Sustainability Consulting
LEED Services
Building Commissioning
Energy Consulting
New Construction
May 27, 2010
Ms. Barbara A. W. Clarke, AIA, LEED AP
Drexel University Planning, Design, and Construction
3201 Arch Street, Suite 320
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Subject:
Green Globes Stage II Assessment
Millennium Hall
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Dear Ms. Clarke:
Thank you for the opportunity to complete the Green Globes Stage II analysis of the Millennium Hall
project on the Drexel University campus in Philadelphia, PA. We were impressed at how Drexel
University implements a high level of sustainability construction.
This is the second and final stage of the Green Globes assessment. Completion of this stage included
onsite verification of the items we discussed in the Stage I Assessment dated December 7, 2009, and
interim discussions and documentation reviewed between the issue of that document and the date of
the final visit to the project.
Stage II is accomplished through an onsite review of the completed building; interviews with members
of the construction team that were responsible for the management of the project; and review of any
commissioning documentation or product submittals and documentation necessary to verify that the
targeted achievement that was defined in Stage I.
We met at the site on May 26, 2010. James Rose was on site and hosted a tour through all areas of both
the interior and exterior of the facility. This onsite inspection included a review of all equipment on site
used for building operations.
Those features of the building that were verified in this Stage II assessment while at the facility are
tabulated below:
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Action Item #
1
Section
Project Management
Question
Review project
documentation for
discussion of
sustainability during
design.
2
Site
Review landscaping
plans.
3
Site
4
Energy
Review manufacturer’s
documentation or an
approved submittal for
the roofing material,
showing a reflectance of
at least 0.65 and
emissivity of at least 0.9,
for review.
Document the U-value of
the installed window
glazing.
5
Energy
Review the installed BAS
and check for submetering.
Comment
We reviewed project
documentation for
discussion of
sustainability during
design. The decision to
pursue sustainable
features occurred during
the construction phase of
the project. Thus most
sustainable features were
a result of the good
practices of the project
manager, architects and
engineers.
James Rose toured the
site with us. The
landscaping amounted to
a small amount of grass,
as the building has a very
high footprint to site
ratio.
We visually observed that
a white, EPDM
membrane roof system is
installed. Submittal data
indicated that the
reflectance of the roofing
material is 0.8, and
emissivity is 0.84.
Submittal data indicated
that the U-value of the
three installed types of
glazing is 0.59, 0.65 and
0.65 respectively.
Water use is metered at
the heat pump loop, the
radiant floor system, and
at the cooling tower.
However the meters do
not appear to
communicate with the
BAS.
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Action Item #
6
Section
Water
Question
Check building for waterefficient low-flush toilets
(less than 1.6 gallons per
flush)
7
Water
Check building for watersaving fixtures on faucets
(2.0 gallons/min)
8
Indoor Environment
Check to see if low NOx
boilers are installed.
9
Indoor Environment
10
Indoor Environment
Review the outdoor air
calculation for the
building with the HVAC
engineer.
Verify the carpet tiles are
anti-microbial.
Comment
During the tour, we
verified the existence of
water-efficient low-flush
toilets (less than 1.6
gallons per flush)
During the tour, we
verified the existence of
water-saving fixtures on
faucets (2.0 gallons/min)
During the tour, we
verified that both heating
boilers and domestic
water heaters were lowNOx devices.
Still pending.
During the tour, we
verified that the carpet
tiles are treated with an
anti-microbial agent.
Project Management
A limited review of project documentation reflected that sustainability of systems was discussed only late in
the design and early in the construction of the facility. The onsite tour with James Rose substantiated the level
of attention to environmental sensitivity at the interior and exterior environment of the facility. Evaluation of
alternative approaches to the sequence of construction and impacts to water and land on the site were
analyzed during the management of the project. Mr. Rose appeared to have acted as the Green Facilitator on
this project.
Summary of Your Achievements:
An integrated design process has been partially implemented.
A team approach was used throughout the progressive stages of the design process. It involved collaboration
of the architect, engineers, consultants, and other stakeholders.
Green design facilitation was used to support integration of energy and environmental considerations
throughout the design stages.
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Millennium Hall achieved a score of 60% on the Green Globes rating scale for its integrated design process,
integration of environmental purchasing, a commissioning plan and emergency response plan.
Site Considerations
Summary of Your Achievements:
The building is constructed on an existing serviced site.
The building is constructed on land that is neither a wetland nor a wildlife corridor.
The design accommodates the building's functions while minimizing disturbance to the site's
topography, soils and vegetation.
Erosion control measures are in place in accordance with best management practices (BMPs) to protect
the site during construction as well as over the long term.
At least 30% of impervious surfaces will be shaded to avoid creating a heat island.
A combination of green roof and high albedo materials (reflectance of at least 0.65 and emissivity of at
least 0.9) will help to avoid creating a heat island.
Obtrusive aspects of exterior lighting such as light trespass and sky glow will be avoided to preserve the
nocturnal sky.
Storm water run-off will be controlled to prevent damage to the building and vegetation, and to
minimize run-off into waterways.
A storm water control plan will achieve a 25% decrease in storm water run-off.
A green roof will serve to absorb water and reduce storm water run-off from the roof.
Millennium Hall achieved a score of 83% on the Green Globes rating scale for the site design and
enhancement measures to minimize the building's impact on the site.
Energy
Summary of Your Achievements:
The floor area has been optimized to efficiently fulfill the building's functional and spatial requirements
while minimizing the amount of space that needs to be heated and cooled (kitchen and utility
equipment is separated from other areas).
The building is aligned on an east-west axis to optimize the heat from fenestration in winter months to
minimize heat gain in summer months. These design elements optimize the effect of microclimatic
conditions for heating or cooling the building.
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The opportunities offered by the site topography, and design measures including location and
orientation are optimized to provide shelter against wind and snow deposition.
The amount of day lighting is maximized through building orientation and window-to-wall ratios that
optimize natural light.
The indicated visible transmittance (VT) of the window glazing is 0.2.
The thermal resistance of the exterior enclosure meets Building Energy Code levels.
Window glazing with a low U value and window treatments that enhance interior thermal comfort are
specified. The indicated U value of the window glazing is 0.29.
There are measures to prevent groundwater and/or rain penetration into the building.
The building's energy efficiency is increased through the use of energy-efficient equipment. The design
includes the following:
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
Energy-efficient lighting fixtures, lamps and ballasts
Lighting controls
Energy-efficient HVAC equipment
High efficiency condensing boilers and water heaters
Energy-efficient hot water service systems
Building automation systems
Energy-efficient motors
Public transport access
Cycling facilities:
o
o
Safe, covered storage areas with fixed mountings for securing bicycles against theft
Changing facilities for building tenants and staff.
Millennium Hall received a score of 56% based on the assessment of best-design practices and energy
performance on the Green Globes rating scale for energy efficiency.
Water
Summary of Your Achievements:
There is minimal consumption of potable water.
The design includes the following of water-efficient equipment:
·
·
low flush toilets (less than 1.6 gallons/flush)
water-saving fixtures on faucets (less than 2.0 gallons/minute)
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The cooling tower utilizes a VFD to control fan speed and minimize the consumption of make-up water.
Millennium Hall achieved a score of 40% on the Green Globes rating scale for water consumption and
measures to minimize its use.
Resources, Building Materials, and Solid Waste
Summary of Your Achievements:
Building materials with recycled content will be used in the construction (i.e. metal skin and concrete ).
Materials that come from renewable sources and/or are locally manufactured have been specified and
have undergone life-cycle assessment (i.e. PA manufactured metal panel. ).
Building assemblies and materials have been specified for their durability and low maintenance (i.e.
concrete low maintenance, vinyl rubber durable high impact drywall ).
The construction documents indicate that there will be 300 ft² of space designated for the storage of
recyclable waste.
Millennium Hall achieved a score of 28% on the Green Globes rating scale for managing resources
through waste reduction and site stewardship.
Emissions, Effluents, and Other Impacts
Summary of Your Achievements:
“Low-NOx” high-efficiency domestic water heaters and heating boilers are specified and installed.
Ozone-depletion is minimized:
· A refrigeration system has been specified that avoids ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and
potent industrial greenhouse gases (PIGG) (i.e. R 410 A).
· The ozone-depleting potential of the refrigerant is equal to 0.
· The building's air-conditioning system appears to comply with the requirements of the Safety
Code for Mechanical Refrigeration, ASHRAE 15 -1994.
A lint trap on the laundry sanitary system intercepts contaminated water to prevent pollutants including
toxic materials, oils, and suspended materials from entering sewers or waterways.
Control of any pollutants (PCBs, asbestos, radon) present in the building appears to meet applicable
regulatory requirements.
Components, materials and the protection of structural openings are specified to avoid infestation by
pests.
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There appear to be secure, appropriately-ventilated storage areas for occupants to store hazardous and
flammable materials.
Millennium Hall achieved a score of 86% on the Green Globes rating scale for emissions, effluents and
other environmental impacts
Indoor Environment
Millennium Hall has an effective ventilation system.
Air intakes are located more than 60 ft from major sources of pollution and at least the minimum
recommended distances from lesser sources of pollution.
Ventilation air intake openings are suitably protected.
Systems and components are specified that avoid the release of pollution and fibers into the ventilation
air path.
The mechanical ventilation system will have the capability of flushing-out the building with 100%
outside air at ambient temperatures above 0°C.
The filters have a minimum efficiency of 65% arrestance, or 40% atmospheric dust-spot efficiency for air
distributed to occupied spaces.
There are measures to minimize the accumulation of moisture within the building and prevent the
growth of fungus, mold, and bacteria on building surfaces and in concealed spaces.
There will be easy access to the HVAC unit to facilitate its maintenance and drainage and avoid the
accumulation of debris.
The domestic hot water system is operated in such as way as to prevent the occurrence of Legionella.
Interior materials are specified that are low-VOC emitting, non-toxic, and chemically inert.
The construction documents indicate that the building provides direct ambient daylight to 80% of the
primary spaces.
The building provides ambient natural lighting, achieving a daylight factor of 0.2 for work places and or
living/dining areas requiring moderate day lighting, and 0.5 for well day-lit work areas.
Solar shading devices are specified to enable occupants to control brightness and glare from direct day
lighting.
The building design integrates local lighting controls related to room occupancy, circulation space,
daylighting and the number of workstations in office areas.
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The construction documents specify the sound level transmission through the building envelope. The
sound transmission class (STC) rating of the exterior walls is 53.
The design provides acoustic controls to meet the acoustic privacy requirements (i.e. Partitions with a
STC rating of 50 are provided ).
There are measures to mitigate acoustic problems associated with mechanical equipment noise and
vibration, and plumbing systems.
Millennium Hall achieved a score of 47% on the Green Globes rating scale for measures to provide a
healthy, productive and comfortable environment.
Summary
The Millennium Hall is a great example of the success possible in the design and construction of an
institutional building in a sustainable manner.
This Millennium Hall earned a total of 539 out of 965 applicable points for a 56% final rating which
qualifies the project for a Two Green Globes rating.
Percentage Scores
Management
60%
Site
83%
Energy
56%
Water
Resources
40%
28%
Emissions
Indoor Environment
86%
47%
We are recommending to the Green Building Initiative that they award the Millennium Hall two (2) Green
Globes for New Construction. Two Globes is an excellent accomplishment and you should be proud of
the manner in which you approached the design and construction of this facility for efficient use of
energy and resources on behalf of Drexel University.
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In addition to the design and construction team, Drexel University is dedicated to a sustainable
approach to operating their facilities. After a minimum of 12 months, assessment of the facility with
respect to operation can be evaluated for compliance with the standards of the Continual Improvement
of Existing Buildings (CIEB). This is mentioned to make note of the concept that sustainability is a
dynamic process and continues for the lifetime of a building. If ongoing assessment of the operations of
the facility is desired, the 12 month period is required due to the need to evaluate utility bills and usage
data and evaluate the increased performance over time. The collection of operational data is important
to constantly monitor the success of building performance goals.
We have no doubt that Drexel University’s management of Millennium Hall will continue the dedication
to the concept of sustainability through operations, as exhibited by the dedication to these goals in the
design and construction of this facility, as well as the ongoing sustainability initiatives occurring all over
the Drexel campus.
Congratulations on the team effort and pursuit of goals that result in reduction of environmental impact
to the campus and the Philadelphia region. It has been a pleasure to work with Drexel University through
the initial and final Green Globes rating process.
Sincerely,
Michael K. O’Brien, PE, LEED AP
cc:
Gary Keclik, Green Building Initiative
Kristi Martin, Green Building Initiative
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