Purpose
This section describes Oregon State University’s Requirements for Sustainable Development (RSD) and provides information on other green building systems, certifications and/or standards to be used on capital projects.
Responsibility
After input from client and design team, the OSU Sustainability Office will make the final determination on the appropriate green building standard(s), protocol(s) or tool(s) to apply to each project. At minimum, following the Requirements for Sustainable Development (RSD) is mandatory for all OSU major and minor capital projects as of March 2019. Only projects seeking and achieving certification under LEED, Green Globes or the Living Building Challenge are not required to meet the RSD. Once a standard, protocol or tool is selected, the OSU Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for assuring that the design team includes the applicable standards in the design of the project and for keeping track of all relevant documentation on the standards used and systems implemented.
Timeframe
When an OSU Project Manager is assigned to a project, the PM shall contact the Sustainability Office. Standard, protocol and/or tool applicability begins in the pre-design phase. Further timing along the project arc depends on the tool selected. Applying a system or seeking a certification may add time to the design process.
Process
When an OSU Project Manager is assigned to a project, the PM shall contact the Sustainability Office to introduce the project scope and collaboratively evaluate application of the RSD and other options for green building standard, protocol or tool selection. Client, design team, and other stakeholder feedback will typically inform the final selection of the tools late in the pre-design phase. The following are the tools the Sustainability Office recommends to be the most suitable for the types of construction projects OSU performs. Combinations of tools may be chosen to allow OSU to reach its carbon planning goals as well as increase our level of sustainability as a whole.
Certification Systems
Internal Certification System
Requirements for Sustainable Development
Oregon State University created the RSD to help accelerate progress toward OSU’s ambitious carbon emissions reduction goals and provide flexibility that respects the context of infrastructure needs at OSU. The RSD is a points-based system similar to other green building rating systems, where more sustainability related features result in more points awarded to the project. While exceptions may be made in some limited cases, following the RSD – or achieving certification from another acceptable certification system listed below - is mandatory for all OSU major and minor capital projects as of March 2019. The RSD also requires all projects meet a minimum 50% point threshold, achieving at least half of the points applicable to that project. Projects are encouraged to reach 60% or higher, when possible, and emphasize measures that reduce energy consumption and long term costs. The RSD template can be found under Finance and Administration’s Sustainability at OSU website.
External Certification Systems
Governed by US Green Building Council and administered by Green Business Certification, Inc., Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is currently the most utilized comprehensive green building certification system in the US. It provides detailed direction on what types of systems and materials are and for each certification level. It requires extensive documentation as well as a review of the building before certification is awarded. There are costs associated with the registration for the program as well as with each certification any building receives. OSU projects are required to achieve the Silver level or higher. Three of five LEED pathways may apply to OSU projects:
- LEED for Building Design and Construction - Applies to buildings that are being newly constructed or going through a major renovation
- LEED for Interior Design and Construction - Applies to projects that are a complete interior fit-out
- LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance - Applies to existing buildings that are undergoing improvement work or little to no construction
Green Globes is a certification system similar to LEED. Its criteria are in some areas less strict than LEED but follow a similar structure. It is administered by the Green Building Institute and requires a third party to verify all building systems and performance in order for a building to receive certification. Certification costs are typically lower than LEED. OSU projects are required to achieve Two Green Globes level or higher. Green Globes has three pathways:
- Green Globes for New Construction - helps architects, engineers, construction professionals, owners, and building operators to evaluate, quantify, and improve the environmental friendliness and sustainability of new building projects as well as major renovations
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Green Globes for Existing Buildings - gives owners and operators choices when considering minor capital improvements or implementation of best practices when minor renovations or upgrading existing buildings
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Green Globes for Sustainable Interiors - provides a healthier, more productive space through a dual-pathway approach to interior build-outs, utilizing either lifecycle assessment (LCA) or Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
This is a rigorous rating system with the goal of net positive energy, water, and waste. This means for energy and water more is produced or harvested than is actually used the by the building and occupants and for waste that more is reused and recycled than is thrown away. This system encourages the use of on site features such as wells, rainwater harvesting, and renewable energy. Points are awarded based on the level to which each of those factors are achieved and total benefits to building occupants and local ecosystems.
The Sustainable Sites Initiative
This is a detailed system that incorporates aspects of the exterior environment such as water management, soil and vegetation, and natural habitat restoration or protection. Similar to LEED, it is administered by Green Business Certification, Inc. (GBCI). It is also referenced by LEED for the LEED Sustainable Sites credits. In absence of LEED application to a project, sustainable sites criteria can be used to achieve the level of environmental protection not considered by other tools.
Green Building Standards/Tools
ASHRAE 90.1-2016
This standard discusses energy efficiency on a whole building level including lighting, HVAC, and building envelope. It is a prescriptive code that details all elements of energy use for a building and what requirements must be met in order for it to be more efficient. ASHRAE is also the system referenced by LEED and Green Globes, supporting a green building rating if these more comprehensive systems are applied to the project.
ASHRAE 189.1-2014
This standard gives detailed specifications on green design as a whole for the building. Categories include water management, site design, and impact on atmosphere, materials, and resources. These guidelines can be used to maximize the overall sustainability of a building.
Administered by the US EPA, this is a system for long term energy reduction and tracking. It allows institutions to create and implement their own goals and plans but gives a prescriptive outline to best achieve long term results. Energy Star also rates appliances based on their energy usage and environmental friendliness.
LCCA is a tool to compare an account for the upfront (construction) cost of different building systems and their long term operation and maintenance. It can be used to decide whether it is cost effective from a building stewardship and owner perspective to install an energy or water system that exceeds code efficiency. It can be applied to many different building systems, making it a versatile tool to inform better investment decisions. It is a commonly applied tool within higher education.
Living Building Challenge Red-List
When a comprehensive tool like LEED or Green Globes is not applied to a project, construction materials sourcing and toxicity should be considered. The Red-List names materials that can be found in many building materials and that are harmful in one or more ways to people and the environment. Following this list will also help prevent harmful materials from needing to be disposed of during construction and at the end of their life cycle.
Additional Sustainability Measures to Consider
Projects of any size should evaluate the following measures, regardless of the certifications system or tools applied. These are listed in OSU’s priority order, to further support reduction of carbon emissions:
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Energy use reduction, energy efficient HVAC equipment, renewable energy
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Site selection, proximity to transportation, stormwater management and infill
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Water use reduction, rainwater collection, or water reuse
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Providing recycling facilities, reuse/recycling of demolition and construction materials, use of recycled or regional materials in construction
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Indoor Air Quality (increased ventilation, use of low-emitting materials, daylighting)