CH. 1 Flashcards
Sustainable development
Building to meet the needs of present generation without compromising the ability of future not generation meeting their’s
Green building
Sustainable design and construction
Integrated design process (IDP)
A whole systems way of working that breaks down traditional boundaries between disciplines and parts of the work
Leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED)
Most widely applied program for building sustainably especially in the United States
LEED prerequisites and credits
Mandatory points to contribute towards a buildings overall rating
4 levels of sustainable performance
Certified, silver, gold, and platinum
Living building challenge
Higher standard for a sustainable living. Making buildings that do no harm and improve a natural environment and our natural well-being
Seven categories “petals” for living building
place water Energy Health and happiness materials equity beauty
Some examples of imperatives
Net zero energy, appropriate materials sourcing, embodied carbon footprint, etc.
Three certification levels for living building challenge.
Living building certification– meets all imperatives appropriate to building type
Petal Certification - level of partial compliance.
Zero energy certification - projects that generate all energy on-site. no reliance on combustion processes.
Product data sheet (PDS)
Required Self reported information provided by the manufacturer.
For example– product description, material make up and physical properties, guidelines for use.
Environmental labels/eco-labels
Third-party environmental ratings. Voluntary.
Product disclosure
A form of reporting that provides transparent info about material ingredients and manufacturer practices
Volatile organic compounds (VOC)
Air polluting and unhealthful chemical compounds released in heavy concentrations from wet applied products as they dry.
Environmental product declarations (EPD)
Description of the full life cycle environmental impacts of building materials and products
Global warming potential (GWP)
Heat absorbed by any greenhouse gas in the atmosphere as a multiple of the heat absorbed by the same mass of carbon dioxide
Environmental building declarations (EBD)
Lifecycle analysis of whole building
ISO 14020
Guidelines for the development and use of environmental labels and declarations. Provide consistent and relevant information for designers and builders.
Lifecycle analysis (LCA)
The method for quantifying environmental impacts associated with materials and buildings. for example raw materials extraction– manufacture– construction and use– material disposal/new use.
Environmental footprint
The amounts of fossil fuel, electricity, water, and other materials consumed. also, the amount of solid waste, global warming gases, and other air pollutants generated
Embodied energy
The sum total of energy consumed during materials lifecycle
Cradle to gate analysis
Begins with materials extraction but extends only as far as when the material leaves the factory. Excludes the effects of transportation to the building site, installation, use, maintenance, disposal and recycling.
Embodied water
Freshwater consumed as a consequence of building with a particular material
Health product declaration (HPD)
Reliable and consistent information about material ingredients and associated human and environmental health hazards. They prepared by product manufacturer or independent agency
Recycled materials content
Helps to divert waste materials that would otherwise be disposed of in landfills or by incineration
Pre-consumer recycled material
Byproduct of manufacturing processes. For example gypsum board manufacturer recycling used newsprint into paper facing for new board.
When assessing recycled content in the LEED system
Pre-consumer material is counted at only half of the weight or the cost. Post consumer is counted out for value.
Bio-based materials
They are produced by agricultural or animal biological systems.
Rapidly renewable materials
Material that is grown and harvested in a short time span. 10 years or less per LEED standard.
Regionally/locally sourced material
Material that is produced near the construction site
Living building challenge read list
Identifies materials to be excluded from living buildings. for example the materials are polluting, bio accumulating, harmful to factory workers, construction workers, or building occupants.
Building commissioning (CX)
Process used to ensure that performance expectations are realized and finish the buildings
Drawings and Specifications
Drawings are graphic and specifications are written instructions on how the building will be made and of what. Collectively known as construction documents.
Zoning ordinance
Land use regulations that govern the activities that may take place on a given piece of land.
Building codes
Local governments way of regulating building activity. They protect the public health and safety by setting minimum standards for construction quality, structural integrity, durability, livability, and fire safety.
Model code
Standardized codes that local jurisdictions adopt for their own use as a simpler alternative to writing their own.
International building code (IBC)
Predominant building model in the United States at state, county, and municipal levels. All buildings not covered by IRC.