Study Guide 6 (quiz 5)
Rapidly renewable resources (LEED: 10 yr replacement)
as defined by the USGBC's LEED standard, are materials derived from species with a growth and harvest cycle of 10 years or less. cork and natural rubber are rapidly renewable
Hard costs
Examples include electricity, natural gas, water, waste-water, and solid waste disposal.
Fly ash and silica fume as Portland cement substitutes
Fly ash can be readily substituted for over 30% of cement volume Silica fume reduces permeability to salt from road surface, protecting the rebar.
Deconstruction / Design for Disassembly (DfD)
Layers build on top of each other and can be taken apart. Living Building Challenge encourages this
Construction IAQ management plan
The construction IAQ management plan protects air quality and establishes a process for accomplishing this. -Required by LEED
Managing First Costs -Influences on Green Building Costs
1. Demographic location 2. Building climate and culture 3. Local and regional design standards, codes, and initiatives 4. Intent and value of the project 5. Climate 6. Timing and implementation 7. Size of the building 8. Synergies
Front-end capital cost / construction cost / capital cost
Costs incurred in the purchase of land, construction, and equipment to be used in the production of goods or the rendering of services. Capital costs are one-time expenses, although the payment may be spread out over many years in financial reports and tax returns. Capital costs are fixed and therefore independent of the level of output.
Alternative Daily Cover (ADC)
Cover material other than earthen material placed on the surface of the active face of a municipal solid waste landfill at the end of each operating day to control vectors, fires, odors, blowing litter, and scavenging -- 34% of diverted recycled waste
Green materials procurement
Product research, ordering, delivery, and verification. Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP's)
Ecological School of green building evaluation
One of two evaluation paths in selecting green building materials Maintains that keeping materials in productive use, as in an ecological system, is of primary importance, and that the energy and other resources need to feed the recycling system are of secondary importance.
Commonly recycled building materials
cardboard, concrete, steel, wood
Integrated Design
consider integrated design when managing first costs
Total net present value (TNPV) / net present value
A combination of capital cost and operating costs taking into account the time value of money (the present value of money or stream of cash flows given a specified rate of return), the cost of borrowed money (interest), inflation, depreciation, and other financial factors. It is a standard method for using the time value of money to appraise long-term projects. It measures the excess or shortfall of cash flows, in present value terms, once financing terms are met.
Life Cycle Costing (LCC) / LCC Analysis
A cost/benefit analysis is performed for each year of the building's probable life. The present worth of each year's net benefits is determined using an appropriate discount rate (the rate used to discount future cash flows to their present values). Net benefits for each year are tabulated to calculate the total present worth of a particular feature. Application of LCC may determine whether the payback for a system meets the owner's economic criteria
Environmental product declarations (EPD's)
A verified document that reports environmental data of products based on life cycle assessment (LCA) and other relevant information and in accordance with the international standard ISO 14025 (Type III Environmental Declarations)
Natural Step
Defines the criteria by which a society (and thus a product) could be considered sustainable. sustainable society: 1. No increase in concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth's crust. 2. No increase in concentrations of substances created by society (man-made substances). 3. Nature's functions and diversity must not be impoverished by overharvesting or ecosystem manipulation. 4. Resources must be used fairly and efficiently in order to meet basic human needs globally.
Extended Producer Responsibility
(EPR) is a policy approach that requires manufacturers to finance the costs of recycling or safely disposing of products consumers no longer want. Can also be voluntary: Dell computers, cell phones, Xerox copiers, single-use cameras
Ways of quantifying Green building benefits -IEQ health and productivity benefits for employees/occupants
-- Factoring human benefits into LCC analyses must be done cautiously and conservatively. Given that data has rarely been compiled scientifically, it cannot be said to have the same reliability as that for hard costs. -- A reasonable approach to determining how to include productivity and health savings was suggested in a report to California's Sustainability Task Force that recommended assigning a 1% productivity and health gain to buildings attaining a LEED-NC Certified or Silver level and a 1.5% gain for buildings achieving a Gold or Platinum level. -- Savings are the equivalent of $600 - $700 per employee per year or about $3 per square foot for a 1% gain, and $1,000 per employee per year, or $4 - $5 per square foot for a 1.5% gain.
Reasons for higher capital costs associated with high-performance buildings
-- Green buildings often incorporate systems that are not typically present in conventional buildings, such as rainwater harvesting systems, daylight-integrated lighting controls, energy recovery ventilators, etc. -- Green building certification (fees, compilation of information, preparation of documents, cost of consultants,etc.) can add markedly to the cost of a project. -- Many "green" building products cost more than their conventional counterparts, often because they are new to the marketplace and demand is only in the process of developing; i.e., nontoxic materials such as paints, adhesives, floor coverings, etc. -- Conversely, cost reductions for some building systems are achievable in green buildings.
Ways of quantifying Green building benefits -Energy
-- Green buildings use substantially less energy than conventional buildings and may generate some of their power on-site from renewable or alternate energy sources. -- Reducing energy consumption provides a second benefit: a reduction in the emission of global warming gases, which can also be assigned a cost benefit. -- Analyzing the energy advantages of a high-performance green building requires the use of an energy simulation tool (DOE-2.2, Energy 10, etc.) -- An LCC analysis is also generated at the same time as the energy analysis to provide cost and payback information. -- Using this approach, first costs and operational costs are combined to provide a comprehensive picture of the building's energy performance over an assumed lifetime.
Ways of quantifying Green building benefits -Water, wastewater reductions
-- Reduction in water consumption produces significant benefits with respect to water and wastewater. -- Reductions in water and potentially wastewater costs can be used to develop an LCC analysis for assessing the financial performance of the alternatives versus conventional practice. -- The basic analytical approach can be extended to a range of other water alternatives, to include rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, ultra-low-flow fixtures, composting toilets, etc.
Acceptable recyclable commodities / Non Acceptable commodities
-----ACCEPTABLE----- WOOD - BIOMASS FUEL - ANIMAL BEDDING - MULCH METAL - ALL TYPES CONCRETE & BLOCK - MNDOT - Brick CARDBOARD/PAPER - CAN BE MIXED PLASTICS - FILM & PLASTIC E-WASTE - ELECTRONICS/COMPUTERS/TVs SHINGLES - ASPHALT MANUFACTURING TIRES & RUBBER MATERIAL - GROUND FOR USE ------NOT ACCEPTABLE------ • HAZARDOUS LIQUIDS & ASBESTOS • MATTRESSES & HOUSEHOLD TRASH - BURNING FOR FUEL, NOT RECOGNIZED BY LEED • LIGHT BULBS/RECYCLABLE • BATTERIES/RECYCLABLE • E-WASTE
Cardinal rules for closed-loop building materials strategy: Buildings must be deconstructable
--Buildings must be deconstructable -- Products must be disassemblable -- Materials must be recyclable -- Products and materials must be harmless in production and in use -- Materials dissipated from recycling must be harmless
Commissioning of nonmechanical Systems
-Good commissioning ensures that adequate operations and maintenance (O&M) documentation is provided. -Good commissioning also ensures that facility staff receives adequate training to operate and maintain the items or systems.
Commissioning Authority (CxA)
-Ideally hired at the onset of the project. Adds to first costs, but may reduce operating costs by a larger margin than energy conservation measures.
HVAC protection methods
-Store and protect all HVAC equipment during construction. -Seal HVAC ductwork and assemblies after installation. -MERV 8 filters on negative pressure side during construction. -MERV 13 filters before occupancy
Contamination Source control
-Use Low- or Zero-emission materials -Provide and enforce worker protection. (Masks, hazmat suits, eye protection)
Managing First Costs -Design and Construction Strategies
1. Optimize site and orientation 2. Reuse/renovate older buildings 3. Reduce project size 4. Eliminate unnecessary finishes and features 5. Avoid structural overdesign and construction waste 6. Fully explore integrated design, including energy system optimization 7. Use construction waste management approaches 8. Decrease site infrastructure
ATHENA LCA tool
ATHENA LCA tool focuses on the assessment of a whole building or building assemblies such as walls, roofs, floors, etc.
Green Building Materials
Basic materials that may be the components of products or used in a stand-alone manner in a building. Green building materials have low environmental impact compared to the alternatives EX: Steel - High potential for reuse, and high potential for recycling. Recycled steel requires 1/5th the energy need to produce steel from iron ore. Recycling systems and recycling processes are well established.
Green Building Products
Building components that have any of a wide range of attributes that make them preferable to the alternatives. (May or may not be made of green building materials) EX: ERV's: Complex device containing desiccants, insulation, wiring, an electric motor, controls, and other materials, BUT contributes to exceptionally low energy building use. Also LED's, low-E windows, Energy Star appliances
BEES (Building for Environmental and Economic Stability) LCA tool
Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) is U.S. specific. Allows side-by-side comparison of building products for the purpose of selecting cost-effective, environmentally preferable products, and includes both LCA and life-cycle costing (LCC) data.
Building Flush-out
Fresh air delivered at high rates to flush out VOC's and other airborne particulates. LEED requires 14,000 ft3 of outdoor air for every square foot of building floor area. (at 60º F and <60% humidity)
Ways of quantifying Green building benefits -Reduced Carbon emissions
High-performance buildings have the potential to dramatically reduce emissions. -- Converting avoided emissions to benefits attributable to high-performance buildings can be accomplished by calculating the societal costs of emissions. Among those that can be quantified are: Sulfur dioxide Nitrous oxide Carbon dioxide
Waste-to-Energy (WtE)
Incineration of trash with electricity generated from the heat produced.
Soft costs
Less easy to document and for which assumptions must be made for their quantification. Examples include: employee comfort/health/productivity attributable to a building, improved IEQ, reduced maintenance, and reduced emissions.
Environmentally-friendly construction operations (material and operations efficiencies)
Material efficiency: Jobsite waste management. Recycling setups for workers. Sourcing recycled materials for jobsite office. Double-sided printing. Operations efficiency: Incentivize a carpool system. Provide or incentivize alternative fuel vehicles.
Green building materials usage: 4. Use materials derived from renewable sources
Materials created from renewable resources offer the opportunity to close materials loops via an organic recycling process. The organic route involves recycling by biodegradation, this is, by composting or aerobic/anaerobic digestion, either by nature itself or by processes that mimic the decomposing action of nature. Jute, hemp, sisal, wool, cotton and paper are materials that meet this description. EX: soy based spray foam insulation, recycled denim insulation, sheeps wool, cellulose, and recycled glass insulations Bio-fiber / agri-fiber boards are panel products that can be used in architectural applications as finish materials, for cabinetry, and furnishings.
Just-in-time delivery
Method of transportation (truck, rail, barge, etc.) Returnable or reusable packaging. Recyclable or biodegradable packing material.
MERV rating
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value
Ways to reduce construction waste
Most common construction materials are not completely recyclable, but rather downcyclable, for lower-value reuse such as for fill or road sub-base. In the United States, the 140 million tons of construction and demolition waste produced annually comprise about one-third of the total solid waste stream, consuming scarce landfill space, threatening water supplies, and driving up the costs of construction. 1. Supply chain alliances with suppliers/recycling companies 2. Increase off-site prefabrication to control waste and damage 3. Standardization of design to improve buildability and reduce quantity of off-cuts 4. Stock control measures to avoid the over-ordering of materials 5. Improved education of the workforce 6. Provide dumpsters for specific materials 7. Employ just-in-time delivery strategy 8. Dedicated site team or sub-contract package for on-site waste management 9. Contractual clauses to penalize poor waste performance 10.Design management to prevent the over specification of materials 11. Additional specification requirements where waste initiatives are to be implemented 12.Waste auditing to monitor and record environmental performance on-site 13.On-site materials compactors and shredder/composters 14.Educate clients about measures to reduce waste levels
Essentials of Building Commissioning (Cx)
Often abbreviated to Cx Provides assurance that the building will function as designed, with resultant high reliability and reduced operating costs.
LCA School of green building evaluation
One of two evaluation paths in selecting green building materials Suggests that if the energy and the emissions due to energy production are higher for recycling than for the use of virgin materials, then virgin materials should be used
Reduced site disturbance
Preserve as much of the site's existing biological systems and ecological Ex: Endangered species protection Threatened species protection
Jobsite pollution sources and prevention
Protect workers and areas adjacent to the site. Ex: Light Noise & vibration Dust & airborne particles Airborne chemical emissions Soil and groundwater pollution Surface water pollution Tracked soil on neighboring streets
Erosion and sedimentation control methods
Reduce soil loss and pollution of nearby water bodies. Ex: Silt fences Storm drain inlets Sediment traps Seeding and mulching
Green building materials usage: 1. Reduce material use a. Design with material modules b. Structural materials as finish surfaces c. Prefab construction
Reduce: Reduce the amount of materials used in a project. Reduce the amount of construction waste.
Locally produced materials (LEED: ≤500mi. from project)
Reduces effects on environment that transporting goods will cause, which makes local products have a better LCA. 500 miles is the regulation set by USGBC and it must be extracted, harvested and manufactured within this area
Green building materials usage: 2. Reuse & reclaim existing building materials a. Adaptive building reuse b. Building component reuse c. Design for deconstruction
Reuse existing structures. Reuse or reclaim previously used building components via deconstruction. By adaptively modifying an existing building and reusing as much of its structure and systems as possible, it is possible to minimize the use of new materials with their accompanying impacts of resource extraction; transportation; and processing energy, waste, and related effects. Reusing intact building components from deconstructed buildings reduces the environmental impacts of building materials because these components require minimal resources for reprocessing. Progress in the techniques for deconstructing existing buildings, instead of demolishing them, means that used building components are becoming more widely available. The recertification of some reclaimed building materials under existing building codes remains an impediment. Progress is being made in the re-grading of some components. You can also use discarded materials that aren't from buildings originally, like cargo containers
Ways of quantifying Green building benefits -Construction waste reductions
Solid waste reductions are a result of three factors: 1. Reduction in construction and demolition waste (and LEED credits). 2. Reduction of solid waste by building occupants by calling for the allocation of building space for the collection and storage or recyclables. 3. High-performance buildings address the use of recycled content and reuse of building materials, thus creating incentives and demand for closing materials loops and reducing the landfilling of solid waste.
Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the major international organization pertaining to sustainable forests. (SFI is second) They manage the forest in a responsible way so that it isn't depleted or degraded to quickly
HVAC System Commissioning - Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB)
The TAB agency is an independent organization hired to check that air handlers, fans, pumps, dampers, energy recovery systems, hot water heating units, and other components are functioning properly; and that airflows are properly adjusted so that the quantities of supply air, return air and ventilation air in each space are also as designed.
Benefits of factory built, prefab, and modular construction
These strategies eliminate waste by being produced to correct size off the construction site
Cradle-to-grave / Open-loop system
The process a product goes through from acquisition to disposal, only for this the disposal isn't reusable, it's just wasted material
Operating costs
The recurring costs of utilities and maintenance.
Greenwashing
The term used to describe the practice of companies or organizations disingenuously promoting or characterizing their products and/or policies as environmentally friendly The term is a portmanteau of green and whitewashing, generally used when significantly more money or time has been spent advertising a product as being "green" rather than spending resources on environmentally sound practices.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)
This i the second biggest international organization for sustainable forests
Refuse-Derived Fuels (RDF)
Trash used for WtE systems. (currently defined as a "renewable" energy source!)
Upcycling, Recycling, and Downcycling
Upcycling - Reuse in such a way that the new product has greater utility, quality, or value than the original. Recycling - Reuse such that the utility or value is neither reduced nor improved. Downcycling - Reuse such that the end product is of reduced quality or lesser utility than the original (slowing its path to garbage)
Environmental building declarations (EBD's)
Use building certifications such as energy star, green building initiative, zero energy ready home, UL, Passive House, LEED, Green Globe, Living Building Challenge
Environmentally preferable products (EPP's)
Use products with certifications such as Nordic Swan, Environmental Choice Canada, Eco-label (Europe), and Blue Angel (Germany)
Green building materials usage: 3. Use recycled (& recyclable) materials
Use recyclable and recycled-content materials, like cardboard, concrete, steel and wood
Prefabricated, precut, or preassembled components
Walls, kitchen equipment, stairways, ductwork assemblies, precast concrete, shelving and cabinetry, or entire rooms.
Waste vs. Trash
Waste is material that is no longer suitable or useful for its original intended purpose. It can be separated, recycled, composted, reused, etc. Trash is material that is no longer suitable or useful for its original purpose, and cannot be used for another. (Typically landfilled or burned)
Cradle-to-cradle / Closed-loop system
reuses or recycles waste into valuable products to create a closed loop cycle where waste becomes food
CoGen (or CHP - Combined Heat & Power)
waste heat from electrical generation is used for heating
Costs of Building Commissioning
• Cost of commissioning is a function of the size of the project, its complexity, and the level of commissioning selected by the owner. • Varies from 0.25% - 4% of total construction cost. • Simpler buildings = lower commissioning costs BUT the benefits of commissioning for more complex buildings are far greater than those for buildings with relatively simple systems.
Benefits of Building Commissioning
• Reduced operating costs because of energy efficiency increase of 5%-10% • Increased employee productivity due to improved IEQ • Improved CD's resulting from participation of CxA during each design phase • Fewer errors in equipment ordering • Fewer equipment installation errors • Fewer equipment failures • Complete system documentation • Fully-functioning building from day 1 of occupancy
Site Protection Plan
•Reduced Site Disturbance functions as possible. • Erosion and Sedimentation Control • Pollution Prevention • Conducting environmentally friendly construction operations
