LEED CoreConcepts&Strategies_3rd edition - Page 054

Extracted Content

The key to understanding whether a project is performing sustainably is information—the right information at the right time. Data should document a project’s on-going pursuit of sustainability goals. Project teams may be tempted to gather the data that are easy to collect and can be used as proof that the building is sustainable; the right data, in contrast, serve as honest, genuine feedback.

Orientation and training of the occupants and personnel must be repeated as new tenants move in, staff is hired, and lessons are learned. Education of building occupants encourages their full participation in sustainability opportunities. It helps stakeholders understand their role in optimizing performance and become vested in the green building goals. Education can take various forms, such as occupant luncheons, educational events, or interpretive signage. Tenant lease agreements, occupant handbooks, and staff training manuals will help newcomers benefit from a green project and contribute to its success. All members of the community should have easy access to information on how they can support sustainability and should be encouraged to participate and suggest improvements.

Just as with regular tune-ups and scheduled maintenance on an automobile, regular inspections and maintenance ensure that all building systems are performing well and continue to meet sustainability goals throughout the life of the project. Maintenance of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems is essential and needs to be included in regular operations budgets. Additional types of inspections to reveal problems or opportunities for improvement could include the following:

•• Retrocommissioning

•• Energy and water audits

•• Solid waste audits

•• Occupant surveys, including thermal comfort and transportation analysis

•• Green purchasing and green housekeeping program assessments

These strategies will be discussed in Section 4.

On-going measurement and verification are essential to identifying opportunities for improvement. Sophisticated building automation systems are available to continuously collect and trend data; the process can also be conducted manually. The crucial next step is data analysis: a knowledgeable team member should regularly review the data, look for trends, spikes, or unusual values that may identify areas needing attention or repairs. Such observations can also reveal avenues to new energy and cost savings. Postoccupancy surveys complement performance-based data collection by indicating whether the project meets occupants’ needs, is comfortable, and supports productivity.

The right information needs to flow to the right place. Whether that means measurement tools designed for daily use by maintenance staff, clear and accessible resource materials for occupants and residents, or collection and interpretation of building automation system outputs, the flow of information can be used as a feedback loop within the built environment to promote continuous improvements and support the commitment to sustainability.

Whether you are working on a small interior retrofit project or designing a whole new city, integrated sustainable design and operations processes support sustainability goals and innovation that lead to improvement.

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