As a measurement of sustainable building design and management it can be used as a criterion for investors and property developers to monitor the financial performance of a building or portfolio. In France, HQE is applicable to all types of new and existing buildings in the residential, tertiary and industrial sectors, as well as roads and highways.
The approach is built around two elements:
1 - Organisational with the Environmental Management System (EMS), which defines the tools needed to follow the operation throughout a project, and to structure the relationship between the parties involved.
2 - Operational with Environmental Building Quality (EBQ), which is built around 14 targets grouped into 4 main categories that bring together a wide range of environmental concerns about building and construction sites. The client must define and order 14 targets, including target performance levels, to create a profile of the environmental quality of the building.
Our carpet tiles can potentially contribute to 8 of the 13 targets in the HQE approach, which are :
ECO-CONSTRUCTION:
1. Harmonious relation between buildings and their immediate environment
2. Integrated choice of products and construction materials
3. Low site nuisance
ECO-MANAGEMENT:
4. Management of energy
5. Management of water
6. Management of waste caused by activities
7. Management of servicing and maintenance
COMFORT:
8. Hygrometric comfort
9. Acoustic comfort
10. Visual comfort
11. No unpleasant smells
HEALTH:
12. Sanitary quality of areas
13. Sanitary air quality
Visit the HQE website for more information.
Sustainability
HQE - Haute Qualité Environnementale
HQE is a third-party audited global approach designed to improve the environmental quality of buildings and assess and monitor their impact on the planet. HQE helps contracting authorities, architects, manufacturers and entrepreneurs create healthy and comfortable indoor environments for their clients.