From painting over cracks in dwellings as a decorator, to identifying and measuring the impact of cracks upon occupant quality of life as a building engineer

SynopsisThe performance gap has been evident and well documented in the 21st century, where building’s operational energy performance can be worse than as-designed due to several factors including defects. A common example of a defect includes visible and non-visible cracks in the building fabric, that arise in the construction or retrofit process. What is less well documented is the impact of the performance gap on user health and wellbeing and thereby their quality of life in the use of dwellings. Defects from inadequate workmanship can lead to unwanted air leakage, resulting in pathways for loss of heat or cooled air, transmission of sound or indeed fire, smoke, or toxic gasses.Case studies from projects completed in the UK where holistic building performance assessment (HBPE) has been undertaken during the design, construction, offsite manufacturing or retrofit and building operational stages will be presented.Offsite manufacturing (OSM) of modern methods of construction (MMC) is one possible answer to preventing the performance gap and detrimental impacts upon user quality of life. A case study in collaboration with the largest OSM of timber frame MMC systems in Wales, UK is showcased as an example to prevent the performance gap in dwellings and enhance occupant quality of life.CrynodebMae'r bwlch perfformiad wedi bod yn amlwg ac wedi'i ddogfennu'n dda yn yr 21ain ganrif, lle gall perfformiad ynni gweithredol adeilad fod yn waeth nag fel y'i cynlluniwyd oherwydd sawl ffactor gan gynnwys diffygion. Mae enghraifft gyffredin o ddiffyg yn cynnwys craciau gweladwy ac nad ydynt yn weladwy yn ffabrig yr adeilad, sy'n codi yn y broses adeiladu neu ôl-osod. Yr hyn sydd wedi'i ddogfennu'n llai yw effaith y bwlch perfformiad ar iechyd a lles defnyddwyr a thrwy hynny ansawdd eu bywyd wrth ddefnyddio anheddau. Gall diffygion o waith annigonol arwain at ollwng aer diangen, gan arwain at lwybrau ar gyfer colli gwres neu aer wedi'i oeri, trosglwyddo sain neu yn wir dân, mwg, neu nwyon gwenwynig.Bydd astudiaethau achos o brosiectau a gwblhawyd yn y DU lle cynhaliwyd asesiad perfformiad adeilad cyfannol (HBPE) yn ystod y gwaith dylunio, adeiladu, gweithgynhyrchu oddi ar y safle neu ôl-osod a bydd camau gweithredol adeiladu yn cael eu cyflwyno. Mae gweithgynhyrchu oddi ar y safle (OSM) o ddulliau modern o adeiladu (MMC) yn un ateb posibl i atal y bwlch perfformiad ac effeithiau niweidiol ar ansawdd bywyd defnyddwyr. Arddangosir astudiaeth achos mewn cydweithrediad â'r OSM mwyaf o systemau MMC ffrâm bren yng Nghymru, y DU fel enghraifft i atal y bwlch perfformiad mewn anheddau a gwella ansawdd bywyd deiliaid.