Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

Building-Rating SystemsGreen building-rating systems are used to evaluate new or existing buildings based ontheir environmental performance. Reviewers issue credits in each performance categoryand assign an overall environmental performance rating to the structure. With publicacceptance, rating systems can change the way designers, building owners, and tenantsevaluate buildings. Following is a brief review of several rating programs.Building Research Establishment Environmental AssessmentMethod/New OfficesThe Building Research Establishment in England has developed a voluntary assessmentmethod for new building designs, known as the Building Research EstablishmentEnvironmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)/New Offices, Version 1/93. Its objectivesare to encourage designers to become more environmentally sensitive; create a demandfor buildings that are “friendlier to the environment”; stimulate a market for environmentallysound buildings; raise awareness about large-impact buildings and lessen theirburden on the environment; and improve the indoor environment and health of occupants.The assessment covers three main areas of environmental issues: 1) global issuesand the use of resources, 2) local issues, and 3) indoor issues (Figure 1). 1Other BREEAM assessment methods have been established for existing offices, industrialunits, supermarkets, new housing, and other building topics. The version for existingoffices assesses the operation of buildings based on their environmental policies andmanagement, and is supported by an Environmental Management Toolkit.BREEAM/NEW OFFICES ASSESSMENT CATEGORIESGlobal Issues and Use of Resources■ CO 2emissions resulting from energy use■ Acid rain■ Ozone depletion from CFCs, HCFCs, and halons■ Natural resources and recycled materials■ Storage of recyclable materialsLocal Issues■ Legionnaires’ Disease arising from wet cooling towers■ Local wind effects■ Noise■ Overshadowing of other buildings and land■ Water economy■ Ecological value of site■ Cyclists’ facilitiesIndoor Issues■ Legionnaires’ Disease from domestic water systems■ Ventilation, passive smoking, and humidity■ Hazardous materials■ Lighting■ Thermal comfort and overheating■ Indoor noiseFigure 1