Chance to comment on landmark standard 189.1 for green buildings
May 8, 2009
By
Canadian Consulting Engineer
Public comments are being invited on the first U.S. national standard for high performance green buildings. The dra...
Public comments are being invited on the first U.S. national standard for high performance green buildings. The draft Standard 189.1 began its third public review period on May 1, and comments will be accepted until June 15.
The standard is being developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), along with the U.S. Green Building Council (developer of the LEED green building rating system) and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA).
The latest version of the 189.1 standard is said to be more “user friendly.” It has eliminated the requirement for 30% additional ventilation beyond ASHRAE Standard 62.1 in classrooms and office spaces. Instead it is emphasizing the source contaminant control to improve indoor air quality.
In terms of energy savings, the latest draft requires increased energy savings over ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1.
The standard is meant to provide minimum criteria for green building practices in commercial buildings and major renovation projects. It addresses energy efficiency, emissions, sustainable sites, water use, materials and resources, and indoor air quality.
The development of 189.1 is seen as important in the HVAC industry, and the previous versions of the draft standard received more than 900 comments.
Whatever shape the standard takes will have an impact not just in the U.S., but also in Canada, since buildings in Canada are often designed to ASHRAE standards.
