Several of the aspects addressed in this guidance define a ‘standard set of parameter values’ for a study, e.g. a default reference study period. This standard set of parameter values is denoted as baseline scenario and provides a basis that allows for comparisons between different studies, e.g. two building LCA studies. The baseline scenario generally contains the definitions and parameter value choices from EN 15804 (products) and EN 15978 (buildings).
Additionally, standard values for a parameter frequently contain options to explore the implications of different choices (e.g. reduced or extended reference study periods). If such deviations are chosen, sensitivity analysis has to be undertaken to compare the new scenario against the baseline scenario in order to explore the influence of the parameter value on the results. Then, results with the use of the default parameter value (baseline scenario) and with modified parameter values (assessed situation) should be compared.
The baseline scenario (i.e. standard set of parameter values) contains the following provisions:
Table 4: Standard set of parameter values for the baseline scenario
|
Aspect |
Parameter |
Standard parameter value |
|
Reference study period |
50 years |
|
|
Consideration of innovation |
No innovation to be considered, current technologies to be used |
|
|
G- 12. “Accounting for carbon storage / carbon sequestration” |
Carbon storage |
Carbon storage is not considered |
|
Scarcity of water |
Not scarcity of water to be considered |
|
|
A- 03. “Transportation of products to the construction site” – screening and simplified LCA” |
Transport distance |
293 km |
|
A- 04. “Transportation of products to the construction site – Complete LCA” |
Transport distance |
293 km |
|
Transport of people |
No transport of people to be considered |
|
|
Full numbers of replacement cycles or partial cycles |
Replacement in whole number cycles |
|
|
Electricity consumption |
Annual average data sets for electricity |
|
|
User behavior |
No user behavior to be considered |
2 How to use this Guidance document
- 2.1. Scope of this Guidance.
- 2.2. Structure of the Guidance document.
- 2.3. Study types.
- 2.3.1. Screening LCA.
- 2.3.2. Simplified LCA.
- 2.3.3. Complete LCA.
- 2.3.4. Summary of the study type definitions.
- 2.4. How to conduct an LCA study within the field of Energy efficient Buildings.
- 2.4.1. How to commence and proceed with an LCA study.
- 2.4.2. LCA study setup: Generic template.
- 2.4.3. Use of a baseline scenario.
- 2.5. Compliance with this Guidance.
- 2.6. LCA studies within research projects of the Energy efficient Building European Initiative (E2B EI).
- 2.7. An introduction to service life planning.
- 2.8. Further information and training materials.