In April, the Green Building Initiative received word that its Green Globes® green design guideline was approved as an American National Standard. The new standard is not yet part of Green Globes’ online system, but it will be in the future. It is set up as a tool to assess the designer’s plans rather than to instruct in green design. There are four achievement levels: Level 1 is 35%-54% of the total points, Level 2 is 55%-69%, Level 3 is 70%-84% and level 4 is 85-100%. Achievement levels are based on percentage rather than number of points to allow for a difference in the points total in the event there are “non-applicable” circumstances; e.g. there are no oil fired burners on site, or local codes override certain criterion.
As compared to LEED®, the credit categories are weighted based on importance as determined by the review committee and industry input. A certain percentage of points are required in each category in order to reduce/avoid “point chasing.” There are five categories where Duro-Last can directly influence points and several other areas where Duro-Last or one of our sister companies can have a somewhat indirect influence.
Section 7.2.2 Heat Island Effect
Points can be obtained for having vegetative roofing or a reflective surface with SRI of 78 or greater on various proportions of the roof deck.
Section 8 Energy
Points can be obtained using either a Performance Design path or a Prescriptive Design Path. Duro-Last can help with section 8.2.3 Power Demand Reduction. Above deck insulation can help with section 8.4.1 Thermal Resistance and Transmittance.
Section 10.1.2 Materials Content Assemblies
Points can be obtained when pre or post-consumer recycled content of an assembly accounts for 1% or more of building materials. Number of points achieved goes up with higher percentages.
Section 10.1.4 Transportation of Processed or Manufactured Materials
Points can be obtained when 1% or more of materials and products used in the building were processed or manufactured within 500 miles or if shipped by rail or water within 1500 miles. The number of points allowed goes up with greater percentages.
Section10.7.1.1 Roofing Membrane Assemblies and Systems (and) Section 10.7.2.1 Flashings
Points can be obtained by installing according to manufacturer’s recommendations and inspecting according to:
- ARMA/NRCA Manual for Roof Inspection
- SPRI/NRCA Manual for Roof Inspection
- SMACNA’s Architectural Sheet Metal Manual
In most instances, by installing a white Duro-Last roof according to our standards and performing the approved inspections, we can help directly with obtaining as many as 16 points and indirectly with several more. When there are as many as 1000 total points, that doesn’t sound like a lot. But there are so many categories and options that no one action or product can have an overwhelming influence.
All in all, the standard was well done, is easy to use and in general is a much better product than LEED which is not a recognized green design standard. When GBI gets the standard consolidated with its online Green Globes it should be even more user-friendly.
