Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
OVERVIEW
Creating sustainable buildings starts with proper site selection. The location of a building affects a wide range of environmental factorsas well as other factors such as security, accessibility, and energy consumption, as well as the energy consumed by transportation needs of occupants for commuting, the impact on local ecosystems, and the use/reuse of existing structures and infrastructures. If possible, locate buildings in areas of existing development where infrastructure already exists, ,and consider conserving resources by renovating existing buildings including historic properties. It is imperative that building owners and developers maximize the restorative impact of site design and building infrastructure while meeting the project's other requirements. Sustainable site planning should consist of a whole system approach that seeks to:
Green roofs can effectively absorb most rainfall events, reverse the urban heat island effect, and provide wildlife habitat. Chicago City Hall. Chicago, IL. Photo courtesy of Don Horn.
Minimize development of open space through the selection of disturbed land, re-use of brownfield sites, and retrofitting existing, buildings;
Consider energy implications in site selection and building orientation; Control erosion through improved grading and landscaping practices; Reduce heat islands through building design methods, minimizing impervious surfaces, and using landscaping;
Minimize habitat disturbance; Restore the health of degraded sites by improving habitat for indigenous species through appropriate native plants, climateadapted plants, and closed-loop water systems;
Incorporate transportation solutions along with site plans that acknowledge the need for bicycle parking, carpool staging, and proximity to mass transit. Encourage alternatives to traditional commuting; and
Consider site security concurrently with sustainable site issues. Location of access roads, parking, vehicle barriers, and perimeter lighting, among others are key issues that must be addressed.
BACK TO TOP
RECOMMENDATIONS
Minimize Development of Open Space
Retrofit an existing building. When planning to reuse an existing building, there are things to consider like relocating personnel for major renovations, which may include stripping out all interior finishes and insulation, doing energy audits, and replacing lights, HVAC and windows.
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Headquarters, Bldg. 33: Formerly a gun turret plant at the Navy Yard in Washington, DC, this facility was renovated into a 4-story office building featuring energy efficient envelope, lighting, and HVAC systems as well as environmentally preferable materials.
Take advantage of natural ventilation and prevailing wind patterns. Maximize daylight use. Investigate the potential impact of future adjacent developments to the site (e.g., solar and wind exposure, daylighting, ventilation, etc.).
Recycle existing pavement and demolition materials, Provide bike racks, and vehicle changing stations.
In hot, dry climates, like the southwestern states, consider covering walkways, parking lots, and other open areas that are paved or made with low reflectivity (i.e. dark) materials. Ensure that shading devices do not block critical ground level sight lines for security.
Finish the facility's roof with light-colored materials to reduce energy loads and extend the life of the roof, particularly in warm climates; consider incorporating green roofs or photovoltaics into the project. Use a roofing product that meets or exceeds Energy Star standards.
Consider incorporating green roofs into the project, which bring additional site benefits, including controlling stormwater runoff and improving water quality.
See also WBDG Extensive Green Roofs and EPA's website Heat Island Effect.
Energy Star Roof-compliant, high-reflectance, and high emissivity roofing can lower roof surface temperature by up to 100F, decreasing the amount of heat transferred into a building.
There are related sustainable site benefits of green roofs. They include:
See also WBDG Extensive Green Roofs and EPA's website Heat Island Effect.
Plan construction staging areas with the environment in mind. In northern climates, site parking and pedestrian areas so that they have sun exposure for assistance in melting the snow or ice.
Use non-toxic snow and ice removal methods. See also PROACT Fact Sheet on de-icing.
Make provisions for bicycling, walking, carpool parking, and telecommuting; and provide refueling/recharging facilities for alternative fuel/electric vehicles (or plan for their incorporation at a later date).
Use native or climate tolerant trees to improve the quality of the site as well as provide protection by obscuring assets and people.
Implement erosion control measures to stabilize the soil (e.g., seeding and mulching, installing pervious paving) and/or to retain sediment after erosion has occurred (e.g., earth dikes and sediment basins). These help to reduce the negative impacts on water and air quality as well as mitigate potential damage to a building's foundation and structural system due to floods, mudslides, torrential rainstorms, and other natural hazards.
Smart Growth
Smart Growth is an issue that concerns many communities around the country. It relates to controlling sprawl, reusing existing infrastructure, creating walkable neighborhoods, and locating places to live and work near public transportation. It is more resource-efficient to reuse existing roads and utilities than build new ones far out from cities in rural areas. Smart growth preserves open spaces and farm lands and strengthens the development of existing communities and their quality of life.
BACK TO TOP
EMERGING ISSUES
As global climate change increases storm events and changes ecosystems, sites are now more frequently threatened with damage from flooding, wind erosion and damage, abnormal temperatures, etc. Consider selecting a site that will limit the intended building's potential damage from global climate change. Hydrology of site to predevelopment conditions (EISA); energy reduction potential of site; how to use the site to maximize energy development in balance with preserving habitat.
BACK TO TOP
Executive Order 13006, "Locating Federal Facilities on Historic Properties in Our Nation's Central Cities"
Executive Order 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management"
Department of Defense
BACK TO TOP
MAJOR RESOURCES
WBDG
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
AccessibleProvide Equal Access, Functional / Operational, Historic PreservationComply with Accessibility Requirements, Secure / Safe, SustainableOptimize Energy Use, SustainableProtect and Conserve Water, SustainableUse Environmentally Preferable Products, SustainableEnhance Indoor Environmental Quality, SustainableOptimize Operational and Maintenance Practices
01 41 00 (01411) Regulatory Requirements 01 42 00 (01421) References 01 50 00 (01500) Temporary Facilities & Controls 01 57 19.12 (01353) Noise and Acoustic Management
01 57 19.13 (01354) Environmental Management 01 74 19 (01351) Construction Waste Management 02 41 13 (02220) Selective Site Demolition 10 81 16.13 (02872) Bat Houses 31 10 00 (02230) Site Clearing 31 31 00 (02360) Soil Treatment 32 10 00 (02700) Bases, Ballasts, Pavements 32 12 43 (02795) Porous Paving 32 90 00 (02900) Planting
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Building Commissioning
TOOLS
LEED Version 2.1 Credit / WBDG Resource Page Matrix, LEED-DoD Antiterrorism Standards Tool
EPA OSWER Directive 9610.17, "Use of Risk-Based Decision-Making in Underground Storage Tank Corrective Action Programs," March 1996.
GreenInfrastructure.netGreen infrastructure is a strategic approach to conservation that addresses the ecological, social and economic impacts of sprawl and the accelerated consumption and fragmentation of open land. This website is hosted by The Conservation Fund in partnership with USDA Forest Service.
Reduce Heat Islands Using Landscaping and Building Design Methods Minimize Habitat Disturbance
International Astronomical Union (IAU) Commission 50's Working Group on "Controlling Light Pollution" International Dark-Sky Association (IDA)IDA's mission is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting. IDA has many resources and information on outdoor lighting and light pollution prevention, including: Energy Star Labeled Roof Products, EPA Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Greenroofs.com Heat Island Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
o o
National Wildlife Federation Obtrusive Lighting Guide by Lighting Consultancy And Design Services.
Centre for Sustainable TransportationThe Centre for Sustainable Transportation was founded to provide leadership in achieving sustainable transportation in Canada.
Sierra Club, Stop Sprawl Campaign, Transportation Issues Zion National Park Case Study by National Renewable Energy Laboratory As part of redesigning the visitors' experience at Zion National Park, clean running propane buses were designed to shuttle the park's 2.5 million annual visitors throughout the area. Automobile traffic, which was causing damage to the air and ecosystem of the park, was minimized. See also Case Study: Zion National Park.
Smart Growth
A Smart Growth Reader by the American Planning Association. Smart Communities Network, DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network
o o
Smart Growth Scorecards Turning Bases Into Great Places: New Life for Closed Military Facilities
Others
FedCenter.govFedCenter, the Federal Facilities Environmental Stewardship and Compliance Assistance Center, is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, and the U.S. EPA Federal Facilities Enforcement Office. FedCenter replaces the previous FedSite as a one-stop source of environmental stewardship and compliance assistance information focused solely on the needs of federal government facilities.
GSA LEED Applications Guide GSA LEED Cost Study Urban Land Institute
OVERVIEW
On an annual basis, buildings in the United States consume 39% of America's energy and 68% of its electricity. Furthermore, buildings emit 38% of the carbon dioxide (the primary greenhouse gas associated with climate change), 49% of the sulfur dioxide, and 25% of the nitrogen oxides found in the air. Currently, the vast majority of this energy is produced from nonrenewable, fossil fuel resources. With America's supply of fossil fuel dwindling, concerns for energy supply security increasing (both for general supply and specific needs of facilities), and the impact of greenhouse gases on world climate rising, it is essential to find ways to reduce load, increase efficiency, and utilize renewable fuel resources in facilities of all types. During the facility design and development process, building projects must have a comprehensive, integrated perspective that seeks to:
Reduce heating, cooling, and lighting loads through climateresponsive design and conservation practices; Employ renewable energy sources such as daylighting, passive solar heating, photovoltaics, geothermal, and groundwater cooling;
Specify efficient HVAC and lighting systems that consider part-load conditions and utility interface requirements;
Optimize building performance by employing energy modeling programs and optimize system control strategies by using occupancy sensors CO2 sensors and other air quality alarms; and
Monitor project performance through a policy of commissioning, metering, annual reporting, and periodic recommissioning.
BACK TO TOP
RECOMMENDATIONS
Reduce Heating, Cooling, and Lighting Loads through Climate-Responsive Design and Conservation Practices
Use passive solar design; orient, size, and specify windows; and locate landscape elements with solar geometry and building load requirements in mind.
Use high-performance building envelopes; select walls, roofs, and other assemblies based on long-term, insulation, and durability requirements.
Evaluate the use of building scale to take advantage of on-site renewable energy technologies such as daylighting, solar water heating, and geothermal heat pumps.
Consider the use of larger scale, on-site renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaics, solar thermal, and wind turbines.
Evaluate purchasing electricity generated from renewable sources or low polluting sources such as natural gas.
Use lighting systems that consume less than 1 watt/square foot for ambient lighting.
Use Energy Star approved and/or FEMP-designated energy efficient products or products that meet or exceed Department of Energy standards.
Evaluate energy recovery systems that pre-heat or pre-cool, incoming ventilation air in commercial and institutional buildings.
Investigate the use of integrated generation and delivery systems, such as co-generation, fuel cells, and off-peak thermal storage. See also WBDG Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and Microturbines.
Evaluate the use of modular components such as boilers or chillers to optimize part-load efficiency and maintenance requirements.
Evaluate the use of Smart Controls that merge building automation systems with information technology (IT) infrastructures.
" Employ an interactive energy management tool that allows you to track and assess energy and water consumption like the Energy Star Portfolio Manager.
Energy independence and security are important components of national security and energy strategies. Today, power is mostly generated by massive centralized plants, and electricity moves along transmission lines. "Getting off of foreign oil" means minimizing energy consumption through energy conservation and efficiency, and generating energy from local, renewable sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, etc. (see WBDG Distributed Energy Resources, Fuel Cell Technology, Microturbines, Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), Daylighting, Passive Solar Heating) Additionally, using distributed energy systems adds to building resiliency as the threats of natural disaster damage become more frequent.
BACK TO TOP
EMERGING ISSUES
Passive survivability, which is described as the ability of a facility to provide shelter and basic occupant needs during and after disaster events without electric power is becoming a design strategy to consider, particularly in areas of the country where storms and floods have been reoccurring annually or more often. Incorporate facility survivability concepts in the design of critical facilities, including on-site renewable energy sources that will be available to power the building soon after a major storm passes. Checklist for Passive Survivability
BACK TO TOP
Energy Policy Act of 2005 Executive Order 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management"
Executive Order 13221, "Energy Efficient Standby Power Devices" U.S. General Services Administration
BACK TO TOP
MAJOR RESOURCES
WBDG
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
AestheticsEngage the Integrated Design Process, Cost-Effective, Functional / Operational, Historic Preservation Update Building Systems Appropriately, Productive, Secure / Safe, SustainableOptimize Site Potential, , SustainableProtect and Conserve Water, SustainableUse Environmentally Preferable Products, Sustainable Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality, SustainableOptimize Operational and Maintenance Practices
01 91 00 (01810) Commissioning 03 30 00 (03300) Cast-In-Place Concrete 03 40 00 (03400) Precast Concrete 04 20 00 (04200) Unit Masonry 07 20 00 (07200) Thermal Protection 07 30 00 (07300) Steep Slope Roofing 07 50 00 (07500) Membrane Roofing 07 92 00 (07900) Joint Sealants 08 14 00 (08210) Wood Doors 08 50 00 (08500) Windows 11 13 00 (11160) Loading Dock Equipment 11 30 00 (11450) Residential Equipment 11 28 00 (11680) Office Equipment 12 10 00 (12100) Art 14 20 00 (14200) Elevators 23 30 00 (15800) HVAC Air Distribution 23 70 00 (15700) Central HVAC Equipment 26 50 00 (16500) Lighting 48 14 00 (13600) Solar Energy Electrical Power Generation Equipment
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project Planning and Development, Building Commissioning
TOOLS
LEED Version 2.1 Credit / WBDG Resource Page Matrix, LEED-DoD Antiterrorism Standards Tool. See also Tools: Energy Analysis.
WBDG case studies: Center for Neighborhood Technology; EPA New England Regional Laboratory; NAVFAC Building 33
WBDG: Productive, Functional / OperationalEnsure Appropriate Product/Systems Integration, Functional / OperationalMeet Performance Objectives
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) Volume 1 (PDF 2.5
MB)
Others
FedCenter.govFedCenter, the Federal Facilities Environmental Stewardship and Compliance Assistance Center, is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, and the U.S. EPA Federal Facilities Enforcement Office. FedCenter replaces the previous FedSite as a one-stop source of environmental stewardship and compliance assistance information focused solely on the needs of federal government facilities.
OVERVIEW
Within the federal sector, alone, it is estimated that expenditures for water and sewer run between $0.5 billion and $1 billion annually. Reducing water consumption and protecting water quality are key objectives of sustainable design. One critical issue of water consumption is that in many areas of the country, the demands on the supplying aquifer
exceed its ability to replenish itself. To the maximum extent feasible, facilities should increase their dependence on water that is collected, used, purified, and reused on-site. The protection and conservation of water must be considered throughout the life of the building, and facility owners and developers must seek to:
Reduce, control, and treat surface runoff; Use water efficiently through low or ultra-low flow fixtures, elimination of leaks, water conserving cooling towers, and other actions;
Improve water quality; for example eliminate lead-bearing products in potable water;
Recover non-sewage and gray water for on-site use (such as irrigation)
Establish waste treatment and recycling centers; Apply the FEMP Best Management Practices for Water Conservation. Follow Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA 2007) Hydrology requirements to maintain or restore predevelopment hydrology of the property with regard to the temperature, rate, volume and duration of flow.
Water conservation must also be a key consideration in the reuse or renovation of an existing building.
Water conservation strategies implemented at the Post Office in Ft. Worth, TX include landscaping with native, or indigenous, plantings and rainwater catchment basins. Photo courtesy of Don Horn.
BACK TO TOP
RECOMMENDATIONS
Reduce, Control, and Treat Surface Runoff
o o o
Reduce the amount of impervious site area. Filter surface runoff. Use pervious paving materials.
Consider incorporating green roofs into the project where feasible. Plan for storm water events in the overall management of surface water runoff.
Incorporate water efficiency and conservation in construction specifications. Use low or ultra low water-efficient plumbing fixtures and integrate other water-saving devices into buildings.
Design landscape for water efficiency through the use of native plants that are tolerant of local soil and rainfall conditions.
Meter water usage; employ measurement and verification methods; comply with the Department of Energy's International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) (PDF 2.5 MB) for water use.
Install water-conserving cooling towers designed with delimiters to reduce drift and evaporation.
Eliminate leaks; caulk around pipes and plumbing fixtures; conduct annual checks of hoses and pipes.
Commission water and sewer systems as part of the project quality assurance process.
Use roof water, groundwater and groundwater from sump pumps for on-site activities.
Capture and use condensate from HVAC systems. Work with local water jurisdiction officials to get approval for greywater projects.
BMP #3Distribution System Audits, Leak Detection and Repair BMP #4Water-Efficient Landscaping BMP #5Water-Efficient Irrigation BMP #6Toilets and Urinals BMP #7Faucets and Showerheads BMP #8Boiler/Steam Systems BMP #9Single-Pass Cooling Equipment BMP #10Cooling Tower Management BMP #11Commercial Kitchen Equipment BMP #12Laboratory/Medical Equipment BMP #13Other Water Use BMP #14Alternate Water Sources The International Storm Water Best Management Practices (BMP) Database, developed under a grant from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, contains best management practices, and study references for the effective design of storm water management systems.
BACK TO TOP
RELATED ISSUES
Dry Fire Hydrants
One of the synergistic technologies for achieving water conservation and fire safety is a dry fire hydrant. Dry hydrants are non-pressurized suction pipe systems that are permanently installed in ponds or lakes and use the untreated water, instead of municipal water, to fight fires. Utilized in areas that lack conventional fire protection; areas that cannot handle the large volumes of water due to antiquated systems; or during peak use seasons when there is low water pressure, dry hydrants allow fire departments to be much more efficient by providing close water sources to fire risks. Since dry hydrants are installed below frost line and do not require electricity, they are capable of supplying water in the case of natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes when electricity lines are knocked down, or during extreme cold or hot weather where conventional hydrant pipes can freeze or break. Also, dry fire hydrants help to save precious drinking water and conserve energy by using rainwater that does not need to be processed to be used for fighting fires. More
BACK TO TOP
EMERGING ISSUES
Greywater use can significantly reduce the amount of potable water needed for landscaping irrigation, toilet flushing and other non-drinking water applications. To increase greywater recovery and use, coordinate with local water authorities to explain the value of greywater recovery and the benefits to them and their community.
Passive survivability is a fairly new approach to disaster recovery and continuity of operations. Ensuring that an onsite water storage system can survive a natural disaster would allow a facility to operate through the disaster or restart operations soon after a disaster. Extreme weather has taxed water supply systems and caused major damage to facilities along coastlines and rivers. Before rebuilding after extreme weather events, apply sustainable development principles to rebuilding water supply systems and stormwater management. Continual drought conditions plague some parts of the country. Design water infrastructure systems and facility water use systems to minimize potable water use in these areas.
BACK TO TOP
Energy Policy Act of 2005 Executive Order 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management"
Department of Defense
o o
UFC 3-210-10, Low Impact Development UFGS 01 57 23, Temporary Storm Water Pollution
BACK TO TOP
MAJOR RESOURCES
WBDG
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
AestheticsEngage the Integrated Design Process, Cost-Effective, Functional / Operational, Historic Preservation Update Building Systems Appropriately, Productive, Secure / Safe, SustainableOptimize Site Potential, Sustainable Optimize Energy Use, SustainableUse Environmentally Preferable Products, SustainableEnhance Indoor Environmental Quality, SustainableOptimize Operational and Maintenance Practices
12 10 00 (12100) Artwork 22 40 00 (15400) Plumbing Fixtures 31 25 73 (02635) Stormwater Management by Compost 32 90 00 (02900) Planting
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Building Commissioning
TOOLS
LEED Version 2.1 Credit / WBDG Resource Page Matrix, LEED-DoD Antiterrorism Standards Tool
Federal Agencies
Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings Memorandum of Understanding Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
o o Publications
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Water Use Efficiency Program
Environmentally and Economically Beneficial Landscaping Guidance by the Federal Highway Administration
EPA NPDES General Permit for Storm Water Discharges From Construction ActivitiesFact Sheet (PDF 461 KB, 38
pgs).
EPA Permitting Stormwater Discharges from Federal Facility Construction ProjectsFact Sheet (PDF 108 KB, 3 pgs).
EPA Storm Water Management for Construction Activities: Developing Pollution Prevention Plans and Best Management Practices (PDF 4.2 MB, 39 pgs) by U.S. EPA. 1992.
FEMP Product Energy Efficiency Ratings (PEER) by U.S. Department of Energy. Pages for water efficient fixtures include faucets, showerheads, urinals.
GSA LEED Applications Guide GSA LEED Cost Study High Performance Building Guidelines (PDF 2.2 MB, 146 pgs), Chapter on Water Management, by New York City Department of Design and Construction. April 1999.
Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines by Regents of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, College Design, Center for Sustainable Building Research. Section on Water
The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting (PDF 1.9 MB, 88 pgs) by Texas Water Development Board.
Organizations
American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) Green Globes Rating System Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) USACE Technical Note ERDC TN-05-DRAFT No-Water Urinals (PDF
94 KB, 2 pgs),
January 2007.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System
Others
FedCenter.govFedCenter, the Federal Facilities Environmental Stewardship and Compliance Assistance Center, is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, and the U.S. EPA Federal Facilities Enforcement Office. FedCenter replaces the previous FedSite as a one-stop source of environmental stewardship and compliance assistance information focused solely on the needs of federal government facilities.
Green SealStandards for environmentally responsible products including water efficient fixtures
International Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) DatabaseDeveloped under a grant from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, the BMP Database contains best management practices, and study references for the effective design of stormwater management systems.
Low Impact Development, EPA Smart Communities NetworkWater Efficiency, DOE Strategic Computing Complex (SCC)case study on the WBDG Water Efficiency, Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Water WiserThe Water Efficiency Clearinghouse
OVERVIEW
The composition of materials used in a building is a major factor in its life-cycle environmental impact. Whether new or renovated, existing federal facilities must lead the way in the use of environmentally preferable products and processes that do not pollute or unnecessarily contribute to the waste stream, do not adversely affect health, and do not deplete limited natural resources. As the growing global economy expands the demand for raw materials, it is no longer sensible to throw away much of what we consider construction waste. Using a "cradle-to-cradle" approach, the "waste" from one generation can become the "raw material" of the next. When developing specifications, product descriptions and standards, consider a broad range of environmental factors including: waste prevention, recyclability, the use of recycled content (see EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program), environmentally preferable, and bio-based products, life-cycle cost, and ultimate disposal. During the facility/renovation design and development process, federal projects must have a comprehensive, integrated perspective that seeks to:
Renovate existing facilities, products, and equipment whenever possible, such as historic structures or used furniture; Evaluate the environmental preferability of products using the cradleto-cradle, life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach;
Maximize the recycled content of all new materials, especially from a post-consumer perspective;
Specify materials harvested on a sustained yield basis such as lumber from certified forests;
Encourage the use of recyclable assemblies and products that can be easily "de-constructed" at the end of their useful lives;
Limit construction debris, encourage the separation of waste streams, and encourage recycling during the construction process;
Eliminate the use of materials that pollute or are toxic during their manufacture, use, or reuse; and
Give preference to locally produced products and other products with low embodied energy content.
BACK TO TOP
RECOMMENDATIONS
Renovate Existing Facilities, Products, and Equipment
Use reconditioned products and equipment, such as furniture, whenever economically feasible and resource efficient. Evaluate if components of existing buildings or facilities, such as windows or metal door frames, can be incorporated in any new construction. Ensure that the windows and doors meet the new facility's security, accessibility, and energy requirements.
Consider trade offs among life-cycle stages (i.e., raw materials acquisition, manufacturing, transportation, installation, use, and waste management) when determining environmentally preferability. That is, look at the "big picture" rather than simply shifting problems from one life-cycle stage to another.
Purchase environmentally preferable products as described in EPA's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program, which promotes Federal Government procurement of products and services
that have reduced impacts on human health and the environment over their life cycle.
Follow the EPA's five guiding principles established to help Executive agencies identify and purchase environmentally friendly products and services.
Environment + Price + Performance = EPP. Include environmental considerations as part of the normal purchasing process.
Life-Cycle Perspective/Multiple Attributes. Examine multiple environmental attributes throughout the product and service's life cycle.
Comparison of Environmental Impacts. Compare environmental impacts when selecting products and services.
Environmental Performance Information. Collect accurate and meaningful environmental information about environmental performance of products and services.
Within an acceptable category of product, use materials and assemblies with the highest percentage available of post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content.
Within an acceptable category of product, evaluate the use of materials and assemblies with low embodied energy content.
Specify rapidly renewable materials that regenerate in 10 years or less, such as bamboo, cork, wool, and straw.
Within acceptable levels of performance, evaluate the use of demountable or de-constructable products and assemblies. Establish a waste management plan in cooperation with users to encourage recycling.
Investigate providing locations at the project site for organic waste composting.
Eliminate the Use of Materials that Pollute or are Toxic During Their Manufacture, Use, or Reuse
Within an acceptable category of product, use materials and assemblies with the lowest level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). See WBDG Evaluating and Selecting Green Products.
Eliminate the use of asbestos, lead, and PCBs in all products and assemblies. See WBDG High-Performance HVAC.
Eliminate the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as refrigerants in all HVAC systems.
Evaluate the use of materials and assemblies whose manufacture does not pollute or create toxic conditions for workers. See also WBDG Secure/SafeEnsure Occupant Safety and Health > Provide Good Indoor Air Quality and Adequate Ventilation and > Eliminate Exposure to Hazardous Materials.
Avoid Ground-level Ozone in buildings. It can contribute to health problems for the building's occupants and damages vegetation and ecosystems.
Give Preference to Locally Produced Materials with Low Embodied Energy Content
Evaluate the use of locally produced products to stimulate local economies and reduce transportation burdens.
Evaluate the use of materials and assemblies that require minimum "embodied" energy for raw materials acquisition, manufacture, transport, installation, and use.
BACK TO TOP
RELATED ISSUES
Durability of Environmentally Preferable Materials
It is important that 'green' products perform the same as 'standard' products over their expected lives, therefore, it is valuable to develop a durability plan, which informs material and systems decisions assessing potential risk factors and damage functions. Once identified, measures can be made in the building design to address the risk factors. This process follows every phase from pre-design to building occupancy. Durability plans consider effects related to moisture, heat, sunlight, insects, material failure, ozone and acid rain, building function, style and natural disasters.
EMERGING ISSUES
Many new products have appeared on the market in recent years, all claiming to be 'green,' yet they sometimes offer little proof to back up those claims. The term 'Greenwashing' has come into vogue to describe products having
unsubstantiated and misleading green characteristics. It is a challenge to specifiers and purchasers to determine the validity and relevance of environmental claims. Evaluate green products using recognized testing laboratories and test methods and read the Terrachoice article "The Six Sins of Greenwashing."
BACK TO TOP
Executive Order 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management"
BACK TO TOP
MAJOR RESOURCES
WBDG
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
AestheticsEngage the Integrated Design Process, Cost-Effective, Functional / Operational, Historic Preservation Update Building Systems Appropriately, Productive, Secure / Safe, SustainableOptimize Site Potential, Optimize
Energy Use, SustainableProtect and Conserve Water, SustainableEnhance Indoor Environmental Quality, SustainableOptimize Operational and Maintenance Practices
01 67 00 (01611) Environmental Product Requirements 01 74 13 (01740) Progress Cleaning 01 78 23 (01830) Operation & Maintenance Data 05 05 00 (05050) Common Work Results for Metals 06 05 73 (06070) Wood Treatment 06 10 00 (06100) Rough Carpentry 06 16 00 (06160) Sheathing 06 20 00 (06200) Finish Carpentry 06 60 00 (06600) Plastic Fabrications 06 90 00 (06700) Alternative Agricultural Products 07 92 00 (07900) Joint Sealants 08 14 00 (08210) Wood Doors 09 29 00 (09250) Gypsum Board 09 30 00 (09300) Tiling 09 51 00 (09510) Acoustical Ceilings 09 65 00 (09650) Resilient Flooring 09 65 16.13 (09654) Linoleum Flooring 09 68 00 (09680) Carpeting 09 72 00 (09720) Wall Coverings 09 90 00 (09900) Painting & Coating
10 14 00 (10400) Signage 10 21 13.19 (10170) Plastic Toilet Compartments 11 13 00 (11160) Loading Dock Equipment 11 28 00 (11680) Office Equipment 11 30 00 (11450) Residential Equipment 12 10 00 (12100) Artwork 12 48 13 (12482) Entrance Floor Mats and Frames 12 59 00 (12700) Systems Furniture
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project Planning and Development, Building Commissioning
TOOLS
Construction Waste Management Database, LEED Version 2.1 Credit / WBDG Resource Page Matrix, LEED-DoD Antiterrorism Standards Tool
U.S. Life-Cycle Inventory (LCI) DatabaseCreated by NREL and partners, this publicly available database allows users to objectively review and compare analysis results that are based on similar data collection and analysis methods.
o o
Energy Star, EPA Federal Green Construction Guide for SpecifiersThe Guide provides model language that is intended to assist users in achieving green building goals as may be determined by the individual agency and project. It is being developed by EPA with the Federal Environmental Executive and the Whole Building Design Guide.
o o o
Environmental Building News Environmental Design & Construction Magazine GreenSpecThe Environmental Building News Product Directory
Other
o o
Green Products Network GreenSage.comAn online source for green and sustainable building materials and furnishings.
Guide to Resource Efficient Building Elements by Tracy Mumma. Missoula, MT: National Center for Appropriate Technology's Center for Resourceful Building Technology, 1997. eGuide version of book available online.
o o
oikos Green Building SourceGreen product information PATHNET.orgExcellent repository of building materials, case studies, and innovative techniques
A Sourcebook for Green and Sustainable Building, City of Austin Green Builder Program
products by using the life-cycle assessment approach specified in ISO 14000 standards.
Environmental Impact Estimator, Athena InstituteThe Estimator lets designers assess the environmental implications of industrial, institutional, office, and both multi-unit and single-family residential designs: new construction or renovation.
Environmental Resource Guide by The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Joseph A. Demkin (Editor). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1996.
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center Construction Waste Management
Department of Defense
UFC 1-900-01 Selection of Methods for the Reduction, Reuse and Recycling of Demolition Waste
PWTB 200-1-23 Guidance for the Reduction of Demolition Waste Through Reuse and Recycling
Residential Construction Waste Management: A Builder's Field Guide by Peter Yost and Eric Lund. National Association of Home Builders Research Center, January 1997.
WasteSpec: Model Specifications for Construction Waste Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling by Triangle J Council of Governments.
Others
FedCenter.govFedCenter, the Federal Facilities Environmental Stewardship and Compliance Assistance Center, is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, and the U.S. EPA Federal Facilities Enforcement Office. FedCenter replaces the previous FedSite as a one-stop source of environmental stewardship and compliance assistance information focused solely on the needs of federal government facilities.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System
OVERVIEW
In the struggle to build cost-effective buildings, it is easy to forget that the ultimate success or failure of a project rests on its indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Healthy, comfortable employees are invariably more satisfied and productive. Unfortunately, this simple, compelling truth is often lost, for it is simpler to focus on the first-cost of a project than it is to determine the value of increased user productivity and health. Facilities should be constructed with an appreciation of the importance of providing high-quality, interior environments for all users. During the facility/renovation design and development process, federal projects must have a comprehensive, integrated perspective that seeks to:
Facilitate quality IEQ through good design, construction, and operating and maintenance practices; Value aesthetic decisions, such as the importance of views and the integration of natural and man-made elements;
Provide thermal comfort with a maximum degree of personal control over temperature and airflow;
Supply adequate levels of ventilation and outside air to ensure indoor air quality;
Prevent airborne bacteria, mold, and other fungi through heating, ventilating, air-conditioning (HVAC) system designs that are effective at controlling indoor humidity, and building envelope design that prevents the intrusion of moisture;
Avoid the use of materials high in pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or toxins;
Assure acoustic privacy and comfort through the use of sound absorbing material and equipment isolation;
Control disturbing odors through contaminant isolation and careful selection of cleaning products;
Create a high performance luminous environment through the careful integration of natural and artificial light sources; and
Note: IEQ encompasses indoor air quality (IAQ), which focuses on airborne contaminants, as well as other health, safety, and comfort issues such as aesthetics, potable water surveillance, ergonomics, acoustics, lighting, and electromagnetic frequency levels. IEQ improvements to an existing building can occur at any point during the use of a building.
BACK TO TOP
RECOMMENDATIONS
Facilitate Quality IEQ through Good Design, Construction, and O&M Practices
Acceptable IEQ is often easiest to achieve if "source control" is practiced, not only during building construction, but also over the life of the building. For example, the designer may select building products that do not produce noxious or irritating odors; and design exterior entrances with permanent entryway systems to catch and hold dirt particles.
Refer to the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Scientific Findings Resource Bank (IAQ-SFRB) for scientific information about the effects of IAQ on people's health or work performance. The IAQ-SFRB is being developed by the Indoor Environment Department of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory with funding support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Operations & Maintenance (O&M) and cleaning staff can also avoid creating IEQ problems by choosing less noxious materials during repair and cleaning activities. While HVAC systems may be designed to isolate operations (kitchens, dry cleaners, etc.) from other occupancies, the O&M staff ensures that pressure differentials are maintained to avoid the undesirable flow of contaminants from one space to another. See also WBDG Sustainable O&M Practices.
Design spaces around basic human needs, ancient preferences, and connections to the patterns of nature and the mind. See also WBDG Psychosocial Value of Space.
Demand that individual buildings or facilities are consciously integrated into their natural and man-made context. See also WBDG SustainableOptimize Site Potential.
Evaluate the use of access floors with displacement ventilation for flexibility, personal comfort control, and energy savings.
Understand moisture dynamics as a key criteria in the selection of wall and roof assemblies. See also WBDG Air Barrier Systems in Buildings.
Evaluate the benefit of specifying high-performance windows to increase mean radiant temperature (MRT).
Commission HVAC systems to ensure they operate and perform as designed. This will ensure that adequate ventilation rates have been achieved prior to initial occupancy. HVAC system should be installed with filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 7.
Investigate the use of separate outside air and conditioned air distribution systems. A good description of various types of heating and ventilation systems can be found at: WBDG High-Performance HVAC and Natural Ventilation.
Ensure fresh air intakes are located away from loading areas, exhaust fans, and other contamination points.
Ensure parking lot/garage usage cannot generate pollutants that affect fresh air intake or pedestrian traffic. Prevent vehicles idling near the facility during normal operations.
Consider installing loading dock purge fans. Investigate the use of a permanent air quality monitoring system. ASHRAE acceptable level of carbon dioxide (CO2) for an indoor office environment is 1000 ppm ("normal" CO2 outside level is about 300 to 400 ppm). Carbon monoxide (CO) levels in office environments should be below 2 ppm. OSHA regulates levels of CO for industrial locations.
Coordinate ventilation and air filtration with chemical, biological, and radiological concerns and locate outside air intakes so they do not conflict with physical security requirements. See also WBDG Air Decontamination.
Prevention of mold and fungi is dependent upon effective HVAC and building envelope design and construction. The HVAC system must be able to control interior humidity conditions over a wide range of outdoor conditions. The system must be designed to have the capacity to dehumidify at the 1% Humidity Ratio and mean coincident dry bulb temperature, and control interior humidity at both extreme and low load conditions. The building envelope must be carefully designed to prevent intrusion of water and to dry if intrusion should occur. It must also incorporate barriers that control vapor and air infiltration.
Carefully consider the envelope of the building to prevent moisture infiltration. Investigate immediately when there is a moisture condition, either from a leak or flood.
Ensure the number of spores in the indoor air is less than the outdoor air. It is recommended that there should be less than 700 spores in a cubic meter of air.
Implement proper maintenance procedures to prevent nosocomial infections. Consider removing restroom doors to reduce the chance of acquiring infections.
Remove asbestos-containing material or contain it in a manner that precludes the possibility of future exposure.
In areas where it is prevalent, include measures to control and mitigate radon buildup.
Create safe, convenient, and secure storage spaces for housekeeping chemicals. See also WBDG Sustainable O&M Practices.
If an area in an occupied building is being renovated, consider isolating and negatively pressurizing the construction area if work is being performed that would result in dust, fumes, or odors. If conditioned air is required due to high end finishing work, the air should be directly exhausted to the exterior environment and not returned to the fan.
Minimize noise through the use of sound-absorbing materials, high sound transmission loss walls, floors, and ceilings, and equipment sound isolation. See Architectural Graphic Standards, 11th Edition, section on Acoustical Design for more information. See also WBDG ProductiveProvide Comfortable Environments and Acoustic Comfort.
Consider sound masking systems. These systems introduce an unobtrusive background sound that reduces interference from distracting office noise. Note that some level of HVAC "noise" can serve as a background white noise source, eliminating the need for sound masking systems.
Avoid the use of small diameter ducts with high velocity airflow.
Minimize disturbing odors through contaminant isolation and careful selection of cleaning products.
Ensure maintenance procedures are in place to remove all trash and recyclables from the building on a regular basis rather than storing them within the building for prolonged periods of time.
Prohibit smoking in all areas of the building. Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is a known carcinogen.
In special cases where smoking is permitted, e.g., federal judge's private chambers, ensure that the spaces:
o o o
Have lower pressure than adjacent areas; Comply with ASHRAE Standard 62 for proper ventilation; Are isolated from the return air system of surrounding areas to prevent pollutants from spreading to other areas.
Substitute magnetic fluorescent lamps with high-frequency electronic ballasts to reduce flickering.
Reduce direct glare from both natural and man-made sources in the field of viewparticularly in spaces with highly reflective surfaces, such as visual display terminals (VDTs).
Use task/ambient systems that provide reduced levels of diffuse, general illumination, and supplement with task lighting. Most people do not need lighting in excess of 300 lux (a unit of illumination).
Comply with EPA Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for the levels of various metals and bacteria in potable water systems. For newly installed or temporarily suspended domestic water systems, follow "start-up" procedures by flushing all down stream outlets.
Control domestic water temperature to avoid temperature ranges where legionellae grow: keep domestic water temperatures above
140F (60C) in tanks and 122F (50C) at all taps (faucets and showers).
Design cooling tower and building air intake placement so air discharged from the cooling tower or evaporative condenser is not directly brought into the facility's air intake.
Consider a closed loop system instead of an open system to reduce the potential of exposure at the cooling tower.
EMF RAPIDElectric and Magnetic Fields Research and Public Information Dissemination Program World Health Organization (WHO), Electromagnetic fields (EMF) website
ASHRAE Standard 62Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality Sets the minimum acceptable ventilation requirements.
Air Force: Air Force Engineering Technical Letter ETL 04-3 Design Criteria for Prevention of Mold in Air Force Facilities.
BACK TO TOP
MAJOR RESOURCES
WBDG
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
Aesthetics, Historic PreservationUpdate Building Systems Appropriately, Productive, Secure / Safe, Sustainable Optimize Site Potential, SustainableOptimize Energy Use, SustainableProtect and Conserve Water, Sustainable Use Environmentally Preferable Products, SustainableOptimize Operational and Maintenance Practices
01 67 00 (01611) Environmental Product Requirements 01 74 13 (01740) Progress Cleaning 05 05 00 (05500) Common Work Results for Metals 06 05 73 (06070) Wood Treatment 06 10 00 (06100) Rough Carpentry 06 16 00 (06160) Sheathing 06 20 00 (06200) Finish Carpentry 06 60 00 (06600) Plastic Fabrications 06 90 00 (06700) Alternative Agricultural Products 07 10 00 (07100) Dampproofing & Waterproofing 07 20 00 (07200) Thermal Protection 07 30 00 (07300) Steep Slope Roofing 07 50 00 (07500) Membrane Roofing 07 55 63 (07530) Vegetated Protected Membrane Roofing 07 92 00 (07900) Joint Sealants 08 14 00 (08210) Wood Doors 08 50 00 (08500) Windows 09 29 00 (09250) Gypsum Board 09 30 00 (09300) Tiling 09 51 00 (09510) Acoustical Ceilings 09 65 00 (09650) Resilient Flooring 09 65 16.13 (09654) Linoleum Flooring 09 68 00 (09680) Carpeting 09 72 00 (09720) Wall Coverings 09 90 00 (09900) Painting & Coating
12 10 00 (12100) Art 12 59 00 (12700) Systems Furniture 22 40 00 (15400) Plumbing Fixtures 23 30 00 (15800) HVAC Air Distribution 23 70 00 (15700) Central HVAC Equipment
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Building Commissioning
TOOLS
LEED Version 2.1 Credit / WBDG Resource Pages Matrix, LEED-DoD Antiterrorism Standards Tool
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System
IAQ Building Education and Assessment Model (I-BEAM) Computer SoftwareI-BEAM is computer software for use by building professionals and others interested in indoor air quality in commercial buildings. I-BEAM updates and expands EPA's existing Building Air Quality guidance and is designed to be comprehensive state-of-theart guidance for managing IAQ in commercial buildings. I-BEAM contains text, animation/visual, and interactive/calculation components that can be used to perform a number of diverse tasks.
Multizone Modeling website, NISTContains software tools for performing multi-zone analysis (e.g. CONTAMW), information on the applications of multi-zone modeling, multi-zone modeling case studies, and references to multi-zone modeling publications.
OTHERS
AeriasOnline resource dedicated to promoting better human health and better business through IAQ awareness. "Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers" by U.S. EPA and National Institute for Safety and Health.
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) Section 01350 Special Environmental Requirements for testing emissions of products
FedCenter.govFedCenter, the Federal Facilities Environmental Stewardship and Compliance Assistance Center, is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, and the U.S. EPA Federal Facilities Enforcement Office. FedCenter replaces the previous FedSite as a one-stop source of environmental stewardship and compliance assistance information focused solely on the needs of federal government facilities.
High Performance Building Guidelines (PDF 2.2 MB, 146 pgs) by New York City Department of Design and Construction. April 1999.
Direct inquiries: Phone (800) 438-4318; Fax: (703) 3565386; e-mail: iaqinfo@aol.com.
Lessons Learned: High Performance Buildings. "Indoor Environmental Quality" by John J. Leitner and William Esposito, Jr., CIH, Ambient Group, Inc. New York, NY: Earth Day New York, 2000.
WBDG: ProductiveProvide Comfortable Environments MOIST 3 softwareComputer software that predicts the onedimensional transfer of heat and moisture, allowing users to investigate the effects of various parameters on the moisture accumulation within layers of the construction. MOIST can also be used to generate guidelines and practices for controlling moisture.
Guidance for Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks by Department of Health and Human Services. May 2002.
Guidance for Filtration and Air-Cleaning Systems to Protect Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological
Attacks by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. April 2003.
The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality by EPA Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6604J) and United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
NAVFAC White Paper on Carbon Monoxide UFC 4-010-01, DoD Minimum Anti-Terrorism Standards for Buildings
WBDG: ProductiveProvide Comfortable Environments, Acoustic Comfort Architectural Graphic Standards, 11th Edition
Guidance for Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks by Department of Health and Human Services. May 2002.
Publications
How IEQ Affects Health, Productivity (PDF 220 KB, 3 pgs) by William J. Fisk, P.E., Member ASHRAE. ASHRAE Journal, May 2002. HVAC Characteristics and Occupant Health (PDF 430 KB, 4 pgs) by W.K. Sieber, M.R. Petersen, L.T. Stayner, R. Malkin, M.J. Mendell, K.M. Wallingford, T.G. Wilcox, M.S. Crandall, and L. Reed. ASHRAE Journal, September 2002.
IEQ and the Impact on Building Occupants (PDF 105 KB, 3 pgs) by Satish Kumar, Ph.D., Member ASHRAE and William J. Fisk, P.E., Member ASHRAE. ASHRAE Journal, April 2002.
IEQ and the Impact on Employee Sick Leave (PDF 105 KB, 3 pgs) by Satish Kumar, Ph.D., Member ASHRAE and William J. Fisk, P.E., Member ASHRAE. ASHRAE Journal, July 2002.
Ventilation Rates and Health (PDF 115 KB, 5 pgs) by Olli Seppnen, Fellow ASHRAE, William J. Fisk, P.E., Member ASHRAE, and Mark J. Mendell, Ph.D. ASHRAE Journal, August 2002.
OVERVIEW
No matter how sustainable a building may have been in its design and construction, it can only remain so if it is operated responsibly and maintained properly. Ensure operation and maintenance personnel are part of the project planning and development process including the establishing of commissioning criteria at the onset of a project. The use of toxic cleaning products can deteriorate indoor air quality; failure to test sensor control points on a regular basis can compromise energy efficiency; and poor training can lead to early system failures. Buildings must be operated and maintained with the security, safety, health, comfort, and productivity of their occupants in mind, and with an understanding of the next generation's need to reuse and recycle building components. To the extent possible, select systems that are easily maintained. Throughout the building's life cycle, operations and maintenance should seek to:
Train building occupants, facilities managers, and maintenance staff in sustainable design principles and methods; " Purchase cleaning products and supplies that are resource-efficient, bio-degradable and non-toxic;
Use automated monitors and controls for energy, water, waste, temperature, moisture, and ventilation;
Reduce waste through source reduction and recycling to eliminate disposal off-site; and
BACK TO TOP
RECOMMENDATIONS
Train Building Occupants, Facilities Managers, and Maintenance Staff in Sustainability Principles and Methods
Implement a comprehensive, preventive maintenance program to keep all building systems functioning as designed. See WBDG Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM).
Install meters and track progress of energy, water, and waste systems to ensure the highest performance levels possible. Without meters to monitor and verify performance, it will be difficult to determine if building systems are operating as designed.
Provide operations support to facilities managers and maintenance crews to answer questions and offer additional information.
Consider composting and/or recycling yard waste. Where necessary, use non-toxic outdoor fertilizers and pesticides. Minimize site disturbance. See also WBDG SustainableOptimize Site Potential.
Use landscaping products with recycled content as required by EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) for landscaping products.
Purchase Cleaning Products and Supplies that are Resource-Efficient and Non-Toxic
Use cleaners that biodegrade rapidly. Look for products that are concentrated, using less packaging for more power.
Use integrated pest management (IPM) practices in facilities and landscaping to reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides. IPM has been mandated on federal property since 1996 by Section 136r-1 of Title 7, United States Code, and is cited in Title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations (102-74.35) as a required service for agencies subject to the authority of the General Services Administration (GSA).
Use non-toxic pest control for indoor spaces and plants. See also WBDG Evaluating and Selecting Green Products.
Keep air ducts clean and free of microorganisms through a structured program of preventive maintenance and regular filter changes.
Use Automated Monitors and Controls for Energy, Water, Waste, Temperature, Moisture, and Ventilation Monitors and Controls
Use schedule, occupancy, or luminance sensors to control lighting and other functions. In the absence of sensors, turn off lights when not in use.
Use timers for heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Turn off computers and equipment when not in use. Enable power-down features on office equipment (e.g., Energy Star computers).
purchase recycled or recyclable items, use nondisposable food and beverage service, have bottle deposits, a plan for leftover food and meeting materials, and practice water and energy conservation.
Provide sufficient parking spaces for carpools/vanpools. Support teleconferencing and videoconferencing through proper operations and maintenance of communication systems.
Support telework (aka telecommuting) programs by providing hotelling spaces (flexible and well-equipped office spaces that teleworkers can use when they come into the office) and properly operating and maintained telework centers.
BACK TO TOP
Executive Order 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management"
Executive Order 13221, "Energy Efficient Standby Power Devices" P100 Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service, U.S. General Services Administration, 2005
BACK TO TOP
MAJOR RESOURCES
WBDG
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
Aesthetics, Functional / Operational, Historic PreservationUpdate Building Systems Appropriately, Productive, ProductiveAssure Reliable Systems and Spaces, ProductiveDesign for the Changing Workplace, Productive Promote Health and Well-Being, ProductiveProvide Comfortable Environments, Secure / SafeEnsure Occupant Safety and Health, SustainableOptimize Site Potential, SustainableOptimize Energy Use, SustainableProtect and Conserve Water, SustainableUse Environmentally Preferable Products, SustainableEnhance Indoor Environmental Quality
01 78 23 (01830) Operation and Maintenance Data 01 91 00 (01810) Commissioning 06 20 00 (06200) Finish Carpentry 09 29 00 (09250) Gypsum Board 09 30 00 (09300) Tiling 09 51 00 (09510) Acoustical Ceilings 09 65 00 (09650) Resilient Flooring 09 65 16.13 (09654) Linoleum Flooring 09 68 00 (09680) Carpeting 09 72 00 (09720) Wallcoverings 09 90 00 (09900) Painting & Coating 10 21 13.19 (10170) Plastic Toilet Compartments 11 13 00 (11160) Loading Dock Equipment 11 28 00 (11680) Office Equipment 11 30 00 (11450) Residential Equipment 12 48 13 (12482) Entrance Floor Mats and Frames 12 59 00 (12700) Systems Furniture
14 20 00 (14200) Elevators 22 40 00 (15400) Plumbing Fixtures 23 30 00 (15800) HVAC Air Distribution 23 70 00 (15700) Central HVAC Equipment 26 50 00 (16500) Lighting 32 90 00 (02900) Planting 48 14 00 (13600) Solar Energy Electrical Power Generation Equipment
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Building Commissioning
TOOLS
LEED Version 2.1 Credit / WBDG Resource Page Matrix, LEED-DoD Antiterrorism Standards Tool
U.S. Green Building Council, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System Existing Buildings.
Train Building Occupants, Facilities Managers, and Maintenance Staff in Sustainability Principles and Methods
IFMA Certification Program for Facility ManagersMaintenance and operations management is one of eight competency areas evaluated in becoming a Certified Facility Manager. An ideas exchange among facility managers is available on an advertising-supported web page.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Food Production Fact Sheet by EPA.
Purchase Cleaning Products and Supplies that are Resource-Efficient and Non-Toxic
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP), EPA
Includes several Cleaning Products Pilot Projects on cleaners listed under "Solvents."
U.S. General Services Administration, Federal Supply Schedule GSA Schedule 73Schedule 73 (Food Service, Hospitality, and Cleaning) offers a variety of cleaning equipment and accessories, and cleaning products (including biodegradable products) for daily cleaning-products that keep facilities clean in an environmentally friendly manner. Also available are office recycling containers and waste receptacles, outdoor recycling containers, and industrial trash storage containers.
Use Automated Monitors and Controls for Energy, Water, Waste, Temperature, Moisture, and Ventilation Monitors and Controls
Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers by U.S. EPA and National Institute for Safety and Health. Energy Star, EPA FEMP Operations and Maintenance
Interagency Telework/Telecommuting website, GSA/OPM Public Law 106-346, Section 359Congressional Federal Telework Mandate 2001 (Part of the Department of Transportation Appropriations Act of 2001), 23 October 2000.
Publications
HVAC Characteristics and Occupant Health (PDF 430 KB, 4 pgs) by W.K. Sieber, M.R. Petersen, L.T. Stayner, R. Malkin, M.J. Mendell,
K.M. Wallingford, T.G. Wilcox, M.S. Crandall, and L. Reed. ASHRAE Journal, September 2002.