Study of Practical Aspect of IGBC Rating System

1. INTRODUCTION

Sustainable development is expected to protect the Earth, Green the Earth and heal the earth. It refers to fulfilling the present needs without ignoring the needs of future generation. It also involves the different implementation of sustainable practices according to energy efficient principles during pre-construction, construction stages and post construction activities to get some extra benefit as a reward. Now some urgent and hard decisions should be taken for the concept of sustainability and their implementation which is most important to improve the disturbed quality of environment and life. According to the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) India will have 1 lakh buildings will certify by 2025. Currently it has only 2000 green rated buildings. India is emerging as a rapid adopter of sustainable building practices and holds third rank. As per latest US Green Building Council report in India there is 11.64 million gross square meters LEED certified space. [3] Climate change, energy scarity, Water scarity, Raw material scarity, food security, waste management pose ever increasing threat to sustainability. Thus green building is only alternative to achieve the sustainability in which planning, designing, construction, operation and maintaianance is carried out with less water consumption, optimizing energy efficiency, conserving natural resources, generates less waste and provide maximum comfortable environment to occupants

2. WHY NEW GREEN BUILDINGS?

Building sector is the largest energy, water, electricity, raw material consuming and green gas emitting source around the world. They contribute around 40% of global greenhouse gas emission, 30% of carbon dioxide emissions, 65% of electricity, 50% of raw material, 35% of municipal solid waste generated and 30% to 40% energy consume[3]. Due to these negative environmental impacts of traditional building, the green building concept has attracted more attention in recent years. Factors like Energy, Water and Material efficiency, improving indoor air quality and optimal operation and maintenance cost minimises the negative environmental effects using best practices of ‗Green Building.‘

To get certified as a green building the proposal must satisfy all the primary requirements and the minimum numbers of credit points from IGBC new green buildings certification. It is the rating system developed in India for new buildings. Providing the all supporting documents is must to earn minimum credits. After registration preliminary documents after construction. After site visit and review, it is further sent for final certification, however if not accepted appeal is made and whole processes is repeated One option provided for projects to get certified at design stage. The documents to be submitted for pre-certification must include the project design features which will be implemented Documentation is submitted into two phases for certification

This phase includes submission of all documents along with the mandatory requirements and minimum number of credits. After preliminary submission review is done by third party assessors and review comments would be provided within 30 days.

This phase includes submission of clarification to preliminary review queries and final submission .This review will also be provided within 30 days after rating achieved. The pre-certification is valid for 3 years from the date of pre-certification award provided that require to apply for certification or to submit construction report once in 6 months from pre-certification award.

It involves integrated design approach, Site Preservation and Passive Architecture carries separate points. Integrated design approach practices involve approach towards enhanced building performance, from planning stage to completion stage of the project. Where as site preservation includes to maintain the site features and to minimise the negative environmental impacts like site contour, water bodies and channels, natural rocks, existing topography / landscape and existing trees. Passive architecture involves climate-responsive concepts and design features and passive cooling / heating technologies .This credit overall carries 5 points. Regulations and Soil Erosion Control as its mandatory requirements where as basic amenities, proximity to public transport, tow-emitting vehicles , natural topography or vegetation, preservation or transplantation of trees, heat island reduction, non-roof, heat island reduction, outdoor light pollution reduction, universal design, basic facilities for construction workforce, green building guidelines carries separate points. Basic amenities and proximity to public transport intent is to use of low-emitting vehicles (such as electric and CNG powered) to encourage the use of non-fossil fuel vehicles and minimise the negative impact on environment. Natural topography or vegetation and preservation of trees must to maintain biodiversity. Reducing disturbances to microclimate by minimising heat island effect. Outdoor light pollution control has to be done on site by Prescriptive Approach towards lighting and its power density. Adequate facilities must be provided for the workforce. Site selection and planning carries 14 points.

Water conservation includes rainwater harvesting, (Roof and Non-roof) and Water Efficient Plumbing Fixtures as its mandatory requirement whereas Landscape Design, Management of Irrigation Systems, Waste water treatment and reuse, and Water Metering carries separate points. Rainwater harvesting has to be done on site for alternative storage of water for non-potable purpose such as flushing, landscaping, air cooling. For water efficiency, use of fixtures which having limited flow rate as recommended by IGBC. Water metering includes compulsory installation of water meters to observe the performance of the project. Outdoor temperature can be reduced by landscaping and for that management of irrigation system is required. The landscape should be min 10% of site area. Also waste water should be treated to the quality standards prescribed by pollution control board and at least 25% treated water should be used for non-potable purposes. Water conservation carries 19 points

energy consumption as well. On-site renewable energy and off-site renewable energy encourages adopting possible use of renewable energy on the site. Energy metering must be done for continuous monitoring and enhance the performance of the building as well. Use of solar panel helps to reduce the burden on fossil fuels.

It includes 11 points and segregation of waste is mandatory requirement. Segregation of waste and organic waste management intent to segregation of waste at source and recycling of material to avoid wastes being sent to landfills. Same as sustainable building materials intent to reduce dependence on materials that can have negative impact on environment. IGBC recommends At least 2.5% salved or reused material of the total building material should be used. Also 95% of construction waste should be diverted from landfills.

Achieving certification for new building from IGBC is to facilitate a holistic approach to create environment

Development plan also allowing extra FSI to the developers and some extra discount in registration to customers for successful implementation to the route level. Easy approvals, faster clearance and transparency is also important for implementation of the same. The rating system is fundamentally designed to address national priorities and to enhance the quality of life of users. Thus to certified as a green building new building should satisfy all mandatory requirements and minimum numbers of credit points.

The authors are gratefully acknowledges the contribution provided by Er.Apoorv Ranade (IGBC AP) and Er. Himanshu Manjarekar for their continuous help and support during this study.

1. IGBC Green New Buildings Rating System Version 3.0 Abridged Reference Guide. September 2014 2. Tarandeep Singh, Dr. Milind Phadtare Strategy for making green buildings.‖ Green Tech 2009‖ National Seminar and Exhibition 3. Times of India, Times Property (Pune Edition) November 8 2014. 4. Lekha Bhosale, Neha Gavand, Suyog Gend Sustainable Perspective of an Existing Building by IGBC Rating System IJAR Vol.- 4, Issue – 4 Apr 2014 5. Abridged Reference guide for LEED 2011 for India Green Building Rating System For New Construction. 6. Green Building Rating Tools, World Green Building Council. on:http://www.worldgbc.org/green-building-councils/green-buildingrating-tools 7. C.A. Boyle, in: Sustainable Buildings Proceed. Inst. of Civil Engineering. Engineering Sustainability 158, (2005), pp. 41-48. Engineers, ASHRAE Publisher, November (2004), pp. 56-59. 9. Khosla,Radhika "Constructing Change: Energy Efficiency and India's Buildings Sector, The Hindu Business Line, January 2012 10. Efficiency and Comfort: An Integrated Approach "by Clark Bisel and Peter Simmonds. Consulting Specifying Engineer, Jan 1998.

Junior Engineer, Education- BE Civil