Building site exhaust fumes targeted

A new kitemark has been set up to help the construction industry source reliable technology to help reduce on-site emissions of dust and harmful gases.


The Energy Saving Trust will be running an accreditation scheme which will approve devices which can be retro-fitted to the exhausts of construction and demolition machinery to dramatically cut the emissions of particulates and other pollutants.

Accreditation will only be given to equipment which meets the London-wide best practice guide on exhaust emissions, first published by the Mayor and London Councils back in November 2006.

In a nutshell, equipment will have to demonstrably cut particulates by at least 85% without increasing other harmful emissions to make it onto the list.

The Energy Saving Trust service will approve technology, develop and maintain certification registers and ensure technologies provide the correct level of emissions reduction.

At the moment the trust is inviting suppliers to apply to have their equipment accredited.

“As the scheme has just been officially launched we await applications from potential suppliers, we hope to have the register populated as quickly as possible,” the trust’s Colin Smith told edie.

The initial fee to have equipment registered is £2,000 with annual renewal fees thereafter.

Although the scheme will be funded by City Hall and three London Boroughs – Greenwich, Croydon and Newham – the list of accredited products will be available to everyone and will be published on the EST website.

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said: “London will see decades of construction through the 2012 Games and the regeneration throughout the Thames Gateway.

“Levels of harmful particulate emissions still exceed their safe levels across much of London and this initiative is one of many we are putting in place to cut them.

“It complements the introduction of the London Low Emission Zone, which will reduce emissions from heavy road vehicles.

“The accreditation scheme will enable construction and demolition sites to play their part in reducing harmful emissions to the benefit of their own staff and to local residents and ensure that effective, robust exhaust emission control devices are available for developers.”

London Councils Chairman, Councillor Merrick Cockell, said: “An accreditation scheme that helps cut exhaust emissions on construction and demolition sites across the capital is a very welcome step.

“The scheme will benefit both developers and boroughs. It will enable developers find the types of equipment available to help them meet tighter air quality controls, while also helping boroughs identify the appropriate technologies needed to protect local air quality during long periods of construction or demolition.”

Details of the scheme can be found on the EST website.

Sam Bond

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