LEED FOR LAB DESIGN: OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLANNING FOR A LOWER ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

Michelle SmithGreen Building Coordinator

Ralph StuartEnvironmental Safety Manager

The University of Vermont

ACS ConferenceMarch 22, 2010

LEED FOR LAB DESIGN: OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLANNING FOR A LOWER FOOTPRINT

Agenda Labs 21 and their Environmental Performance Criteria Considerations in early planning efforts James M. Jeffords Hall as a case study – plant science

laboratory building Background

UVM’s building program of the 2000’s in contrast to the 1990’s

Student space (dorms and student center) Laboratory space (lots of renovations and 2 new buildings)

UVM of the 21st Century Stakeholder EHS Office of Sustainability Physical Plant Department Facilities Design and Construction

NRC GENERAL GUIDANCE, CIRCA 2000

Laboratory Design, Construction and Renovation: Participants, Process, And Product

LABS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

The Labs-21 program is co-sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE)

It’s a voluntary partnership program dedicated to improving the environmental performance of U.S. laboratories through technical education for the architectural and engineering community.

Developed in the late 1990’s when EPA was building its new lab building and wanted to build an environmentally friendly one.

“LEED FOR LABS”

LABS 21 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Labs 21 EPC: a rating system to assess the environmental performance of laboratory facility design.

Builds on the LEED® Green Building Rating System that was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

6 Basic Categories Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy & Atmosphere Materials & Resources Indoor Environmental Quality Innovation and Design Process

ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE: AN EXAMPLE

Prerequisite 4: Assess Minimum Ventilation RequirementsIntent

To determine minimum ventilation requirements in laboratories based on user needs, health/safety protection and energy consumption

PRE-REQUISITE 4: ASSESS MINIMUM VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS INTENT

Requirements The ventilation requirements shall be determined and documented by a team

including each of the following professionals: A/E Team, Laboratory Consultants*, User Representative, Owner Facilities Group, Owner Environmental Health & Safety, Commissioning Authority*, Construction Manager* (*If these have not been appointed, an individual who independently and conscientiously represents these interests.)

The team shall, at a minimum, do the following: Determine the necessary fresh air ventilation rate and number of fume hoods and

other exhaust devices based on applicable codes and the planned use of the laboratory over the next 5 years.

Consider exhaust alternatives such as instrument exhausts and ventilated storage cabinets with very low flow ventilation and good ergonomic accessibility.

Develop a workable fume hood sash management plan including: a) Informational placards for hoods; b) Awareness and Use Training. The Sash Management Plan should be incorporated in the Chemical Hygiene Plan for the laboratory.

The process and findings should be documented.

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Prerequisite 3: Laboratory Ventilation

Intent

Ensure that minimum requirements for IAQ and safety are met

Requirements

Prerequisite 3.0 Meet the minimum requirements of ANSI Z9.5 (latest version).

Technologies & Strategies Provide monitoring and control of fume hoods and

room pressure. Technologies include fume hood monitors and alarms, volume metering, and automated laboratory room pressure control.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR EARLY PLANNING

What chemicals will be used? How frequently?

Provide movable flammable materials cabinets instead of permanent

Ventilation/fume hood rate issues to consider when planning lab and space use Heat recovery Occupancy sensors/ Motion detectors CO2 sensors

Use of local materials: exterior as well as case-work

Site/Landscaping: Academic partnership opportunities?

JAMES M. JEFFORDS HALL

Early discussions re: “how low could the fume hood exchange go”

Presentations from fume hood manufacturers to project team, including facility managers

Final system integrated into comprehensive HVAC allows for greater energy savings

Heat recovery from labs via convection transfer to liquid glycol loop

Return-air system for administrative/classroom space

Building dashboard?

THE BOTTOM LINE: IS “A LAB” A LAB?

Key Design Process Strategies Plan Early Check in Often Follow Up Afterward

Key Design Process Challenges Stop and Go Planning Process Financial Structure and Timing Pressures Developing a Common Language among Stakeholders

The Future Operating Legacy Buildings in the 21st Century:

retrocommissioning Chemical Safety Levels: GHS for labs? Expect Increasing Engagement with a wider variety of

Stakeholders