New specifications with advantages for wood

04.09.2020

Public procurement law (BöB) has been revised and will enter into force at the beginning of 2021. The BöB and the newly published SIA 101 communication standard demand that sustainability be taken into account over the entire life cycle. This is a clear commitment to wood as a building material.

With the implementation of the Federal Law on Public Procurement (BöB) a paradigm shift towards more sustainability and quality competition is taking place. From 1 January 2021, the contract will no longer be awarded to the cheapest bid, but to the most advantageous bid. The SIA Rules for the Performance of Building Owners (SIA 101:2020), published since August, encourages this endeavour. It defines the consideration of sustainability over the entire life cycle as a basic task of the building owner.   

Wood is ecological and economical  

Wood is a naturally renewable resource. It has a clear lead in the climate issue. But the natural raw material scores not only in terms of ecology. The use of wood also makes sense from an economic point of view: over the entire life cycle, wooden buildings are usually more economical than buildings made of reinforced concrete. This is why large and professional investors are increasingly turning to wood, although planning and construction costs can be slightly higher.   

Several factors contribute to economic efficiency: 

- ideal conditions for digital planning thanks to a high level of prefabrication 

- short construction period 

- earlier commissioning / rental / sale

- lower heating costs

- lower maintenance costs  

- lower dismantling costs

Relationship between life cycle costs and construction method

Timber buildings are cheaper over the entire life cycle. Source: Lignum, Arguments for wood   

Those who want to consistently implement the requirements of the BöB and SIA 101 will in future focus on high quality and sustainable use of resources. The use of wood is the logical consequence.   

Use of Swiss wood in public tenders   

Wood from Switzerland performs even better - at least as far as the ecological aspects are concerned. Swiss wood is not transported far, which reduces the grey energy it contains. But beware: the federal law on public procurement defines the type of procedure for a tender. Construction projects exceeding CHF 9.575 million must be put out to public tender. New public-sector construction projects must therefore usually be put out to public tender. In accordance with the principle of non-discrimination, no demands may be made with regard to the origin of materials. It is therefore not permissible to demand Swiss timber. Nevertheless, public buildings can be built with Swiss timber. Tips and tricks you can learn here the example of the Aeschi school building.

Further information on the BöB can be found at the Beschaffungskonferenz des Bundes BKB.