NOAA Satellite Operations Facility (Suitland, MD)

LEED Gold

Sustainable Site

• BMP (Best Management Practices) are followed on the site in the event of any construction.
• Erosion and sedimentation control plan equal to or more stringent than the referenced EPA standard.
• The building is within a 1/2 mile of a public rail station.
• Bicycle storage and shower/ changing rooms available for alternative transportation for  occupants
• Preferred parking for car/van pools. 
• 84% of the site has been restored to this previously developed site. 
• 20,126 sf of vegetated open space is provided to offset the buildings 13,127sf footprint.
• The project has reduced the storm water runoff rate and runoff quantity from pre-development conditions. 
• 50% of the on-site parking stalls are located underground.
• 99.9% of all non equipment roof area is planted.
• Stormwater is treated on site with a removal rate of 85.24 for TSS and 55.46% for TP. 

Water Efficiency

• Water-efficient landscaping – No irrigation is needed for selected plantings. 
• Water use reduction - that the project has reduced potable water use by 20.3% from a calculated baseline design.

Energy & Atmosphere

• Optimized energy performance - the project performs 27.4% better than ASHRAE 90.1-1999 requirements using the LEED ECB method.  Energy efficiency measures incorporated into the building design include underfloor air, a green roof, high efficiency HVAC, variable frequency drives, air and waterside economizers, high performance glazing and slab insulation. 
• Additional commissioning requirements have been completed or are under contract to be completed.
• The projects HVAC & R equipment does not contain  HCFC’s or Halon.
• The project has purchased Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), equal to 50% of the project's energy consumption, that meets the Green-E definition for renewable energy for a minimum two years. 

Materials & Resources

• Diverted 53.4% of on-site generated construction waste from landfill
• 19.54% of the total building materials content, by value, have been manufactured using recycled materials
• 26.42% of the total building materials (by cost) have been manufactured within 500 miles of the project site
• 14.79% of the total building materials value have been manufactured using raw materials that were harvested, extracted, or recovered within 500 miles of the project site

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

• HVAC design complies with the recommended design approaches in ASHRAE 2001 Fundamentals Chapter 32, Space Air Diffusion
• An indoor air quality management plan was used during construction. 
• Two-week flush-out period conducted prior to occupancy; construction IAQ Management plan was in compliance with SMACNA guidelines, during construction, MERV 8 filters were installed at grilles
• Low Emitting adhesives, sealants, and carpets were used.
• Indoor pollutant sources including janitor closets and copy rooms are separately vented and entrances have walk off mats or grills. 
• Regularly occupied non perimeter areas are provided with controls for airflow, ventilation, and lighting controls. 
• The project is designed to maintain indoor comfort within the ranges of ASHRAE 55. 
• Thermal comfort monitoring system installed for relative humidity and temperature
• 94.3% of critical visual task areas have a daylight factor of at least 2%.
• 94.2% of all critical visual task areas have direct access to views of the outdoors. 

Innovation and Design

• 99% of all non-equipment roof area is planted.
• The project has purchased Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), equal to 100% of the project's energy consumption, that meets the Green-E definition for renewable energy for a minimum two years. 
• 84% of the site has been restored to this previously developed site.
• Green Housekeeping program
• LEED Accredited Professional (Doug Gehley)