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Selecting and Specifying Green Materials
Paula Bowley and Michaela Jones July 2012
Pa u l a B o w l e y A r c h i t e c t s I n c36 Argyle Street Toronto ON M6J 1N6 T 416 537 6816 F 416 537 6776 [email protected]
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Selecting and Specifying Green Materials
We are here to provide our perspective as architects on how to identify, select, and specify materials and products.
Selection Criteria Why we choose one material over anotherProcess How we locate and analyze materials Resources and Tools What is available to aid in the specification process
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Who Selects Green Building Products?
The responsibility for selecting and specifying green building products and systems is largely the architect’s responsibility but this responsibility is shared with the entire design team.
Owners, architects, engineers, sustainable building advisors, specifications writers, contractors, product manufactures can all contribute based on their unique views of the project.
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The Architect
An architect’s license addresses the need to protect public health, safety, and welfare. They are responsible for code compliance in product selection.
Since many green products are relatively new, the architect must perform significant research or find verification that the product is suitable and code‐compliant.
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http://www.pharosproject.net/framework/
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http://www.pharosproject.net/framework/
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Key Concepts
Is the Industry ready?Keep it simple – “Whole building products”Weighting: Pros & ConsRisk & Liability
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Perspectives of Material Analysis
Criteria for EvaluationResources & ToolsGreenwashingRole of Laws, Codes, and Regulations in Material Analysis (Specifications)Risk
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Selection Criteria - Chemical Soup
http://transparency.perkinswill.com/precautionarylistcategory.cshtml?category=7&chemical=83
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Selection Criteria - Embodied Carbon & Energy
Jan 4, 2012 Passive House Institute US has banned the use of spray polyurethane foam with high global warming potential.New blowing agents will reduce global warming impact of insulationhttp://www.sprayfoam.org/Transition will take a year
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Selection Criteria – Laws Codes & Regulations
Debate: Is spray foam a vapour barrier?City of Toronto
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Criteria - Weighting: (Two sides to every storey)
PVCSpray foams & Rigid InsulationAsphalt roofinghttp://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/green‐building‐blog/job‐site‐recycling‐asphalt‐roofing‐shingles
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Greenwashing
• Profit from sustainability• Entire programs set up to generate revenue stream• Sound business decisions may not be compatible with
the social component of sustainability• Misrepresentation “Many of the building rating / certification systems and individual accreditation systems appear to place the goal of generating revenue for their development organization as a goal equal to the organization’s commitment to knowledge, development and advocacy around its issue.” www.nibs.org
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Resources & Tools
Living Building Challenge “Red List”Material Safety Data Sheets Suppliers & Sales reps & Continuing Ed lunch & learnEco‐Labels, Rating Systems, CaGBC – Case StudiesInternet ResearchIndustry Professionals Trade AssociationsWeb Subscription based research publication….ExperienceBrokers for materialsOAA Continuing ed Reference Books (HOK, accessibility, standards, codes)
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Case Study: Insulation
HOK GUIDEBOOK TO SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
INSULATIONEnvironmental benefit from insulation’s role in reducing energy use for heating and cooling is far greater than concerns about the manufacture of the material.Use batt where possible to avoid need for costly foam that have high environmental impact Consider expanded polystyrene (EPS uses pentane gas) in lieu of extruded (XPS uses HCFC’s)Use spray foams not blown with CFC’s or HCFC’sConsider magnesium silicate foam (Air‐Crete) insulation, which is mineral based and CFC/HCFC free, other advantages are fire stopping and benign IAQ impactsEtc…
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A day in the life……
Case Study: A New roofOur clients want to replace their existing roof with a new roof
What Material will the roof be? What Roofing System?Warranty?
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Case Study: Roofing Concepts
Any Roofing is High Risk on a good day!Industry is not ready (Green Roofing)insurance industry, construction industry and roofing industry are players
All info has to be passed on down the chain… to subs, structural engineers…Breathable vs. Waterproofed
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Case Study: Reference Books
HOK GUIDEBOOK TO SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Membrane RoofingConsider single ply instead of built up, more durable, less toxic to installers & can be recycledMechanically fastened not adhesive basedConsider EPDM lasts 25 yearsIf specifying PVC carefully consider pros and cons, manufacture and disposal are a concernWhere building will experience net cooling load, choose lighter colourFor green roof consider use of fluid applied rubberized asphalt roofing (asphalt, rubber polymer & inert mineral fillers). This thermoplastic material is completely monolithic and holds the insulation in place and conforms to irregularities
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Case Study: Online Research
Green Building Advisor
When is a continuous self‐adhered membrane required on a roof?
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/community/forum/gba‐pro‐help/15535/when‐continuous‐self‐adhered‐membrane‐required‐roof
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Case Study: Manufacturer Sales Reps
Many wear several hats and have worked in the industry for decadesOften professionalsProvide literature and resourcesSamples
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Case Study: The Contractor
Contractors have significant product knowledge.
They can assist the architect or specification writer during product selection and specification and frequently suggest substitutions during construction.
The value of their contribution to the product selection process should not be underestimated, as one specific product can succeed or fail depending on the situation.
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Case Study: The Product Manufacturer
The architect, specifier, or contractor never know the product as intimately as its manufacturer.
The manufacturer can assist in recommending green products based on their knowledge of where and how the product is to be used.
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Case Study: Industry Associations
Terrazzo, Tile & Marble Association of Canada Association for Contract TextilesCanadian Carpet InstituteMaster Painters InstituteCanadian Roofing Contractor’s AssociationCanada Wood CouncilCase Studies (CaGBC, Architectural Record, NMS, WBDG)
provide specifications, guidelines, rating systems and publications
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Product selection is different from specification writing
As we have discussed, the selection of products and materials is difficult and complex.
Products are usually selected before a specifications method is chosen to communicate the specifics of a product to the contractor.
The specifications are contract documents that contain the qualitative requirements for materials and assemblies.
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Common Choices
Common choices for Architects and Engineers:
1. Develop their own office master specifications, which are adapted over years of professional practice.
2. Purchase licenses for the rights to use a commercialMaster Guide Specification, which can bring further advantages. Master Specification clauses are written by experts, dedicated to researching and monitoring the latest construction methods, standards and legislation. This makes commercial Master Specifications a current and authoritative source of text, information and guidance.
3. Retain a specifications writer.
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The ‘Office Master’
The term "office master," refers to the master specification "bible" that has made it through countless project iterations in the office history, red‐marked and updated with revisions for each new project.
This process can leads to "fake specs" , that perpetuate errors and lack currency.
We do keep a database of products and specifications that we have researched and used and often update this information and incorporate it into new specifications.
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The Greening of Specifications
Since the early 1990s and probably before, efforts have been made on many fronts to develop “green” specifications.
There are now many resources and some master specifications available to assist designers, specifiers, and builders in their efforts to build sustainably.
The challenge is in making well‐balanced decisions integrating all factors and applying sound technology and analysis.
An example of one of these resources follows:
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Whole Building Design Guide
http://www.wbdg.org/
http://www.wbdg.org/wbdg_ug.php
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Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers
In 2006, after extensive outreach to and input from industry and environmental stakeholders, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and its partners, the Federal Environmental Executive and the Whole Building Design Guide, released the Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers.
Written in the language of architects and building contractors, CSI MasterFormat™, the guide includes model green language for more than 60 types of specifications, from concrete to coatings to commissioning.
The guide was developed to help federal agencies holistically address the myriad of construction‐related environmental goals and mandates.
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Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers
The guide is a living document; therefore, comments are welcome at any time.
Sections include:• Commercial Kitchen Equipment; • Stormwater Management with Compost; • Rainwater Harvesting; • Vegetative Roof Systems; • Constructed Wetlands; • Integrated Pest Management; • Structural Steel; • and Indoor Air Quality Management‐Moisture Control.
In addition, guidance for utilizing environmental management systems in construction projects and for building on environmentally sensitive sites are being developed.
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Common Choices
Common choices for Architects and Engineers:
1. Develop their own office master specifications, which are adapted over years of professional practice.
2. Purchase licenses for the rights to use a commercialMaster Guide Specification, which can bring further advantages. Master Specification clauses are written by experts, dedicated to researching and monitoring the latest construction methods, standards and legislation. This makes commercial Master Specifications a current and authoritative source of text, information and guidance.
3. Retain a specifications writer.
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Master Guide Specifications
Master Guide Specifications are well researched, comprehensive text base software programs, containing descriptions of every procedure, product or method likely to be encountered.
Master guide specification systems are timesaving tools; specifiers edit prepared text rather than begin each project from scratch.
The text contains terminology, standards, quality requirements, and product lists that represent the current consensus of a construction product market sector.
A/Es purchase licenses for the rights to use master guide specifications from commercial producers.
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http://www.raic.org/practice/specifications/nms_e.htm
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National Master Specifications NMSThe National Master Specification (NMS) MasterFormat™
The NMS has been developed by Public Works and Government Services Canada.
The NMS has been available to the Canadian construction industry for over 25 years and it is the NMSS that ensures the product is available in both English and French.
The NMS is in the process of "greening" all of the sections to ensure that they include environmentally responsible material and work practices.
http://www.tpsgc‐pwgsc.gc.ca/biens‐property/ddn‐nms/questions‐eng.html
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National Master SpecificationsTABLE OF CONTENTS (NMS Complete (English))
Division 01 ‐ General Requirements
011100 ‐ Summary of Work011200 ‐Multiple Contract Summary011400 ‐Work Restrictions012100 ‐ Allowances012310 ‐ Alternatives012900 ‐ Payment Procedures012983 ‐ Payment Procedures for Testing Laboratory Services013119 ‐ Project Meetings01321606 ‐ Construction Progress Schedule ‐ Critical Path Method (CPM)01321607 ‐ Construction Progress Schedules ‐ Bar (GANTT) Chart013300 ‐ Submittal Procedures01350006 ‐ Special Procedures for Traffic Control01351313 ‐ Special Procedures: Airports in Use01351343 ‐ Special Project Procedures for Contaminated Sites013521 ‐ LEED Requirements01352906 ‐ Health and Safety Requirements01352914 ‐ Health and Safety for Contaminated Sites013535 ‐ DND Fire Safety Requirements
013543 ‐ Environmental Procedures013573 ‐ Procedures for Deconstruction of Structures014100 ‐ Regulatory Requirements014500 ‐ Quality Control014713 ‐ Sustainable Requirements: Concept Design014715 ‐ Sustainable Requirements: Construction014717 ‐ Sustainable Requirements: Contractor's Verification014719 ‐ Sustainable Requirements: Operation015100 ‐ Temporary Utilities015200 ‐ Construction Facilities015600 ‐ Temporary Barriers and Enclosures016100 ‐ Common Product Requirements017100 ‐ Examination And Preparation017300 ‐ Execution Requirements017411 ‐ Cleaning017421 ‐ Construction/Demolition Waste Management And Disposal017700 ‐ Closeout Procedures017800 ‐ Closeout Submittals017900 Demonstration and Training
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National Master Specifications NMS
How does the NMS address environmental responsibility and sustainability? The NMS includes SPEC NOTES specifically dealing with this subject, which assist the specification writer in making appropriate environmental and sustainable choices. In addition the NMS Secretariat is continually updating individual Sections to accommodate projects that might be seeking for LEED™ requirements and accreditation.
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Spec Note Environmental
SPEC NOTE ENVIRONMENTAL: direct the specification writer to theenvironmentally responsible choices available for materials, handling and installation of materials, and alternative disposal methods for construction waste materials, as well as other environmentally responsible choices.
Example 4.3.3 from NMS Section 07 21 23 – Loose‐Fill Insulation:SPEC NOTE ENVIRONMENT: Increased R‐value insulation levels willprovide improved energy efficiency. Improved energy efficiency reducesthe use of non‐renewable energy sources and provides a lessenedcontribution to global warming.SPEC NOTE ENVIRONMENT: Verify with manufacturer if they havetake‐back program for the packaging.
Continued….
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Spec Note Support
SPEC NOTE SUPPORT: acknowledges construction industry organizations that have assisted in the review or development of the NMS Section: located at the top of the first page of written text, directly below the SPEC NOTE DESCRIPTION
Example 4.3.4 (from NMS Section 09 97 19 – Painting Exterior Metal Surfaces):SPEC NOTE SUPPORT: This Section had been reviewed and updated with the assistance of Steel Structures Painting Council, London, Ontario.
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Common Choices
Common choices for Architects and Engineers:
1. Develop their own office master specifications, which are adapted over years of professional practice.
2. Purchase licenses for the rights to use a commercialMaster Guide Specification, which can bring further advantages. Master Specification clauses are written by experts, dedicated to researching and monitoring the latest construction methods, standards and legislation. This makes commercial Master Specifications a current and authoritative source of text, information and guidance.
3. Retain a specifications writer.
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Specifications Writers
Like most architects, we often write their own specifications, but whenever possible, we retain a specifications writer to share the responsibility for product selection and help us write our specs.
The specification writer is a valuable resource and may select and recommend products, based on the materials already researched in their master specifications, recent projects, or field experience.
A specifier who finds a green product that is suitable for use may incorporate that product into the master specification, and use it on every project.
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http://www.kalinassociates.com/
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Mark Kalin is President of Kalin Associates Specifications and currently Chair of CSI’s National Technical Committee. The firm has completed specs for over 200 LEED projects. Free spec downloads and position papers at:
http://www.kalinassociates.com
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#1 Discouraging bidding by specifying unrealistic LEED requirements
When a specification requires a regional source, a recycled content percentage, and certain certifications for a product, the specifier has to be certain that conforming products exist. On a recent project, the only bidder for the doors couldn’t actually meet all the requirements and put in a premium price. Other bidders declined to bid citing the requirements of the specifications. The worst outcome was a project that decided to abandon certification because of unnecessary requirements in the specifications that pushed the project over budget.
Solution: Don’t use the specifications as a research tool. Either find out what’s available and specify what you want the contractor to purchase, or give the contractor options and flexibility to meet the LEED requirements, using a mix of products.
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#2 Not recognizing that performance is a sustainable attribute
There is a roofing product that has 100 percent recycled content, is 100 percent recyclable, and is made from 100 percent regional materials. Unfortunately, it is only guaranteed until the first rain, since it’s made out of papier‐mâché.
Solution: Performance is more important than recycled content for roofing. Always seek the highest‐performing roofing material with a 20‐year track record (which includes PVC). If you’re not going to keep PVC out of the inside of your building, why be concerned about PVC on the roof? Personally, I doubt that either PVC, TPO, EPDM, or modified bitumen are edible, and am more concerned about the damage that water intrusion can have on the inside of a building when the roofing fails.
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#3: Adding ‘their’ language to the specifications.
Sorry, poetic language doesn’t buy products, nor does repeating all the VOC levels in every spec section make sense. The specifications are contract documents that contain the qualitative requirements for materials and assemblies. Subcontractors must put in bids with only a few hours to evaluate a project.
Solution: Specify products that comply with LEED requirements and require the submittals necessary to document the required credits.
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#4: Believing manufacturer’s product literature
Not too long ago a flooring manufacturer overstated its sourcing and FSC claims. The product as promised was not the product as delivered—they never had a source for FSC wood. …And then there was that article in the magazine that claimed brick would earn 26 LEED points. …And then there was that insulation manufacturer that was fined $155,000. by the FTC for false R‐value claims.
Solution: Ask the manufacturer to submit a sample of LEED documentation from a previous project as an example, instead of relying on marketing literature.
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#5: Issuing a LEED Scorecard with “maybe” as an option
We all recognize that achieving some credits is uncertain until construction is well underway. However, “maybe” means “no” to a subcontractor if extra expense is involved.
Solution: At least one LEED consultant will not include a scorecard in the project manual. Others will reissue the scorecard monthly. The important thing is to hold the contractor accountable for making sure that the overall target is achieved, with a little cushion to allow for missing or faulty documentation.
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#6: Calling LEED “good enough”
LEED is intended to point the project in the right direction and open up conversations about sustainability goals, but too often its goals are adopted without critical review.
Solution: The consultant should engage with the client about their intentions and priorities, and then revisit those throughout. That gives them the tools to answer questions like: Do you abandon the requirement for FSC wood once you achieve 50%? Is it the scorecard or sustainability that governs?
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A response Re: LEED Checklists in the Project Manual Submitted by Peggy White on Fri, 2012‐06‐08 11:37.
As both a specifier and a LEED consultant, I have no problem with including the LEED Checklist in the Project Manual, for two main reasons:1. Creating a Team for the Project: One of the general goals of LEED is to encourage a team approach to the project and include the Contractor as a primary member of that team. Nobody is asking the Contractor to bid on a 'maybe', and most of the Credits are the responsibility of the design team and the owner anyway. Including the Checklist is similar to 'information available to bidders' ‐ it doesn't directly relate to the Contractor's work, but it may help them to understand the sustainable goals of the project. The Contractor's sustainable responsibilities are addressed within the specifications.
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A response cont’d.
2. You Never Know: I've had more than one instance of a Contractor seeing the Regional Credit as a 'maybe' and taking it upon themselves to make and effort to buy out the materials locally, and then we get the Credit because the Contractor took the initiative and wants the reward of contributing to the sustainable goals. Also, I always note this Credit as a 'maybe' because I don't want to dictate where the materials are purchased ‐ they need to get the best deal possible.
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A Green Product Checklist
One of the easiest ways to get started selecting green products is to develop a checklist of choices. While a checklist could be dozens of pages long, our list is limited to a smaller number of reasonable choices that can be used in many projects. The checklist is intended to help the design team select green products efficiently for construction projects. The 120 green choices are listed in CSI MasterFormat order. After completion of this checklist, the author (usually the designer or project architect) should circulate it to the project team and specification writer for comments. Since these choices might also be included in your firm’s master specifications, refer to the specs for specific products, manufacturers, and telephone numbers for each item.
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DIVISION 07 ‐ THERMAL AND MOISTURE PROTECTION
O Fiberglass insulation fabricated with recycled glass.O Mineral wool insulation manufactured with recycled material.O Cellulose insulation with recycled material and borate‐based primer.O Cotton batt insulation manufactured with recycled material.O Biobased spray insulation manufactured with plant based soy content.O Spray foam air barrier insulation and sealant.O Foamed‐in‐place insulation.O Extruded polystyrene insulation, non‐ozone depleting.O Polyisocyanurate insulation, non‐ozone depleting.O Exterior water‐repellent sealers with low VOCs.O Air and vapor barrier membrane at exterior building envelope.O PVC‐free waterproofing and roofing membranes.O Fiber‐cement roofing shingles.O Metal wall and roof panels manufactured with recycled content.O Green roof systems.O Solar reflective materials for roof surfaces, Energy Star qualified.O Roof walkway pads fabricated from recycled materials.O Expanding foam sealants.O Joint fillers fabricated from recycled materials.O Low emitting joint sealers, interior use.
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Specifications for LEED “Certifiable” Projects: 4 Approaches
http://greenspec.buildinggreen.com/blogs/specifications‐leed‐certifiable‐projects‐4‐approaches
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Approach 1: Declare an early victory
The team completes the LEED scorecard and declares victory. There is no mention of LEED in the project manual and the contractor is asked to “make the right green choices.” There is no review of the scorecard after construction. While this is clearly a useless LEED approach, there are many who accept this result. In fairness, some are municipalities that are not able to mandate certification, others are architects who believe their professional training and personal commitment is the correct measure of sustainability.Specifier’s Response: As always, at least include low‐VOC products, high‐performance products, and construction waste management in your specs.
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Approach 2: Sprinkle in some requirements
The team completes the LEED scorecard, makes a determination of which design credits could be easily achieved, and includes only a few requirements in the specifications. Perhaps construction waste management, FSC‐certified wood, and Green Label Plus carpet are sufficient to demonstrate some interest in sustainable design. Data‐intensive credits such as recycled content, regional materials, and low‐emitting materials are typically avoided. Again, the scorecard is not evaluated after construction.Specifier’s Response:Match the specs with the LEED credits selected. Include submittals at the level of detail that a LEED audit would require, such as chain‐of‐custody (CoC) documentation for FSC products and VOC levels for paints, coatings, sealants, and adhesives.
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Approach 3: Everything but submitting for LEED review
The team completes the LEED scorecard, includes it and all relevant requirements in the project manual, and collects all the data from the contractor, but does not submit to GBCI for certification. The team makes an internal evaluation of whether the goal has been obtained, and declares success. This approach is frequently taken at colleges, where those that manage the projects need to respond to various faculty and student initiatives. There is some certainty that LEED Certification would have been achieved, but typically there is no energy model, no commissioning—generally, little attempt at any credit which involves increased expense.Specifier’s Response: Again, match the specs with the LEED credits selected. Note that the credit numbering and language for all the different LEED rating systems is slightly different—be sure which LEED program the team is following.
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Approach 4: Go beyond LEED
The design team is actually committed to sustainability, and regrets the owner can’t or won’t fund LEED Certification. The energy model is developed early and really informs the design. Products that meet the VOC limits, regional goals, recycled content are specified into the project without reference to LEED. The contractor is asked to include sustainability in their product choices. The contingency fund for construction includes sustainability as a reason for a change order. After all, isn’t that what design is all about—understanding the owner’s requirements and delivering the best result for the funds available?
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Specifier’s Response: Same as Approach 3 above, but now there’s the opportunity to go beyond LEED requirements. Make sure environmentally committed firms like Interface and Kingspan have an opportunity to bid. Ask the project owner what their standard products are, to help minimize waste in the future. Look downstream and make sure the NFPA fire door inspections are actually done and documented.
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Prodemnity
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DISCUSSION
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What is the role of the Building Advisor?
LEED AP and Building Advisor should be on client’s side communicating with the professional consultantsIt may be a problem if they are directing a design decision outside of the professionals experienceSome technologies go beyond traditional mechanical engineer blurr the boundaries… chilled beamsWho takes the responsibility and risk?
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What is Reasonable Expectation?
It is a privilege to give truthful and ethical adviceClient has a legal right to rely on architects advice by contract lawIf you promote or advocate sustainable buildings who is responsible? Who is accountable?What is a green expert? The vast majority of insurance claims involve misrepresentation, miscommunication and misunderstood expectations between owners and design and construction professionals.
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Liability
Never guarantee the outcome or performanceDon’t expand your services beyond area of expertiseHow will you protect yourself?
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Conclusions
Limited building operations data (substantial data is being collected by LEED) Reconcile unmet expectationsStick to what you know & hire professionals when needed
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