Can we say all green buildings are safe buildings ???? This question has posed by one of my compatriot when I talked about the advantage of green building and sustainable practices . Simple question but intriguing very much ..
May be YES or May be NOT .
Designers and planners shall collaborate with industry specialist whilst choosing the green material or low VOC paints- a conscious approach to see that materials all are satisfying the safety requirements along with the green aspects .For example , does material compromise on their fire /flame retardant capacity while increasing the percentage of recycled material content during the manufacturing ??? Do a check on all type tests they have done and independent testing laboratory certifications prior to accepting the material just because they are green .In short , Green focus should not change our focus towards Safety .
In my opinion , LEED Ver 2.2 has not addressed the areas of safety very comprehensively . Perhaps safety is considered as an implied requirement which every specialist need to consider without fail .Yes , we can not ignore the fact, that making green does not mean compromising on safety .Similarly , LEED Ver 2.2 has not addressed the areas of pollution that can be generated by the stand by generator ,which always be a part of the back up system for the buildings to support all life safety equipments .I wish , LEED 2009 will take care of these small short falls .
A unified guidance will be more advisable with regards to the built up area per number of occupants or residents of the building for eg : sq feet construction can be permitted per number of occupancy .When I've decided to construct a home , thought of applying green building principle , the first question came to my mind was , as per green , what's the max allowable sq feet area should a house required for a family of 4 persons ?? Soon I might get some answers .
Let me borrow president elect Obama's mantra , YES , WE CAN .... to answer this question .
With no doubt , I can say , all green building can be safe building , provided a holistic approach is required during planning ,design ,pre construction , post construction as recommended by LEED rating system .
May be YES or May be NOT .
Designers and planners shall collaborate with industry specialist whilst choosing the green material or low VOC paints- a conscious approach to see that materials all are satisfying the safety requirements along with the green aspects .For example , does material compromise on their fire /flame retardant capacity while increasing the percentage of recycled material content during the manufacturing ??? Do a check on all type tests they have done and independent testing laboratory certifications prior to accepting the material just because they are green .In short , Green focus should not change our focus towards Safety .
In my opinion , LEED Ver 2.2 has not addressed the areas of safety very comprehensively . Perhaps safety is considered as an implied requirement which every specialist need to consider without fail .Yes , we can not ignore the fact, that making green does not mean compromising on safety .Similarly , LEED Ver 2.2 has not addressed the areas of pollution that can be generated by the stand by generator ,which always be a part of the back up system for the buildings to support all life safety equipments .I wish , LEED 2009 will take care of these small short falls .
A unified guidance will be more advisable with regards to the built up area per number of occupants or residents of the building for eg : sq feet construction can be permitted per number of occupancy .When I've decided to construct a home , thought of applying green building principle , the first question came to my mind was , as per green , what's the max allowable sq feet area should a house required for a family of 4 persons ?? Soon I might get some answers .
Let me borrow president elect Obama's mantra , YES , WE CAN .... to answer this question .
With no doubt , I can say , all green building can be safe building , provided a holistic approach is required during planning ,design ,pre construction , post construction as recommended by LEED rating system .
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