At the end of this module, you will be able to:
research interior product information on manufacturer, supplier and other websites.
read and interpret a product-specific EPD for performance-based specifications.
evaluate products using key sustainability and environmental criteria.
conduct basic comparison of similar products and benchmark products to support material specification design decisions.
This lab session will be completed following step-by-step instructions:
Use provided Sample Product EPDs list to select a valid EPD report for your review.
Download a copy of the EPD report.
Take notes and summarize key findings.
Review definition of key terms.
Visit the Sustainability Framework page on the website.
Review it to understand the performance-based product evaluation criteria.
You are allowed to include other criteria not mentioned.
Look up the sample Carpet EPD, carefully read through instructor's comments and highlighted sections of the report.
Repeat the same for your select EPD by noting relevant sections to be included in your summary findings.
Review - functional or declared unit, (system boundary) LCA stages included, reference service life, manufacturing and product flow, packaging if any, TRACI 2.1- LCA results for GWP, Fossil Fuel Depletion, Renewable/Non-Renewable primary resources and waste to landfill.
From the report develop bullet points of product pros and cons to be included in your summary.
Record the total GWP for each life cycle stages (A1-A3 Product, A4- A5, B1 -B5 Use stage, and C1-C4 End of life). Be specific enough, only list values for modules included. For example, if the report only listed A1-A3, then enter zero for the rest LCA stages.
As a class, we will complete a comparative analysis and rank products EPDs based on each group findings and summary notes provided.
Upload your summary notes here. Consider providing detail notes on sustainability and environmental performance criteria.
This will be a class discussion. Let's review the template together.
Evaluation Criteria:
Accuracy in following step by step instructions on the teaching website (30%).
One page summary of your EPD findings/report (40%)
Evidence of your understanding of interior product design comparison based on sustainable performance criteria (30%)
Submit all documents in one PDF file on D2L.