Executive Summary | Program Implementation | Energy Simulation |
  [ PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ] StrategyIn the C-2000 program, the program developers tried to create a balance between structure and flexibility. Process and performance criteria were therefore explicitly defined where issues were well characterized, but only stated as general intent where the issue was still developmental. Technical support was made available to design teams, and the process as a whole was designed to allow the design team to integrate C-2000 requirements into the normal design task. The program manager made himself available to teams at short notice, so that the development process would not be delayed by bureaucratic decision-making processes. All of these measures improved the possibility that design teams would take ownership of the program and champion it to their financial backers, who are mainly interested in financial return. This philosophy resulted in design teams being able to define specific solutions that took account of factors specific to the region and site, the client's functional requirements and the preferences of the designers themselves. The last point is not a trivial one, for there are many ways of achieving high-performance solutions and if the program manager were to insist on his or her "best" solution (e.g. fibreglass window frames or direct/indirect lighting), there would have been a distinct danger of alienating the design teams. One method used to maximize the chance that the design team would select appropriate solutions was the provision of technical support to design teams in the form of free consulting services by subject experts. These consulting experts reported to the design team leader, and thus the control was retained by him or her. A final element in the program strategy was to require the design teams to prepare thorough documentation of the design process, simulations and decision points so that other developers and designers could follow the flow of logic and understand issues encountered during the design development process.   [ TOP ]      [ PROCESS REQUIREMENTS ] Program Requirements
The program requirements were divided into four major areas:   [ TOP ]      [ PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS ] Process RequirementsTeams were provided with five binders of background information and case studies to assist their work. In addition, each team was given a quota of consulting time from a group of 79 subject specialists in order to supplement the range of skills available within design teams. Reporting is of course a normal bureaucratic requirement, but in C-2000 the preparation of reports has been a critical component of the overall strategy. Design teams were required to submit reports at the end of the concept design phase and the design development phase, with some later updating. Each team was required to provide a report at the end of the concept design phase and another at the end of the design development phase. The reports were designed to provide information on team objectives and performance targets, as well as descriptions and discussions of design solutions at both building and system levels. Within the overall design reports, design teams were required to prepare separate written strategy statements for each performance area, including a description of approach and specific performance targets. The main reason for this requirement was that, although some technical requirements could be specified with exactitude (e.g. energy consumption or ventilation requirements), many others (e.g. environmental impact or adaptability) were not fully understood by the industry or by the program developers. In such cases, it was therefore very difficult to state specific program requirements. It was further reasoned that the process of developing the strategies would require the design team to have a series of focussed discussions during design development, and would therefore have a beneficial effect on the design. The strategy documents were prepared in draft form for the concept design phase report, then completed for the design development phase report.   [ TOP ]    Performance RequirementsSpecific performance requirements were developed for the issue areas listed below. More emphasis was placed on close adherence to the requirements of the first three sets of criteria than on the others, in which some project-specific deviation was permitted.
Energy Efficiency of the building and its
sub-systems;
C-2000 buildings are required to meet criteria for energy efficiency based on ASHRAE/IES 90.1-1989, "Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings Except Low Rise Residential Buildings" (Standard 90.1), but modified and reinforced to meet the more stringent requirements of the C-2000 program. The C-2000 targets for energy cost and energy use were established by simulating building energy performance for a variety of buildings in locations across Canada. The procedures defined in Standard 90.1 were followed, and energy cost and source energy consumption reductions of over 50% were achieved in these tests. It was decided to make computerized energy consumption simulations mandatory, and to specify use of DOE 2.1E as the standard simulation package. To further increase quality control and consistency, a third-party consultant was designated as a quality control agent for simulation work, and this firm also provided an advisory function to the design teams.
Key requirements related to Energy Efficiency include the following: Minimization of Environmental Impact The criteria for environmental impact are based on designing building systems to minimize the impact of building construction and operation on the external environment. The technical criteria include some prescriptive standards for environmental impact, but rely on the designers to develop effective strategies to provide the advanced solutions for environmental problems. The environmental impact criteria are divided into six areas: protection of the site ecosystem, ozone layer protection, water use and liquid waste, solid construction waste, solid wastes from building operations, and environmental effects of energy use. Basic requirements are established in each section as minimum standards for design, but guidelines are also provided for improved performance.
An environmental impact plan is required to define the design team strategies in each of
the four technical areas. The plan must address both initial design and building
management issues related to building operation and maintenance. Occupant Health and Comfort Requirements The building-related health, comfort and productivity of building occupants were defined in terms of the indoor environment, including indoor air quality, the visual environment, including both artificial and natural lighting, the acoustic environment and the degree of control that occupants have over these environmental parameters. The overall goal of the requirements in this Section is to ensure that 90% of building occupants are satisfied with their indoor environment. The achievement of this goal will be determined through post-occupancy surveys which will be carried out by CANMET during the three-year period after occupancy. The technical criteria for indoor environment are primarily prescriptive in nature except for the personal control requirement. Performance criteria are specified for specific contaminants. The philosophy behind the criteria set is first, to avoid generation of any contaminant or problem, second, to eliminate the contaminant or problem at the source and third, to dilute the contaminant to some acceptable level if the first two strategies do not achieve the desired result. It should be noted that the program developers were well aware that the personal control requirement might well fight against the goal of energy efficiency. Functional Performance Requirements The functional appropriateness of the building design or building system is of fundamental importance in any building, and because its underlying nature makes it seem obvious, a scrutiny of performance along this dimension is often overlooked. Although the program does not weigh this parameter or the subsequent ones as heavily as the first three, a consideration of functional performance does address some major issues. For example, design teams are pressed to examine the type and characteristics of systems selected relative to functional requirements. Specifically, are HVAC systems and equipment matched to load characteristics? If not, serious operating inefficiencies may occur, as the system operates under part-load conditions. Another issue of fundamental importance is whether the design of the building envelope is suited to its functions as a weather barrier and barrier against moisture and energy flows. More general examples include the suitability of spaces in terms of their location, dimensional and environmental attributes to their intended functions. The measure of functional appropriateness is the body of information contained in the Functional Program. Longevity Requirements The longevity of materials and systems has an obvious effect on environmental impact. Poor quality window frames, doors, exterior or interior finish materials will have to be replaced often, and this will result in solid waste disposal problems and the additional use of materials and energy. Requirements and guidelines for the longevity of various systems are specified and are used in the determination of life-cycle costs. Adaptability Requirements Although the flexibility and adaptability of spaces and systems in the building are difficult to define and to measure, they are of considerable importance in ensuring long-term performance. Buildings will be used for a relatively long life cycle and design must therefore anticipate that the building occupant needs will change during the life of the building. System design can accommodate changing needs by planning for changes in the base building design that will allow changes to occur without degrading the natural or indoor environment or energy performance. Requirements and guidelines for the adaptability of the building as a whole and for various systems are specified. Operations and Maintenance Requirements The goal of the operation and maintenance criteria is to ensure that the operation and maintenance issues are addressed in the building design so that energy efficiency, comfort and productivity and other vital areas of performance are maintained to a high level over the life of the building. It is a well-documented fact that poor operations and maintenance practices can cause initially high levels of performance to decline markedly, with resulting inefficiencies, occupant distress and physical deterioration of the building as a whole. Operation and maintenance standards of performance are part of the building design and must be integrated with building design from the early concept design phase.
Operations and maintenance performance
requirements include the following: Economic Viability The goal of the economic viability criteria is to ensure that the selection of C-2000 measures is subjected to a rigorous economic evaluation. The developer of the project will, in any case, make a careful estimate of capital costs, but the life-cycle costing called for in this section will ensure that all parties become aware of the net combined effects of high-performance systems, lower operating costs and longer-lasting and more adaptable systems.
The economic evaluation involves the definition of a point of reference for the base
building, the calculation of operating cost savings and capital cost increments, and the
selection of factors for life cycle of measure and escalating factors for the cost of
money and operating costs. The techniques used for economic evaluation shall be based on
life cycle costing principles. The evaluation will be used to help identify which C 2000
measure options are optimal for the building design. Building Design Requirements Requirements and guidelines relating to the general design and provision of
facilities in office buildings and multi-unit residential buildings are
outlined. Building System Requirements The following specific systems are covered in this section. Each sub-section contains system-specific requirements and guidelines that will help to achieve the overall performance goals. We have not followed existing trades-oriented taxonomies, because of the need to emphasize an inter-disciplinary systems approach. Our system categories and requirements include: Site & Landscaping
Use of plant material native to the area and with low
water requirements is required; Building Structure Radon tests are specified for concrete in areas where this is relevant. Building Envelope & Air Barrier
Requirements are presented for design
documentation; Fenestration, Doors & Openings
The thermal performance characteristics of
fenestration systems selected will be
part of the energy simulations carried out; Non-Structural Architectural Systems
Several criteria for selection of materials are
presented; Plumbing (Excluding water heating)
Flow-restrictive fixtures are to be used; Vertical Transport Automatic elevator systems are to use schedule controls and efficient motorcontrols. Thermal Storage
The feasibility of using thermal storage systems is
to be investigated; Thermal Generation
Restrictions and criteria for the use of materials
are stated; Solar Energy Systems The use of substances having and Ozone Depletion Potential in excess of 0.05 is not permitted. Thermal Recovery / Thermal Transfer
Restrictions and criteria for the use of materials
are stated; Ventilation Systems
ASHRAE 62-89 is used as the basis for office building
ventilation requirements and CSA F326 for multi-unit residential buildings; HVAC Delivery Systems
Air distribution design is to specify intended air
flow patterns; Power (Excluding lighting)
No electrical equipment is to contain PCBs; Lighting Systems
Daylighting is to be used to the maximum extent
possible; Cabling and Building Automation Systems
HVAC zones size limits in office and residential
buildings are defined; Office Equipment The Buildings O & M Plan is to consider methods of inducing tenants to procure efficient equipment. Residential Appliances Minimum efficiencies for residential appliances are stated.
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editor Nils Larsson larsson@greenbuilding.ca
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