UNIT-5

Indoor Environmental Quality for Occupant Comfort and Wellbeing: Day lighting, air ventilation, exhaust systems, low
VOC paints, materials & adhesives, building acoustics. Codes related to green buildings: NBC, ECBC, ASHRAE, UPC etc.

As was seen in the 1970s, ill-conceived approaches to increase energy efficiency can degrade
indoor air quality (IAQ), and today‘s focus on net zero energy buildings must neither repeat
the mistakes of the past nor create new ones.
A sustainable building focus primarily on energy use, but the quality of the indoor
environment and its impact on occupant health, satisfaction and performance also must be
considered for any building to be a sustainable contribution to the built environment over the
long term.
ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), the International
Society for Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ) and other organizations have held
conferences that have advanced knowledge and practice related to IAQ. While these efforts
have been valuable, the building community still lacked a comprehensive and practical
resource on achieving good IAQ for the building professionals who design, construct and
commission buildings. To meet this long-standing need, ASHRAE teamed with several key
organizations* to develop the newly published Indoor Air Quality Guide: Best Practices for
Design, Construction and Commissioning.

IAQ not considered during design and construction. Many IAQ problems occur because
IAQ was not considered at the beginning of the design process. Basic design decisions related
to site selection, building orientation, location of outdoor air intakes and how the building will
be heated, cooled and ventilated are critical to good IAQ. Efforts to achieve high levels of
building performance without diligent consideration of IAQ at the beginning of the design
process can lead to IAQ problems and represent missed opportunities to ensure good IAQ.

1. Moisture in building assemblies: Many notable cases of IAQ problems have been
associated with excessive moisture in building assemblies, particularly in the building
envelope. Such situations can lead to mold growth that can be difficult to fix without
major renovation efforts and costs. Moisture problems arise for a variety of reasons,
including roof leaks; rain penetration through leaky windows; envelope design and
construction defects, such as low permeability wall coverings in hot and humid
climates; and poor building pressure control. These problems are largely avoidable,
but require an understanding of building moisture movement and attention to detail in
envelope design and construction and in mechanical system selection, installation and
operation.

2. Poor outdoor air quality: The traditional means of dealing with IAQ is through
ventilation with outdoor air, but this approach assumes that the outdoor air is cleaner
than the indoor air. In many locations and for many contaminants, this is not the case,
and insufficiently treated ventilation air can actually make IAQ worse. Poor outdoor
air quality includes regionally elevated outdoor contaminant levels, as well as local
 sources such as motor vehicle exhaust from nearby roadways and contaminants
generated by activities in adjacent buildings. Some green building programs
recommend across-the-board increases in ventilation rates, but such recommendations
may be counterproductive in areas with poor outdoor air quality unless accompanied
by appropriate and effective increases in filtration and air cleaning.
3. Moisture and dirt in ventilation systems: Dirt accumulation in ventilation systems,
combined with poor management of water, can lead to biological growth and serious
IAQ problems. These conditions generally result from inadequate levels of particle
filtration; poor filter maintenance, and problems with cooling coil condensate,
humidifiers or other sources of moisture.
4. Indoor contaminant sources: Many IAQ problems are associated with indoor
contaminant sources that are unusually strong or for some other reason cannot be
handled by typical or code-compliant levels of outdoor air ventilation. Many
contaminants are released by normal building materials and furnishings, especially
when new, and also by materials and substances brought into the building during
occupancy. Unusual, unexpected or high contaminant emissions from indoor sources
are associated with many IAQ problems, and the guide addresses the issues of material
selection, cleaning and other indoor source concerns.
5. Contaminants from indoor equipment and activities: The wide range of
occupancies and activities in commercial and institutional buildings can generate a
variety of pollutants. Many IAQ problems can be avoided through proper equipment
operation, adequate exhaust ventilation and careful choices of materials used in these
activities.
6. Inadequate ventilation rates: While building codes and standards have addressed
outdoor air ventilation for decades, many buildings and spaces are poorly ventilated,
which increases the likelihood of IAQ problems. Reasons for inadequate ventilation
may include: lack of compliance with applicable codes and standards; installation or
maintenance problems that lead to the design ventilation rate not being achieved in
practice; and, space use changes without an assessment of the need to modify
ventilation rates. Also, system level outdoor air intake rates may be adequate, but air-
distribution problems can lead to certain areas in the building being poorly ventilated.
7. Ineffective filtration and air cleaning: Filtration and air cleaning are effective means
of controlling many indoor air pollutants, particularly those associated with poor
outdoor air quality. Air filtration or air cleaning can provide an important adjunct to,
and in some cases a partial substitute for, outdoor air ventilation. The guide provides a
detailed treatment of filtration and air cleaning alternatives which, when properly
administered and maintained, can improve IAQ and energy performance.

Based on these common categories of IAQ problems and proven approaches to avoid them,
the guide is organized around these eight objectives:
1. Manage the Design and Construction Process to Achieve Good IAQ;
2. Control Moisture in Building Assemblies;
3. Limit Entry of Outdoor Contaminants;
4. Control Moisture and Contaminants Related to Mechanical Systems;
 5. Limit Contaminants from Indoor Sources;
6. Capture and Exhaust Contaminants from Building Equipment and Activities;
7. Reduce Contaminant Concentrations through Ventilation, Filtration, and Air Cleaning;
and
8. Apply More Advanced Ventilation Approaches.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important issue that has both short term and long term impacts
on the health of occupants. There are two common strategies in building design that are
employed to deal with the IAQ in a building. The first one is to improve the indoor air quality
by increasing the ventilation rate, which in turn reduces air pollutant. The second is by
reducing the source of pollution within and outside the building in order to reduce the
introduction of pollutants in the indoor air.

Using Natural Ventilation for Sustainable Construction

Natural ventilation is a healthy and cost effective way to save energy and provide fresh air for
building occupants. It is defined as using passive strategies to supply outdoor air to a
building‘s interior for ventilation and cooling without using mechanical systems. Natural
ventilation has become a key component of green building today and is required in order to be
certified by LEED and the Living Building Challenge (LBC).
How it works
During the preconstruction phase of a project, research is done to determine the best
positioning of the building to allow adequate ventilation from prevailing winds. There are also
design elements that have to be incorporated into a building to allow for the free air access.
For example, upper clerestory (TOP OF WALL WITH WINDOWS) (the upper part of the wall of a building,
especially of a church nave (central part of church) (the long central hall of a cross-shaped church, often with pillars on each
side, where the congregation sits), that contains windows) windows will be installed in the Brock
Environmental Center in order to provide free air access to the workspaces below.

During preconstruction, the team will also determine the range of ambient weather variables
(i.e. 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit) (approximately 180 C to 230 C) in which the HVAC system
will be turned off and natural ventilation will be used. Humidity and wind speed are also
taken into account in order to provide the most comfortable and energy efficient environment
for building occupants.
The benefits of natural ventilation
The primary purpose of natural ventilation is to allow the outside ambient weather to provide
low humidity, moderate temperature wind currents as an alternate cooling source for the
building and provide air circulation throughout. By using this method, building owners are
able to save on energy costs by turning off the HVAC system when the temperatures are right.
Natural ventilation can replace all or part of a mechanical system—reducing construction,
energy and operating costs for the owner.
Indoor climate is critical for human well being. Similar to natural day lighting, natural
ventilation helps keep occupants comfortable and healthy and increase productivity and
learning.
Natural Day lighting
Natural day lighting is whether from a ray of light reaching through the curtains, or the soft
dappled light just beneath the canopy of an oak tree. It evokes in us warmth and serenity. Our
sophisticated eyes function efficiently and without stress in the presence of natural light. Our
moods are calmer. Our energy tends to be higher. Recent studies in architectural design have
shown that natural lighting may even improve the test scores of our children upwards of 25%
compared to students in classrooms with no windows and no natural lighting, leading to a
revolution in the design of educational institutions. Best of all, daylight is completely free
(when the sun is up). Undeniably natural lighting is the most desirable, and sustainable
solution for interior lighting – provided that windows and openings do not incur excessive
heat gain.
Admitting an acceptable level of life-nourishing light and while managing heat gain requires a
rigorous balancing act. Luckily, today‘s energy-efficient windows, as well as advances in
lighting design, allow efficient use of windows to reduce the need for artificial lighting during
daylight hours without causing heating or cooling problems.
While the best way to incorporate day lighting in your home depends on your climate and
home‘s design, the sizes and locations of windows should be based on the path of the sun
roughly according to the cardinal (basic or important) directions.
Exhaust Ventilation Systems work by decreasing the air pressure inside of a building,
causing indoor air to leave the building, while outside air enters the building through leaks in
the building shell and intentional passive vents. These systems are most suitable in cold
climates, as warm, moist outdoor air can condense and cause moisture damage inside building
walls. These types of systems are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, but cause higher
heating and cooling energy costs than energy recovery ventilation systems, as the incoming
air is not warmed, cooled, or dehumidified before entering the building.

Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality

Introduction
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs
include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health
effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher)
than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products consisting of thousands of
Organic chemicals that are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints,
varnishes and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic,
degreasing and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products
 can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are
stored.
EPA's Office of Research and Development's "Total Exposure Assessment Methodology
(TEAM) Study" (Volumes I through IV, completed in 1985) found levels of about a dozen
common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of
whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas. TEAM studies indicated
that while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose
themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in
the air long after the activity is completed.
Sources of VOCs
Household products, including:
 paints, paint strippers and other solvents
 wood preservatives
 aerosol sprays
 cleansers and disinfectants
 moth repellents and air fresheners
 stored fuels and automotive products
 hobby supplies
 dry-cleaned clothing
 pesticide

Other products, including:

 building materials and furnishings
 office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper
 graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers and
photographic solutions.

Health Effects
Health effects may include:
 Eye, nose and throat irritation
 Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea
 Damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system
 Some organics can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in
humans.

Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include:

 conjunctival irritation
 nose and throat discomfort
 headache
 allergic skin reaction
 dyspnea (Difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath, dyspnia)
 declines in serum cholinesterase levels
 nausea
 emesis (the action or process of vomiting.)
 epistaxis (bleeding from the nose)
 fatigue
 dizziness

The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are
highly toxic, to those with no known health effect.
As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many
factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Among the immediate
symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics include:
 Eye and respiratory tract irritation
 headaches
 dizziness
 visual disorders and memory impairment

At present, not much is known about what health effects occur from the levels of organics
usually found in homes.

Levels in Homes
Studies have found that levels of several organics average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than
outdoors. During and for several hours immediately after certain activities, such as paint
stripping, levels may be 1,000 times than outdoor levels.

Steps to Reduce Exposure

 Increase ventilation when using products that emit VOCs.
 Meet or exceed any label precautions.
 Do not store opened containers of unused paints and similar materials within the school.
 Formaldehyde, one of the best known VOCs, is one of the few indoor air pollutants that can
be readily measured.
o Identify, and if possible, remove the source.
o If not possible to remove, reduce exposure by using a sealant on all exposed surfaces of
paneling and other furnishings.
 Use integrated pest management techniques to reduce the need for pesticides.
 Use household products according to manufacturer's directions.
 Make sure you provide plenty of fresh air when using these products.
 Throw away unused or little-used containers safely; buy in quantities that you will use soon.
 Keep out of reach of children and pets.
 Never mix household care products unless directed on the label.

Follow label instructions carefully.

Potentially hazardous products often have warnings aimed at reducing exposure of the user.
For example, if a label says to use the product in a well-ventilated area, go outdoors or in
areas equipped with an exhaust fan to use it. Otherwise, open up windows to provide the
maximum amount of outdoor air possible.
 Throw away partially full containers of old or unneeded chemicals safely.
Because gases can leak even from closed containers, this single step could help lower
concentrations of organic chemicals in your home. (Be sure that materials you decide to keep
are stored not only in a well-ventilated area but are also safely out of reach of children.) Do
not simply toss these unwanted products in the garbage can. Find out if your local government
or any organization in your community sponsors special days for the collection of toxic
household wastes. If such days are available, use them to dispose of the unwanted containers
safely. If no such collection days are available, think about organizing one.
Buy limited quantities.
If you use products only occasionally or seasonally, such as paints, paint strippers and
kerosene for space heaters or gasoline for lawn mowers, buy only as much as you will use
right away.
Keep exposure to emissions from products containing methylene chloride to a minimum.
Consumer products that contain methylene chloride include paint strippers, adhesive removers
and aerosol spray paints. Methylene chloride is known to cause cancer in animals. Also,
methylene chloride is converted to carbon monoxide in the body and can cause symptoms
associated with exposure to carbon monoxide. Carefully read the labels containing health
hazard information and cautions on the proper use of these products. Use products that
contain methylene chloride outdoors when possible; use indoors only if the area is well
ventilated.
Keep exposure to benzene to a minimum.
Benzene is a known human carcinogen. The main indoor sources of this chemical are:
 environmental tobacco smoke
 stored fuels
 paint supplies
 automobile emissions in attached garages
Actions that will reduce benzene exposure include:
 eliminating smoking within the home
 providing for maximum ventilation during painting
 discarding paint supplies and special fuels that will not be used immediately
Keep exposure to perchloroethylene emissions from newly dry-cleaned materials to a
minimum.
Perchloroethylene is the chemical most widely used in dry cleaning. In laboratory studies, it
has been shown to cause cancer in animals. Recent studies indicate that people breathe low
levels of this chemical both in homes where dry-cleaned goods are stored and as they wear
dry-cleaned clothing. Dry cleaners recapture the perchloroethylene during the dry-cleaning
process so they can save money by re-using it, and they remove more of the chemical during
the pressing and finishing processes. Some dry cleaners, however, do not remove as much
perchloroethylene as possible all of the time.

Taking steps to minimize your exposure to this chemical is prudent.

 If dry-cleaned goods have a strong chemical odor when you pick them up, do not accept them
until they have been properly dried.
 If goods with a chemical odor are returned to you on subsequent visits, try a different dry
cleaner.

Low VOC Paints:

Paints may also have a major negative impact on the indoor air quality of a building, because
they may contain chemicals called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and other toxic
components that evaporate into the air and are harmful to the health of the occupants. VOCs
are primary contributors to smog generation.
Paint has three major components: a pigment for colour, a binder that holds the pigment to the
surface a carrier or solvent (mineral spirits or water) to dissolve and maintain the pigments.
Latex, water based paints have significantly lower environmental impacts than oil or solvent-
based paints since they do not use petroleum carriers or have nearly as many smog-forming
emissions. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), 9 % of the
airborne pollutants creating ground level ozone come from the VOCs in paint. Low and zero
VOC paints have little or no smog-forming emissions.
Benefits of Low VOC Paints:
Environmental:
VOCs react with sunlight and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere to form ground-level ozone,
a chemical that has a detrimental effect on human helath, agricultural crops, forest and
ecosystems. These problems can be eliminated using low VOC paints.
Economic:
Healthy occupants are more productive and have less illness-related absenteeism. Use of
high-VOC content materials can cause illness and may decrease occupant productivity.
These problems result in increased expenses and liability for building owners, operators and
insurance companies.
Indoor Environment:
Selecting materials that are low in VOC helps reduce sources of pollutants during the
construction process and in the finished building. Also low VOC paints have little odour.
VOC refers to a class of chemicals which evaporate readily at room temperature. They are in
all oil based paints as solvents. Many latex paints (which use water as the ―solvent‖ or
carrier) also contain VOCs as part of their paint chemistry. When these VOCs off-gas, they
may cause a variety of health problems like nausea, dizziness, irritation of the eyes &
respiratory tract, and more serious illnesses like heart, lung or kidney damage and
carcinogenic or cancer causing.
Certain people are particularly susceptible to these effects, including those with weakened
immune systems or chemical sensitivities, asthmatics, young children and the elderly. In the
case of these sensitive occupants, be sure products are tested for VOCs before applying.
Since low- or no-VOC paints have a lesser impact on air quality, they are excellent for use in
buildings where it is desirable to have very low level of toxicity, such as hospitals, schools or
the homes and workplaces.
Once airborne, many VOCs have the ability to combine with each other, or with other
molecules in the air, to create new chemical compounds. Air quality testing shows that
indoor VOC levels are consistently ten times higher than outdoor levels, and be as much as
1000 times higher after a new coat of paint.
Paint is applied we and must undergo a drying process, and sometimes a chemical reaction, in
order to form a solid paint film on the wall or other surface. It is during this drying or
chemical process that VOCs and other paint components are released. Many paints contain a
high percentage of VOCs so that they will dry faster. Paints also continue to off gas
somewhat for many days, weeks and months after application and especially each time the
temperature and humidity in the room rises.

Adhesives and sealants:

Liquid, or wet-applied, adhesives are more likely to expose workers to hazardous emissions
than are tapes or gaskets, with latex and solvent-free silicon products generally posing the
least risk.
Though most are safe to the end user, many adhesives and sealants contain hazardous
ingredients.
Polyurethanes, which contain isocyanates that may cause lung damage in workers, need to be
properly mixed, applied, and cured, but proper ventilation and skin protection should also be
used when applying certain acrylics, butyls, polyurethanes, and polysulfides.

For Green building adhesives used within the interiors, ensure that the VOC content does not
exceed the limits as specified in Table given below.

Note:
• Adhesives certified by CII - GPSC / GreenPro can be used by the project to show
compliance, as and when the certified materials are available.

Notes for Paints & Coatings and Adhesives:

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon compounds that participate in atmospheric
photochemical reactions (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid,
metallic carbides and carbonates, and ammonium carbonate). The compounds vaporize at
normal room temperatures.
• If the project has used small quantities of non-complying paints & coatings and/or
adhesives, a VOC budget can be calculated to demonstrate that the weighted average VOC of
all products (based on litres of each applied) is below the allowed limit, by each type.

Use of Hard Surfaces/Materials

The right surface materials will function acoustically by absorbing noise and blocking the
transmission of sound from one space to the next. In green spaces, architects and designers
tend to specify harder materials, often avoiding mineral fiber ceilings, carpet, or fabric wall
coverings. They do this, explains Moeller, because harder materials give off the impression of
being easier to maintain and offer a longer lifespan; however, they also eliminate absorption.
Unless designed with acoustics in mind, spaces without sound-absorbing finishes, such as
acoustic ceilings, can have poor acoustics due to reverberation, echo, and elevated noise
levels

Achieving Acoustic Comfort in Green Buildings

Sustainability is one of the driving forces in the field of construction today, a road that has
largely been paved by the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED®) rating
system developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
However, for much of its history, LEED paid little attention to acoustics, drawing criticism
from building professionals and weakening the overall performance of many green buildings.
In fact, surveys performed by the Center for the Built Environment show that their occupants
are generally more dissatisfied with noise control and speech privacy than those in traditional
structures.
USGBC is attempting to address this weakness through LEED Building Design and
Construction While credits draw much-needed attention to this aspect of the work
environment, it is essential to have a good understanding of the basic elements needed to
achieve acoustic comfort, as well as the reasons why some of the current sustainable design
strategies tend to undermine them.
The ABC (absorb – block – cover) Rule provides a solid framework for this discussion. This
acronym stands for the principal methods used by acoustic professionals to achieve effective
acoustics: absorb, block and cover.
ABSORB NOISE

Absorptive materials reduce the volume of noises reflected back into a space, the length of
time they last and the distance over which they travel. The amount of absorption in a room is
generally indicated by the Reverberation Time (RT) measured within the space. Attaining a
low RT is essential to reducing the echo or ‗liveliness‘ of the room, which can otherwise
irritate and tire out its occupants.
Because the ceiling is usually the largest uninterrupted surface in a facility, using a good
absorptive tile is important. Select a ceiling tile with at least a 0.75 Noise Reduction
Coefficient (NRC) for open plans. In closed space, use tiles with a high Ceiling Attenuation
Class (CAC) because they are better at containing noise. Ideally, tile coverage should be
uninterrupted.
However, many green buildings have open ceilings. It is important to research whether this
decision will have the desired heating/cooling or cost benefits and, if an exposed structure is
still desired, treat an appropriate percentage of the deck with an absorptive material sufficient
to provide the RT deemed acceptable for the type of space (i.e., open or closed). Generally
speaking, this strategy has an impact, as do vertical baffles. Depending on the building
construction, another option is to use a perforated corrugated metal deck with an absorptive
material placed behind the perforations before the concrete is poured.
Workstation panels should also be absorptive, particularly if there is no acoustical tile. If the
space is narrow in order to promote natural light penetration, use absorptive panels on select
walls in order to prevent noise from ricocheting between the exterior wall and the core. Use
soft flooring to reduce footfall noise, at least in high traffic areas.

BLOCK NOISE

Blocking noise is achieved using walls, doors and other physical structures. However, green
buildings generally feature more open plan than their traditional counterparts.
In open plan spaces, workstation partitions above seated head height (150 to 165 centimeters;
60 to 65 inches) are essential to attenuate the noises passing to an occupant‘s nearest
neighbors. If they are shorter, they will do little more than hold up the desks.
Where daylighting is a concern, use absorptive panels up to a 120-centimeter height (48
inches) and top them with 30 centimeters (12 inches) of glass or another transparent material.
The top 12 inches introduces a reflective surface, but the reduction in absorption relative to
the increase in blocking is an acceptable compromise. Also, ensure the panels have a high
Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating and are well sealed along any joints, with no
significant openings between or below them.
If there is no ceiling, build walls to the deck. If there is a suspended ceiling, walls can stop at
the ceiling. Walls should have a high Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating to prevent
airborne noise transmission. Do not locate penetrations such as outlets back-to-back on
opposite sides of a wall. Ensure the STC rating of doors and interior windows at least meets
the wall standard.
Many of these requirements also apply to demountable wall systems, which are often used to
enclose spaces in green buildings. These systems may have lower STC ratings than
conventional walls and the joints between the panels may provide conduits for noise. Address
any gaps along the ceiling, exterior walls and floor during installation or they will easily
transmit noise.
HVAC systems must also meet several criteria to avoid compromising acoustic isolation. For
example, supply ducts should not connect adjoining closed rooms prior to connection to the
main supply duct. Air return grills should not be placed straddling walls between closed
spaces.

COVER NOISE

We have all heard the old saying ‗silence is golden.‘ However, just as with lighting and
temperature, there is a comfort zone for the volume of sound and it is actually not zero. For
this reason, the final step of the ABC Rule involves ensuring that the ambient – or
background – sound level in the space is sufficient.
The ambient level in the majority of traditional offices is already too low. The use of high-
efficiency heating and cooling systems means that it is generally even lower in green
buildings. In these types of environments, conversations and noises can easily be heard, even
from a distance, and are very disruptive to occupants.
Sound masking is the only acoustic treatment that can replenish and maintain the ambient
level. This technology consists of a series of loudspeakers installed in a grid-like pattern in or
above the ceiling, as well as a method of controlling their output. Though the sound the
loudspeakers distribute is often compared to that of softly blowing air, it is specially
engineered. It either completely covers up conversations and noises or reduces their disruptive
impact by decreasing the amount of change between the baseline volume and any peaks in the
space.
The generally recommended sound masking volume is between 43 and 48 dBA in open plans
and from 40 to 45 dBA in private offices. In order to ensure uniform coverage – maximizing
performance and occupant comfort across the entire space – the system should be designed to
provide small zones (one to three loudspeakers) that are individually controllable for both
volume and frequency. The system should also provide a suitable sound masking spectrum,
such as the one developed by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC).
Using a sound masking system can help support other sustainable efforts, especially when
included in the project‘s design stage. For instance, masking increases noise isolation in open
plans. Natural ventilation can be employed without affecting speech privacy and the amount
of disruptions occupants experience. It can also pave the way for using demountable wall
systems, contributing to the space‘s flexibility and reducing waste following future
renovations.
The project team should establish performance targets (e.g., for speech privacy) for their
facility, particularly if pursuing LEED credit. These goals are best set together with an
acoustic professional, who can also assist in product selection, make measurements and
confirm compliance. However, for those who lack the budget for a consultant, this article
 provides a clear list of the required steps and technologies, which is far preferable to ignoring
acoustics altogether.

Green Building Codes

Green building codes go beyond minimum code requirements, raising the bar for energy
efficiency. They can serve as a proving ground for future standards, and incorporate elements
beyond the scope of the model energy codes, such as water and resource efficiency. As
regional and national green building codes and programs become more available, they provide
jurisdictions with another tool for guiding construction and development in an overall less
impactful, more sustainable manner.
 ICC
 ASHRAE
 Beyond Codes
International Green Construction Code (IgCC)
The International Code Council's (ICC's) International Green Construction code (IgCC) is an
overlay code, meaning it is written in a manner to be used with all the other ICC codes. The
IgCC contains provisions for site development and land use, energy efficiency, water
conservation, material resource conservation and efficiency, indoor environmental quality and
comfort, commissioning and operations and maintenance, and existing buildings. The energy
efficiency provisions use the commercial provisions of the IECC as a basis, and then improve
on them by generally increasing the efficiency of the IECC provisions by 10%. ASHRAE
Standard 189.1 is also adopted by reference in the IgCC as an alternative path to compliance.
Revision Process
All ICC model codes, including the IgCC, are revised every three years through a tri-annual
public consensus process.
DOE's Participation
DOE (The U.S. Department of Energy) participates in the ICC consensus process to update
the commercial building provisions of the IgCC. DOE develops changes designed to increase
energy efficiency in commercial buildings, participates in code hearings, and prepares and
responds to public comments. Through this development process, DOE works to foster
increased efficiency in commercial and high-rise residential buildings.
ASHRAE Standard 189.1
ASHRAE Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings
Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, addresses site sustainability, water use efficiency,
energy use efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and the impact on the atmosphere,
materials and resources by buildings, as well as high-performance operation.
Revision Process
All ASHRAE standards are revised according to a consensus process developed and
maintained by ASHRAE and reviewed by the American National Standards Institute.
DOE's Participation
The U.S. Department of Energy is a member of the ASHRAE 189.1 Standing Standards
Project Committee (SSPC) and participates in updating and maintaining Standard 189.1;
helping SSPC 189.1 develop changes associated with increasing energy efficiency in new
commercial buildings by developing addenda, responding to public comments, and assessing
and voting on addenda to the standard.
Going Beyond Code
A Guide for Creating Effective Green Building Programs for Energy Efficient and
Sustainable Communities
The Going Beyond Code Guide is designed to help state and local governments design and
implement successful "beyond code" programs for new commercial and residential buildings.
The guide addresses keys to successful adoption and implementation and discusses the
primary areas typically included in beyond code or green building programs, including energy
efficiency, materials and resource conservation, water efficiency, indoor environmental
quality, and site development and land use. Detailed descriptions, analysis of actual programs,
lessons learned, and best practices are also discussed. States and localities can use the
information on local programs, model codes and standards, and the model energy efficiency
criteria for residential and commercial buildings to find the best approach for their jurisdiction
to develop and implement an effective beyond code program.

NBC: NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA 2016:

It is a comprehensive building code for regulating the building construction activities across
the country which was first published in 1970, later revised in 1983, 2005 and 2016.

The Code contains regulations which can be immediately adopted or enacted for use by
various departments, municipal administrations and public bodies. It lays down a set of
minimum provisions designed to protect the safety of the public with regard to structural
sufficiency, fire hazards and health aspects of buildings; so long as these basic requirements
are met, the choice of materials and methods of design and construction are left to the
ingenuity of the building professionals. The Code also covers aspects of administrative
provisions, development control rules and general building requirements; fire safety
requirements; stipulations regarding materials and structural design; rules for design of
electrical installations, lighting, air conditioning and heating, installation of lifts; provisions
for ventilation, acoustics and plumbing services, such as water supply, drainage, sanitation
and gas supply; measures to ensure safety of workers and public during construction; and
rules for erection of signs and outdoor display structures. The Code today also covers
provisions relating to structural use of glass; escalators and moving walks; information and
communications enabled installations; solid waste management; landscape planning and
design; and asset and facility management.

ECBC:
The Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), was launched by Ministry of Power,
Government of India in May 2007, as a first step towards promoting energy efficiency in the
building sector.
The ECBC was developed by an Expert Committee, set up by India‘s Bureau of Energy
Efficiency, with support and guidance from United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) and significant inputs from various other stakeholders such as
practicing architects, consultants, educational institutions and other government organizations.
 The successful implementation of the code requires development of compliance procedures
(compliance forms and development of field-test compliance forms and procedures), in
addition to building capacity of architects/designers/builders/contractors and government
official in States and Urban and Local Bodies (ULBs). It is also dependent on availability of
materials and equipment that meet or exceed performance specifications specified in ECBC.
BEE with the support of USAID ECO- III Project is promoting ECBC awareness and
voluntary adoption through training and capacity building programmes, pilot demonstration
projects, and identifying steps for compliance check and monitoring of ECBC. ECBC User
Guide was developed to support ECBC implementation by providing detailed guidance to the
users on how to comply with the Code. Four ECBC tip sheets on Energy Simulation, Building
Envelope, Lighting Design and HVAC are also available and provide useful information on
Code compliance at the system level and through Whole Building Performance approach that
require knowledge of energy simulation to model the proposed building.
The ECBC provides design norms for:
 Building envelope, including thermal performance requirements for walls, roofs, and
windows;
 Lighting system, including day lighting, and lamps and luminaire performance requirements;
 HVAC system, including energy performance of chillers and air distribution systems;
 Electrical system; and
 Water heating and pumping systems, including requirements for solar hot-water systems.

The code provides three options for compliance:

1. Compliance with the performance requirements for each subsystem and system;
2. Compliance with the performance requirements of each system, but with tradeoffs between
subsystems; and
3. Building-level performance compliance.
During the development of ECBC, analysis conducted through energy simulation indicated
that ECBC-compliant buildings may use 40 to 60% less energy than similar buildings being
designed and constructed at that time.

ASHRAE:
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers is an
American professional association seeking to advance heating, ventilation, air conditioning
and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems design and construction. ASHRAE has more than
57,000 members in more than 132 countries worldwide. Its members are composed
of building services engineers, architects, mechanical contractors, building owners, equipment
manufacturers' employees, and others concerned with the design and construction
of HVAC&R systems in buildings. The society funds research projects, offers continuing
education programs, and develops and publishes technical standards to improve building
services engineering, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainable development.

UPC: Uniform Plumbing Code

Designated as an American National Standard, the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) is a
model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical
Officials (IAPMO) to govern the installation and inspection of plumbing systems as a means
of promoting the public's health, safety and welfare.
The UPC is developed using the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) consensus
development procedures. This process brings together volunteers representing a variety of
viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on plumbing practices.
The UPC is designed to provide consumers with safe and sanitary plumbing systems while, at
the same time, allowing latitude for innovation and new technologies. The public at large is
encouraged and invited to participate in IAPMO‘s open consensus code development process.
This code is updated every three years.

*****