Philippine Green Building Code Module 1 PDF

BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN THE PHILLIPPINE GREEN BUILDING CODE BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Contents: Chapter I. GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. Title Section 2. Policy Section 3. Objectives Section 4. Principles Section 5. Definition of Terms Section 6. Green B...

BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN THE PHILLIPPINE GREEN BUILDING CODE BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Contents: Chapter I. GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. Title Section 2. Policy Section 3. Objectives Section 4. Principles Section 5. Definition of Terms Section 6. Green Building Concept Section 7. Approach Section 8. Building Use / Occupancy Coverage and Application Chapter II. GREEN BUILDING REQUIREMENTS Section 9. Performance Standards BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Contents: BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Contents: Chapter III. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS Section 16. Office of the National Building Official Section 17. Technical Staff Section 18. Professional and Technical Assistance Chapter IV. CERTIFICATION PROCESS Section 19. Green Building Permit Process Chapter V. FINAL PROVISIONS Section 21. Separability Clause Section 22. Effectivity Section 23. Transitory Provision BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Background BUILDING DEMAND There is a strong demand for buildings in the Philippines as shown by a positive property development and business and construction outlook. The construction industry rides on a 9.53% GDP (at current prices) annual average growth from 1998 to 2014. There is a perception of investor confidence as the construction and manufacturing sectors account for a significant contribution to the increase in GDP. Data from the National Statistics Office show the significant contribution of Renting, Retails and Business activities to economic activity. Annual average inflation rate is below Philippine Statistics Authority estimates of 5%. Due to these favorable economic conditions, the building industry is expected to continue to grow in succeeding years, and support for infrastructure is needed to sustain this economic growth. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Background ENERGY USE AND CLIMATE CHANGE Buildings account for 36% of national energy consumption. Energy demand is directly proportional to building demand. The growth of buildings puts a stress on the country’s energy supply. In addition, though the Philippines is a low emitter of Greenhouse Gases (GHG), building developments in the future are expected to increase the level of GHG emissions as demand for electricity shoots up. About 0.53 tons of CO2 equivalent (Manila grid) is emitted to generate one kilowatt of electricity BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Background ENERGY USE AND CLIMATE CHANGE Energy Consumption by Sector, DOE 2010 data BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN General Provisions THE PHILIPPINE GREEN BUILDING CODE also referred to as the “GB Code,” was launched in June 2015 through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) — a referral code of the National Building Code of the Philippines (P.D. 1096) It seeks to improve building performance efficiency by adopting measures that promote resource management efficiency and site sustainability. It also aims to set standards for the use of resources, site selection, planning, design, construction, occupancy, and maintenance, which will minimize the negative impact on human health and the environment By implementing the GB Code, greenhouse gas emissions and energy and water consumption can be reduced by at least 20%, while the DPWH commitment is to achieve a 70% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN General Provisions OBJECTIVES 1.Improve efficiency of building performance through set of standards 2.Counter harmful gases responsible for effects of climate change 3.Efficient use of resources, site, design, construction, maintenance...without significant increase in cost BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN General Provisions PRINCIPLES BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN General Provisions PRINCIPLES BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN General Provisions The green building measures were selected based on the following criteria 1) Feasibility-Is this measure/technology well understood and commonly available in the country? 2) Impact-Does this measure provide sufficient financial, social or environmental benefit? 3) Affordability-How much does it cost to include this measure? How soon does it pay back the investment? BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN General Provisions Green building is the practice of adopting measures that promote resource management efficiency and site sustainability while minimizing the negative impact of buildings on human health and the environment. This practice complements the conventional building design concerns of economy, durability, serviceability and comfort. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Green Building Requirements The GB Code aims to boost building efficiency by establishing standards for environmental and resource management. It addresses the adverse effects of climate change by promoting responsible practices throughout the building's life cycle, from resource use to construction, use, and maintenance, all without a significant cost increase. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Green Building Requirements BUILDING OCCUPANCY The provisions of the GB Code shall apply to all new construction and/or with alteration of buildings on selected occupancy classification with the required minimum Total Gross Floor Areas (TGFA) The GB Code does not apply to existing buildings of the specified use or occupancy classification constructed before the code's effective date (June 2015). However, when alterations, additions, conversions, and renovations are planned for existing buildings constructed after the GB Code's effective date and reaching the Total Gross Floor Area (TGFA) threshold (shown in the image), the entire building shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the GB Code. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Green Building Requirements NATURAL VENTILATION Operable windows or balcony door shall be provided in regularly occupied areas The size of the opening shall be equal to at least ten percent (10%) of the floor area of regularly occupied spaces. All operable windows shall be provided with safety features for protection against strong winds, water penetration and protection for building occupants including child safety and security. This measure will give building occupants the flexibility and opportunity to use natural ventilation for free cooling and fresh air in regularly occupied spaces. All operable windows shall be provided with safety features for protection against strong winds and water penetration and protection for building occupants, including child safety and security. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Green Building Requirements RAINWATER HARVESTING Rainwater is one of the purest sources of water available. Rainwater from roofs and hardscape must be collected and reused for non-potable purposes. Minimum storage tanks size (in cu.m) shall be calculated by dividing the building footprint area by 75. Collected water shall be used for non- potable purposes such as toilet flushing, irrigation and cooling towers. Rainwater harvesting helps conserve water resources, reduces dependency on traditional water sources, and contributes to environmental sustainability by mitigating stormwater runoff. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Green Building Requirements SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT MRF shall be provided for the collection and segregation of solid waste materials This applies to all building occupancies stated below: Condominium Hotel/Resort School Hospital Office Mall The Material Recovery Facility (MRF) shall be fully enclosed and easily accessible from within the building and from the outside for easy collection of waste. Solid waste containers shall be provided for at least four (4) types of waste: 1) Compostable (i.e., biodegradable); 2) Non-recyclable (i.e., to be disposed in the landfill); 3) Recyclable (paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, and wood, among others); and 4) Special waste. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Green Building Requirements OPEN SPACE UTILIZATION The inclusion of green areas or landscaped areas for indigenous or adaptable species of grass, shrubs and trees will help in providing more permeable surface for the building development’s open space and thus allow the re- charging of natural ground water reservoir, control storm water surface run-off, cool the building surroundings, and provide indoor to outdoor connectivity for the building occupants A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the required Unpaved Surface Area (USA), as required in Rule VII and VIII of the NBC, shall be vegetated with indigenous and adaptable species The inclusion of green areas or landscaped areas for indigenous or adaptable species of grass, shrubs, and trees will help provide a more permeable surface for the building development’s open space. This allows the re-charging of a natural groundwater reservoir, controls stormwater surface run-off, cools the building surroundings, and provides indoor to outdoor connectivity for the building occupants. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Performance Standards BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency The building sector accounts for 36% of the national energy consumption (2010). About 50% to 70% of building energy is used for mechanical systems such as air- conditioning and ventilation systems. The GB Code requires the adoption of efficient practices, designs, methods, and technology that can reduce energy consumption resulting in cost savings, reduced energy consumption, and reduced GHG emissions. The GB Code requires the adoption of efficient practices, designs, methods, and technology that can reduce energy consumption resulting in cost savings, reduced energy consumption, and reduced GHG emissions. Energy efficient practices and technology can contribute to achieving green building objectives. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Building envelope physically separates the indoor and outdoor environments. It encompasses the entire exterior surface of a building, including walls, roof, doors, and windows, which enclose, or envelope, the interior spaces. It is composed of layers of building materials that protect interior spaces from changes in outdoor weather and climate conditions. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Building Envelope interface with exterior and interior environments. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Air Tightness and Moisture Protection As the country’s humidity levels are high, the unwanted air infiltration and moisture ingress into indoor spaces can put additional load on the air-conditioning system and cause detrimental impact on air quality. Buildings must be planned, designed, and constructed with enough detail and quality to ensure maximum air tightness. Vapor barrier- a material that has a permeance of one perm or less, can also be installed. -It prevents the entry of moisture through the walls and provides resistance to the transmission of water vapor from the outside to the inside of the building, which can burden the air-conditioning system operations Vulnerable points for air and water-tight sealing (red line) BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Air Tightness and Moisture Protection Window frame fully sealed with gasket and weather stripping all around. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Air Tightness and Moisture Protection Sealed wall, roofing, ceiling, and floor: tightly sealed with continuous water barrier or retarder, joint flashing, capping, sealants, and fillers. a. Wall – sealed with the application of vapor/moisture barrier b. Roof – sealed with complete ridge roll, flashing, valley and joint terminations c. Ceiling – joints and openings sealed with tape d. Floor – floor surfaces, joints and terminations sealed with the application of water barrier, joint fillers, or air tightness tape. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Air Tightness and Moisture Protection Walls -act as moisture barrier Application of moisture barrier on Concrete wall in paint finish with exterior wall moisture barrier properties BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Air Tightness and Moisture Protection The roof shields a structure from harsh elements from sunshine to rain, so it is important to seal off and reinforce it BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Air Tightness and Moisture Protection When it comes to moisture seepage, it is also important for floors to be treated and reinforced. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Glass Properties Window-to-wall ratio (WWR) shall be balanced with solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of the glass to maintain flexibility in design. To describe, the higher the designed building WWR, the lower the required SHGC of glass windows shall be, and vise-versa. The building owner has the option to apply windows with low SHGC for a building with low WWR. SHGC and VLT for different WWR BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Glass Properties Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is used to determine the amount of solar heat admitted through the glass divided by the total solar radiation incident on the glass. Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) is used to determine the amount of light transmitted through the glass. Window-to-wall ratio (WWR) is the ratio of vertical fenestration area to gross exterior or wall area. The fenestration area is the rough opening, i.e., it includes the frame, sash, and other non-glazed window components. The gross exterior wall is measured horizontally from the exterior surface; it is measured vertically from the ground floor to the bottom of the roof. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Glass Properties Window-to-wall ratio (WWR) is the ratio of vertical fenestration area to gross exterior or wall area. The fenestration area is the rough opening, i.e., it includes the frame, sash, and other non-glazed window components. The gross exterior wall is measured horizontally from the exterior surface; it is measured vertically from the ground floor to the bottom of the roof. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Glass Properties SHGC limits can be adjusted by multiplying it with the correction factors summarized in the following tables, using the formula: SHGCadj = f x SHGC where: SHGCadj -is adjusted solar heat gain coefficient limit for windows with external shading SHGC - is the solar heat gain coefficient of the glass f is the SHGC correction factor for the external shading f= Overhang Depth (D)/Height from window sill to bottom of overhang (H) BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Glass Properties Lower heat levels indoors are highly dependent on the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient and Visible Light Transmittance Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Glass Properties Application of overhangs or sun breakers – can also be done to comply with the required SHGC. Using sun breakers such as horizontal louvers or baffles (multiple horizontal shading devices). BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Natural Ventilation The flow of air into, around, and out of indoor areas is important to ensure a healthy living space for occupants. Natural ventilation in a building. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Natural Ventilation The flow of air into, around, and out of indoor areas is important to ensure a healthy living space for occupants. Different types of windows with the allowed average amount of air into the building BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Natural Ventilation For each frequently occupied room space, compute for the floor area. The 10% of this floor area should be the minimum required operable window area for the room space. Compare this value with the designed operable window area. Designed operable window area should be equal to or more than 10% of the GB Code minimum requirement. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Natural Ventilation Well-planned placement of windows and doors can maximize the natural flow of air and sunlight BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Natural Ventilation BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Building Envelope Color Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) Values of Basic Color Coatings Metal roof surfaces shall either be colored white or have a minimum SRI of 70. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Building Envelope Color When it comes to absorbing heat, colors matter. Lighter colors are better for buildings to remain cooler. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Building Envelope Color BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Roof Insulation Buildings shall be provided with roof insulation so that the average thermal resistance value (R-Value) of the roof is at least R-8. Insulation can help reduce heat gain in a building through the building envelope. This improves thermal comfort and acoustic quality, and reduces the load on the air conditioning system BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Roof Insulation BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Roof Insulation BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency BUILDING ENVELOPE Roof Insulation BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Electrical system is a facility composed of one or more pieces of equipment connected to or part of a structure and designed to provide electrical power for lighting, mechanical, heating, water and sewage systems Daylight Provision Window opening area of at least 10% of the room space floor area as per national Building code of the Philippines. all regularly occupied spaces inside the building shall have a view of any combination of the following features that can allow daylight into the room space BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Daylight Provision BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Daylight Provision Daylighting is the admission of natural light from the sun, inside the building, thru fenestration like skylights and windows. It reduces the need for electric lighting power and therefore, saves energy. Daylight gives better color balance and aesthetic quality to the interior of the building. Daylighting also improves indoor environmental quality. Interior spaces without direct access to the outside (through perimeter windows) can use other architectural strategies such as low partitions, glass partitions, atriums, clerestorey, skylights or even “solar tube” devices in order to bring in daylight BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Daylight Controlled Lighting System Installed lighting fixtures within the day-lit zones are exempt from using photoelectric sensor if this hinders its intended functions, with justification for exemption to be submitted with the building permit application. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Daylight Controlled Lighting System BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Daylight Controlled Lighting System BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Occupancy Sensors In order to limit the use of electricity in the unoccupied areas of buildings, occupancy sensors linked to lighting (except for emergency and security lighting) shall be installed in areas with variable occupancy such as corridors, private offices, storage rooms, common toilets, meeting rooms, stairways, other similar areas. For covered car parks: minimum of 60% of the lighting must be controlled by the occupancy sensors Occupancy sensors are switching devices that respond to the presence and absence of people in the sensor’s field of view and enable lights to switch on or off accordingly. The system consists of a motion detector, an electronic control unit, and a controllable switch (relay) BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Elevators and Escalators/Moving Ramps and walkways Escalators/Moving Ramps/Walkways shall be fitted with automated controls to reduce to a slower speed when no activity has been detected for a maximum period of one and a half (1-1/2) minutes and duration may be adjusted depending on the demand The escalator/moving ramp/walkway shall automatically be put on standby mode when no activity has been detected for a maximum period of 5 minutes and duration may be adjusted depending on the demand These escalators/moving ramps/walkways shall be designed with energy efficient soft start technology. Activation of reduced speed, power off and power on modes shall be done through sensors installed in the top or bottom landing areas. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Elevators and Escalators/Moving Ramps and walkways Elevators shall be provided with controls to reduce the energy demand. Use of Alternating Current (AC) Variable Voltage and Variable Frequency (VVVF) drives on non-hydraulic elevators Use of energy efficient lighting and display lighting in the elevator car shall have an average lamp efficacy, across all fittings in the car, of more than 55 lumens/watt Lighting shall switch off after the elevator has been inactive for a maximum period of 5 minutes The elevators shall operate in a stand-by condition during off-peak periods. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Energy Efficiency ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Elevators and Escalators/Moving Ramps and walkways Escalators/Moving Ramp/Walkway must be fitted with controls to automatically reduce speed or stop when no traffic is detected. Elevators must be fitted with mechanisms that reduce energy demand. Lifts and elevators, moving ramps and walkways are systems that give comfort to people travelling in vertical mobility in the building. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Water Efficiency WATER FIXTURES Water efficiency reduces water costs and ensures sustainable freshwater and potable water supply for building owners and occupants. Th is can be done by minimizing the amount of potable water used in domestic and commercial buildings, encouraging the recycling and reuse of water when possible, and capturing rain water. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Water Efficiency WATER FIXTURES Efficient water fixtures include faucets, showerheads, and water closets that use less water to clean as effectively as standard models. Use of efficient plumbing fixtures, sensors, auto control valves, aerators, flow control and pressure-reducing devices, wherever possible, can result in significant reduction in water consumption. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Water Efficiency WATER FIXTURES Water Fixtures Efficient water fixtures include faucets, showerheads, and water closets that use less water to clean as effectively as standard models. Use of efficient plumbing fixtures, sensors, auto control valves, aerators, flow control and pressure-reducing devices, wherever possible, can result in significant reduction in water consumption. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Water Efficiency RAINWATER HARVESTING Minimum storage tanks size (in cu.m) shall be calculated by dividing the building footprint area (square meters) by 75. 11.2.1.2. Collected water shall be used for non-potable purposes such as toilet flushing, irrigation, and cooling towers. Rainwater harvesting has been used throughout history as a water conservation measure, particularly in regions where other water resources are scarce or difficult to access. It is one of the purest sources of water available. Rainwater from roofs and hardscape must be collected and reused for non-potable purposes. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Water Efficiency RAINWATER HARVESTING BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Water Efficiency WATER RECYCLING The recycled water produced on site shall be reused for non-potable purposes such as toilet flushing, irrigation and cooling towers, through a distinct and separate piping system from the potable water supply system BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Material Sustainability Material sustainability refers to all matters related to resource efficiency in material selection and use with the least impact on the environment. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Material Sustainability NON-TOXIC MATERIALS Building shall comply with the minimum standards, documents & certifications. Paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants used indoors or non-ventilated areas shall not contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) or should be within levels tolerable to humans as specified in the table of VOC limits. Composite wood shall not have urea formaldehyde content. All other materials containing chemicals used in construction shall not compromise the health and safety of the workers and occupants of the building. Specifications shall comply with the allowable VOC limits, as stated in Table 23 below with material safety data sheet (MSDS) from manufacturer Non-toxic building materials, or materials should not use chemicals that may cause sick building syndrome (SBS) and eventually lead to building related illness (BRI). BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Material Sustainability NON-TOXIC MATERIALS BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Solid Waste Management Efficient waste management requires the adoption of efficient waste management practices. This supports the principles of RA 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act, which aims, among others, to: a) Ensure the protection of the public health and environment; b) Utilize environmentally-sound methods that maximize the utilization of valuable resources and encourage resource conservation and recovery; c) Set guidelines and targets for solid waste avoidance and volume reduction through source reduction and waste minimization measures, including composting, recycling, re-use, recovery, green charcoal process, and others, before collection, treatment and disposal in appropriate and environmentally- sound solid waste management facilities in accordance with ecologically sustainable development principles; d) Ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the formulation and adoption of the best environmental practice in ecological waste management, excluding incineration. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Solid Waste Management This code requirement will help support national compliance to various environment-related laws, such as Republic Act No. 9003, the Solid Waste Management Act, an act which requires, among others, segregation of solid waste; Republic Act No. 8749, the Clean Air Act, and Republic Act No. 9729 or the Climate Change Act, which espouses sustainable development, as one of its core principles. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Solid Waste Management MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY (MRF) Buildings shall be provided with a minimum area for MRF. MRF shall be fully enclosed and easily accessible from within the building and from the outside for easy collection of waste. Solid waste containers shall be provided for at least four (4) types of wastes: compostable (biodegradable) non-recyclable (to be disposed off in the landfill) recyclable (paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, wood, etc.) special waste For hospitals, isolated bins for hazardous wastes shall be provided to avoid contamination. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Solid Waste Management MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY (MRF) BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Site Sustainability Site sustainability requires the adoption of design, construction and operation practices that minimize the impact of buildings on ecosystems and water resources. Sites should be selected by determining which would pose the least environmental threat if construction were to take place. Pollution prevention, including controlling soil erosion, waterway sedimentation, and airborne dust generation are important factors to be considered. Sites should also be closer to urban development where supporting infrastructure is available; this will preserve green spaces and wildlife areas. Site clearing, grading, and excavation shall be planned at the start of construction. This is to mitigate pollution caused by erosion and sedimentation, taking into consideration existing endemic foliage as regulated by the DENR. BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Site Sustainability SITE/GROUND PREPARATIONS Following are some elements of a well-planned excavation and construction site BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Site Sustainability OPEN SPACE UTILIZATION A minimum of 50% of the required unpaved surface area (USA) shall be vegetated with indigenous and adaptable species. The inclusion of green areas or landscaped areas for indigenous or adaptable species of grass, shrubs, and trees will help provide more permeable surface for the building development’s open space, allow the re-charging of natural ground water reservoir; control storm water surface run-off; cool the building surroundings; and provide indoor to outdoor connectivity for the building occupants BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Site Sustainability OPEN SPACE UTILIZATION BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Site Sustainability OPEN SPACE UTILIZATION BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Indoor Environmental Quality Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) requires the adoption of efficient design Ways to improve indoor air quality and operation practices that take into consideration the building environment , and that aim to improve occupant health, productivity, and safety BUILDING SYSTEMS DESIGN Indoor Environmental Quality Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) requires the adoption of effi cient design and operation practices that take into consideration the building environment , and that aim to improve occupant health, productivity, and safety