University of Saskatchewan
OP-4: Building Design and Construction

LEED Gold Certification was achieved for the Health Sciences E-Wing expansion

The Design Manual is considered a "living document" and is continuously updated to reflect new standards, approaches and knowledge. Sustainability is one of seven principles identified in the Design Manual to guide all planning for all new construction, retrofits and renovations. Many of the guidelines for sustainability are aligned with or reference LEED standards. The following guidelines are included for the topics identified above: SITE IMPACT - Temporary erosion, sedimentation and pollution control measures in accordance with the most recent version of LEED® Canada-NC Sustainable Sites Prerequisite 1. -To the extent possible, conserve existing natural areas and restore damaged areas to provide habitat and promote biodiversity, restore open space in accordance with the most recent version of LEED® Canada-NC Sustainable Sites Credit 5.1 and reduce the development footprint in accordance with the most recent version of LEED® Canada-NC Sustainable Sites Credit 5.2. - Restore a minimum of 50% of the site area (excluding the building footprint) by replacing impervious surfaces with native or adapted vegetation in accordance with LEED® Canada-NC Sustainable Sites Credit 5.1. - Designate open space area adjacent to the building that is equal to the development footprint (defined as entire building footprint, access roads and parking) in accordance with LEED® Canada-NC Sustainable Sites Credit 5.2. ENERGY -All buildings shall be designed to meet or exceed the minimum energy efficiency requirements of the most recent edition of the LEED® Canada-NC Energy & Atmosphere Prerequisite 2 ‘Minimum Energy Performance’. Compliance shall be demonstrated using whole building energy simulation. Currently, this requires one of the following: - For new buildings, a 23% reduction in energy cost relative to a reference building designed to the Model National Energy Code for Buildings 1997 (MNECB). - For new buildings, a 10% reduction in energy cost relative to the baseline building performance rating. The baseline building performance rating is calculated according to the building performance rating method in Appendix G of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007 (with errata but without addenda) using a computer simulation model for the whole building Project. - For major renovations to existing buildings, a 19% reduction in energy cost relative to a reference building designed to the Model National Energy Code for Buildings 1997 (MNECB). - For major renovations to existing buildings, a 5% reduction in energy cost relative to the baseline building performance rating, calculated according to ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007. METERING -Specify separate electrical, gas and water meters for new buildings and for existing buildings subject to major renovations. The Energy and Emission Officer, Office of the Sustainability, Facilities Management Division shall provide the specification for the meter to be installed. -The power supply to the Building shall be metered using revenue-approved 3-element, demand-energy type meters with test switches. Metering shall satisfy Measurements Canada requirements. -Water meters (turbine type) should be provided to give accurate readings both at low and at full flows. (Note however, that fire fighting standpipes may by-pass the meter if used for that purpose only.) MATERIALS -Resource Re-use: Where appropriate and feasible, incorporation of salvaged, refurbished or reused materials in the building design. -Recycled Content: Specify materials with a minimum 10% recycled content, in accordance with LEED® Canada-NC Materials & Resources Credit 4, unless instructed otherwise. (Minimum recycled content requirements for some products and materials may be higher. Refer to Part 6 – Assemblies & Systems.) - Regional Materials: Specify a minimum of 20% building materials and products extracted, processed, and manufactured within the region, in accordance with LEED® Canada-NC Materials & Resources Credit 5. - Rapidly Renewable Materials: Where appropriate and feasible, incorporate rapidly renewable building materials and products, as defined by LEED® Canada-NC Materials & Resources Credit 6. - Certified Wood: Specify a minimum of 50% (based on cost) of wood-based materials and products that are certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) Principles and Criteria, for wood building components, in accordance with LEED® Canada-NC Materials & Resources Credit 7. INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY -Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring (CO2 Monitoring): Where appropriate, design ventilation systems to include permanent carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring systems to ensure that ventilation systems maintain design minimum requirements, in accordance with LEED® Canada-NC Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 1. HVAC systems serving spaces likely to experience high CO2 levels should be designed to ensure that other spaces are separately controlled. - Low-Emitting Materials: Specify low-VOC adhesives & sealants, in accordance with LEED® Canada-NC Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 4.1. Specify low-VOC paints and coatings, in accordance with LEED® Canada-NC Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 4.2. Specify flooring products and materials in accordance with LEED® Canada-NC Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 4.3. Specify wood, agrifibre products and laminating adhesives that contain no added urea-formaldehyde resins, in accordance with LEED® Canada-NC Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 4.4. - Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control: Design to minimize and control the entry of pollutants into buildings and later cross-contamination of regularly occupied areas, in accordance with LEED® Canada-NC Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 5. -Daylight & Views: Where feasible maximize interior daylighting and views in accordance with LEED® Canada-NC Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 8. Strategies to consider include building orientation, shallow floor plates, increased building perimeter, exterior and interior permanent shading devices, lower partitions, high-performance glazing, and high-ceiling reflectance values; additionally, automatic photocell-based controls can help reduce energy use. Predict daylight factors via manual calculations, or model daylighting strategies with a physical or computer model to assess lighting levels and daylight factors achieved. WATER CONSUMPTION - Water Efficient Landscaping: Design sites, landscapes & irrigation systems to minimize potable water consumption, in accordance with the most recent version of LEED® Canada-NC Water Efficiency Credit 1.1 (reduce potable water consumption for irrigation by 50% over conventional means). - For Consideration: Where feasible, apply Credit 1.2 (Use only captured rain or recycled site water to eliminate all potable water use for site irrigation or do not install permanent landscape irrigation systems. (Review w/ Gift) - Water Use Reduction: To reduce potable water consumption, design plumbing systems in accordance with the most recent version of LEED® Canada-NC Water Efficiency Credits 3.1 and 3.2 (Reduce potable water consumption in a building by 30%.)

Consultants are asked to follow the Design Manual. It is referenced in all contracts for construction. Where appropriate, LEED consultants are hired and the UofS follows a commissioning process.