High Performance
Building Standard
Public Law 93-383, Sect. 809 (1974)
Congress directed NIBS to “exercise its functions
and responsibilities in four general areas, relating to
building regulations……………..”
1. Develop & maintain
performance criteria for
maintenance of life, safety,
health, and public welfare for
the built environment.
2. Evaluate building technology to
meet the above criteria.
3. Conduct related and needed
investigations
4. Assemble, store, and
disseminate technical data and
related information
NIBS acts as a non-threatening open forum host for capital facilities
industry collaboration and a recognized consensus process
Energy Policy Act of 2005
Sec. 914. BUILDING STANDARDS.
(a) DEFINITION OF HIGH PERFORMANCE
BUILDINGS. – In this section, the term “high
performance building” means a building that
integrates and optimizes all major highperformance building attributes, including
energy efficiency, durability, life-cycle
performance, and occupant productivity.
Energy Policy Act of 2005
(b) ASSESSMENT. – Not later than 120 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall enter into an agreement with
the National Institute of Building Sciences to –
(1) conduct an assessment (in
cooperation with industry standards
development organizations) of whether the
current voluntary consensus standards and
rating systems for high performance buildings
are consistent with the current technological
state of the art, including relevant results from
the research, development and
demonstration activities of the Department;
Energy Policy Act of 2005
(2) determine if additional research is
required, based on the findings of the
assessment; and
(3) recommend steps for the Secretary to
accelerate the development of voluntary
consensus-based standards for high
performance buildings that are based on t he
findings of the assessment.
Energy Policy Act of 2005
(c) GRANT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM. – Consistent with subsection (b)
and section 12 (d) of the National Technology
Transfer and Advacement Act of 1995, the
Secretary shall establish a grant and
technical assistance program to support the
development of voluntary consensus-based
standards for high performance buildings.
Assessment Methodology
• Identify specific performance goals that would
be used to define a high performance building.
• Identify specific performance metrics and
benchmarks for providing for performance
goals. a matrix.
• Catalogue existing industry standards and
programs that are used to measure or validate
the specific performance metrics including the
identification of gaps and standards needed to
measure and validate high performance
buildings.
• Develop final framework and document
assessment.
Defining High Performance Buildings
through Performance Goals
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Building Life Span
Systems Life Spans
Building Operation
Building Maintenance
Occupant Productivity
Occupant Safety and Security
Mission Performance
Building Efficiency
Systems Performance
Identifying Performance Metrics
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Energy Use
Water Use
Environmental Responsiveness
Productivity
Building Flexibility/Efficiency
Security
Safety
Accessibility
Thermal Comfort
Acoustical Comfort
Lighting Comfort
Indoor Air Quality
Airtightness
Moisture Protection
System/Equipment Efficiency
System/Equipment Longevity
System/Equipment Maintenance
Disaster Operations
Cataloguing Performance
Validation Methods
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Industry Specifications
Industry Standards/Test Methods
Product/System Testing Programs
Building/Product Certification and
Rating Programs
• Federal Requirements
What Is It?
It is Not a
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Building code
Certification program
Evaluation program
Federal requirement
It is a
• Industry consensus on the definition of high
performance for buildings
• Harmonization of existing standards to meet
that definition
Assessment Approach
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Task 1: Conduct Meeting 1
Agree on scope and building types, agree on performance goals and
areas, form subcommittees, and formulate subcommittee work plans.
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Task 2: Subcommittee Activities
Define performance metrics and levels, identify existing and needed
validation methods.
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Task 3: Conduct Meeting 2
Develop preliminary consensus on performance metrics, levels and
validation methods.
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Task 4: Subcommittee Activities
Finalize performance metrics, levels and validation methods.
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Task 5: Conduct Meeting 3
Develop final consensus on performance goals, metrics, levels and
validation methods.
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Task 6: Prepare final Assessment Report