RM Spallone Builders

The intent is to avoid detrimental environmental impacts, minimize any unavoidable impacts and mitigate any that occur. There are several practices that will help a builder/developer gain points toward certification.Conserving natural resources by developing a  resource inventory listing high-priority resources. On going maintenance of vegetation during construction in accordence with TCIA-A300.Minimizing slope disturbance by avoiding all or a percentage of steep slopes, aligning roads and parking with natural topography to reduced erosion. Storn water is manage by using natural water and drainage features. Landscaping, wild life habitate maintained and expanded, mixed-use development, and unit density per acre. This over view was collected from the National Green Building Standard ICC 700-2008.

Chapter 5 of the Green Building Standard speaks of lot design, preparation, and development, in this post I will address one topic, lot selection. The intent is to select a lot that minimizes environmental impact. There are three types of lots that will qualify for points toward green certification.  In-fill lot, this would be located in a neighborhood or subdivision with houses at least five years old and has at least two of the following infrastructure roads, electric, public sewer or public water already in place. Residential tear downs will also qualify. Grey field lot is located in a site that was developed for non residential, non agricultural uses, and at least 50% was covered with impervious surfaces , ie. a abandoned parking lot. Brown field lot is located within an EPA reconized zone, ie. an abandoned or under used industrial site.

There are four performance levels in the Standard, bronze,silver,gold and emerald. Bronze requiring the fewest points emerald requiring the most. In order to achieve any performance level there are six categories that must be addressed with a seventh category, for additional points from any category. Within these categories there are mandatory provisions  that shall be implemented. Though this is only an over view I will cover each category in the following posts. Information has been taken from the National Green Building Standard ICC 700-2008.

I have completed the required training and passed the exam to become a verifier through the NAHB Research Center. I have only to sign the agreement and send it back then process is complete. Going through this training has provided me with a greater appreciation for the reasons to build green. Reasons like improved quality, durability, affordability and environmental performance of the house. Over the next few weeks I plan to cover the different categories that go into Green Building. If you happen to follow along, feel free to post a comment or guestion.

I have been studying to become an accredited verifier through the National Home Builders Association Research Center. This will provide me with national certification as a verifier for green building techniques. The other important benefit this given me is a better understanding in building green.

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