US Army Adopts ASHRAE Standard 189.1

U.S. Army officials issued their new sustainable design and development initiative that incorporates requirements of the green building Standard 189.1.

The policy applies to all construction and renovation of new buildings and structures in the U.S. territories, permanent overseas Active Army installations, Army Reserve Centers, Army National Guard facilities and Armed Forces Reserve Centers. The footprint of the existing Army buildings and structures worldwide covers more than 954 million square feet.

Standard 189.1, published early in 2010 by ASHRAE in conjunction with the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) and USGBC, provides a green building plan for those who choose to design, build and operate green buildings. The policy addresses site sustainability, water use efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and the building’s impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources.

The Army’s policy sets a new approach to the design and construction of efficient military construction projects and major renovations by using Standard 189.1 as the baseline. The policy requires that facility construction projects follow specified requirements and guidance in the standard.  “After nearly four years of peer review and collaboration with various members of industry, we are extremely pleased that the Army has taken up the initiative to incorporate the standard into its day-to-day practices,” said Lynn G. Bellenger, ASHRAE president.