Orange County Sanitation District SP-194 Section 06 Sustainability

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1 06 Sustainability

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3 Orange County Sanitation District SP-194 Section 06 Sustainability In alignment with OCSD s mission To protect public health and the environment by providing effective wastewater collection, treatment, and recycling the new buildings will represent their dedication to the environment through the integration of sustainability and design. The new Administration and Lab buildings will implement environmentally sound building practices that will provide the best possible work and research environment with the lowest possible environmental impact. Sustainable Design Process In order to optimize the project design and create a healthy, high-performance building, sustainability discussions need to begin at the very beginning of the project. This allows the project team to work together, collaboratively throughout all phases of design, to establish the project s environmental goals, understand the constraints that will shape the design and determine the design strategies that are the most appropriate and cost effective for the project to meet its goals. A Sustainable Design Charrette was held with representatives of OCSD to discuss the project requirements; to identify optimal building strategies based on the local climate and program; to identify additional sustainable strategies and best practices; to identify value-added opportunities for the project; and to establish the environmental goals. The project team continually works together to identify the best design strategies for the project using the feedback received during the sustainability meeting. As the project proceeds into future design phases, the most appropriate and effective strategies will be implemented so that the building achieves it s goals. Sustainable Design Goals At the close of the Sustainability Charrette, OCSD representatives went through a sustainability visioning and goals setting exercise, which identified the sustainable strategies that are important to the project. The team will continue to reference these goals and priorities throughout the project design to identify all feasible strategies that will allow us the meet these goals in a cost effective manner. The following goals were identified as the most important Design a resilient building that can adapt to a changing climate Design a building that responds to the local climate and solar exposure to reduce energy use Use energy efficient lighting and building commissioning practices Provide a healthy indoor environment by avoiding materials with chemicals of concern Design a building that is flexible and adaptable as future needs change Provide daylight and views throughout the building Design the building so that it provides thermal comfort and controllability for occupants Provide acoustical comfort for occupants 06-01

4 Sustainable Design Approach Sustainability is an integral piece to the project and is one of the primary considerations for the development of the project design. Laboratories represent an ever-expanding growth opportunity for advanced, environmentally preferred, building technologies. The typical laboratory uses far more energy and water per square foot than the typical office building due to intensive ventilation requirements and other health and safety concerns; and significant impact reductions can be achieved by incorporating sustainable design measures. Although sustainability is interconnected with all elements of the building and the site, the discussion will revolve around the following categories: site development, water conservation, energy efficiency, materials and resources, indoor environmental health and operations. The approach is based on project specific goals, site conditions, the project team s sustainable design coordination and the owner s input given during the initial design phase. OCSD has committed to a sustainable design approach for its new building project. As the project moves into detailed design and documentation a constant investigation and evaluation of potential measures will be at the forefront of the process. Sustainable Site Development The project is located on Ellis Avenue in Fountain Valley, on the north end of the OCSD wastewater treatment plant site. The plant is just south of the 405 Freeway and is adjacent to the Santa Ana River. The Santa Ana River Trail, which stretches from the Huntington Beach to the Orange/Riverside county line, lies immediately to the east. The entrance to the site along Ellis Avenue does not provide convenient pedestrian or public transit access. The project will look at ways to improve the project s visibility and improve pedestrian comfort and accessibility. To encourage alternative means of transit, the site will connect to the Santa Ana River Trail, decrease the distance between the building entrance and the public transit stops, provide carpool parking spaces and provide electric vehicle charging stations. The project site design will limit its impacts on the local environment by managing and treating stormwater on-site. Bioretention areas are located throughout the site to help filter contaminants and reduce costs for on-site treatment. The site design will also use low-maintenance, native plants that are adapted to the local climate and require minimal water use. The building will include access to outdoor courtyards and flexible spaces for eating and socializing, which will create a pleasant, outdoor atmosphere for occupants. These areas will be integral to the work environment and will be designed to accommodate any necessary program needs. Any hardscape and paved surfaces in these areas will be lighter in color to limit the heat island effect impacts on the immediate surroundings. Water Conservation Water conservation is a necessity in California and OSCD will minimize the amount of water used wherever possible, as long as it does not impact plant operations and the amount of water needed to run the plant. To limit the amount of water used in the building, all EPAct 1992 regulated fixtures will be low-flow and water conserving, including the use of waterless urinals. On the outside of the building, the landscaping will be low-water use plants that can primarily survive on the local rainfall patterns, with minimal irrigation using non-potable water resources. In order to further reduce water use, OCSD is open to capturing and/or reusing water reject water from the RO Water System in the laboratory, if it can offset a significant amount of water and is determined to be cost-effective. OCSD provides the source wastewater for non-potable and indirect potable water reuse projects operated by the Orange County Water District (OCWD). All waste flows and storm water run-off from the new buildings and project area is returned to OCSD wastewater processes and ultimately becomes the source water for water reuse by OCWD. The non-potable water used on this project for dual plumbing and irrigation would be from the reuse projects at OCWD. Energy Use Reduction The project is implementing building strategies to reduce its energy use, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The buildings will be designed to operate as efficiently as possible within all project constraints, and the final energy systems will be commissioned, metered, and verified for optimal operation. The local utility, SoCal Edison, participates in the Savings by Design program, which offers owners and design teams incentives for the energy efficiency measures that are incorporated in the building design. These incentives can help offset the costs of efficiency strategies and make them more plausible for buildings like these

5 Orange County Sanitation District SP-194 Section 06 Sustainability The design will focus on following steps to reduce energy use: 1. Reduce demand through proper building orientation and envelope design 2. Harness free energy through the use of passive systems 3. Utilize efficient building systems 4. Participate in demand response programs where available 5. Generate on-site renewable energy 6. Engage and educate occupants on building operation 7. Follow sustainable operations practices. Steps 1 and 2: The building can be oriented so that the primary facades face towards the north and south, which allows for effective daylighting and minimizes glare and unwanted heat gain from the east and west. The windows on the south façade should be shaded, and the glazing on the east and west should be minimized. The building will use an appropriate window to wall ratio and well-insulated façade construction to improve performance. Ceiling fans, thermal mass and night flushing, and passive solar heat gain are other passive design strategies that can be considered to assist with heating and cooling the building. Steps 3 and 4: The building mechanical and electrical systems are being selected for appropriateness to the building and the local climate, for their life cycle cost effectiveness, and for their ongoing energy efficiency. The mechanical systems are looking to recirculate conditioned air as make-up air in the lab spaces and are considering the use of displacement ventilation and raised floor systems. The thermal comfort range within the building can be expanded to further reduce energy use. The lighting systems will include extremely efficient LED light fixtures with daylight and vacancy sensors to limit the use of electric light when it is not needed, and the exterior lighting will be minimized as much as possible. To reduce peak demand, the building can use passive strategies when appropriate or it can pre-heat or pre-cool the space when grid based electricity is needed. Step 5: The building will use the energy generated on-site from the digester gas turbines. This energy source is considered to be an on-site renewable system and will contribute to LEED certification. The building design will also be configured to accommodate a future solar photovoltaic system, when funding may be available. Steps 6 and 7: Once the building is operational, it is extremely important that occupants are educated and understand how they can help improve ongoing efficiency. It is also important for the facilities staff to provide regular maintenance so that the building continues to operate as it is designed and intended. The design team will provide a comprehensive building management system and a variety of options for energy and water metering that will allow OCSD to monitor and verify usage patterns as desired. This will allow the facilities management to identify where inconsistencies occur and address how they can be adjusted to ensure the necessary operating efficiency. Materials and Resources The project materials and furniture will be selected to provide the highest degree of sustainability that is possible for the project. This includes the selection and specification of products that minimize harmful chemicals and that contain sustainable attributes and material transparency. HDR s sustainable materials resource strategy will include the application of the precautionary principle in light of the lasting impact materials, furniture and fabrics have on the users of the facilities. The team will utilize a number of resources for the materials research, such as the Healthy Building Network s Pharos, Health Product Declarations (HPD), and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD). By including this methodology in the design and materials selection process, the project can positively influence the building users, from both a human and an environmental health perspective. The team is designing a flexible work space that can adapt to the changing needs of OCSD and the types of work processes that allow the facility to operate effectively. This will limit the need for costly alterations in the future and it will reduce the materials needed for new building products and furniture systems. Healthy Interior Environment The project s interior environment will be designed and constructed to provide a healthy, comfortable work environment for OCSD staff. The optimal indoor environment can be met through the use of various design qualities and indoor air quality (IAQ) strategies. The team will focus on these primary performance targets: 1. Improved indoor air quality. The easiest way to reduce pollutants is to select low emitting interior finishes that have no or low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC s). These products are now commonly available on the market and most have no cost premiums attached. Air quality can also be improved by increasing the ventilation rate in the building, and air quality monitors can measure the ventilation rates and carbon dioxide concentrations to provide the necessary ventilation rates for improved indoor air quality. Additional design and construction strategies are being pursued to limit any indoor pollutants associated with chemical use areas and construction activities. 2. Comfortable Indoor Environment. The design will provide comfortable humidity and temperature levels throughout the year and monitors will be provided to identify current levels and make adjustments to the incoming air as needed. This will not only make for a better work environment, but it will also help to maintain sensitive laboratory equipment that can be affected by fluctuating humidity and temperature levels. Lighting and thermal comfort controls will also be provided to allow occupants to adjust the light levels and color as needed to suit their individual preferences and task requirements

6 3. Access to daylight and views to support psychological comfort. Daylight and views are an integral part of the work environment and the team will work to incorporate as much daylighting into the building as is possible and practical. The orientation of the buildings on the site allows for appropriate daylighting strategies on the north and south facades, with minimal impacts from glare and solar heat gain. These measures will help with staff productivity and satisfaction and support everything that OCSD does to be a great place to work. Sustainable Operations OCSD wants to foster environmental stewardship through sustainable education and improved building operations. The team can consider providing a sustainable education program within the lobby of the building to identify sustainable design initiatives at OCSD and provide visitors and staff with information on how their actions can support a sustainable future. Additionally, OCSD is considering using green cleaning practices, integrated pest management methods and waste management policies that increase recycling, all of which will further improve sustainability on-site. LEED Rating System Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an assessment system that is a set of performance standards for certifying the design and construction of sustainable buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings performance. LEED provides a roadmap for measuring and documenting success for every building type and phase of a building lifecycle. The intent of the LEED rating system is to promote healthful, durable, affordable, and environmentally sound practices in the design and construction of buildings. LEED Certification LEED also promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in key areas of human and environmental health: location & transportation, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy & atmosphere, materials & resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation. Each category consists of prerequisites and credits that pertain to the green building features associated with resource use in that category. Each project must meet every prerequisite to achieve any level of LEED certification, however, LEED allows design teams to pick and choose the specific credit points they wish to pursue to meet their desired level of certification, as long as the minimum number of points, out of a possible 110, are reached for the project s intended certification level: Certified 40 points, Silver 50 points, Gold 60 points and Platinum 80 points. OCSD and LEED Certification The project will use the updated LEED Version 4 Rating System for New Construction projects, which was released in November The LEED v4 rating system builds upon the successes of previous versions of LEED and advances the notion of environmental, social and economic responsibility for our buildings today and tomorrow. The current design analysis indicates that the new buildings could achieve a LEED Gold rating under the LEED v4 rating system. The project is expected to achieve 70 points, with another 12 points that are considered likely. The team is comfortable that these points are achievable using good design principles and the best practices that are already incorporated in the building design. Some of the credits considered likely and unlikely may have a cost impact on the project and will continue to be evaluated based on their life cycle cost and benefit to the project. The following LEED scorecard outlines the credits for each LEED category and whether the credits are Achievable (Y), Likely (L), Unlikely (U) or Not Achievable (N) as evaluated by the design team. LEED Platinum Certification Platinum is the highest certification level awarded under the LEED program. Only 6% of the certified projects to date have achieved the Platinum Certification. At the request of the Executive Management Team, the design team reviewed the likely credits and assessed the opportunities within the likely and unlikely credits to achieve Platinum. With the commitment of OCSD s leadership working closely with the design team moving forward, it is the design team s opinion that LEED Platinum is achievable for this project. Integrative Design Location & Transportation Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy & Atmosphere Materials & Resources Indoor Environmental Quality 06-04

7 Orange County Sanitation District SP-194 Section 06 Sustainability Gold Orange County Sanitation District Adminstration and Lab Building LEED for New Construction v4 1 INTEGRATIVE PROCESS Possible Points 1 1 Credit 1 Integrative Process LOCATION & TRANSPORTATION Possible Points 16 x Credit 1 LEED for Neighborhood Development Location Option 1 = 3-16 points 1 Credit 2 Sensitive Land Protection 1 2 Credit 3 High Priority Site Credit 4 E Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses 1 5 Credit 5 E Access to Quality Transit 5 1 Credit 6 Bicycle Facilities 5 1 Credit 7 Reduced Parking Footprint 1 1 Credit 8 Green Vehicles SUSTAINABLE SITES Possible Points 10 Y Prereq 1 Construction Activity Pollution Prevention 1 Credit 1 Site Assessment Credit 2 E Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat 2 1 Credit 3 E Open Space 1 3 Credit 4 E Rainwater Management 3 2 Credit 5 E Heat Island Reduction 2 1 Credit 6 Light Pollution Reduction WATER EFFICIENCY Possible Points 11 Y Prereq 1 Outdoor Water Use Reduction Y Prereq 2 Indoor Water Use Reduction Y Prereq 3 Building-Level Water Metering 2 Credit 1 Outdoor Water Use Reduction 2 6 Credit 2 E Indoor Water Use Reduction 6 2 Credit 3 Cooling Tower Water Use 2 1 Credit 4 E Water Metering ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE Possible Points 33 Y Prereq 1 Fundamental Commissioning and Verification Y Prereq 2 Minimum Energy Performance Y Prereq 3 Building-level Energy Metering Y Prereq 4 Fundamental Refrigerant Mgmt 3 3 Credit 1 Enhanced Commissioning 6 18 Credit 2 E Optimize Energy Performance 18 1 Credit 3 Advanced Energy Metering Credit 4 Demand Response 2 3 Credit 5 E Renewable Energy Production 3 1 Credit 6 Enhanced Refrigerant Management 1 2 Credit 7 E Green Power and Carbon Offsets

8 Implementation Phase Scorecard v4-3/23/ MATERIALS & RESOURCES Possible Points 13 Y Prereq 1 Storage and Collection of Recyclables Y Prereq 2 Construction and Demolition Waste Mgmt Planning 3 2 Credit 1 Building Life-cycle Impact Reduction Credit 2 Building Product Disclosure & Optimization EPD Credit 3 E Building Product Disclosure & Optimization Sourcing Raw Materials Credit 4 Building Product Disclosure & Optimization Material Ingredients 2 2 Credit 9 E Construction and Demolition Waste Mgmt INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Possible Points 16 Y Prereq 1 Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance Y Prereq 2 Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control 2 Credit 1 Enhanced IAQ Strategies 2 3 Credit 2 E Low-Emitting Materials 3 1 Credit 3 Construction IAQ Mgmt Plan 1 2 Credit 4 IAQ Assessment 2 1 Credit 5 E Thermal Comfort 1 2 Credit 6 Interior Lighting 2 3 Credit 7 E Daylight 3 1 Credit 8 E Quality Views 1 1 Credit 9 Acoustic Performance 1 6 INNOVATION Possible Points 6 1 Credit 1.1 Innovation TBD 1 1 Credit 1.2 Innovation TBD 1 1 Credit 1.3 Innovation TBD 1 1 Credit 1.4 Innovation TBD 1 1 Credit 1.5 Innovation TBD 1 1 Credit 2 LEED Accredited Professional REGIONAL PRIORITY Possible Points 4 1 Regional Priority 1: LTc5 1 1 Regional Priority 2: LTc8 1 1 Regional Priority 3: SSc5 1 1 Regional Priority 4: SSc TOTAL Possible Points 110 Certified: points Silver: points Gold: points Platinum: 80+ points Yellow Cells = Regional Priority Eligible Credits = Zip Code Credit Points in the Orange Boxes Should be Considered for LEED Platinum Red Text = Credit Required by CalGreen, however, LEED Requirements are more Stringent Blue Cells = Credit is not required by the California Green Building Code Red Cells = Credit is not required by the California Green Building Code and may incur Additional Costs This checklist is based on the project team's best estimate of LEED credit attainment given the current proposed design and information provided by the owner. Credit attainment is ultimately decided by the Green Building Certification Institute. Credits and points may move from Yes to Likely or Unlikely or No throughout the design and construction process. The goal is to meet the owner's LEED target using a degree of skill and care normally exercised by members of the profession involved in the design of similar projects at the same time and in the same locale as the Project