5. Life in Use

This step of the building life cycle (and of the elements that are imbedded in it) is, by far, the longest. It is usually addressed through a list of issues like: energy efficiency, maintenance, adaptability, indoor environment quality, safety, and whole life-costing. The pertinence of steel construction regarding these issues is developed following:.

Energy efficiency

Due to the large contribution of buildings to both energy consumption and emission of CO2, their energy efficiency is considered as a major societal concern. Steel based construction solutions will play a major role in the movement towards building "zero-energy" or even "positive-energy."

Thermally efficient envelopes to reduce primary heat losses through facades: highly efficient steel cladding systems can be designed with U-values less than 0.2 Wm-2K-1. Twin skin systems as well as composite sandwich panels may be used for such envelopes.

  • The use of light steel framing for external walls provides a system which can easily accommodate regularly increasing thermal regulation requirements. "Warm frame construction," with the structural frame on the inside of the insulation, is normally adopted; and this provides a system which is largely independent of the insulation thickness. The insulation is generally a foil-faced, rigid foam board which is applied as part of the frame erection process to give rapid weather protection, enabling construction to proceed independently of progress with the outer skin. Performance in excess of the requirements for Building Regulations energy conservation can comfortably be achieved.
  • In addition to this, the envelope may incorporate solar panels (thermal as well as photovoltaic), which contribute positively to the energy balance of the building.

Low maintenance

A large proportion of structural steelwork is used internally, frequently hidden, in dry buildings with low risk, corrosive atmospheres. Under such conditions, there is no need to provide corrosion protection either during manufacture or during the life of the building.  Several possibilities exist to protect steel against corrosion, when needed, that is to say mainly for external applications.   See the corrosion tutorial for more information.

Useful links: ESDEP Corrosion, ESDEP economy

Economy & whole life costing

Steel structures promote energy savings, particularly by means of high-performance exterior insulation techniques. They also offer the possibility of large glazed areas, allowing natural lighting that can reduce electricity costs.

Erection is rapid, enabling investment cost reduction and more rapid amortisation of financial charges.

Steel's mechanical strength enables the less material use for equivalent performance, as well as an easy internal re-modelling of spaces.

Steel is easy to maintain and, when properly protected, is extremely durable.

End of Life

At the end of useful life, steel buildings are "deconstructed" and the various components re-used or recycled without losing inherent properties.

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