greg johnson on national green building standard

ICC/NAHB-700An Introduction toICC 700-2008The National Green Building Standard

Introduction

The standard addresses the huge impact that construction and maintenance of buildings have on the environment. According to the USGBC, buildings in the US account for:

39% of annual energy use, 65% of waste output and 12% of water use.

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NGBS Historical Perspective

In 2005, NAHB released their Green Model Home Building Guidelines, a green building rating system. The International Code Council was a stakeholder in

the process that created the guidelines. The guidelines were used as the basis for the

Working Draft of the NGBS. NAHB currently uses the guidelines as the basis for

its National Green Building Program (but intends to base it on the NGBS after ANSI approval).

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Scope, Intent, and Applicability

The standard rates residential buildings with respect to their potential environmental impact. It includes four threshold levels to encourage the construction of higher performing green buildings.

Bronze Silver Gold Emerald

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Table 304

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The NGBS is intended to rate the environmental impact of low-rise, mid-rise, high-rise, mixed use, single-family and multi-family residential buildings.

The standard also rates green renovations and additions, as well as green sites and subdivisions.

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A Major distinguishing feature of the NGBS is its application to existing residential buildings.

Existing structures make up 90% of housing

Existing buildings are not addressed by most current residential green building programs.

Renovations and additions are specifically addressed and rated by the NGBS.

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Table 306: Green Remodels

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Table 303: Site Design & Development

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The ANSI Process:Balanced and Diverse Interests

Balanced and diverse interests helped the Consensus Committee ensure

Affordability Enforceability Ease of implementation

Manufacturer and Builder Committee Members Helped keep a perspective on potential costs and ease of

implementation.

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Why do Affordability, Enforceability, and Ease of Implementation Matter?

Affordable and easily implemented green features Are more likely to be maintained

Enforceability Allows local building departments to double as

environmental stewards Can be administered locally, unlike most other green

programs May be more cost effective than remotely administered

programs

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Can Green Be Affordable?

Green is becoming mainstream The cost of going green is coming down Some green features are affordable Some green features are cost prohibitive The standard is filled with choices Conservation principles typically translate to cost savings

If we implement material resource conservation, this can result in less materials and less cost in the short term.

Whenever monthly energy costs are reduced by more than the increase in the monthly financing costs due to green features, the owner wins immediately, as well as in the long run.

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We have building codes. Why do we need green building programs?

Traditionally, building codes and standards have addressed how the environment affects buildings. The NGBS addresses the other half of the equation: how buildings affect the environment.

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We have building codes. Why do we need green building programs?

Building Codes Neutral on Environmental Impact

NGBS Rates the potential environmental impact of each

provision Another layer of criteria code officials and designers

must consider

International Energy Conservation Code Addresses conservation principles, as does the

International Energy Conservation Code - which is why GB energy provisions are a likely candidate for future incorporation in the IECC.

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The NGBS and the I-Codes

The NGBS interacts with provisions contained in: The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) The International Residential Code (IRC) The International Building Code (IBC) The International Plumbing Code (IPC) The International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Application of the NGBS requires expertise in many disciplines.

The existing I-Codes often contain the detailed requirements for green features (such as structural and gray water provisions)

The NGBS rates these features and encourages their implementation based on a conscious effort to reduce the negative impact of buildings on the environment.

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GB and Code Requirements

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Choice vs. Mandatory Requirements

The NGBS has minimum point threshold requirements in each environmental category.

Designers, builders and owners can choose from a multitude of provisions with which to comply, each with corresponding point values.

Very few mandatory requirements. Mandatory requirements often eliminate design

options. Because point thresholds must be achieved,

environmental responsibility is not compromised.

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Administration of the NGBS

The standard allows administration by any Adopting Entity, defined as:

“The governmental jurisdiction, green building program, or any other third party compliance assurance body that adopts this Standard, and is responsible for implementation and administration of the practices herein.”

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Administration of the NGBS

Potential Adopting Entities:

Governmental Jurisdictions Local or National Green Building Programs Independent Third Parties

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Choice vs. Mandatory Requirementsand Governmental Jurisdictions

Where adopted by a jurisdiction, should the NGBS as a whole be administered on a mandatory or voluntary basis? The jurisdiction makes this decision by nature of its adoption

AHJ decisions: administered in house or by third parties? Plan review? Inspections? Third party involvement for specific verifications only? (such as energy

related evaluations and/or testing) Incentives to builders/owners? GB assistance or education by AHJ? (Alternative materials and

methods)

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The NGBS as a Rating Tool

The NGBS rates potential environmental impact in accordance with principles related to

Land Conservation Water Conservation Material Resource Conservation Energy conservation Indoor and outdoor air quality.

Promotes owner education regarding Green Building Operation Maintenance

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The NGBS as a Rating Tool

Multiple Threshold Levels Promote High Performance Buildings Bronze Silver Gold Emerald

Each Threshold Level has separate point requirements for Land Water Material Resources Energy Indoor Air Quality Owner Education

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Table 304

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Energy and Green Building

Energy is often considered the most important criteria in Green Building rating systems and standards.

Energy performance directly impacts: Building carbon dioxide emissions, Fossil fuel use and Operating costs.

Energy is not a one time cost or factor. Energy use occurs continuously over the entire life span of

buildings.

The ultimate energy goal of green building: Net-Zero energy buildings (buildings that use renewable energy

sources to produce at least as much energy as they consume)

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Putting NGBS Energy in Perspective: Software Analysis Option

BRONZE Requires a minimum energy efficiency increase of 15% and

awards 30 points in the Energy category (over 2006 IRC/IECC).SILVER

Requires a minimum energy efficiency increase of 30% and awards 60 points in the Energy category.

GOLD Requires a minimum energy efficiency increase of 50% and

awards 100 points in the Energy category.EMERALD

Requires a minimum energy efficiency increase of 60% and awards 120 points in the Energy category.

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Common GB Misconceptions

Green Building and “Alternative” Construction Misconception: Green buildings are typically buildings which

utilize “alternative” construction methods. Reality: Though some green buildings use “alternative”

construction methods, the overwhelming majority are higher performance buildings of conventional construction

The Codes and Green Building Misconception: If a green feature is awarded points in a green

building rating system, it is no longer required to comply with code related criteria.

Reality: Green features not excused from compliance with applicable code provisions. (This is the most common reason codes are incorrectly cited as “barriers” to GB.)

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The NGBS Encourages the Following:

Erosion and sedimentation control and storm water management

Development of brownfield and greyfield sites

Building in close proximity to public and/or alternative transportation

Avoiding environmentally sensitive areas

Landscape design which limits long term water and energy use and preserves the natural environment

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Reducing heat island effects

Implementing rainwater collection and gray water recycling systems

Limited use of irrigation systems or efficient irrigation systems

Using waterless urinals and low-flow/consumption water closets (toilets), faucets and shower heads

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Building smaller structures to reduce site impact, material resources and energy use

Building up instead of out to produce a smaller footprint

Using durable, affordable and low maintenance materials

Using materials which are easily returned to the earth

Recycling construction and post construction waste


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Building high performance/energy efficient building envelopes

Using energy efficient luminaries, appliances, and heating and cooling systems

Sealing ducts, building envelopes, including weather stripping and added insulation

Using whole house ventilation and ceiling fans

Using low VOC and emitting materials

Installing MERV air filters

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ICC/NAHB-700To view Draft Standard #2 of the ICC700-2008 National Green Building Standard, visit :

www.nahbrc.org/technical/standards/greenbuilding.aspx

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