FIELD GUIDE FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (JUN 2004)

FIELD GUIDE FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (JUN 2004)., industry. Designers and owners are learning that with smart design, buildings can save energy and have a decreased impact on the environment. Sophisticated sustainable projects address issues of the environment, energy use and people, in addition to traditional project goals of cost, quality and schedule. They do so paying acute attention to the business case of the facility. Most sustainable efforts are concentrated on early design. The focus is on decisions like selecting a site and building layout that minimizes the environmental burden of buildings; creating an efficient and integrated building envelope system; integrating HVAC and electrical systems to reduce energy use; and specifying reused, renewable or recycled materials. The focus in early design has made great strides in achieving and extending sustainable goals for buildings. The methods for construction are also significant to achieving the sustainable goals of a project. What may appear to be minor decisions to field workers, such as the selection of adhesives and sealants, may have long lasting negative effects on indoor air quality, maintainability or future adaptability of the space. Many of the day-to-day decisions made by construction workers and supervisors are important to achieving sustainable project goals and assuring a healthy built environment. With this in mind, the Field Guide for Sustainable Construction has been developed to assist and educate field workers, supervisors and managers in making decisions that help the project team meet sustainable project goals. The field guide is designed to fill a significant void in available information for sustainable construction methods. It systematically draws together and organizes information on many aspects of construction that can assure the sustainability of a facility. Simple methods and suggested practices are presented for the major phases of construction in the field guide. This field guide has been developed in a matrix format to enable multiple uses. The columns of the matrix organize the field guide information into chapters based on ten categories of sustainable construction. The rows of the matrix organize the field guide information into 15 phases of a project, starting with general conditions and ending with finishes. This structure allows the guidebook to be read by chapter (sustainability category) or by sections (construction phase). Project managers overseeing multiple trades are likely to use the field guide by chapters. Specific trades are likely to use the field guide by sections. Importantly, the matrix allows simple cross-referencing between the different interests to facilitate clear, accurate and timely communication. Each chapter is structured to begin with a summary and highlight key planning information. Case studies, sustainable construction facts, emerging technologies and practices from PENREN/C are also provided throughout.