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Kevin Matthews
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 497
Location: Eugene, Oregon
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kinn.alison@epa.gov
Joined: 04 Nov 2005
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 9:41 am Post subject: Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers |
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Great article in Architecture Week! I was pleased to see mention of BEES and the EPP Program. We have also recognized the power of green specs and so, in partnership with the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive and the Whole Building Design Guide, have developed the Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers. Our objective is to help federal agencies meet their project-specific environmental goals and mandates including:
Greening of Government Executive Orders (13101-EPP, 13123-Energy, 13134-Biobased, 13148-EMS);
OMB Circulars A-11 (use of the US Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System and ENERGY STAR in design of Federal buildings) and A-119 (the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) – use of voluntary consensus standards)
DOE/Federal Energy Management Program’s Product Efficiency Recommendations; and
EPA’s ENERGY STAR, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Comprehensive Procurement (RCRA) Guidelines.
The current version at <http://fedgreenspecs.wbdg.org> was open for public comment last fall/winter. We should be posting a final version, reflecting those public comments, within the month. We plan to expand into new sections as well as develop a model bid spec over the next year. While geared toward Federal needs, we envision the Guide being useful to all sectors and all shapes and sized of construction projects.
I'd appreciate your feedback and your help in spreading the word about this useful tool!
Thanks and let me know if you have any questions.
Alison
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Alison Kinn Bennett
Project Manager, The Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers
Co-Chair EPA's Green Building Workgroup
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
US EPA (7409M)
Washington, DC 20460
phone: 202-564-8859
fax: 202-564-8899
http://fedgreenspecs.wbdg.org
http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding
http://www.epa.gov/epp
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Don Stephens
Joined: 10 Sep 2004
Posts: 11
Location: Spokane, Washington, USA
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| Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 10:56 am Post subject: Concrete as building material |
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Several elemnts of this article's discussion of concrete were contrary to my understanding:
Greenhouse Gasses - Rather than being given off "during curing", it's my understanding that fossil carbon is burned-out during the limestone processing,a(nd in sizable quantities), as more fossil carbon is also being released (either on-site or at a power-plant), if fossil fuels are being used as a direct or indirect energy-source.
(In point of fact, it's my understanding that [u]some[/u]C02 is actually re-absorbed by the concrete, at least near the surface, in the curing process..let me know if you have knowledge of errors in this understanding)
It's also my understanding that the mining, processing, transport and use of concrete alone is the source of over 7% of all new greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere each year! (again, please correct my if you have hard data to prove this incorrect.)
Futher, there is the impact of local site destruction...a mountain and the habitats it previously provided, being destroyed...and wider eco-impact for miles around the processing sites, from dust settle-out on everything, including plants. And site and habitat destruction occurs again, as mentioned, with the other resource aquisition needed to to provide sand, gravel, water, and steel.
A disappointing shortfall in this example, was lack of mention of, not only less poluting or salvaged alternatives to cement, in concrete (such as types F and C fly-ash, lime, etc.), but also much more benign, less processed and often more local alternatives to use of any kind of concrete at all.
For example, for foundations, footings and retainment, one can use tire-bales, rubble-trenches, rock-filled gabions, or site-earth-filled bastions, with far less impact. And for roads and slabs, stabilization with lime or lignin.
- Don Stephens, Eco-shelter Design Innovator since 1960
_________________
Principal - Terratech Residential Eco-design Team, Exploring site-appropriate passive solar and earth-integrated design since 1960...formal architectural training, U of Idaho 1959-64, VP/founding member, Inland Chapter, Northwest EcoBuilding Guild |
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reaf
Joined: 23 Nov 2005
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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/I'm not a American/
How to explain phrase "Spec'ing Green"?
I'm not sure what does it exactly mean...
Tommorow on my English lesson I'll speak about one chosen articile...topic: architecture and enviroment
and I chose this one...
I undestand the main idea of the article...
But I've got few technical problem with middle sections of the text...
And I'm looking for any help... Could someone write few (or more  ) sentences - summary of the most important facts...??
I don't think that is a problem for You...
Thanks for a help...
Sorry for my English... |
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Don Stephens
Joined: 10 Sep 2004
Posts: 11
Location: Spokane, Washington, USA
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| Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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Reaf,
Where are you speaking/writing from? What country?
What is your field of endeavor / occupation...is it related to architecture?
To what kind of a group will you be spoeaking...are these architectural professionals, or laypeople?
- Don
_________________
Principal - Terratech Residential Eco-design Team, Exploring site-appropriate passive solar and earth-integrated design since 1960...formal architectural training, U of Idaho 1959-64, VP/founding member, Inland Chapter, Northwest EcoBuilding Guild |
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reaf
Joined: 23 Nov 2005
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:56 pm Post subject: |
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Thank You for the response...
I'm from Poland and I'm a student of architecture...
And I'll be speaking mostly with my teacher...
she isn't an architect, but she knows architectural and technical vocabulary and I should try to use this kind of vocabulary - but maybe not this very difficult for us...
I'll give a short speech about this article and then she will interview me... |
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Don Stephens
Joined: 10 Sep 2004
Posts: 11
Location: Spokane, Washington, USA
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| Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 2:15 pm Post subject: Seeking clarification |
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Reaf...
Thanks for the background. Good to hear of your interest in environmental issues in architecture...this has been too long neglected by too many in the architectural community!
So, what aspects of the article are you specifically needing clarification about? :?:
- Don Stephens
www.greenershelter.org
_________________
Principal - Terratech Residential Eco-design Team, Exploring site-appropriate passive solar and earth-integrated design since 1960...formal architectural training, U of Idaho 1959-64, VP/founding member, Inland Chapter, Northwest EcoBuilding Guild |
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reaf
Joined: 23 Nov 2005
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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This all LEED, BEES, EPA, EPP, C2C programs, certifications, organisations...It's little bit compicated for me...
How are they connect with each other?
Which are more popular, prior?
Which of this programs You have to include when you are designing, building?
How to say in short speech about all this american organisations?? |
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