Third party ratings systems for green design have been around for some time now, but it’s possible that rating systems may eventually go away. Perhaps green supporters are finding ways to ensure that green design sticks around for good.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) , American Institute of Architects (AIA), and several other key organizations joined forces with the International Code Council (ICC) to develop the future of building green as code; thus, requiring the reduction of energy usage and environmental impact in commercial construction (new and existing).
The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) is the first of its kind for state and local government to adopt as of March 2012. The IgCC is intended as an overlay code to the existing set of International Building Codes, and as a complement to voluntary third party rating systems such as LEED. As an overlay code it allows green design practices to be integrated without conflicting with International Building Codes.
The IgCC is setup by chapters and addresses areas including: Site Development, Material Resource, Energy and Water Conservation and Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality and Comfort, Building Operation and Maintenance; in addition to Project Electives. The Project Electives are opportunities for building designs to exceed minimum requirements. The total number of electives which a building owner must comply is set by the jurisdiction; however, the building owner can then select which of those electives is appropriate for their project.
The IgCC is utilizing best practices within the code to deliver opportunities for building owners to have a high performance building. Criteria under “Building Operation, Maintenance and Owner Education, “such as periodic re-commissioning helps ensure that a building is performing as designed. Commissioning offers owners the opportunity to correct or improve building systems that affect the operations and maintenance cost over the lifetime of the building.
Most notable is that the IgCC is not required to be adopted in full. It allows jurisdictions to select from baseline provisions and also provides flexibility through provision options that can be customized to meet local needs. The IgCC is written in a mandatory and explicit language; however, the code can be adopted as mandatory or non-mandatory.
Because the code can be customized by the jurisdiction; it gives the public an opportunity to influence which parts of the code are adopted. Several cities and organizations have assembled task force groups to evaluate the development of the IgCC and offer recommendations on what to adopt and when, since this gives tate and local jurisdiction the authority to enforce green building practices as code.
The next round of changes to the IgCC is scheduled for 2014. Like any new code it will likely take several years for mainstream adoption. However, early adopters such as the state of Oregon, Rhode Island, Maryland, North Carolina, and Florida; as well as the cities of Richland (Washington), Keene (New Hampshire), Scottsdale, Phoenix and Kayenta (Arizona) and Boyton Beach (Florida); put this green code on its way to becoming the future of building green.
For more information on the International Green Construction Code visit: www.iccsafe.org
This article evoked my query of the 50% increase on the electricity bill awaiting some Texan’s in August. Going green sounds energy efficient, I am sure more States will get on the band wagon. Will Texas? Maybe after some people’s wallet has been deflated or inflated. Anyway the IgCC website makes interesting reading, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteA. Agunbiade (TSU)
"Green" construction and renovation is no longer a trend, it is here to stay! FWISD just is in the midst of a major CIP project and it is incredible all of the green features that are being incorporated into the new construction (of course) but in the renovations of older buildings as well. Not only are we saving money in the long run for the District, we are reducing our carbon footprint, and creating better learning environments for kids. I am proud that a District of our size is being a leader in Green construction practices.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Bryan, Tarleton State University
I think this is a great way to instill into the culture that building green is imperative, not only because it is environmentally sound but it can be more cost effective in the long run. From the blog, we see that it's all inclusive from site management to building operations and maintenance. Another bonus is the option to exceed minimum requirements which can surely save money in the longrun. Being able to re-commission means making the project ongoing so that disrepair doesn't become an issue before it's too costly or too late.
ReplyDeleteMichelle Schwalls
Tarleton State University
In Texas, the city of Dallas is planning to jump on the IgCC band wagon too. They have assembled a taskforce and recommended adoption of the IGCC for commercial buildings (with provisions for residential construction to be included as Dallas Amendments) by end of year 2012. Dallas intends adoption of IgCC to set an example for Texas. The Texas Society of Architects has also appointed a task force to recommend their next steps in evaluating the IgCC.
ReplyDeleteAt Dublin ISD we received a grant to change out the lighting in the elementary that would be more energy efficient and a brighter lighting as well.
ReplyDeleteAfter visiting with your Director of Energy, I was surprised and pleased to learn that we purchase and use only the highest quality, energy efficient light bulbs in all of our schools....new, renovated, and old. In addition, we are in the process of overhauling our HVAC systems. Though the process can't be successfully completed overnight, it's great to know that we are taking those first steps to making our schools as "green" as they can be.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Melissa Bryan's statement that this is no longer a trend, but a movement that is here to stay. With large district such as Fort Worth and Dallas leading the way, smaller districts will be more likely to follow suit with smaller initiatives such lighting changes that Cedric and I have mentioned.
Ashley Stewart
Tarleton State University
I believe that the "Building Green" is a great idea especially with school districts being in a financial crisis. If the new buildings or buildings that are renovated can be structured where they can save money, that is what we need. Not only will they be energy efficient, they will be able to save the district possibly thousands of dollars.
ReplyDeleteEducational systems must be aware of the "green" movement. I agree with others as being "green" is no longer a trend but part of the strategic initiatives for organizations. School facilities can consume tons of energy, and responsible for the creation tons of environmental waste. Being "green" can assist with decrease its bottom line. The triple bottom line; Profit (which may not necessarily apply to public); People; Planet. The 3 P's speak to the needs for education to consider its sustainability. Most research focuses on the environmental and utilities savings of "green" design. However there is growing research on greeen design practices as it affects student academic achievement.
ReplyDeleteReggie Hall
Tarleton State U
I was reading an article date May 17, 2012 from www.greenbuildinglawupdate.com titled Federal Green Building Code Creates Unnecessary Risks and Costs by Chris Cheatham. The article states that LEED +Green Building Code = Duplicative Costs. The Department of Defense proposed a green building code in order to streamline the process of applying for LEED certification. According to Cheatham obtaining certification and compliance with an overlapping green building code will result in duplicative costs especially on the administrative side. Cheatham used, what he considered, the best case scenario of the green building code and LEED rating system requirements completely overlapping as an example. The contractor would have to complete separate documentation for a contracting officer and a Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) reviewing authority. The contracting officer and GBCI reviewing authority working independently will have separate questions and each will request for clarification and interpretations. Since contractors are working through two separate entities and submitting two sets of paperwork, the contractor will be competing twice as much work. Twice as much work means the project will get more expensive. The article also references the unnecessary risks of having different interpretations which could cause conflict.
ReplyDeleteA. Agunbiade (TSU)
I think that "green" has progressed from being a fad or a trend to being common sense and logical. I grew up in Oregon, where much focus is placed on being kind to the environment. Back home, everything is recycled, a five-cent deposit is charged for every soda can that is returned to the consumer when the cans are returned for recycling. Because of the way I grew up, it is often frustrating to me to see so much waste and disregard for our environment.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to see that becoming "green" is becoming a focus of design and renovation projects. By doing our part now, not only can we save money, but we will also be able to pass on a better tomorrow to our children.
CAndrew - Tarleton State University
Eastland ISD received an Oncor grant last December to replace the lighting in all of its facilities. The estimated saving will be 20% on electric bills. This is a substantial savings however, without the grant it would be impossible for a rural district with state funding decreases to afford to replace the lighting on its own.
ReplyDeleteBFaulkner TSU
ReplyDeleteI, too, went to the ICC website just to get some background information. A new booklet they have published - Green Building, A Professional's Guide to Concepts, Codes and Innovation by Anthony C. Floyd and Allan Bilka and Co-published by ICC and Cengage stated that "there are increasing signs that the world is entering a new stage in its energy history characterized by the beginning of the end of the great oil-based energy boom (see Figure 2-3). The decline in the importance of oil is likely to take place over a considerable period of time. Production will peak long before reserves become exhausted—the most likely date is estimated around 2020, followed by a long decline in output.
The decline in natural gas output is projected to occur in conjunction with the fall in oil production." This is a curious statement especially in light of the massive amounts of natural gas reserves being pumped daily from the Barnett Shale in North Texas and the Eagle Ford Shale in Carizzo Springs in South Texas. Granted, these reserves could begin to decline, but I believe that Fort Worth ISD might be going "green" on the royalty checks from the Barnett Shale. Just a thought.
Additionally, the ICC has planned code developement hearings for April/May 2013 in Dallas, Texas with final hearings scheduled in October 2013 in Portland, OR and Atlantic City, NJ.It seems like a "greener" way to hold these hearings would be electronically instead of leaving a huge carbon footprint to transport large numbers of convention goers to remote coasts. Just another thought.
Let's look honestly at energy and I include nuclear power too. Fossil fuels were the one BIG SIMPLE source for our energy needs now we need to grow up and face complexity.
ReplyDelete