Hi Standards Leave Their Mark on Engineering.

Hi Standards Leave Their Mark on Engineering.

World Standards Week takes place the week of October 20, and it presents an opportunity to reflect on how standards are used in engineering and impact almost every facet of modern life.

For example, standards make it possible for the Internet to exist and for Engineering360 to be shared seamlessly worldwide. Likewise, banking institutions function on a set of standard protocols that enable global trade to take place.

As this article’s main photo suggests, the National Institute of Standards and Technology in 2011 published a revised biometric standard that vastly expands the type and amount of information that forensic scientists can share across international networks to identify victims or solve crimes.

But even something as simple as a screw has thousands of standards associated with it. These ensure that the manufactured product is usable everywhere, says Robert Russotti, senior director for online marketing at theAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Standards cover testing, performance, quality and procedures, Russotti says. They help a specifying engineer determine, for example, how many times a door hinge will open and close before it’s likely to fail, or if a particular metal is suitable for grinding.

A more ( shall we say) standard definition from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IECA) defines a standard as a document, established by consensus that provides rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results.

ISO says that it does not decide when to develop a new standard. Instead, ISO responds to a request from industry or other stakeholders. Typically, an industry sector or group communicates the need for a standard to its national member (such as ANSI in the U.S.) who then contacts ISO. 

ISO standards are developed by groups of experts from all over the world, that are part of larger groups called technical committees. These experts negotiate all aspects of the standard, including its scope, key definitions and content.

Developing ISO standards is a consensus-based approach and comments from stakeholders are taken into account. So-called Draft International Standards are circulated among ISO members who have three months to comment and vote on the draft. ANSI coordinates the U.S. voluntary consensus standards system. In that role it provides a neutral forum for the development of policies on standards issues and serves as a watchdog for standards development and conformity assessment programs and processes.

ANSI also accredits qualified organizations, whose standards development process meets all of ANSI’s requirements, to develop American National Standards. However, ANSI itself does not develop standards. In addition, ANSI represents U.S. interests in regional and international standardization activities while overseeing conformity assessment activities that promote the global acceptance of U.S. products, services, systems and personnel.

In the U.S., standards are voluntary and consensus based, which means that product designers and manufacturers can decide whether or not to follow them. The marketplace helps decide whether or not a non-standard product achieves success. In other countries, standards carry the force of law. Standards also may be used as a defense in a legal challenge. A product that fails may be defensible if it can be proved that it conformed to specific standards, Russotti says.

American National Standards (ANSs) are essential tools used in every industry. Today, there are some 9,500 ANSs that have been developed and approved in accordance with ANSI essential requirements. American National Standards are voluntary and serve U.S. interests well because all materially affected stakeholders have the opportunity to work together to create them. ANSI-approved standards only become mandatory when, and if, they are adopted or referenced by the government or when market forces make them imperative.

ANSI says that globally relevant standards make it easier for many companies to get their products certified and on the shelves in countries around the world, allowing them to take part in global value chains, benefit from technology transfer and compete on a more equal footing. Similarly, nations that incorporate international standards into their policies and regulations can allow their citizens access to a wider selection of high-quality goods, while also providing protection against dangerous or faulty products and services.

Hi LEED vs. Green Globes: A Comparison!.

Dec 9, 2013

Article Source: Lawrence (Larry) Clark, QCxP, GGP, LEED AP+ | Contracting Business.

Being a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) for six years and a certified Green Globes Professional (GGP) for a year, I have noted first-hand both the similarities and the differences between the LEED and Green Globes systems. 

Both systems serve to drive green/high-performance-building design, construction, and operation. Both LEED and Green Globes rely on an independent third-party verification process although, as we’ll see, their approach is much different.

First, as one would expect, the primary focus of both systems is in the same basic areas. Both systems address factors such as the site characteristics, energy and water consumption, the use of resources/materials, and the indoor environmental quality (IEQ). LEED and Green Globes both offer 

different tracks for new construction and existing buildings. 

They both acknowledge the unique requirements of healthcare facilities and offer specific rating systems for them. Although LEED is the better known of the two, they’re both recognized and accepted by the General Services Administration (GSA) and other agencies of the Federal government, as well as many state and local jurisdictions.  

Both rating systems have been recently updated. The newest version of LEED (v4) was rolled-out at Greenbuild 2013 and features increased thresholds in energy, water, waste and IEQ; a new Location and Transportation credit; and a requirement for environmental product declarations and material ingredient reporting. 

Green Globes released its new NC (New Construction

) update earlier this year. It’s based on the ANSI/GBI Standard 01-2010: “Green Building Assessment Protocol for Commercial Buildings”, which meets the Guiding Principles mandated by Executive Order 13514. 

For those not familiar with the history of Green Globes, th

e first environmental certification system was created in the United Kingdom in 1990. Known as BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), the Canadian version was adapted and launched in the U.S. by the non-profit Green Building Initiative (GBI) in 2005, becoming the first green building organization accredited as a standards developer by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). LEED, the better known of the two systems, was also based in large part on BREEAM.

Although there are similarities between the programs, the methodology between the two is somewhat different.  For example, both use online tools; however, Green Globes is interactive, while LEED requires data uploading and waiting for results. 

While both require a minimum number of points, LEED has mandatory prerequisites — that have no point value — while Green Globes does not. In fact, Green Globes allows non-applicable categories to be excluded from the total point count, so that buildings are not penalized for those categories that truly have no applicability, and the expensive “point chasing” sometimes associated with LEED projects becomes unnecessary.

Perhaps the most significant differences are the time and cost to complete 

a Green Globes certification, both of which can be substantially less than for LEED. 

The GBI estimates that its certification is typically completed in three-to-five months, at a cost of one-third to one-half of a comparable LEED certification.

My own experience has shown that, for the existing building projects that we’ve directly compared, the cost — including our fee — for Green Globes Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings (CIEB) averaged approximately 40% of the comparable cost for LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings (EBOM). 

For New Construction, the difference — including the commissioning requirements for Green Globes and both Fundamental and Enhanced Commissioning for LEED — was even more significant.

Interestingly, “From the Field News & Notes” (HPAC Engineering, Feb. 2013, p.12), cited the Turner Construction Company’s Green Building Market Barometer 2012, which found that the cost and time required were among the primary reasons for respondents not seeking LEED certification for their high performance buildings.

 

Possibly the most important advantage of Green Globes, based on my personal experience with LEED projects, is their on-site assessment process, where an independent assessor visits the site and meets with the owner and consultant to review the project. With LEED, the information is submitted and an anonymous review team, engaged by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), reviews the submission and provides comments. This can result in a serious lack of consistency and quality in the reviews provided by different teams. 

For example, there was an EBOM project involving several nearly identical commercial office buildings on an urban campus. The first two buildings, both of which were apparently reviewed by the same team, sailed through the LEED certification process with relatively few issues to be resolved.

The third building, however, was mired in negative comments that clearly showed a lack of understanding by the (obviously) different review team and resulted in the additional cost of appeals and a long delay in the schedule for the owner. Although the project was eventually certified, no one associated with the project was happy with the process. And having to provide allowances in the LEED consultants’ fees for appeals and interpretations only serves to inflate the total cost to the owner without adding any value to the process. It may also give the owner the perception that the consultant is not as competent as he or she ought to be, and generally reflect poorly on everyone — but particularly the LEED consultant — involved in the project.

This is not to say that LEED doesn’t have its advantages.  LEED is the most recognized and most implemented green building program in the world. 

It has arguably been the single-most influential advocate for sustainability in the built environment. And LEED has convinced many corporate leaders that green building isn't just for “tree huggers”, but is about social, environmental and economic benefits. It has also inspired tens of thousands of individuals — myself included — to share in that vision. 

Many large national and international enterprises have mandated LEED as the standard for their facilities and there is no question that a LEED-certified building has the potential, if operated properly, to outperform a non-certified building.

So let’s agree that, like everything else in our industry, there is no “one size fits all” solution. Each project should be evaluated based on its own goals and objectives, and the most beneficial outcome to the owner should be the deciding factor in selecting which green label to pursue…which, by the way, may not be just limited to LEED and Green Globes.   

Lawrence (Larry) Clark, CEA, GGP, LEED AP O+M, a member of HPAC Engineering’s Editorial Advisory Board, is principal of Sustainable Performance Solutions LLC, provider of energy audits, general energy-efficiency and sustainability consulting services, and metering and submetering solutions. He has more than a dozen published articles on HVAC- and energy-related topics to his credit and frequently lectures on central-energy-plant optimization, metering/submetering, and advanced ventilation.

A Hi Sustainable Approach & Green Routine

A Hi Sustainable Approach

With the latest Dubai Green Building Codes coming into effect for all residential and commercial construction in early 2014, the country is reaching a significant milestone in the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 and its goal to become a city that follows the highest levels of sustainable development. 

Although many of you are no doubt already familiar with the impending regulations, I will briefly revisit what they are and who they will impact.

The regulations apply to:

1) All new buildings.

2)Additions, extensions and refurbishments of existing buildings that require a building permit from Dubai Municipality.

3) Existing buildings, where specified (for example, certain Mixed Use Buildings and when there is a change of use for a building).

The regulations are a welcome introduction and, contrary to perceptions that their implementation is overly-hasty with no structured process for educating stakeholders, the government is actually taking considered steps to inform the industry about the new requirements.

Dubai Municipality has made the regulations public and also issued guidelines on the certification of green building projects on its website. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the guidelines.

Click here or image above to visit DUBAI Municipality - Homepage

It is also a good idea to associate with organisations such as Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network click here to visit homepage. Its CSR Label is an excellent framework that helps companies to monitor, measure and improve their CSR and sustainability practices.

The key to the successful delivery of green projects, as per the new regulations, is to define roles and responsibilities – whether it is deciding who will look after new documentation procedures, sourcing of green-certified products, or agreeing how much of the regulation responsibility will be shared with your partners.

This is important in order to avoid making sudden changes to your business processes and for defining new roles when regulations come into effect.

Companies, building owners and designers can make small, internal changes to make adopting sustainable practices easier. For example, sourcing a list of green product suppliers is a good way for interior designers to ensure easier product selection. This simple practice greatly helps us at Summer town Interiors to ensure that key products we source are green-certified.

We have also created a ‘Green Library’ to provide reference material on sustainability. Mandatory regulation is just one of the many measures the UAE government is taking to support Dubai’s Expo 2020 bid, where sustainability plays a major role.

Hi Green Library Link : - Download the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network employee volunteer guide book click here

Dubai Chamber Download Link - : "Center for responsible business", Dates to remember click here

If Dubai wins the bid, there will not only be a massive demand for construction, but a greater need for higher standards of sustainability, too. 

While the heavy hand of regulation will help accelerate green compliance, sustainability is, at its core, a voluntary code and we, as members of this industry and consultants to companies, play an important role in contributing to the triple bottom line.

Moving beyond the implementation phase, it is important to continuously assess the efficacy of the regulations so that they remain relevant and credible. The regulations themselves are a means not an end. They are a valuable tool, but become less valuable if their implementation results in an increase in projects that fail to meet the expected certification levels.

At the moment, the few projects in Dubai that are LEED-certified (click here) "to visit homepage for LEED U.S Green Building Council"  have achieved a higher level of certification (silver, gold and platinum). This is because the companies seeking accreditation are choosing to be so rather than this being a mandatory requirement.

Visit Dubai LEED Certification, Lead Certification, Asbestos, and BPI Certification Training :-  Click here to visit homepage.

Sustainability practices are already a fundamental part of these companies’ framework. Although a drop in standards is not ideal, the market has to start somewhere, so it is a situation we should celebrate, not bemoan.

A Hi Green Routine

The construction industry is often criticized for neglecting environmental issues in favor of profit.

While the industry as a whole is actively pursuing green building projects, the flip side is that not all companies who are accredited to Green Building Council membership, nor all LEED-accredited professionals, follow or encourage others to follow Eco-friendly practices in their day-to-day tasks.

If we do not collectively change our thinking and how we operate, critics of the sector’s overall environmental performance may be proved right.

With World Expo 2020 and the FIFA 2022 World Cup on the horizon, and as the GCC construction industry prepares for another construction extravaganza, there could not be a better time for all stakeholders to start seriously practicing sustainability in everything that they do.

One such issue is heavy usage of paper in the construction industry. It’s a fact that tonnes of paper and several thousand printer cartridges are being used by all stakeholders for communicating by means of circulating multiple hard copies of drawings, reports, submitting, schedules, manuals, purchase orders, invoices, delivery notes, time sheets, letters and faxes, without realizing the adverse effect we leave on the environment.

Due to this uncontrolled use of paper, paper mills produce tonnes of extra supplies. However, such paper production and usage takes a toll on the beautiful planet we live in. Paper is the third-largest industrial polluter of air, water and land, releasing well over 100 m kg of toxic pollutants each year.

Hi Sustainable Approach & Green Routine Links

GENERAL Links Section

BuildingGreen, LLC

This web-based company provides green building case studies and over 2,000 green building products organized by standard CSI divisions.

Environmental Construction + Design - Green Book

Environmental Construction + Design offers a print magazine and an online green product and resource guide.

Good To Be Green

This free directory of sustainable products and accredited green building professionals contains resources for both residential and commercial builders.

Greenguard Environmental Institute

Greenguard provides a guide to third-party, certified low-emitting interior products and building materials (registration required).

Green Seal Certified Products

Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization that identifies and promotes green products and services.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

FSC provides independent auditing, certification and the promotion of certified forest products under the SmartWood name.

LEEDuser

This website provides step-by-step guidance to earning LEED credits while achieving the best possible environmental benefit. It is published by BuildingGreen and supported by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The NRDC Greening Advisor
NRDC's in-depth guide gives you the tools you need to bring your business into the green era.

Life Cycle Analysis Tools Links Section

International Design Center for the Environment

IDCE is a non-profit organization that promotes community sustainability and develops and disseminates tools for scientifically robust and efficient life cycle analysis of common materials.

LBLN High Performance Commercial Building Systems

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is developing a set of life cycle cost tools for improving commercial building performance.

Whole Building Design Guide - Life Cycle Tools

The Whole Building Design Guide, developed by the National Institute of Building Sciences, provides a variety of life cycle cost and assessment tools.

Federal Energy Management Program

Here is an additional resource for downloading software developed by the National Institute of Building Sciences Building Life-Cycle Cost programs.

Hi Clean Rooms - "Air Shower"

Hi Clean Rooms:

"Check out Hammam Industries & CO. Air Shower Link"

Clean room maintained virtually free of contaminants, such as dust or bacteria, are used in laboratory work and in the production of precision parts for electronic or aerospace equipment.

In the clean room standard ISO 14644-1 "Classification of Air Cleanliness" the classes are based on the formula:

Cn = 10N (0.1 / D)2.08 (1)

where

Cn = maximum permitted number of particles per cubic meter equal to or greater than the specified particle size, rounded to whole number

N = is the ISO class number, which must be a multiple of 0.1 and be 9 or less

D = is the particle size in micrometers

ISO
Class Maximum Number of Particles in Air
(particles in each cubic meter equal to or greater than the specified size)
Particle size
> 0.1 μm > 0.2 μm > 0.3 μm > 0.5 μm > 1 μm > 5 μm
ISO Class 1 10 2
ISO Class 2 100 24 10
4

ISO Class 3 1000 237 102 35 8
ISO Class 4 10,000 2,370 1,020 352 83
ISO Class 5 100,000 23,700 10,200 3,520 832 29
ISO Class 6 1,000,000 237,000 102,000 35,200 8,320 293
ISO Class 7 352,000 83,200 2930
ISO Class 8 3,520,000 832,000 29,300
ISO Class 9 35,200,000 8,320,000 293,000
ISO Cleanroom Standards

ISO-14644-1 Classification of Air Cleanliness
ISO-14644-2 Cleanroom Testing for Compliance
ISO-14644-3 Methods for Evaluating & Measuring Cleanrooms & Associated Controlled Environment
ISO-14644-4 Cleanroom Design & Construction
ISO-14644-5 Cleanroom Operations
ISO-14644-6 Terms, Definitions & Units
ISO-14644-7 Enhanced Clean Devices
ISO-14644-8 Molecular Contamination
ISO-14698-1 Biocontamination: Control General Principles
ISO-14698-2 Biocontamination: Evaluation & Interpretation of Data
ISO-14698-3 Biocontamination: Methodology for Measuring Efficiency of Cleaning Inert Surfaces

Hi ASHRAE Advanced energy design Guide for small to medium office buildings:

Hi ASHRAE Advanced energy design Guide for small to medium office buildings:

The Social fact that the necessary requirements to meet the needs, wants and greater demands of the social collective responsibility that has surcome to the realization of global awareness of the potential impact of climate change has and is therefore a continues driving force of delivering the message that low energy consumption and being environmentally responsible and maintaining high performance buildings are the future of our built environment .

The first step to achieving a net zero energy building as explained in this discussion document link by 50% Provided recommendations of energy savings over the minimum code requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 discussed as well for small to medium office buildings concerning indoor air quality. Other Advance energy guides are available that discuss other types of buildings and features.

"Achieve 50% Energy Savings"

Link To Advanced Energy Design Guide Document

ASHRAE Website Link - Includes online book store