Fundamentals of Building Green

What is a CAPP Plan?

A CAPP Plan is a set of procedures that reduce contamination from work sites, and parts of it, such as an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, are required by building codes in many regions of the U.S.

What brought about the modern environmental movement?

A series of critical environmental issues, including: •1962 Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring"about DDT killing bird species •The Cuyahoga River in Ohio catching fire due to pollution from decades of industrial discharges

What materials can the contractor and tradesperson be responsible for recycling?

Cardboard, metal, brick, acoustical tile, concrete, plastic, clean wood, glass, gypsum wallboard, carpet, and insulation materials.

How does the consumption of fossil fuels contribute to air pollution?

Coal, oil, and natural gas are burned to make electricity and heat our buildings. Burning fossil fuels releases air pollutants such as particulates, mercury, and oxides of sulfur and nitrogen. Carbon dioxide contributes to climate change.

What is the definition of commissioning? For a LEED building, what systems must be commissioned?

Commissioning is a process that verifies and documents that a new facility and all of its systems are installed, tested, and operated to meet the design intent specified in the Owner's Project Requirements (OPR). Systems to be commissioned: heating, ventilation, air conditioning, HVAC controls, lighting and controls, domestic hot water, renewable energy (wind, solar, etc.), building envelope, and indoor environmental quality.

How has green building impacted the economy and job market?

Economy: The U.S. green building market has grown in the last few years, even during the. The total value of the green building market in 2011 was $78 billion; seven times the level in 2005. Jobs: By stimulating the economy, green building spurs job growth and creates new job opportunities for incumbent workers

How Do Humans Rely On The Environment?

Environmental systems provide the resources for human life: water, food, plants create oxygen, and the sun provides us with energy.

How do mining, harvesting, and manufacturing practices affect human health and the environment?

Extracting raw materials for construction products and building operations contribute to a project's carbon footprint. In addition, many of the mining, harvesting, and manufacturing practices create toxic waste and pollution.

How does the extraction and production of fossil fuels impact the environment?

Extraction and production of fossil fuels harms the environment. Some examples include: • -Mountaintop removal destroys valleys and ecosystems -Extracting oil from tar sands can pollute land and waterways

What are the three types of air pollutants that are directly harmful to humans?

-Tiny particles like soot and dust -Nitrogen- and sulfur-based acids (NOxand SOx) -Harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide (CO), and chemical vapors

What are four different types of pollution on construction sites?

1.Contaminated soil and runoff leaving the site 2.Air 3.Light 4.Noise

What are three ways to measure the environmental impact of a building product? Which method is the most comprehensive?

1.Embodied energy 2.Carbon footprint 3.Life cycle assessment (LCA): LCA is the most comprehensive way to measure environmental impact.

What are three alternative sources of water

1.Rainwater: Harvested from roofs 2.Greywater: Untreated wastewater that has not come into contact with toilet or kitchen waste (from showers, bathroom sinks) 3.Blackwater: Wastewater with food or human waste (from toilets, kitchen sinks)

What are absorbent landscapes, and how do they help reduce stormwater runoff?

Absorbent landscapes, made of natural or manmade materials, let water trickle into the ground. The tree roots, plants, rocks, and soil naturally filter the water and slow runoff.

How can poor indoor air quality harm humans?

After the building is complete, occupants can be exposed to dangerous substances if the building's ventilation systems are not properly managed. The level of pollutants inside a building can be as high as 200 times the level outdoors. Health impacts are widespread and varied.

What are two dangerous substances that must be cleaned up on-site by professionals?

Asbestos and Lead

How does burning fossil fuels impact global warming?

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. CO2 is a greenhouse gas. The high amount of CO2 in the atmosphere intensifies the Earth's natural greenhouse effect, and causes global warming.

How can we discard less waste?

By reducing the amount of usable materials that are thrown away.

What are five products with low-emitting alternatives? How can you tell they are healthier than conventional products?

Five products with low-emitting alternatives are: •Carpets •Composite wood materials •Furniture •Ceiling and wall systems •Paints, adhesives, coatings, and sealants Look for product labels, such as Green Seal, that indicate that it's a certified green product.

How does a green building save money for an owner?

Green buildings are built at a cost competitive with conventional buildings. In addition, they have lower operational costs than conventional buildings due to lower fuel, electricity, and water use over time.

What is the heat island effect?

Heat island effect explains why developed areas are warmer than their natural surroundings. Asphalt roads, black roofs, and other dark surfaces absorb and store more energy from the sun than light surfaces or planted areas. The stored energy is then released as heat, which warms the city and forms a heat island.

What are the biggest threats to our sources of drinking water?

Increasing demand and drought are the two biggest threats to our drinking water sources.

Why is maintaining biodiversity important?

Maintaining biodiversity is important for a high level of food security and for potential medicines. Plant-based products may eventually offer cures to diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and depression

How does extracting natural resources damage the environment?

Mining raw metals can destroy landscapes, contaminate streams with harmful chemicals, and make people sick

What are today's environmental responses to climate change?

Mitigation: Climate change mitigation is any action that reduces the risk of climate change, such as constructing energy-efficient buildings. Adaptation: Adaptation solutions will make us more resilient to the effects of climate change by allowing buildings to withstand floods, higher temperatures, and stronger storms

How can construction materials affect your health?

Poor on-site air quality during construction can negatively affect peoples health during construction and after the building is occupied. Poor air quality is mainly caused by dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), and other chemicals building products release into the air.

What does the saying "the greenest building is one that is already built" mean?

Renovating and retrofitting existing buildings to current green standards often has a smaller overall environmental impact and can be less expensive than starting from scratch.

What are the three methods for improving energy performance in a building?

Strategies to improve energy efficiency fall into three categories: • Reduce the end-use demand for energy • Increase the efficiency of energy systems • Generate energy from renewable sources

What is the definition of sustainability?

Sustainability - is the capacity to thrive long-term without using up resources. Sustainable development-is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own

What does the Clean Air Act mandate, and why is the Act important?

The Clean Air Act set standards for industry and transportation that limit the level of pollutants in the air. It has prevented hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions of respiratory illnesses.

What are the preservation and conservation movements? How are they similar and different?

The conservation movement's goal is to manage natural resources for humans to use. The preservation movement's goal is to protect the environment from human activity. These parks strive to preserve nature in its undeveloped condition.

What is an example of all nations working together to face a global environmental challenge? How was it handled?

The depletion of the ozone layer was a global environmental challenge. In 1987, every country in the United Nations agreed to the Montreal Protocol, which phased out the production and use of ozone- depleting chemicals

What is the definition of environmental justice?

The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

What are the benefits of green building?

The four benefits of green building are: 1.Improves the economy 2.Creates more jobs for highly skilled workers 3.Safeguards the health of workers and occupants 4.Protects the environment, fighting climate change and ensuring cleaner air and water.

What is the greenhouse effect? How does it affect us both positively and negatively?

The greenhouse effect is the process of trapping heat from the sun in the Earth's atmosphere. Greenhouse gases absorb heat and trap it near the Earth's surface. Positive: The greenhouse effect keeps our atmosphere warm enough to support life. Negative: When there are excessive greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, this leads to a dangerous increase in global temperatures.

What is the whole-building approach?

The whole-building approach is a way of thinking about buildings as integrated systems that depend on one another, rather than addressing each system individually.

How will the transition to sustainability impact the job market and economy?

There will be more projects such as improving building envelopes, installing more energy- and water-efficient building systems, and managing our use of energy and materials more effectively, all of which will account for more jobs.

What are some building adaptation strategies to deal with the effects of climate change?

Tightly seal and insulate buildings to ensure they maintain livable temperatures during power outages. •Design buildings to withstand warmer temperatures by minimizing window areas on east and west facades, shading southern windows against sun, and increasing wall and roof insulation. •Prepare for more frequent storms by raising buildings above the flood level, increasing the amount of stormwater that buildings can hold, using mold-resistant materials •Make backup and standby power more available.

What is the goal of water efficiency in buildings?

To reduce the amount of water we waste in our buildings by applying simple water conserving tactics for many of these uses. The goal is to maintain our health and hygiene benefits while using less water

What is WaterSense?

WaterSense is an EPA program that certifies new single or multi-family home construction in water efficiency. WaterSense examines both the interior systems of the home, including all fixtures and appliances, as well as the irrigation system and landscape design outside.

How are weather and climate different?

Weather is the current state of the atmosphere: a combination of temperature, rainfall, humidity, clouds, and wind. Climate is the average weather pattern at one place over an extended period of time, 30 years or more. It includes both normal and extreme weather (such as storms or heat waves

What are the two possible future scenarios that predict how our behaviors will affect global warming?

Worst Case Scenario: We continue taking fossil fuels out of the Earth and burning them. By 2100, CO2 concentration would rise to 940 ppm. Global temperature would increase by 3.6°F by 2050 and 6.7°F by 2090. Best Case Scenario: We all undertake a wide range of steps to lower emissions. CO2concentration would rise to 420 ppm. Global temperature would increase by 1.8°F by 2050.

What are codes and standards? How are they similar and different?

•Building codes: The basic legal structures establishing minimum levels of construction quality in order to protect occupants' health and safety, and regulate energy use. •Standards: Voluntary measures that aim to define building quality above and beyond code levels.

How are specific trades involved in the commissioning process?

•Contractors and subcontractors contribute expertise during the development of the Cx Plan, arrange for installation inspections, and coordinate pre-functionaland start-up tests and system troubleshooting. •Tradespeople provide access and detailed information to the CxA about the building systems during installation. •Building operators learn how systems operate before the building is officially turned over, diagnose potential operational problems, and maintain systems.

What are some methods to reduce water use on a construction site?

•Create paths with crushed stone to prevent dirt from being tracked into newly constructed areas. •Have a walk-off mat at the site entrance to allow workers to wipe their feet. •Clean tools with buckets of water, instead of running water. •Use brooms, vacuums, or dry squeegees to clean.

How is an integrated design process different from a typical design process?

•Early and ongoing design charrettes •Modeling multiple versions of the building using performance analysis tools •Early decision-making

What are some common indoor air contaminants and where do they come from?

•Formaldehyde: Comes from adhesives in plywood and other pressed wood products, wallpaper, and furnishings •Organic chemical particulates: Chemicals from aerosol sprays, solvents, glues, and cleaning products •Loose asbestos: Asbestos from damaged insulation, fireproofing, or acoustical materials •Lead: Lead paint dust

How do we know that global climate change is happening?

•Global surface temperatures have increased 0.5°F every 10 years since the 1970s. •The planet's 13 hottest recorded years have all occurred since 1998. •2012 was the warmest year on record for the continental U.S. and the ninth warmest year since 1880 globally

What are some examples of water-efficient fixtures?

•High-efficiency toilets (HET) using 1.28 gallons (one pint) per flush •High-efficiency urinals (HEU) using 0.125 gallons per flush •Flow restrictors built into faucet aerators •Fixtures with automatic controls •Dry fixtures such as composting toiletsystems and waterless urinals

What are examples of passive design strategies used to increase efficiency in buildings?

•Insulate and air seal the building extensively •Use large, south-facing windows that are shaded by overhangs •Take advantage of natural ventilation when possible, and use heat recovery ventilation during the heating and cooling seasons

What are the different green building rating systems used in the U.S.?

•LEED•ENERGY STAR •WaterSense •Health House •Enterprise Green Communities •Green Globes •Passive House •Living Building Challenge

What are some building systems that can waste energy?

•Poorly performing building envelopes •Inefficient lighting •Oversized or undersized HVAC systems •The building not being operated as designed

What are the five ways to use materials sustainably? How do they benefit the environment?

•Reduce •Reuse •Recycle •Regional •Rapidly Renewable These strategies reduce the amount of waste, reduces the energy used to create and transport new materials, minimize the negative impacts of raw material extraction.

What are the benefits of green roofs?

•Reduce stormwater runoff •Protect roof membranes •Increase the humidity in dry climates •Develop a natural habitat for animals and plants •May create recreation areas for occupants •Reduce the heat island effect •Reduce cooling costs in buildings •Increase durability of buildings and improve performance of rooftop mechanical equipment

What measures are included in a CIAQ Plan?

•Ventilation •HVAC System Protection •Source Control •Pathway Interruption •Housekeeping •Scheduling