realise Building materials, air quality, radiation, chemical pollutants, and even the physical design and construction of a building can impact on a person’s health. Different construction materials and techniques can, for example, affect such things as temperature regulation, ventilation (in turn oxygen levels, mould growth, moisture retention etc), opportunities for pests to invade a building, opportunity for dust to settle and a variety of other different impacts. Modern construction methods have abandoned the use of natural building material and methods. New technologies have significantly altered both the structural characteristics of the materials used and the design components of buildings – to the detriment of the end-users. Materials that can Affect the Interior Air Quality Volatile Organic Compounds; known as VOCs, are airborne chemicals that arise from various building products, at normal air temperature. They include most paints, paint strippers, wood preservatives and glues. Formaldehyde is aa common VOC, that is continuously released from some wood products (eg. plywood, wall panelling, particleboard, fibreboard), sometimes for years after manufacture. Undesirable particles will arise from fireplaces, wood stoves, kerosene heaters, tobacco smoke, gas burners, and anything else that burns a fuel. Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide from unflued kerosene and gas space heaters, leaking chimneys and boilers, gas water heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, gas stoves, automobile exhaust from attached garages. Solvents can produce dangerous airborne particles such as xylene and toluene (eg. from paints, glues and carpets as well as polyurethane). Vinyl chloride monomer styrene can contaminate air, from vinyl floor coverings, blinds, textiles, synthetic rubber underlay, two part fillers and paints. Chemicals used to treat timber against rotting or insect damage can contaminate the air. Many types of glues and fillers contain dangerous chemicals such as Isocyanates in polyurethanes that find their way into the air. Water based paints, varnishes and glues can produce chemicals including Glycol Ether. Epoxy resins used in tile, wood and metal glues, cement and surface binder. The impact of these and other problems can and should be minimised significantly. The knowledge of such problems, and the exploration of solutions to such problems is what this course is all about. Holistic Health Management requires an understanding of both psychology and physical health; and everything that affects those things, and part of that is understanding how healthy a building is! Why Study This Course? This course is aimed at people who are interested in the impact of buildings on the health of their occupants, whether from a personal perspective e.g. an allergy sufferer. or a professional one e.g. builders or architects who would like to make better decisions about construction materials and design. Use what you learn here to: •Make better decisions concerning fixtures and furnishings in homes •Help you decide how to replace unhealthy materials •Examine existing buildings with an eye for health risks •Add to existing building design and health knowledge •Forge a foundation towards further study