Course Description UL Environment 40119188 Clearing the Air on Sustainability: Why Good Indoor Air Quality Matters ULECTA Speaker Name/s Date This course identifies overarching aspects of Sustainability and how sustainable design works to integrate societal, economic and environmental goals for the benefit of all. Discussion of how synergies can be created by implementation of these elements resulting in improved health, lower energy consumption, productivity increases, and decreased building maintenance costs is covered, with special emphasis on good indoor air quality (IAQ) and improved health, as this is one aspect of sustainable design that has the biggest impact on user comfort and the financial success and life expectancy of the built environment. First, second and third-party certifications are discussed, specifically the resources they provide to design and construction professionals as contrasted with greenwashing tactics. Cost analysis studies are also provided to identify average green building premiums and long-term cost benefits. Course conclusion highlights the overall progress of sustainable design. Learning Objectives At the end of the this course, participants will be able to: 1. Identify major tenets of Sustainability 2. Discuss how aspects of energy, material content, water usage, and IAQ impact building occupants 3. Gain understanding of various types of product certifications versus greenwashing claims 4. Assess green building premiums, longterm benefits, and the progress of sustainable design. Clearing the Air On Sustainability: Why Good Indoor Air Quality Matters 1
This CEU is registered with the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC) for continuing education credits. This credit will be accepted by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), International Interior Designers Association (IIDA), and Interior Designers of Canada (IDC). Credit(s) earned on completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-aia members are available upon request. This course is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation. The content included in not deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by IDCEC of any material or construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services should be directed to the instructor or provider of this CEU. This program, Clearing the Air on Sustainability, is registered for 0.1 CEU value. The IDCEC Class Code is: This CEU will be reported on your behalf to IDCEC and you will receive an email notification. Please log in and complete the electronic survey for this CEU. Certificated of completion will be automatically issued once you have submitted the online survey for this CEU. Attendees who do no belong to ASID, IIDA, or IDC and do not have a unique IDCEC number will be provided with a Certificate of Completion from the CEU provider. Roadmap What is Sustainability? IAQ v Energy Costs of sustainability Sustainable projects Greenwashing v certifications Future of sustainability 2
Global Perspective Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs -- United Nations Design Perspective Human expectations: comfort, health, light, clean air, safety Objectives of Sustainable Design: Economic expectations: ROI, extended life cycle, cost savings Environmental expectations: Site selection, clean air, sensitivity to availability of resources To avoid resource depletion of energy, water, and raw materials; prevent environmental degradation caused by facilities and infrastructure through out their lifecycle; and create built environments that are livable, comfortable, safe, and productive Whole Building Design Guide, Oct. 2008 3
Great River Energy Headquarters Not for profit member owned electric utility co-op in Minnesota Innovation Feature: Very High Indoor Air Quality British Columbia Cancer Agency Year of Completion 2005 Type NC Setting Urban Total site area 14,500 m2 - Total building area 21,800 m2 Building use Level 2 and 3 labs, office, meeting area Occupancy 600 Certification LEED CAGold We re finding strong traction in the owner community both public and private because of the pure financial gains that accompany a decision to build a green building. Green buildings provide operational performance, environmental sensitivity and improved health for their occupants. It s a triple bottom line great companies can relate to Rick Fedrizzi, President/CEO USGBC 4
% Premium Increase Green Premiums 20.00% 18.00% 16.00% 14.00% LEED Construction Premiums Projects that viewed sustainable elements as added scope tended to experience greater budget difficulties. 12.00% 1999 Premiums 10.00% 2009 Premiums 8.00% 6.00% 4.00% 2.00% 0.00% Certified Silver Gold Platinum Desired LEED Certification Level Green Premium: the Reality As I hurdled through space, one thought kept crossing my mind every part of this rocket was supplied by the lowest bidder. John Glenn What ends up in the space stays in the space!! The IEQ and Energy Tradeoff 5
Is there an information filter? GREENWASH - the act of misleading (intentionally or not) consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service --www.terrachoice.org No time to explore new manufacturers So many labels---which ones are legitimate? Do I really need to know it all? 6
Misleading Claims The Solution Low Performing Products Engage all players of the sustainability effort Use of and reliance on Eco Labels and 3 rd party Certifications Easier decision - making process; technical issues explained, reliable claims documentation IAQ Issues Occupant Health & Well-being Eco-Label: Individual or organization that offers a product or service with some type of verification, assurance, label or certification to a standard or set of criteria. (GREENGUARD Environmental Institute) We can help you weed through the green garden Name ENERGY STAR WaterSense GREENGUARD Certification Program Green Seal Certification YES YES YES YES Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) YES Three types of Certifications: 1 st Party 2 nd Party Example: Manufacturer s in-house label Example: FloorScore, CRI-Green Label and Green Label Plus Cradle to Cradle Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) EcoLogo YES YES Yes 3 rd Party Example: FSC, GreenSeal, EcoLogo, GREENGUARD Certification (the only one focused on health impacts) Eight Market Movers that you can trust: (Courtesy McGraw Hill Smart Market Report 2008) 7
Leadership: Transforming Standards Educational Resource: Continuing Education courses, Certification Programs, Product Guides Specification Resource: Use of manufacturers products you know and trust Green Building Certification Process: Readily available information through: Certificates proof of product compliance with documentation; Information on product applicability to your design needs VOC emissions readily available tested using reproducible, scientific methods competitively priced third-party certification Benefits of third party Eco Labels: Guiding Authorities: EPA, FTC Building Design and Construction: Consultants, AEC Community Eco Labels: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Party Certifications Path to Sustainability End Users, Consumers, Building Owners, Developers Eco Standards: ISO, ANSI, ASTM Green Building Guidelines: LEED, CHPS, Green Globes IAQ Investigation Office Building Odor Concern 8
What they should have done: Replace leveler with low odor, low emission leveler; allow to cure fully (3 4 inches thick) Replace carpet tiles Replace ceiling tiles Salvage office furniture What actually happened Mitigation = 5 years and $6,200,000 Vacant for 3 additional years because of history / reputation! National Media Coverage Atlanta Journal Constitution cited: billed as a bargain when purchased for $22 million, the building has turned into a federal white elephant With good integration of all disciplines on a design team, it is possible to incorporate, within a budget, many sustainable strategies that taken alone would increase costs. --BuildingGreen.com The problems that exist in the world today can not be solved by the same level of thought that created them A. Einstein 9
Sustainability is a responsibility 3 rd certifications can be used to create essential product databases All parties can learn from one another Buildings designed for decades must give way to buildings designed for centuries David Brussat, Providence Journal SAFETY IS EVOLVING SO IS UL This concludes the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems Course. We will now discuss UL Environment s GREENGUARD Certifications and provide resources for your use. UL Environment offers environmental claim validations, multi-attribute product certifications, environmental product declarations, indoor air quality certification, product emissions testing, organizational sustainability certification, and consulting With the definition of safety constantly advancing, UL has expanded our focus to include an unparalleled breadth of offerings. Our goal is to better help your business meet the shifting needs of a changing world. Knowledge Services 10
UL Environment s GREENGUARD Certification Who is UL Environment? Improving public health and quality of life through healthy indoor air. GREENGUARD Certification Voluntary Certification Process: Why else is UL Environment valuable to you? Manufacturer contacts UL Environment Product Profiling and Testing Full Chamber testing Quarterly Monitoring Annual Retesting of Product We are an environmental resource. www.greenguard.org For the world s largest online, low-emitting product guide 11
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www.ul.com/environment www.greenguard.org www.epa.gov/iaq www.lungusa.org/air/air_indoor www.aerias.org www.usgbc.org www.sinsofgreenwashing.org www.ashrae.org www.nahbgreen.org Resources for Indoor Air Quality Thank you. www.ul.com/environment www.greenguard.org 13
Discussion Questions 1. Name 3 of the 7 sustainable design objectives discussed in this CEU? 2. What are the major components of the Triple Bottom Line? 3. Name 3 hurdles the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industries face in implementing sustainable polices and practices. 4. Greenwashing practices are in the consumer s best interest. T or F 5. Indoor Environmental Quality is important in a High Performance Building because.. 14