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The U.S. Department of Energy has released a new national definition of a zero emissions building. The definition is intended to provide industry guidance to support new and existing commercial and residential buildings to move towards zero emissions across the entire building sector, DOE says.
Parking is likely a patient’s—and their families—first and last touch with a healthcare facility. As such, the arrival and departure parking experience can have a profound impact on their experience with the healthcare facility, writes Beth Bryan, PE, PTOE, PTP, STP2, Principal, Project Manager, Walter P Moore.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently launched ENERGY STAR NextGen Certified Homes and Apartments, a voluntary certification program for new residential buildings. The program will increase national energy and emissions savings by accelerating the building industry’s adoption of advanced, energy-efficient technologies, according to an EPA news release.Â
A Florida law enacted after the Surfside condo tower collapse is causing turmoil in the condominium market. The law, which requires buildings to meet certain structural safety standards, is forcing condo associations to assess hefty fees to make repairs on older properties. In some cases, the cost per unit runs into six figures.
The US Green Building Council (USGBC) has updated the LEED Demand Response Pilot Credit. Originally launched in 2010, the revised and enhanced Demand Response Pilot Credit establishes guidelines that are anticipated to increase participation in automated energy demand response programs. LEED projects that satisfy the credit by demonstrating their ability to shift energy consumption by 10% of peak load demand will earn a point towards LEED certification when they participate in existing utility-sponsored demand response programs that meet guidelines established in the pilot credit. Additional points are available for projects that implement semi or fully automated demand response programs.
(http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=9542)
To aid local governments to adopt high-performance green building codes, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) have developed High Performance Building Requirements for Sustainability 2.0. It includes the concepts in most other sustainability or green standards, while also enhancing disaster resistance.
http://www.todaysfacilitymanager.com/facilityblog/2011/07/building-code-for-sustainable-construction-emphasizes-functional-resilience.html
"A sustainable building with a higher degree of durability can decrease the amount of materials going to landfills and use of community resources when disasters occur,” says Steve Szoke, PCA director of codes and standards. “The PCA/IHBS ordinance provides mandatory requirements for increased resistance to natural disasters with the goals of reducing the number of destroyed buildings, protecting property, and saving human life."
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently published ISO 50001 to provide a recognized framework for integrating energy performance into management practices. ISO says it is "a single, harmonized standard for implementation across the organization with a logical and consistent methodology for identifying and implementing improvements."
http://www.todaysfacilitymanager.com/facilityblog/2011/07/iso-50001-seeks-to-standardize-energy-management-strategies.html
Later this year, we will launch Best AEC Firms 2012. We’re looking for firms that create truly positive workplaces for their AEC professionals and support staff. Keep an eye on this page for entry information. +
