Requirements of the Leed certificate for ventilation systems
superadmin
December 19, 2016
In the following article, we will present the requirements of GBCe (Green Building Council Spain) to grant the LEED certification (Leader in Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design), an evaluation system and international standard developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
USGBC and the origins of the LEED certificate
The USGBC (U.S Green Building Council) was created in 1992, at a time when ecological construction was beginning to be promoted and encouraged. Its goal is to transform the design and construction process of buildings in such a way that healthy and favorable environments are created that improve the quality of life of the people who inhabit them.Shortly after its creation, USGBC began developing LEED, a classification system for ecological buildings, in order to qualify and certify the sustainability of buildings in the United States. Thanks to this system, professionals were able to identify the characteristics that determine whether a building is “ecological” or not. Subsequently, LEED was expanded to include systems that allowed for classification of the complete life cycle of the building's construction. Currently, it offers classification systems for a wide variety of buildings, such as offices, educational centers, or homes, among others.
LEED, a commitment to ecological construction
The process of ecological construction includes the entire life cycle of a project, from the initial idea of the project until it reaches the end of its useful life and the elements that compose it are recycled or reused. Thus, the term ecological building encompasses planning, design, construction, rehabilitation actions, and finally, the recycling or renewal of its elements. We will talk about ecological construction when it seeks solutions that represent a dynamic and healthy balance between environmental, social, and economic benefits.How LEED addresses indoor air quality
The best way to get rid of pollutants indoors is to eliminate or control their source of emission. If we still have to deal with such pollutants, adequate ventilation will be the best ally to eliminate them. Both approaches must be present in each phase of the building's life cycle.The strategies that should be followed to improve indoor air quality are detailed below:
- Prohibit smoking inside the building, near entrances, operable windows, and air intakes.
- Protect the air entering the building by placing air intakes away from possible sources of escape (tobacco smoke or car exhaust).
- Use ecological materials, both in construction and in rehabilitation interventions.
- Develop and follow an indoor air quality management plan for construction that prevents the accumulation of dust and particles, and includes protection against moisture.
- Conduct tests to locate the presence of pollutants. If such substances are detected, include a ventilation system that addresses those emissions.
- Design the project considering adequate ventilation based on occupancy and the activity carried out in each of the spaces. The ventilation system (natural or mechanical) must be able to provide the necessary air exchanges.
- Use air filters with a high MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value), a measurement scale that measures the effectiveness of air filters. (The higher the MERV rating, the greater the number of particles captured by the filter).
- Before occupancy, conduct a flush-out procedure (vacating stale air and replacing it with fresh outside air) that eliminates contaminants in the air.
- Install grilles at entrances or washable mats to remove contaminants adhered to footwear.
Siber Ventilation
Related posts
Constant flow ventilation systems, how do they work?
