Sustainability & Materials Flashcards
4 types of material emissions
Volatile organic compounds, styrene, formaldehyde, & 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PC)
Adaptive Reuse
the process of reusing an existing building or materials for a purpose other than which it was originally built or designed for.
Recyclability
The capacity of a previously used material for reuse as a resource in the manufacturing of a new product.
Biobased products
Products made primarily from plant or animal materials.
Hazardous Materials
Biological substances and other chemicals that pose a threat to the environment or to human health if released or misused.
Asbestos
A naturally occurring virus material found in certain types of rock formations after mining and processing. Asbestos contains very fine fibers and is especially known to cause lung cancer & mysothemiola.
Banned in 1989 by the EPS under the authority of TSCA.
CAA
Clean air act of 1970
TSCA
Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976.
This law was enacted to give EPA the authority to track and regulate over 75,000 industrial chemicals produced or imported into the United States.
CPSC
Consumer Product Safety Commission
NESHAP
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
ACM’s
Asbestos Containing Materials
NIOSH
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health
Vermiculite
A hydrated laminar, magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate that resembles mica. It is separated from mineral ore, which may include asbestos. When heated during protesting, vermiculite expands into worm like pieces. In construction, it is used for pour-in insulation, acoustic finishes, fire protection, and sound deddening compounds.
Lead
A highly toxic metal that was once used in a variety of consumer and industrial products. Exposure to lead can cause serious health problems.
In children: damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth, behavior problems, seizures, and even death.
In adults: Digestive problems, reproductive problems, nerve disorders, muscle and joint pain, and difficulties during pregnancy.
Lead based paint was banned in 1978.
Radon
Colorless, odorless, tasteless, naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soil, rock, and water throughout the world. Radon causes lung cancer.
PCB’s
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Mixture of synthetic organic chemicals, with physical properties ranging from oily liquids to waxy solids.
Manufacturing and importing was banned in 1977 under TCSA.
BRE
British organization that provides Research based consultancy, testing, and certification services covering all aspects of the built environment and associated industries.
BREEAM
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
Measures the environmental performance of building materials and products by evaluating buildings in the areas of management, energy use,health & well-being, pollution, transportation, land use, waste management , ecology, materials, and water use.
CHIPS
Collaborative for High Performance Schools
Its goal is to increase the energy efficiency of schools in California and improve the quality of education offered within.
Section 01350
The state of california developed its special environmental requirements, spec section 01350 in 2003 for construction of an addition to the state capital complex.
Energy Star Buildings & Plants
Part of the EPA’s Energy Star program began in 1992.
In order to earn an energy star label, buildings and energy generation plants record a year’s worth of energy performance, which is then compared to other similar facilities and given a rating from 1 to 100. They must score over 75 to be eligible.
Green Globes
A green building guidance and assessment program available in Canada and the United States. the program was developed by the Ggreen Building Initiative.
GBI
Green Building Initiative
A non-profit organization promoting practical green building approaches for residential and commercial construction.
LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (2000)
A consensus based building rating system designed to accelerate the development and implementation of green building practices in the United States. Created by the USGBC.
USGBC
U.S. Green Building Council
A national coalition of leaders from all aspects of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible and profitable and that provide healthy places to live and work.
National Green Building Standard
ICC/ASHRAE 700
Developed by NAHB & ICC
Provides guidance to builders engaged or interested in green building products & practices for residential design, development, construction, and remodeling.
WELL
WELL Building Standard
Administered by IWBI, combines best practices in design and construction with evidence-based health and wellness interventions.
Measured by 7 factors: air,water,nourishment, light,fitness, comfort, mind. Composed of 102 features applied to each building project.
BIFMA
Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association
Limits VOC emissions from office furniture.
Cradle to Cradle (C2C)
Certified Product Standard program of McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) certifies products that use environmentally safe materials, are designed so thar their materials can be recovered and reused, use water and energy efficiently in their manufacturing, and are socially responsible organizations. Products are assessed in 5 categories: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, social fairness.
Technical Nutrients
Synthetic materials that can be reused without loss of quality.
Biological Nutrients
Organic materials that will safely decompose into the natural environment after use.
ECC
Eco-Certified Composite Sustainability Standard
A voluntary standard developed by composite panel association for manufacturers of products made with particle board, m MDF, hardboard, engineered wood siding, and engineered wood trim. Evaluated on their carbon footprint, renewable resources, recycled content, sustainability, and wood sourcing.
Energy Star
Voluntary labeling program designed to identify energy efficient products such as consumer appliances, office equipment, residential furnaces, air conditioning equipment, lighting, and consumer electronics.
FloorScore
Program of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute tests and certifies hard-surface flooring products and adhesives that comply with strict IAQ requirements in CA section 01350.
FSC
Forest Stewardship Council
International organization that oversees the development of national and regional standards for responsible forest management based onitsFSC Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship.
Green Label Plus
A program of the CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute) is a voluntary testing program for carpet, cushion, and adhesive that conforms to CHIPS. Products carrying the green label plus mark are certified as being low-emitting and meet the CHIPS requirement as defined in california section 01350.
Green Seal
An independent non-profit organization that strives to achieve a more sustainable world by promoting environmentally responsible production, purchasing and products.
Evaluations are based on energy, resource use, emissions to air/water/land, as well as impacts to health & environment.
GreenFormat
Web-based database developed by CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) to allow manufacturers to self-report sustainability properties of their products using a standard questionnaire format. Reported in 6 categories: general information, product details, product life cycle, manufacturer sustainability policies, manufacturer support documentation, and manufacturer certification.
Greenguard Certification
Part of UL Environment, helps manufacturers to create and buyers to identify interior products and materials that have low chemical emissions.
Products are tested for emissions of total VOCs, formaldehyde total aldehydes, respirable particles, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide.
Health Product Declaration Open Standard
The Health Product Declaration Open Standard was created and administered by the Health Product Declaration Collaborative, it is an open standard format used by manufacturers for the reporting of contents and potential health hazards of materials.
ISO
International Organization for Standardization is a nongovernmental organization comprising national standards bodies from over 120 countries.
Pharos Project
Created by Healthy Building Network, is a subscription-based online database used for identifying health hazards in building materials.
SCS Global Services
A private organization that performs third-party environmental, sustainability, and food quality certification, auditing, and standard development.
SMaRT
Sustainable Materials Rating Technology program overseen by the Institute of Market Transformation to Sustainability (MTS), identifies sustainable products by awarding points in several categories. Safety for public health and environment, renewable energy, energy reduction, biobased or recycled materials, facility- or company- -based requirements, reclamation, sustainable reuse, end-of-life management, and innovation in manufacturing.
SFI
Sustainable Forestry Initiative is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management.
UL Environment
Program of Underwriters Laboratories that help support the growth and development of sustainable products, services, and organizations in the global marketplace.
WaterSense
A program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that helps customers identify water, efficient programs, and products by the water sense label.
Coproduct
A marketable byproduct from a process. Materials traditionally considered to be waste, but that can be repurposed as raw materials in a different manufacturing process are considered coproducts.
ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1
Energy standard for buildings except low-rise residential buildings.
This is a voluntary industry standard that gives information on minimum standards for energy efficiency, building envelope requirements, zone isolation, insulation for floors, ceilings and roofs, and power allowance calculations.
ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1
Standard for design of high-performance green buildings except low-rise residential buildings.
This covers a wide range of requirements, including site sustainability, water efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and the buildings impact on the atmosphere, materials, and resources.
ATSM Standard E2114
Standard terminology for sustainability relative to the performance of buildings.
ATSM Standard E2129
Standard practice for data collection for sustainability assessment of building products.
GS-11
Green steel standard for paints, coatings, stains, and sealants. Product standard for paints and coatings applied on site.
GS-13
Green seals standard for windows. Product standard for residential fenstration products.
IECC
International Energy Conservation Code.
This model code was developed by the ICC to regulate minimum energy conservation requirements for new buildings. It addresses requirements for all aspects of energy. Uses both commercial and residential construction, including heating, ventilating, lighting, water heating, and power usage for appliances and building systems.
IgCC
International green construction code. This model code was developed by the ICC and provides a way to include sustainability measures for the entire construction project and its site. It provides regulatory framework for new and existing buildings for commercial construction, and it applies to all residential buildings over 3 stories.
ICC/ASHRAE 700
National Green Building Standard.
Developed by NAHB & the ICC To provide a sustainable standard for residential building. The code applies to single-family houses, low- and high- -rise multi-family buildings, home remodeling, hotels and motels, and the site work associated with these projects.
Postconsumer
A material or product that has served in its intended use and has been diverted or recovered from waste. Destined for disposal having completed its life as a consumer item.
Post-industrial / Pre-consumer
Materials generated in manufacturing processes such as trimmings or scrap, that have been recovered or diverted from solid waste.
Recovered Materials
Waste or buy products that have been recovered or diverted from solid waste disposal. This term does not apply to materials that are generated from or reused within original manufacturing process.
