2.0 Health and Well-being

2.1 Improving Thermal Quality

• Providing heating and cooling supply devices close to occupants
• Assessing effects of partitioning and space planning on heating and cooling control
• Providing flexibility or ability to control local thermal conditions
• Designing small thermal zones
• Providing controls which correspond to interior partitioning
• Providing readily accessible and easily comprehensible controls
• Planning for the careful admission of direct sunlight
• Using thermal mass to regulate temperature variations

2.3 Controlling Sources of Pollution

2.3.1 Finishing Materials

• Evaluating materials as potential sources of contamination
• Sealing of exposed surfaces of materials containing contaminants
• Requesting written recommendations from manufacturers
• Repairing any moisture damage

2.3.2 Paints

• Specifying water based paints
• Specifying paints containing no mercury, lead, hexavelant chromium or cadmium compounds

2.3.3 Adhesives

• Specifying construction adhesives with low emissions during curing

2.3.4 Floor Coverings

• Selecting resilient flooring in common areas - Keeping carpets away from entrances
• Specifying low emission carpets
• Testing of the carpet systems
• Off-site airing-out of carpets

2.3.5 Gypsum Board

2.3.6 Building Flush-out

• Sustaining a period of full ventilation prior to occupancy

2.4 Isolating pollutant sources

• Making provision to prevent transfer of contaminants
• Providing air locks and pressurization to reduce entry of outside contaminants

2.5 Minimizing Contamination within the HVAC System

2.5.1 Mineral Fibre Problems

• Using only small amounts of fibrous liners inside HVAC ducts
• Avoiding suspended ceilings as return air plenums and using ducted returns
• Specifying effective filter systems
• Avoiding quantities of uncontained mineral fibre materials

2.5.2 Water Related Problems in Mechanical System

• Designing in compliance with MD 15000 and ASHRAE recommendations
• Minimizing moisture in ducts and moisture contamination of duct liners
• Locating and designing cooling towers to prevent release of spray containing microbes

2.5.3 Access for Maintenance

• Providing sufficient space and access to all relevant parts of the mechanical and ventilation system

2.6 Reassessing the Location of Air Intakes

• Isolating intakes from sources of hazardous air contaminants
• Isolating intakes from sources of nuisance air contaminants
• Locations intakes to avoid "re-entrainment" of exhaust air

2.7 Providing Effective Ventilation

• Meeting or preferably exceeding MD 15000 standards

2.7.1 Ventilation Effectiveness

• Eliminating short circuiting and dead air zones
• Using most appropriate diffusers and velocities
• Locating return air opening > 3m from any typical copy machine

2.7.2 Outdoor Air Economizer Capacity

• Specifying 100% outdoor air capacity

2.8 Improving Lighting Quality

• Using IES Recommendations as general guide for maximum luminance ratios

2.8.1 Lighting Distribution

• Providing appropriate illuminance, distribution and avoidance of glare
• Providing ability to control the amount and direction of light
• Enhancing the visual definition of the space
• Providing appropriate and relevant distribution of lighting within the space
• Providing a variety of lighting strategies
• Developing a strategy employing both ambient light and task lighting

2.8.2 Lighting Equipment

• Specifying lamps with colour rendering index > 75
• Specifying electronic ballasts

2.8.3 Direct Lighting and Indirect Lighting Systems

• Selecting fixtures which minimize direct glare
• Avoiding monotonous or disturbing arrangements
• Minimizing brightness differences
• Specifying systems with advanced optical systems and efficient reflector materials
• Reducing the potentially overall bland appearance of indirect systems
• Minimizing "hot spots" on the ceiling plane with indirect systems

2.8.4 Natural Lighting

• Planning interior for daylighting
• Organizing internal planning of partitions to maximize daylighting
• Selecting internal reflectances which maximize daylight reflection
• Avoiding adverse impacts of admiring sunlight into the workplace
• Providing visual access to the exterior

2.9 Improving Acoustic Quality

• Controlling of noise at source
• Using appropriate acoustic separation

2.9.1 Flanking and Isolation

• Extending partitions above the suspended ceiling
• Eliminating holes for ducts, pipes, conduits, cables, etc.
• Providing appropriate acoustical treatment on doors, sidelights, etc.
• Minimizing break-in and break-out sound transmission

2.9.2 Low Equipment and Equipment Room Noise

• Blocking flanking sound paths and isolation of plumbing noise
• Designing of HVAC systems and equipment rooms for NC 40 or beaker

3.0 Site and Landscaping

3.1 Using Site Resources

• Examining potential access to solar energy and daylight
• Examining potential rainfall on the complete site
• Examining seasonal sun path and prevailing wind potential

3.2 Restoring Natural Ecology

• Examining existing water courses and drainage patterns across the site Understanding natural behaviour of the ecosystem embracing the site Considering ecological aspects of the site affected by building Creating critical connections to any adjacent habitats Establishing biodiversity Supplementing existing natural vegetation Retaining and filtering storm water on site Clustering plants
• Considering plant root systems

3.3 Enhancing Site Microclimate

• Planning landscape integral with energy strategy
• Planning shade walls and paved areas adjacent to the building
• Using deciduous trees for summer shading
• Using coniferous trees for wind shielding
• Planting shrubs to reduce heat build up
• Consolidating or relocating paved areas
• Using ponds and water fountains

3.4 Re-examining Surface Parking

• Developing alternative transportation strategies
• Providing covered personnel loading and unloading at building
• Varying paving materials in parking lots based on traffic use
• Considering oil grid separators at paved areas

3.5 Using Efficient Irrigation

3.5.1 Using Site Rainwater

• Using materials which allow rainwater to percolate for walkways and parking Focusing the flow of water by grading the site Storing water on the site
• Handling rainwater in visible surface channels

3.5.2 Redesigning the Landscape

• Landscaping with trees, hardy shrubs and indigenous plants requiring little or no watering Grouping plants of similar water needs together into hydrozones Increasing the organic content of the soil Reducing the amount of turf to small areas/using drought resistant native grass types Using mulch material to control weeds and reduce evaporation loss Employing water conserving irrigation system Selecting native plants or plants from areas with similar soils and climates
• Retaining natural drainage patterns

3.5.3 Applying Water to the Landscape more Precisely

• Employing drip irrigation systems

3.5.4 New Sources of Irrigation Water

• Considering constructed wetlands for grey-water treatment

3.6 Controlling Storm Water

• Designing landscape to retain and filter storm water on site to protect ecosystems
• Using large semi-porous areas capable of absorbing water and releasing it slowly
• Preserving natural slopes and existing water flows
• Constructing detention and retention ponds for on-site storm water management - Engineering land forms to catch, hold and absorb water - Using roof spaces and terraces for vegetation - Preserving natural areas to detain and filter storm water

3.7 Ensuring Sound Construction Practices

• Limiting topsoil removal and stockpiling existing topsoil on site Exposing smallest area of soil at any one time during development Requiring a waste management plan from the contractor Establishing staging areas and travel routes for construction vehicles Protecting from construction activity and debris Enforcing specified parking for construction worker's vehicles Scheduling of features capable of carrying storm run-off
• Removing heavy sediment loads from runoff waters

4.0 Energy Use

Introduction

4.0.1 Life-Cycle Energy Use

4.1 Reducing Lighting Energy

4.2 Selecting Efficient Lighting Equipment

• Specifying smaller T-5, T-8 or T-10 lamps Specifying high frequency ballasts
• Specifying Low Total Harmonic Distortion ballasts

4.2.1 Lighting Control

• Using a mixed approach to lighting control Providing manual switching to users Providing separate switching in all daylight zones Using a controlled stepped lighting strategy Using photocell controlled dimming ballasts in response to daylight Scheduling each area, with override
• Specifying time switches and other systems

4.3 Selecting HVAC Controls

• Using energy management strategies which are: Capable of being operated and maintained simply, efficiently and effectively Have a greater number of HVAC zones Provide for setback of temperature during unoccupied hours Designed for optimal heat-up and cool-down strategies Accompanied by individual meters or sub-meters
• Provide feedback to users and management on building energy use

4.4 Selecting Primary HVAC Equipment

• Examining potential for ground source/geothermal, solar and other renewable sources Carefully considering conversion efficiency of the equipment Considering "part-load" efficiencies in plant selection Making provision for staged or variable output primary equipment Using heat pumps to transfer thermal energy Reclaiming "waste" heat from building exhaust or condensate fluids Employing air and water-side cooling economizers Providing durable and reliable equipment
• Providing easy access to equipment

4.5 Selecting Secondary HVAC Equipment

• Designing a decentralized approach to secondary system design Sizing systems appropriately Eliminating reheating and re-cooling of distribution fluids as a control strategy Minimizing volumes and parasitic losses Reducing fan and pump energy Variable speed fan and pump controls Designing for 100% free air cooling
• Specifying new electric motors efficiencies meet ASHRAE/IES 90.11989 Standard

4.5.1 Service Hot Water

• Using conservation device on hot water supply Meeting or exceeding ASHRAE/IES 90.1-1989 Standard Placing water heaters as close to point of use Specifying point-of-use heaters Specifying recirculating systems be insulated throughout entire length
• Examining feasibility of solar hot water heating systems

4.6 Commissioning Guidelines

• Commissioning according to ASHRAE Guideline 1-1989

4.7 UtilizingThermal Mass

• Using improved solar control devices Using building mass as a cooling sink and combine with night-time flushing Using operable windows
• Considering sensors linked to the HVAC system

4.8 Upgrading Windows

• Specifying high performance glazings Evaluating the overall U-Value of the window system Specifying window frames which enhance the overall thermal resistance Controlling excess solar gain Matching high performance glazings to the orientation
• Carefully considering the use of tinted or reflective glasses

4.9 Upgrading Walls and Roofs

5.0 Materials Use

5.1 Reduction

5.1.1 Planning for the Efficient Use of Space

• Reviewing all space allocations programming Carefully designing to optimize size and configuration of interior spaces Considering multi-functional spaces and space-sharing Eliminating non-inhabited spaces Open planning of interiors
• Carefully integrating services, structure and interior partitioning

5.1.2 Eliminating Finishing Materials

• Reducing in amount or eliminating finishing materials

5.1.3 Longevity

• Making building longevity an explicit issue Designing spaces which are not overly specialized
• Considering adaptation for alternative future uses

5.2 Retaining and Reusing Materials

• Carefully removing materials for future reuse
• Extensive sourcing of possible salvaged components

5.2.3 Designing for Materials Recovery

• Separating of structural and space enclosure elements Detailing to avoid damaged Keeping components and elements distinct Reducing mixture of material types used Considering greater modularity
• Designing and detailing for ease of disassembly

5.3 Selecting Low Environmental Impact Materials

Selection based on:

• Recycled content of current and emerging materials Recoverable and reused materials Low embodied energy Local materials Longer service life before replacement
• Low maintenance and refinishing requirements

5.3.1 Wood Products

• Specification of tropical woods labelled by a recognized authority Considering alternative wood products Selecting laminates on cores of engineered wood or domestic softwood
• Selecting less utilized domestic wood species

6.0 Building Water Use

6.1 Specifying Water Efficient Appliances

• Deploying water efficient appliances Specifying water conserving flush toilets Specifying spring loaded lavatory fixtures Specifying urinals with maximum flow rate of 0.06 L/s Considering electronic proximity devices
• Collecting, retaining and using rainwater

6.2 Water Conservation Management

• Providing appropriate signage in rest-rooms
• Installing water metering in buildings

6.3 Considering Water Reuse

7.0 Waste Reduction

7.1 Reducing Construction & Demolition Waste

• Careful dimensioning and modular design Considering extended material maintenance and replacement cycles
• Using highly efficient, engineered use of materials

7.1.1 Construction Process

• Drafting specifications based on the Code of Practice set out by the Canadian Construction Association Incorporating contract clauses dealing with these issues
• Discussing on site waste and recycling issues with contractor

7.2 Providing Dedicated Storage Space

• Considering all waste flows within the building Providing adequate, dedicated storage for consumer recyclables Providing for recyclable waste collection Reducing the bulk of recyclables by on-site compacting
• Providing a pick-up point located at the loading dock