Review of IGBC Rating System for New Green Buildings

Abstract

The green building concept ensures the minimum wastage in every stage of construction and operation of the new green building resulting in initial higher cost of approximately 16% as compared to the saving in long term with recovery within 2 to 5 years of the life cycle of the building. The green building is so planned and design so as to reduce the overall impact of construction material on natural environment and human health by efficiently using energy, water and other resources and also by protecting occupant’s health and increasing the overall productivity of the institution, it also helps in reducing the waste, pollution and environmental degradation. The adoption of green feature considered while planning create lowest effect to the existing landscape and the site layout, the building materials proposed to be used shall be either a recycled product or an environmentally sustainable material, avoiding use of toxic material and maximum utilization of recycled or recyclable materials, the use of water efficiently and recycling the same for reuse, maximum use of renewable energy, eco-friendly use of equipment, fresh air inside building, highest safety norm adoption for human use and providing maximum comfort to the users, with the use of building management system. The review involves the evaluation of realistic rating aimed for the proposed new building, as per overall requirements as required for fulfilling the IGBC rating program. This involves the identification for the reduction of greenhouse gases with financial implications and tangible benefits to a client over a life cycle period of the building in a specified time frame. To carry out the above study in accordance to ASHRAE 90.1-2004/ECBC, performance rating method a simulation would considered appropriate modelling assumptions, schedule for the project for various occupancies, air changes per hour, lighting density and U-factors for fenestration etc.