Here are five useful tips to follow to help you meet the requirements:
Design, construction and management
In order to meet with green building standards, you would need to adopt certain prescribed principles throughout the duration of the project and included in your building design, its construction and operational management. This includes designing the building with heat reduction, maximisation of natural light and air circulation in mind.
Energy efficiency
In order to meet the green building standards, set out by GBCSA (Green Building Council South Africa) and the NBRBS (National Building Regulations and Building Standards) green building codes, you would need to ensure that your building achieves a reduction in energy consumption as per EDGE or SANS 10400-XA guidelines; as well as promoting the reduction energy generation pollution in the form of greenhouse gas. This can be achieved by utilising renewable energy sources.
Read more about energy requirements here.
Water conservation
The water regulations set out by the GBCSA focus on water conservation through practices such as water-efficient plumbing systems and fixtures, rainwater collection and water recycling, in buildings that help reduce the use of potable water.
Read more about water conservation requirements here.
Materials
The green building standards regulations for materials, as set out by EDGE, look at reducing the environmental impact and waste of materials by managing resource consumption by focusing on the selection of materials, how the materials are used and recycled. Material requirements include the use of environmentally friendly, recyclable and non-toxic materials.
Read more about materials requirements here.
Environment
Indoor environmental quality impact a building, especially during its development, will have on the environment, must be considered when meeting green building standards. Indoor environment quality requirements focus on the well being of people within buildings and include factors such as heating, cooling, lighting and fresh air supply. The regulations with regards to the impact of the building on the environment focus on reducing any pollution or emissions from the building; as well as reducing the negative impact that the building may have on localised ecosystems.
For more information on green building standards and how you can get your green star certification from the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), click here.
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