Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
health, comfort and productivity. Among other attributes, a sustain-
able building maximises day lighting, has appropriate ventilation and
moisture control, optimises acoustic performance and avoids the use
of materials with high-volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions.
Principles of IEQ also emphasise occupant control over systems such
as lighting and temperature.
6. Optimise operational and maintenance practices: Considering a
building's operating and maintenance issues during the prelimi-
nary design phase of a facility will contribute to improved work-
ing environments, higher productivity and reduced energy and
resource costs, and will prevent system failures. Encourage building
operators and maintenance personnel to participate in the design
and development phases to ensure optimal operations and mainte-
nance of the building. Designers can specify materials and systems
that simplify and reduce maintenance requirements; that require
less water, energy, and toxic chemicals and cleaners to maintain;
and that are cost-effective and reduce life cycle costs. Additionally,
design facilities to include meters in order to track the progress of
sustainability initiatives, including reductions in energy and water
use and waste generation, in the facility and on site.
8.2 Concepts
The concept of sustainable development can be traced to the energy (espe-
cially fossil oil) crisis and the environment pollution concerns in the 1970s.
The U.S. green building movement originated with the need and desire
for more energy-efficient and environment-friendly construction practices.
There are a number of motives for building green, including environmen-
tal, economic and social benefits. However, modern sustainability initiatives
call for an integrated and synergistic design in new construction and in the
retrofitting of existing structures. Also known as sustainable design, this
approach integrates the building life cycle with each green practice employed
following a design-purpose of creating a synergy among the practices used.
Green building brings together a vast array of practices, techniques and
skills to reduce and ultimately eliminate the impacts of buildings on the
environment and on human health. It often emphasises taking advantage
of renewable resources, such as using sunlight through passive solar, active
solar, and photovoltaic equipment, and using plants and trees through green
roofs, rain gardens and reduction of rainwater runoff. Many other techniques
are used, such as using low-impact building materials or using packed gravel
or permeable concrete instead of conventional concrete or asphalt to enhance
replenishment of ground water.
