Round Three on Building Standard

The third draft of the nation’s first standard for high-performance buildings, currently out for public comment through June 15, has stricter energy conservation provisions and reflects input from a broader cross-section of experts, according to its developer.

National laboratories currently are using energy modeling to determine how much more savings could be generated using the latest version of the proposed standard compared to previous versions. “I would anticipate [savings would go] up at least another 5%,” says Kent Peterson, chair of the committee writing American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Standard 189.1, and principal of P2S Engineering Inc., Long Beach, Calif. The standard, which is being developed by ASHRAE with the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and the U.S. Green Building Council, addresses performance of new commercial buildings and major renovations to buildings.

The draft is the first one issued by the recently reconstituted standards committee, which added 17 new members late last year. These include a representative of the Building Owners and Managers Association and several indoor air quality experts.

The latest version eliminates a provision for 30% additional ventilation beyond ASHRAE Standard 62.1 in classrooms and office spaces, and instead emphasizes controlling source contaminants, such as volatile organic compounds, to control indoor air quality. Another provision would require designers to include measures for future reliance on renewable energy into plans.