The SNFA provides the sector with new configured FDES (Environmental and Health Declarations).
Summary for decision-makers
Customized EPDs for curtain walls: carbon progress and RE2020 compliance
The SNFA now offers project-specific Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for curtain walls, replacing generic forms. Developed with 27 French manufacturers and compliant with the NF EN 15804+A2/CN standard, these EPDs incorporate all technical specifications. They demonstrate an average reduction of over 20% in carbon emissions thanks to recycled aluminum and the LCA module D, guaranteeing a response tailored to the RE2020 requirements.
Summary
- Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) adapted to the reality of projects
- A collective effort led by the aluminium industry
- A reduction in the carbon footprint of curtain walls
- Recycling is valued in life cycle analysis
- A tool designed for RE2020 calculations
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In response to the increasing requirements of the RE2020 regulation, the SNFA (French National Union of Aluminum Facade Contractors) is enhancing its Config'Alu tool with new configured Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) specifically for aluminum curtain walls. The goal is to provide project owners, engineering firms, and facade contractors with environmental data tailored to each project to refine life cycle assessment calculations for buildings.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) adapted to the reality of projects
The aluminium curtain walls They are distinguished by a wide diversity of configurations. Load-bearing structure, infill, hardware or dimensions can vary significantly from one site to another, making the use of generic environmental data often insufficient.
To address this complexity, the SNFA has developed a fully configurable approach within Config'Alu. Each component of the system can be adjusted to generate a FDES corresponding precisely to the solution implemented. The data covers curtain walls of grid and frame type, excluding glazing.
A collective effort led by the aluminium industry
These new environmental fact sheets were developed with the participation of 27 French manufacturers of aluminium façades.
Compliant with the standard NF EN 15804+A2/CNThey aim to provide data consistent with the calculation methods used in environmental building assessments. This collaborative approach also improves the representativeness of the data used in design studies or regulatory analyses.
A reduction in the carbon footprint of curtain walls
The new FDES highlight the developments undertaken by the aluminium sector in terms of decarbonisation.
According to the SNFA, the average carbon footprint of curtain walls has decreased by more than 20% compared to previous versions, with results varying depending on the configurations chosen. This improvement is notably linked to the approach Alu+C-which encourages the use of recycled aluminum as well as aluminum produced from lower carbon energy sources.
Recycling is valued in life cycle analysis
Aluminium has a particular characteristic in environmental calculations: its ability to be recycled without loss of properties.
This specific characteristic is taken into account in the module d Life cycle analysis, which highlights the environmental benefits of reusing materials at the end of their life, can help designers and engineering firms improve the overall assessment of buildings incorporating aluminum facades.
A tool designed for RE2020 calculations
Available via Config'Alu and verified by the INIES database, these FDES (Environmental and Health Declarations) are directly integrated into the methodological framework of the RE2020, which requires an environmental assessment of the building over a period of 50 years.
To obtain a complete analysis of the façade, the generated data must be combined with the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for the glazing selected for the project. This approach allows for a more accurate assessment of the project's actual characteristics and better documentation of the technical choices made during the design phase.
In a context where the carbon thresholds of the RE2020 are gradually being strengthened, the availability of FDES configured constitutes an additional tool for building envelope professionals, who are called upon to justify more precisely the environmental impact of the solutions implemented.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a project-by-project FDES for curtain walls?
A project-by-project FDES is a configurable sheet that takes into account the structure, filling and hardware specific to each site, rather than a generic sheet.
What progress has been made regarding carbon for curtain walls?
The new FDES show an average reduction of more than 20% in carbon footprint, thanks to the use of recycled aluminum or aluminum from decarbonized energy sources.
How do these FDES (Environmental and Health Declarations) fit into the RE2020 (Regulations for the Environment, Planning and Housing of 2020)?
They can be used for the 50-year life cycle analysis required by RE2020 and must be supplemented by the FDES of the glazing for each project.
Thematic glossary
FDES
The Environmental and Health Declaration Sheet (FDES) is a document that describes the environmental impacts of a construction product throughout its entire life cycle.
Aluminum curtain wall
It is a lightweight facade system consisting of an aluminum load-bearing structure onto which infill elements are fixed, used for new or renovated buildings.
RE2020
RE2020 is the French environmental regulation that mandates the assessment of the energy and carbon performance of buildings over 50 years.
Config'Alu
Config'Alu is a tool developed by the SNFA allowing the parameterization of each component of an aluminium curtain wall to obtain a specific project FDES.
NF EN 15804+A2/CN standard
This is a European standard that defines the calculation rules for the environmental assessment of construction products.
Aluminum recycling
Aluminum recycling involves reusing this metal without loss of its properties, which reduces its carbon impact when it is integrated into new structures.
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