Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/687429
J UNE 2016 | 45 PHOTOGRAPHY iSTOCK Sustainable Design Strategies A combination of stricter codes at provincial and municipal levels and some municipalities imposing extra LEED requirements has helped spark a prolif- eration district energy systems (DES). Some of them include a geothermal component, so cooling is typi- cally part of the package. The tougher code requirements at the provincial level, including a new standard for ventilation, are based on ASHRAE 90.1-2010, and were adopted by B.C. in 2014, but have yet to be adopted by some of the other provinces. Around 10 DES zones are either operational or in the works for Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. "The guidelines usually require a hydronic-based sys- tem. This can be radiant floor, hot-water baseboard, fan coils, etc. We do a lot of multi-residential and these factors are making projects more complex," Lee says. Implementation of the ASHRAE 90.1-2010 standard enables a big drop in energy consumption, around 25 per cent. The use of a DES has potential to further reduce consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, depending on the type of system deployed, Lee says. In the Lower Mainland, European heating technolo- gies with new kinds of radiators and piping materials are also making inroads, although Lee notes that some have to be modified to meet local code requirements. Aside from codes, LEED principles help shape the approach to design of architects who emphasize sus- tainability, says Mike Smith, a senior associate at Zeidler Partnership Architects. The firm recently provided design consulting for a 200,000-square-foot addition to Brampton City Hall, called the Brampton Southwest Quadrant Renewal, which is targeting LEED Gold. Among key aspects of the approach, he says, are site planning, the use of passive design elements that mini- mize energy consumption, the design and installation of environmentally sound and energy-efficient HVAC and other building systems, and specifications and materials selection that ensures resource consump- tion and pollution are kept to a minimum. "Also, indoor air quality and acoustics are two aspects that affect occupants' health and productiv- ity. Strategies to control contamination through ven- tilation and maintenance practices, and control sound levels through design and constructing techniques, as well as attention to mechanical systems should be developed, along with applicable commissioning prac- tices," Smith says. Applying the kind of quality design standards that Smith outlines almost guarantees that air will be free from contaminants and off-gassing. But the regional geology could be the main factor in the presence of a deadly gas – radon. The carcinogenic, radioactive gas is a serious environmental health hazard. Recent esti- mates published by the Radiation Protection Bureau of Health Canada show that 16 per cent of lung can- cer deaths are attributable to indoor radon exposure. "Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer after smok- ing," says Alan Whitehead, president and CEO of Radon Environmental Management Corp. Radon is due to the presence of decaying uranium in rock, soil and water. Although regional geology has a big role (for instance, Alberta and Saskatchewan have high radon potential) Whitehead says that amounts of radon and the degree of hazard can vary between nearby buildings, depending on various factors – including construction materials and HVAC systems (ventilation of a building). Fortunately, lots of radon detection options are available. "They vary from con- sumer devices that are inexpensive to ones that don't just rely on averages, but respond to and chart peaks and valleys of radon concentrations," says Whitehead, who is currently president of the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST). Radon Environmental provides radon detection and mitigation solutions, for new and existing construction, as well as radon mapping and consulting services. Power companies are also offering the design com- munity and building operators an increasing range of programs that support energy efficiency as well as consulting services in some areas. FortisBC, for example, offers commercial custom design programs for both new construction and ret- rofit projects. "These programs help with above-code design," says Nicole Bogdanovic, a spokesperson for FortisBC. She notes that FortisBC works with BC Hydro on some programs. Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) offers a suite of incentives and programs for industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) custom- ers through its Save On Energy programs. The High Performance New Construction program provides design assistance and incentives for own- ers and planners who design and implement energy- efficient equipment within a new facility or invest in major renovations of existing ones. The IESO says that, "businesses have the opportunity to take advantage of a cost-effective approach to reduce energy consump- tion and improve their bottom line over the long-term through making energy-efficient decisions." As a result, "businesses can expect their facilities to cost less to operate and lower their environmental impact." Under a retrofit program, "Commercial institutions can receive a portion of the project costs for upgrading old or inefficient equipment such as lighting, motors and heating," the IESO says. Also, corporate clients can take advantage of an energy audit of their facilities. This would identify projects and upgrades that "would lead to specific energy conservation opportunities in their facility. Commercial institutions are eligible to receive up to 50 per cent of the costs for an energy audit," the IESO says. Explaining the rationale for these and other energy- efficiency and conservation programs, Terry Young, VP, conservation and corporate relations at IESO, says, "Businesses across Ontario, including those in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors, are taking a serious look at energy costs and are seek- ing ways to reduce them. But more than that, they are looking to reap the other benefits of good energy man- agement practices. Buildings with energy-efficiency integrated in the core design and construction are, in essence, better buildings. They perform better; they are better to work in; and they are better for the bot- tom line. Save On Energy programs are there to offer support and incentives for companies looking to make these investments in long-term efficiency." A