“Sustainable Design” is the design, construction, operation, and reuse/removal of the built environment (infrastructure and buildings) in an environmentally and energy-efficient manner. Sustainable Design, often also termed “Green Building Design,” should be integrated into a project from the very beginning. “Green” is a small, but important subset of what defines “Sustainable.” “Sustainability” is a much more inclusive criterion. It basically says that design and construction strategies not be performed in any manner that would reduce the choices or means available for future generations to fulfill their needs, just as the present strategies fulfill our needs.

“Sustainable” provides the broader conceptual, philosophical, long-range framework, while “Green” implies more practical, shorter range applications. The major difference between “Sustainable” and “Green” depends on how far to stretch the applications of criteria out in time and in space and in social concerns from the action under consideration and how those criteria start with human well-being as a central focus in one case and environmental alone in the other. All issues affecting human response and building performance should be considered in order to ensure a successful outcome.

Sustainable buildings minimize their impact on the environment. This impact includes how it uses energy, how the materials of its construction are derived, and how, over the life of the building, including its eventual demolition, it will diminish the finite resources of our planet. It includes the impact that the building will have on its occupants, especially as it relates to the issues of comfort, health, and well-being. The operation of the building, including the way it is maintained, also has an effect on the environment. This includes the use of solvents in cleaning, disposable materials from air conditioning filters, lamps and carpeting, and the use of nonrenewable energy resources such as fossil fuels.

Sustainable design principles shall be incorporated into all NIH design and construction projects to the greatest extent practical, for both new construction and renovation/alteration of existing facilities.

B.1 Integrated Project Team Approach
B.2 Energy Conservation
B.3 Heat Reclamation
B.4 Electrical Devices
B.5 Systems Economic Analysis
B.6 Indoor Air Quality
B.7 Recycling
B.8 Management

B.1 Integrated Project Team Approach

Sustainable Design decisions cross disciplines. Building products, components, and systems must be integrated and conceived holistically rather than as a series of independent decisions and components. Design decision-making must follow the goals and principles of sustainability as required by Executive Order (EO) 13123, Greening the Government Through Efficient Energy Management, dated June 3, 1999.

To ensure that these elements are seamlessly and thoroughly integrated with the overall design process, an integrated team approach from conceptual planning through design, construction, startup, and transition is essential. The team should consist of the primary stakeholders of the project including owners, developers, users, operators, architects, engineers, planners, value-engineering professionals, environmental designers, interior designers, Project Officers, Contracting Officers, construction contractors, primary subcontractors, facility managers, specialty consultants, and anyone with specific knowledge and interest that will contribute to the project’s successful integration of sustainability.

B.1.1 Benefits: Sustainable development, as an integrated concept for buildings, seeks to reverse the past trends in architectural and engineering practice that focused on first costs and treated each discipline’s contribution to the whole as a separate, independent effort.

Sustainable development integrates all the design disciplines so that limited resources are efficiently directed toward the goal of meeting the user’s needs without setting one program element against another. The precepts for sustainability are that all resources are limited and that it is less expensive, in both the short and long term, to build in harmony with the environment.

By making a commitment to sustainable design, facilities typically perform better overall and have lower ongoing maintenance costs. Designing Green can lead to a more pleasing, healthy building, with better indoor air quality, increased day lighting enhanced by artificial light, and more pleasant indoor work environments. Studies have shown that sustainable features increase user satisfaction and worker productivity and decrease the use of sick days.

B.1.2 Goals of Sustainable Design: The overall NIH goal of Sustainable Design is to be environmentally responsible in the delivery of facilities. The key traditional elements for decision-making in the facility delivery process are cost, quality, and time. These elements need to be expanded to include the ecological and human health impacts of all decisions.

Each NIH project must develop its own set of goals for sustainability. However, Sustainable Design goals should apply to all projects. At a minimum, the following goals should be considered:

• Use resources efficiently. Minimize raw material resource consumption, including energy, water, land, and materials, both during the construction process and throughout the life of the facility.
• Maximize resource reuse, while maintaining financial stewardship.
• Move away from fossil fuels toward a greater use of renewable energy resources.
• Create a healthy work environment for all who use the facility.
• Build facilities of long-term value.
• Protect and, where appropriate, restore the natural environment.

Environmental goals and objectives to be implemented during the design process should be identified and included in the basis of design report.

Decisions made during the planning and design process should support NIH-wide reduction in the release of ozone-depleting chemicals (ODC) and greenhouse gases and reduction in the use of hazardous materials and pesticides and the generation of solid wastes. They should also support the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 33/50 Program (a voluntary program targeting 17 chemicals for reduction).

B.1.3 Value Engineering and Life-Cycle Cost Analyses for Sustainable Design: To support sustainable development, value engineering and life-cycle cost analyses shall be used during the conceptual planning, design, and construction phases of acquisition to evaluate the range of sustainable development options.

Performing Value Engineering and using Life-Cycle Cost Analyses during the conceptual planning phase are typically not standard practice. However, it is during the early phases of a project that the decisions having the greatest impact on cost and the sustainability of a facility are made, including decisions affecting operations, maintenance, and disposal. If there are tradeoffs to be made, it is clear that the earlier in the process Life-Cycle Cost Analyses and Value Engineering are employed, the greater the potential to include the benefits of sustainable development and cost savings in the project.

B.1.4 Green Building Rating Tool: Assessment provides verification from an outside source that significant improvements have been made in the environmental performance of a facility. The latest version of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)^TM Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the standard for quantifying the performance of a building and its effect on the environment. This system provides a metric for the definition of Green building design, construction, and operation and has been selected as the rating system for use with NIH facilities. This is a sophisticated rating system widely used by many organizations, including the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Department of State.

The USGBC is a nonprofit coalition for the building industry that comprises product manufacturers, facility owners and managers, architects, engineers, environmental organizations, utilities, State and local governments, contractors, builders, building control service contractors, and research institutes.

The system has undergone an extensive review by all members of the Council. The LEED^TM Building Rating System has been developed for assessment of commercial buildings in the United States. While the standards have not been specifically detailed to biomedical research laboratories, animal facilities, and health care applications, many of the principles do have applicability to the facilities designed and constructed at the NIH and should be incorporated to the greatest extent possible.

B.1.5 LEED^TM Reference Guide: The LEED^TM Green Building Rating System is a priority program of the U.S. Green Building Council. It is based upon existing, proven technology and evaluates environmental performance from a “whole building” perspective. Although the criteria included in LEED^TM are discrete elements, the process of designing and building to the LEED^TM standard is best accomplished as a team effort. Refer to the most current LEED^TM Reference Guide for applicable criteria for ratings.

The LEED^TM guidelines should be discussed as part of an interdisciplinary team, formed at the outset of the design project, working together to understand and take advantage of the synergies and tradeoffs among the various criteria. This collaborative process will result in an integrated design that optimizes environmental and economic factors.

B.1.6 Minimum LEED^TM Rating Level for NIH Projects: Additional studies are currently under way at the NIH to determine the optimum rating level that projects should achieve. Until those studies are complete and further requirements are incorporated into this document, all NIH design and construction projects should strive to achieve a LEED^TM Rating Level of “Certified” (26-32 points).

The Basis of Design document shall include a narrative of the sustainable features and systems for the building, all life cycle cost studies, and related information, including a copy of the completed LEED^TM Project Checklist.

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B.2 Energy Conservation

The International Energy Conservation Code shall be utilized to regulate the design and construction of the exterior envelopes and selection of HVAC, service water heating, electrical distribution and illuminating systems, and equipment required for the purpose of effective use of energy, and shall govern all buildings and structures erected for human occupancy. When requirements of the energy conservation code cannot be satisfied because of program requirements, the NIH Project Officer shall be notified.

At the completion of the design development phase, a plan review record, as defined in the International Energy Conservation Code, shall be submitted stamped and signed by a licensed professional engineer showing full compliance with the code.

Minimum system insulation thicknesses shall be as required by the energy conservation code and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommendations. The minimum thickness in all applications shall be sufficient to prevent the possibly of condensation.

The quality of the building environment should be supportive of the health and safety of staff and animals. Opportunities for conserving energy resources shall not compromise staff or animals health and safety or hinder continuous research functions.

Energy and water conservation features incorporated in the design shall not restrict or interfere with medical and/or scientific functional requirements, cause a reduction in dependability of required services, or result in an inability to achieve environmental conditions required by other sections of these Guidelines.

Effective energy management requires close, consistent control of all energy consuming systems and components. A building-wide energy management and control system shall be provided to monitor and control energy consuming systems.

Systems using a high percentage of outdoor air or 100 percent outdoor air should consider the use of heat reclamation equipment. The capital cost, energy cost, reliability, maintenance cost, and payback period of the heat reclamation systems shall be evaluated for use at the NIH. Evaluations shall be compared to systems employing no heat recovery or energy conservation components.

B.2.1 Compliance with Executive Order 13123: All NIH facilities shall incorporate energy and water conservation features to comply with the requirements set forth in Executive Order (EO) 13123, Greening the Government Through Efficient Energy Management, dated June 3, 1999.

B.2.1.1 Sustainable Design Principles and Guidance: EO 13123 required the General Services Administration (GSA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to issue sustainable design and development principles for new construction.

These principles and guidance shall apply to the siting, design, and construction of new facilities at the NIH and, to the greatest extent practicable, to those portions of existing facilities undergoing significant renovation or upgrade.

B.2.1.2 Reducing Energy and Water Use in Federal Facilities: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued guidelines titled Performance Goals for Industrial, Laboratory, and Other Energy-Intensive Facilities, which shall be incorporated into the designs of all NIH facilities.

B.2.1.3 Use of Energy Efficient Products: The DOE and the EPA have developed an Energy Star^® designation for products meeting certain energy performance criteria. Design and construction documents shall incorporate requirements to encourage the use and purchase of Energy Star^® and other energy-efficient products for all NIH construction projects.

B.2.2 Climate Factors: Climate data establish performance requirements for the thermal design of the building. Overall composite heat transfer “U-values” and shading coefficients for glazing shall be used in conjunction with local climatology data to establish thermal performance requirements for NIH facilities. Insulation values may be altered when determined to be cost-effective, utilizing life-cycle cost analysis, for the given climatic conditions and building operating characteristics.

B.2.3 Solar Shading: Building orientation and shading should be arranged, when practicable, to minimize solar cooling load and maximize winter daylighting. Shading coefficients for glazed areas must be obtained from the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals or from manufacturers’ test data.

B.2.3.1 Glazed Openings: Glazed openings exposed to the sun will be completely shaded on the exterior not less than 80 percent of the time between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily from June 1 through September 30. Solar shading may be accomplished by using a variety of architectural solutions, such as horizontal and vertical building projections, external solar-shading screens or baffles, or deeply recessed exterior windows. Additional components of the shading design such as light-reducing glass, heat-absorbing tinted glass, fully reflective glass, adjustable blinds, or combinations of these materials may also be provided to accomplish the required shading while developing the most desirable, costeffective, and aesthetic solution.

B.2.4 Building Envelope Design Factors: The design of building envelopes shall comply with criteria for thermal loss and gain as stated in the latest edition of ASHRAE Standard 90, Section 4.0; Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) International Building Code, Article 31, Energy Conservation; and the Code of Federal Regulations (latest edition of 10 CFR, Part 435, “Energy Conservation Voluntary Performance Standards for New Buildings; Mandatory for Federal Buildings”). In applying ASHRAE Standard 90, the following design characteristics should be used for all NIH buildings:

B.2.4.1 Windows, Exterior Doors, Glazed Panels, and Skylights: The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has developed a window energy rating system based on whole product performance. An NFRC label provides a reliable method to determine energy properties and compare products.

B.2.5 Perimeter Insulation: Perimeter insulation shall be provided inside all foundation walls to ensure that foundation walls are thermally isolated from concrete floor slabs. Perimeter and underfloor insulation shall be a closed cellular type to provide moisture resistance.

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B.3 Heat Reclamation

Heat reclamation is the recovery and utilization of heat energy that is otherwise rejected as waste. Sources of this waste heat include exhaust air, lights, equipment, and people. Heat reclamation systems recover waste heat to satisfy part of the heat energy needs for heating, cooling, and domestic hot water systems. Heat recovery conserves energy, reduces operating costs, and reduces peak loads.

The performance of any heat recovery system depends upon the following factors: noncontaminated exhaust source (i.e., fume hoods and BSL-3 exhaust); temperature difference between the heat source and heat sink; latent heat difference (where applicable) between the heat source and sink; mass flow multiplied by specific heat of each source and sink; efficiency of the heat-transfer device; extra energy input required to operate the heat recovery device; fan or pump energy absorbed as heat by the heat-transfer device; and service capability of the maintenance staff, which can enhance or detract from the performance.

The basic principles of heat recovery can be implemented by various methods using different devices applicable to different systems or situations. Heat recovery devices reduce the peak heating and cooling loads when used with outdoor air systems.

The A/E shall determine the life-cycle cost for the following heat reclamation systems to determine their applicability. Consideration shall be given to the functional space requirements of the system and components.

B.3.1 Runaround System: This system comprises two or more extended surface coils installed in air ducts and interconnected by a piping system. The heat exchanger fluid, consisting of ethylene glycol and water, is circulated through the system by a pump, removing heat from the hot air stream and transferring it to the cold air stream. A runaroundcoil system may be used in winter to recover heat from warm exhaust air for use in preheating cold outdoor air, and in summer to cool hot outdoor air by transferring heat to cooler exhaust air.

B.3.2 Heat Pipe Systems: Heat pipe systems are composed of extended surface finned tubes extending between adjacent air ducts. The tubes are continuous from one duct to the other on the same horizontal plane. Each tube contains liquid refrigerant that evaporates at the warm end, absorbing heat from the warmer airstream, and migrates as a gas to the cold end, where it condenses and releases heat into the cold airstream. The condensed liquid then runs back to the hot end of the tube to complete the cycle.

B.3.3 Plate Heat Exchanger: Plate-type air-to-air heat exchangers transfer heat from one airstream to another through contact on either side of a metal heat-transfer surface. The systems shall have no cross-flow and provide antiseptic odor-free air as well as adaptability to extreme sensible and latent heat loads. Plate heat exchangers require the installation of supply and exhaust ducts side by side.

B.3.4 Heat Wheels: Desiccant-coated molecular-sieve heat wheels transfer only water vapor and exclude all other airborne materials, thereby eliminating the risk of crosscontamination. The systems shall have less than 1 percent cross-contamination and provide antiseptic odor-free air as well as total energy recovery. This system shall be installed only in laboratory general exhaust where fume hoods are exhausted separately.

B.3.5 Heat Pump as Heat Exchanger: Heat pumps are actually heat-transfer devices and, unlike those previously described, upgrade the temperature by as much as a factor of 3 to 1. This feature makes them particularly attractive for use with low-temperature heat sources. They also have the capacity to transfer latent heat as well as sensible heat.

B.3.6 Thermal Storage Systems: Systems employing the use of the various thermal storage technologies and applications should be considered when the design criteria afford the opportunity. Systems to be considered include ice, chilled-water storage, and the various types of low-temperature air distribution. Thermal storage comparisons shall consider that central chilled water is available year-round from the power plant.

B.3.7 Gravity Flow Systems: Gravity flow open-water systems shall be considered to reduce the run time of system pumps. These systems have a limited application and may apply to plumbing systems only.

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B.4 Electrical Devices

B.4.1 Motors and Drives: Motors form a large portion of building energy load and are usually part of the mechanical systems of the building. High-efficiency motors generally have a payback of 2 years or less. Variable-speed drives usually have similar results depending on the variability of the driven load and therefore shall be considered for application in buildings. Power factor correction capacitors shall be employed on applicable motors to satisfy code requirements.

Two-speed motors shall be used where a fan or pump has two levels of operation, such as occupied/unoccupied. Two-speed motors come in two varieties: single winding and two winding. For most pump and fan applications, a variable torque, one-half speed motor is used.

Several types of variable-speed drives are available, including mechanical, fluid, and variable frequency/voltage units. The variable frequency/voltage drives vary the output for a standard alternating current (AC) motor by varying the input frequency and/or voltage to the motor. Where required, special filtering should be included. These types of drives provide the highest energy savings and shall be used for fans or pumps with throttling devices that vary output according to needs.

B.4.2 Electronic Ballasts: Electronic ballasts shall be used in all fluorescent lighting fixtures. See the Lighting section for ballast specifications.

B.4.3 Fluorescent Lamps: Fluorescent lighting fixtures shall use T8 (25 mm diameter) or compact fluorescent lamps. The ballast/lamp combination shall have an efficacy in excess of 80 lumens per watt (LPW).

B.4.4 Programmable Lighting Control (PLC): The use of relays to control lighting circuits or subcircuits with a programmable controller is encouraged from an energy conservation standpoint. The system should be flexible and easy to use. There shall be a warning of an impending off-cycle to allow occupants the opportunity to dial an override command on the telephone or press an override switch. Corridors are a good application for PLCs with local override switches or occupancy sensors to control a minimal amount of corridor lighting.

B.4.5 Occupancy Sensors: Occupancy controls shall be utilized in individual offices, public areas where feasible, such as service corridors, large rooms, and lavatories. Dual technology sensors (ultrasonic-type with passive infrared) shall be used. Lighting in service areas including maintenance, electrical, and mechanical rooms shall be manually controlled by smart-type timer switches.

B.4.6 Lighting Control: Localized switching shall be provided in lieu of large-area switching. Labs shall be switched in 3.4 m-wide groups within multimodules.

B.4.7 Multilevel Switching: Dual switching shall be provided where appropriate with three or four-lamp fluorescent light fixtures. The fixtures shall have two ballasts, one for the inner lamp(s), and one for the outer lamps. One switch controls each ballast, providing the flexibility of one, two, three, or four lamps to be lighted. Tandem wiring is not acceptable.

B.4.8 Environmental Protection Agency Greenlights Program: The Greenlights program has many good recommendations for energy savings through lighting. The Greenlights program requires an economic analysis of the energy-saving options to determine, on a lifecycle cost basis, which options are viable. The Greenlights program makes recommendations not only primarily for retrofit of existing lighting, but also for new installations.

B.4.9 Day Lighting: Spaces within buildings with large amounts of exterior glass or skylights shall utilize photocell control of electric lighting. Lobbies as well as exterior offices are good examples of daylighting opportunities. Adjustable photocells must be the overriding control to allow for cloud cover and twilight. Zoning the lighting in rows of fixtures parallel to the exterior wall is preferred. Dimming of fluorescent fixtures in response to a photocell is also a way of saving energy.

B.4.10 Exit Signs: Light-emitting, diode-type exit signs shall be used at the NIH.

B.4.11 Metering: Metering of the building’s electrical service is essential for monitoring energy consumption and taking an active role in energy conservation.

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B.5 Systems Economic Analysis

The purpose of an economic analysis is to determine the comparative life-cycle costs of various architectural, HVAC, and electrical system alternatives. The analysis shall provide sufficient data to indicate the most economical and energy-efficient system and to permit a comprehensive review of all computations. The analysis shall include and compare total initial capital cost, energy cost, operating cost, system reliability, flexibility, and adaptability for each alternative. Each system alternative considered shall satisfy completely the program requirements as to flexibility, redundancy, reliability, and ease of maintenance. The total capital cost to provide the program requirements for each alternative shall be included as part of the life-cycle cost.

B.5.1 Life-Cycle Costs: Throughout the development of a project, life-cycle cost analysis shall be used in making decisions about which products, services, and constructions are utilized to lower the Federal Government’s costs and to reduce energy and water consumption. Inefficient systems and equipment shall be retired on an accelerated basis where replacement results in lower life-cycle costs to the greatest extent practicable. All project cost estimates and budget activities for design, construction, and renovation of facilities shall be based on life-cycle costs. Facilities shall be designed and constructed to the lowest life-cycle cost whenever possible. This guidance is also included on the National Institute of Building Science “Whole Building Design Guide” Web site.

For comparison of systems, the life-cycle and operating cost shall be 30 years corresponding to the anticipated useful life for major equipment. Replacement costs shall be included for equipment with less than the chosen life cycle.

• The escalation rate for fuel or energy cost (oil, gas, coal, electricity, etc.) shall be based on procedures set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) Handbook 135, Life Cycle Cost Federal Energy Management Program.
• Initial capital cost shall include all equipment, auxiliaries, and building-related cost for each complete system.

The NIH definition of construction costs is based on R.S. Means Cost Data, modified to include LAN and IT costs.

Unit Construction costs = Total Construction Costs
                                       Gross Square Meters

See Volume: Appendices for methodology to calculate gross and net area for NIH facilities.

Refer to the ASHRAE HVAC Systems and Equipment Handbook chapter entitled “Owning and Operating Costs,” for a complete listing of items to be included in the economic analysis.

B.5.1.1 Computerized Analyses: The A/E shall perform a computerized energy analysis and a life-cycle cost analysis using a professionally recognized and proven program that makes hourly calculations as a basis. Suitable programs include Carrier E 20-11 HAP, DOE 2.1 or latest version, Trane Trace Ultra, and Blast. If other programs are to be considered, documentation showing Federal and State approval should be forwarded for approval prior to the start of work. Manual or computerized spreadsheet methods may be used to evaluate system alternatives when approved by the NIH Project Officer.

Building HVAC systems suitable for consideration in economic analysis include the following systems or combinations of systems:

• Variable air volume (VAV) with reheat terminal units
• VAV with independent perimeter heating
• Constant air volume (CAV)
• CAV with reheat terminal units
• CAV with independent perimeter heating
• Fan-powered VAV with terminal reheat units
• Dual-duct VAV
• Dual-duct CAV
• Fan-coil air conditioners
• Low-temperature air system

B.5.2 Energy Cost: Energy cost computations shall take the base load into consideration. The NIH will provide utility usage and rates. Backup computations for items listed in the operating cost shall also be included.

Computation shall be made on a monthly basis, taking into account variations in the heating and cooling loads. Energy usage and cost shall be developed by computer programs using weather bureau tapes or by using Air Force Handbook (I) 32-1163, Engineering Weather Data and the bin method procedure referenced in the latest Fundamentals volume of the ASHRAE Handbook.

Energy cost computations shall take into consideration the energy used by fans, cooling and heating coils in the system, and refrigeration plant energy costs that are a result of the type of air-conditioning system in the building. Steam and chilled water costs will be as provided by the NIH.

B.5.3 Life-Cycle Cost Calculations: For cost comparison, amortization of first cost and the present worth of life-cycle operating costs shall be calculated and combined to obtain the present worth and annual owning and operating costs of each system.

• Public Law 95-619 requires that life-cycle cost analyses for Federal projects conform to procedures set forth by the DOE. The following factors are used for the life-cycle cost analysis:
  • Interest (discount) rate of 7 percent for future costs (or as published by DOE).
  • Zero inflation factor for all future costs other than fuel.
  • Fuel inflation factors as determined by the DOE in the latest supplement to NIST Handbook 135 that represents the extra inflation of fuel over general costs. The fuel inflation factors can be expressed and used as modified uniform present worth (UPW) discount factors, which, when multiplied by the first-year fuel costs, give the present worth of a series of escalating annual fuel costs. These factors are published for four census regions

Total present worth is equal to the sum of the first (construction) cost and the present worth of maintenance, replacements, utilities, electricity, and fuel payments for 30 years. All of the above present worth should be based upon appropriate construction schedules.

The annual equivalent cost is the payment that will amortize the total present worth in years at the given interest rate using a capital recovery factor (CRF) cost. Taxes or insurance are not included in the annual owning cost.

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B.6 Indoor Air Quality

The following are suggested measures and strategies that will help improve indoor air quality.

B.6.1 Source Control: Wherever possible, eliminate potential contaminants at the source and prevent contaminant entry into the building by:

• Designing for no smoking
• Testing for radon
• Requiring full systems commissioning
• Increasing stack to protect intakes from reentrainment
• Placing intakes away from roadways and garages
• Negatively pressurizing loading areas to positive building

B.6.2 Source Isolation: Potential sources of contamination from the airstream should be separated by:

• Selecting low VOC emission materials and finishes
• Reducing sources of microbial contamination
• Testing large material assemblies for impact to indoor air quality
• Flushing out building prior to occupancy

B.6.3 Source Dilution: Ventilation and filtration to reduce contaminant concentration should be utilized by:

• Providing ASHRAE 30 percent prefilters and 85 percent final filters
• Limiting use of duct liners
• Considering scrubbers on lab exhaust
• Eliminating volatile amines for corrosion inhibition
• Installing wet off-gassing materials before dry “sink” materials
• Installing and balancing systems properly

B.6.4 Potential Air Contaminants: The following potential contaminants include:

• Adhesives
• Carpet
• Carpet pad
• Caulks
• Ceiling tiles and panels
• Composite wood products
• Control joint fillers
• Floor and wall coverings
• Glazing compounds
• Insulation
• Paint
• Sealants
• Wood finishes
• Wood preservatives

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B.7 Recycling

The following are suggested measures and strategies that will help reduce waste by recycling.

B.7.1 Raw Material Composition: Where possible, select materials that are:

• Nontoxic, renewable, or salvaged
• Sustainable source and have recycle content
• Locally available

B.7.2 Production Process: Within the production process, consider:

• Amount of energy and water used
• Amount of solid, liquid, and gas emitted
• Manufacturing plant energy efficiency
• Water conservation and reuse
• Minimizing waste by careful dimensioning of materials
• Designing for disassembly and material reuse

B.7.3 Packing and Shipping: Consider the following:

• Locally manufactured products and efficient shipping methods
• Minimal packaging or includes reusable or recycled materials
• Developing a management plan for handling hazardous materials

B.7.4 Installation and Use: Installation considerations include:

• Evaluating life-cycle impacts of materials and systems
• Product durability, repair potential, and low maintenance
• Chemical emissions on installation or maintenance
• Balancing environmental performance with cost and durability
• Modular design that minimizes construction waste

B.7.5 Resource Recovery: Recovery options include:

• Salvageable, recyclable, biodegradable, or take-back program
• Site waste shredded into mulch
• Establishing minimum recycled content levels
• Providing collection systems
• Adaptive reuse of existing buildings

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B.8 Management

The following are suggested measures and strategies that will help improve the management of sustainable design.

• Save trees during and after construction.
• Use pervious materials.
• Preserve wetlands.
• Protect existing water sources from erosion or contamination.
• Maximize use of sheet flow.
• Use site for storm water retention and filtration.
• Reduce the use of fertilizers with low-maintenance native species.
• Structure parking to reduce impervious surface.
• Use bioretention areas for concentrated flows.
• Use grassy swales instead of curb and gutter.
• Develop flexible modular space plans.
• Develop equally flexible mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure.
• Improved building efficiency with sharing.
• Move people, not walls.
• Accommodate change in labs with minimum of waste and disruption.
• Leave lab infrastructure intact while walls are reconfigured.
• Build interstitial space to allow addition and changes of lab services from outside the lab.
• Design lab modules to be interchangeable.
• Extend service life of lab casework.
• Use equipment that does not use CFCs and HCFCs.