BCIS Launches Innovative Whole Life Measuring Tool for Construction

The Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) has launched a tool that simultaneously measures both the whole life costs and whole life carbon emissions of a structure. This new tool, known as the Life Cycle Evaluator, promises to revolutionise the way construction projects are assessed and managed.

_{The Life Cycle Evaluator}

The Life Cycle Evaluator leverages BCIS’s extensive 60 years of cost data, integrating it with data from the Built Environment Carbon Database (BECD). This tool builds on the foundation laid by previous BCIS initiatives, including the BCIS Cost and Carbon Materials Database and the BECD, which provide comprehensive cost and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) details for thousands of materials and components.

_{Key Features and Benefits:}

1. Simultaneous Cost and Carbon Assessment: The Life Cycle Evaluator allows users to conduct consistent whole life carbon assessments alongside detailed cost evaluations, offering a holistic view of a project's financial and environmental impact.
2. Extensive Data Integration: By combining BCIS's cost data with BECD's carbon data, the tool provides robust and reliable information for decision-making.
3. Sustainability Focus: The tool supports the industry’s move towards more sustainable practices by enabling better planning and resource management based on comprehensive life cycle analysis.

_{The Importance of Whole Life Measurement}

Whole life measurement is crucial in the construction industry for several reasons:

• Cost Efficiency: Understanding the full cost implications over a structure’s lifespan helps in making informed financial decisions, avoiding unexpected expenses, and optimising resource allocation.
• Environmental Impact: Assessing the total carbon footprint of a project, from construction through operation to demolition, is essential for meeting sustainability targets and reducing environmental impact.
• Regulatory Compliance: As regulations around carbon emissions and sustainability tighten, having accurate whole life data ensures compliance with environmental standards.

_{How the Life Cycle Evaluator Works}

The Life Cycle Evaluator simplifies the complex process of whole life measurement by providing a user-friendly interface that integrates seamlessly with existing project management systems. Users can input project-specific data and receive detailed reports on both cost and carbon emissions.

_{Steps to Use the Life Cycle Evaluator:}

1. Input Project Details: Enter information about the structure, including materials, components, and construction methods.
2. Analyse Data: The tool processes the data, leveraging BCIS’s cost database and BECD’s carbon data to generate comprehensive reports.
3. Review Reports: Users receive detailed assessments of the whole life costs and carbon emissions, enabling them to make informed decisions.

The launch of the Life Cycle Evaluator by BCIS marks a significant advancement in the construction industry’s ability to manage both costs and carbon emissions. By integrating decades of cost data with comprehensive carbon assessments, this tool offers a powerful resource for driving sustainable and cost-efficient construction practices.