Dr. Tom Lawrence on the ASHRAE Standard 189 and the Future of LEED
Dr. Tom Lawrence, Ph.D, PE, LEED AP and Public Service Associate, Driftmier Engineering Center at the University of Georgia, gave an excellent presentation March 23, 2009 in New York City on the the current status and direction of the new ASHRAE (American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) Standard 189.1, which is planned to be the benchmark for high performance buildings commercial buildings (NOT single family homes) as well as the LEED rating system.
Dr. Lawrence has over 30 years of professional experience, and is currently the chair of the ASHRAE Technical Committee 2.8: Building Environmental Impact and Sustainability. He is also part of the committee that is writing the new ASHRAE Standard 189.1
Dr. Lawrence began by emphasizing that ASHRAE Standard 189.1 is a standard; it is NOT LEED. This means that once adapted, it will NOT be voluntary; there will be specific areas that must be properly addressed either by prescriptive or performance compliance. The LEED rating system, while containing many pre-requisites for gaining certification is a voluntary choice for a building. ASHRAE Standard 189.1, which will specifically address high performance buildings will have to followed to its specified levels of either prescribed or performance requirements.
In effect, ASHRAE 189.1 will act like a code rather than a guideline. It is NOT intended to replace the other ASHRAE Standards, such as 90.1, 62.1, or 55.1, but rather to draw from them, then adapt and apply a higher specific level of performance to be expected for a building to be classified as a high performance building.
Three distinct agencies have been working on the development of Standard 189.1 since early 2006, and it is now entering its third review. These include ASHRAE, USGBC (U S Green Building Council) and IESNA (Illuminating Engineers Society of North America). A new revised draft should be available on the ASHRAE Web site sometime during May of this year.
As mentioned above, the new ASHRAE 189.1 will draw from three present ASHRAE Standards -- 90.1 (Energy Efficiency) 62.1 (Ventilation) and 55.1 (Thermal Comfort) Standard 90.1 will be adapted with modifications, 62.1 will be incorporated with minor modifications, while 55.1 will be adapted as is into the new Standard 189.1.
Standard 189.1 will NOT replace the existing ASHRAE 90.1, 62.1 or 55.1; these Standards will remain in place. Standard 189.1 will be an additional Standard that will apply to high-performance buildings, and raise the minimum performance benchmark for them.
There will be 11 sections to this new standard, with sections 5 through 9 being very similar to that of LEED. This means that items such as water efficiency -- both interior and exterior, sustainable site development will now be part of an ASHRAE Standard. The aim is to create a balance between energy efficiency and ventilation. Also part of the effort here is to guide sensible development that has the least impact possible on the environment. (The main idea of the LEED Sustainable Sites Section) This standard will apply to both new construction and major renovations, with minimum standards that must be met in order to comply. Dr. Lawrence emphasized that Standard 189.1 is NOT intended to compete with existing green building rating systems.
Like existing ASHRAE Standards, the process is intended to be as easy to comply with as possible, once the minimum construction performance standards are met. Both prescriptive and performance methods of compliance will be offered.
Chapter 5 will resemble LEED Sustainable Sites, and prohibits development on endangered land, as well as unmitigated sprawl. It will limit impervious surfaces to no more than 60 percent in an effort to control storm water management. Heat Island Effect will also be addressed, and will now include 20 feet of walls to be shaded above grade level.
Chapter 6 will deal with water efficiency, and be similar in nature to that of LEED, EPA and Energy Star Standards. bio-diverse plantings and minimization of lawn areas and irrigation are strongly emphasized here. Examples for irrigation include soil moisture sensors so that irrigation is only provided when needed -- not on a timer-based system. Even HVAC systems will be addressed here, as once through water cooling systems will be prohibited, cooling tower make-up and blow-down will need to be metered. Condensate collection from all air conditioning systems above the 19 KW (65,000 BTU) level will be required. This condensate will be used for cooling towers, rather than using potable water. For the water section, a performance basis of compliance will be available by applying site-use analysis.
Chapter 7 deals with energy, and proposes a 30 percent reduction from levels allowed under the current Standard 90.1. The Appendix G from 90.1 will now be incorporated as a normative appendix. Metering verification will be required, as will be peak load reduction. Other areas are also being planned to have greater stringent requirements over that of 90.1.
The goal is continue to increase stringency through the year 2030, so that Standard 189.1 will reach the point of Net Zero Energy use for the building in compliance with it. ASHRAE has set into place a series of steps to see this through. They will include:
MANDATORY PART:
Section 9 will address the same LEED application of Life Cycle Assessment -- the performance of the building over its life expectancy.
Section 10 will address the requirement of FULL commissioning of ALL building systems -- HVAC, Envelope, Lighting, Plumbing, Electrical, Water and Renewable Energy in buildings over 5000 SF in size. Additional monitoring of equipment as well as measurement and verification will also be required. Indoor Air Quality Testing will also be addressed.
As we can see, this new Standard 189.1 will be a quantum leap towards a far more sustainable building practice, and has great promise to make for a far more efficient use of existing energy sources, greatly expand renewable energy use, and lower our carbon foot print. At the same time, it will contribute to a better social experience for all. Standard 189.1 makes strides towards energy independence and greater economic stability from this effort.
Dr. Lawrence has over 30 years of professional experience, and is currently the chair of the ASHRAE Technical Committee 2.8: Building Environmental Impact and Sustainability. He is also part of the committee that is writing the new ASHRAE Standard 189.1
Dr. Lawrence began by emphasizing that ASHRAE Standard 189.1 is a standard; it is NOT LEED. This means that once adapted, it will NOT be voluntary; there will be specific areas that must be properly addressed either by prescriptive or performance compliance. The LEED rating system, while containing many pre-requisites for gaining certification is a voluntary choice for a building. ASHRAE Standard 189.1, which will specifically address high performance buildings will have to followed to its specified levels of either prescribed or performance requirements.
In effect, ASHRAE 189.1 will act like a code rather than a guideline. It is NOT intended to replace the other ASHRAE Standards, such as 90.1, 62.1, or 55.1, but rather to draw from them, then adapt and apply a higher specific level of performance to be expected for a building to be classified as a high performance building.
Three distinct agencies have been working on the development of Standard 189.1 since early 2006, and it is now entering its third review. These include ASHRAE, USGBC (U S Green Building Council) and IESNA (Illuminating Engineers Society of North America). A new revised draft should be available on the ASHRAE Web site sometime during May of this year.
As mentioned above, the new ASHRAE 189.1 will draw from three present ASHRAE Standards -- 90.1 (Energy Efficiency) 62.1 (Ventilation) and 55.1 (Thermal Comfort) Standard 90.1 will be adapted with modifications, 62.1 will be incorporated with minor modifications, while 55.1 will be adapted as is into the new Standard 189.1.
Standard 189.1 will NOT replace the existing ASHRAE 90.1, 62.1 or 55.1; these Standards will remain in place. Standard 189.1 will be an additional Standard that will apply to high-performance buildings, and raise the minimum performance benchmark for them.
There will be 11 sections to this new standard, with sections 5 through 9 being very similar to that of LEED. This means that items such as water efficiency -- both interior and exterior, sustainable site development will now be part of an ASHRAE Standard. The aim is to create a balance between energy efficiency and ventilation. Also part of the effort here is to guide sensible development that has the least impact possible on the environment. (The main idea of the LEED Sustainable Sites Section) This standard will apply to both new construction and major renovations, with minimum standards that must be met in order to comply. Dr. Lawrence emphasized that Standard 189.1 is NOT intended to compete with existing green building rating systems.
Like existing ASHRAE Standards, the process is intended to be as easy to comply with as possible, once the minimum construction performance standards are met. Both prescriptive and performance methods of compliance will be offered.
Chapter 5 will resemble LEED Sustainable Sites, and prohibits development on endangered land, as well as unmitigated sprawl. It will limit impervious surfaces to no more than 60 percent in an effort to control storm water management. Heat Island Effect will also be addressed, and will now include 20 feet of walls to be shaded above grade level.
Chapter 6 will deal with water efficiency, and be similar in nature to that of LEED, EPA and Energy Star Standards. bio-diverse plantings and minimization of lawn areas and irrigation are strongly emphasized here. Examples for irrigation include soil moisture sensors so that irrigation is only provided when needed -- not on a timer-based system. Even HVAC systems will be addressed here, as once through water cooling systems will be prohibited, cooling tower make-up and blow-down will need to be metered. Condensate collection from all air conditioning systems above the 19 KW (65,000 BTU) level will be required. This condensate will be used for cooling towers, rather than using potable water. For the water section, a performance basis of compliance will be available by applying site-use analysis.
Chapter 7 deals with energy, and proposes a 30 percent reduction from levels allowed under the current Standard 90.1. The Appendix G from 90.1 will now be incorporated as a normative appendix. Metering verification will be required, as will be peak load reduction. Other areas are also being planned to have greater stringent requirements over that of 90.1.
The goal is continue to increase stringency through the year 2030, so that Standard 189.1 will reach the point of Net Zero Energy use for the building in compliance with it. ASHRAE has set into place a series of steps to see this through. They will include:
MANDATORY PART:
- Mandatory on-site renewable power, or at least renewable ready.
- Remote sensors or automatic controls for water, energy and ventilation - hence metering for key systems.
- Communication with central recording system.
- System level versus individual metering.
- Renewable Energy will need to reach "X" BTU/SF per year. (Except in low incident solar locations, or where green power is purchased to meet the "X" BTU requirement)
- Building envelope -- insulation, walls, windows, etc. will need to exceed Standard 90.1 by 30 percent.
- No more than 40 percent of the area can consist of fenestration.
- Require the use of shade overhangs in hot climates, and in ALL south-facing exposures.
- Expanded air economizers will be mandated in more cases.
- Minimum efficiency levels for equipment will be imposed, as will be peak load reduction and chiller level performance.
- Motorized dampers will now be required.
- Demand controls for occupancy will now be required.
- Ducts will have to sealed to meet the "A" Level at ALL locations.
- Expanded energy recovery requirements.
- There will now be minimum duct insulation requirements.
- Building Operation Simulation Model. There will be a need to demonstrate both energy and CO2 reduction comparable to the Prescriptive Path.
Section 9 will address the same LEED application of Life Cycle Assessment -- the performance of the building over its life expectancy.
Section 10 will address the requirement of FULL commissioning of ALL building systems -- HVAC, Envelope, Lighting, Plumbing, Electrical, Water and Renewable Energy in buildings over 5000 SF in size. Additional monitoring of equipment as well as measurement and verification will also be required. Indoor Air Quality Testing will also be addressed.
As we can see, this new Standard 189.1 will be a quantum leap towards a far more sustainable building practice, and has great promise to make for a far more efficient use of existing energy sources, greatly expand renewable energy use, and lower our carbon foot print. At the same time, it will contribute to a better social experience for all. Standard 189.1 makes strides towards energy independence and greater economic stability from this effort.
Posted by Alan L. Englander at 3/26/2009 9:03 PM 
Categories: Thermal Comfort, Building Codes, LEED Rating System, Energy Efficiency, Ventilation, ASHRAE Standard 189, Relation to Other ASHRAE Standards, High Performace Buildings
Categories: Thermal Comfort, Building Codes, LEED Rating System, Energy Efficiency, Ventilation, ASHRAE Standard 189, Relation to Other ASHRAE Standards, High Performace Buildings
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