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Article
Peer-Review Record

Quantifying the Effects of Projected Climate Change on the Durability and Service Life of Housing in Wales, UK

Buildings 2022, 12(2), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12020184
by Carolyn Hayles 1,*, Matt Huddleston 2, Paul Chinowsky 3 and Jacob Helman 2
Reviewer 1:
Reviewer 2: Anonymous
Buildings 2022, 12(2), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12020184
Submission received: 13 January 2022 / Revised: 1 February 2022 / Accepted: 2 February 2022 / Published: 6 February 2022

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Background is quite comprehensive. However, more emphasis is needed on studies concerning climate change in Wales and its potential direct impacts on buildings.

Stressor response approach is only partially outlined. The description of its operational phases and the elements of common functioning with the Factor Method (ISO 15686) should be quite integrated.

Results related to the limitations of the research are clear and exhaustive. If the research were to continue it is recommended to declare how to integrate the methodology and operational steps to make them more reliable and complete.

Author Response

Thank you for your feedback on our paper, we very much appreciate your constructive comments.  The following has been addressed.

  1. Background is quite comprehensive. However, more emphasis is needed on studies concerning climate change in Wales and its potential direct impacts on buildings

There is a paucity of work in this area.  The research was commissioned by Welsh government because they recognise there is a gap in knowledge and expertise in this area.  We have added a paragraph to the opening statement of the paper to reflect this. 

  1. Stressor response approach is only partially outlined. The description of its operational phases and the elements of common functioning with the Factor Method (ISO 15686) should be quite integrated.

We have added wording in section 2.4 clarifying the adjusted service life calculation procedure. I also added a reference to section 2.4 in section 2.1. Section 2.1 gives a high-level overview of the stressor response method, while 2.4 discusses the method in more detail. I think the way it was worded previously led the reviewer to believe that we used the ISO 15686 factor method to calculate the factors. I changed the wording to communicate that we used factors that had been calculated in previously completed studies.

  1. Results related to the limitations of the research are clear and exhaustive. If the research were to continue it is recommended to declare how to integrate the methodology and operational steps to make them more reliable and complete.

We have added wording in section 3.4 that indicates how the methodology could change if current limitations are met either by future research or more tailored input data.

Reviewer 2 Report

A valuable paper. My comments below are suggestions for improvement. 

Line 52. Please provide a reference to the statement  "Wales's climate is predicted to be warmer and wetter".

Lines 147-149. Please explain the methodology in details. How the data for 2030 and 2070 were extracted from the time periods of 2021-2040 & 2061-2080. 

Line 148. Is this average over 30-yr period ?

Section 3.1. Overall comment.  Are there any references on the uncertainties of the climate change projections used in this study?  it should be mentioned.  The models provide projections of future changes of climate, but not a forecast.  For example, it might be significant uncertainties in simulating solar radiation.

Author Response

Thank you for your feedback on our paper, we very much appreciate your constructive comments.  The following has been addressed.

  1. Line 52. Please provide a reference to the statement  "Wales's climate is predicted to be warmer and wetter".

A reference has been attributed to this statement.

  1.     Lines 147-149. Please explain the methodology in details. How the data for 2030 and 2070 were extracted from the time periods of 2021-2040 & 2061-2080.

We have added wording in both sections 2.2 and 2.4 to clarify that values represent the average year and median model.

  1. Line 148. Is this average over 30-yr period?

We have added wording in both sections 2.2 and 2.4 to clarify that values represent the average year and median model.

  1. Section 3.1. Overall comment.  Are there any references on the uncertainties of the climate change projections used in this study?  it should be mentioned.  The models provide projections of future changes of climate, but not a forecast.  For example, it might be significant uncertainties in simulating solar radiation.

A commentary and associated references added to Section 2.2 (Climate model projections) that reflect on the uncertainties of climate projections. 

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