As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, it’s essential that buildings become more energy-efficient, sustainable, and safe. Building certification standards are an integral part of ensuring that a building is up to par with the latest codes and regulations. In this article, we will discuss the evolution of building certification standards and how they have changed over time to meet the needs of our changing world.
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The Beginning of Building Certification Standards
In the early 1900s, building codes were primarily focused on safety concerns, such as fire safety, structural integrity, and sanitation. As technology advanced and environmental awareness grew, codes began to include energy efficiency and sustainability requirements.
The first modern building certification program was established in the United States in the 1970s. The Energy Efficient Building Program was created to encourage the construction of energy-efficient buildings, and it served as a model for future certification programs.
LEED Certification
In 1993, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) was established, and it introduced Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in 2000. LEED is a voluntary certification program that rates buildings on their energy efficiency, water use, indoor air quality, and materials selection. It was designed to promote sustainable building practices and encourage the use of green building materials.
LEED quickly became the gold standard for building certification and has been adopted by over 167 countries worldwide. The certification process is rigorous and requires extensive documentation of building materials, energy use, and indoor air quality.
BREEAM Certification
The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) was established in the United Kingdom in 1990. BREEAM is similar to LEED, but it was designed to meet the specific needs of the UK building industry.
BREEAM rated buildings on their energy efficiency, water use, indoor air quality, and materials selection, and it also includes categories for ecology, pollution, and transport. BREEAM has become the dominant certification standard in the UK and has been adopted in over 77 countries worldwide.
Passive House Certification
The Passive House Institute was founded in Germany in 1996 to promote energy-efficient building practices. Passive House certification is based on the Passive House Standard, which was developed to create buildings that are up to 90% more energy-efficient than traditional buildings.
Passive House certification focuses on building design and energy use, and it does not include criteria for materials selection or indoor air quality. The certification process is rigorous and requires extensive documentation of building materials and energy use.
Living Building Challenge Certification
The Living Building Challenge (LBC) was established in 2006 by the International Living Future Institute. LBC certification is the most rigorous building certification standard, and it requires buildings to be net-zero energy, net-zero water, and carbon neutral.
LBC certification also includes requirements for materials selection, indoor air quality, and social equity. The certification process is extensive and requires a long-term commitment to sustainable building practices.
The Future of Building Certification Standards
As the world continues to evolve, so too will building certification standards. The focus on sustainability and energy efficiency will only increase, and certification programs will need to adapt to meet these changing needs.
One emerging trend in building certification is the use of digital technology. Building information modeling (BIM) is a technology that allows architects and builders to create detailed digital models of buildings before construction begins. BIM technology is being integrated into building certification programs to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the certification process.
Another emerging trend is the use of blockchain technology to track building materials and ensure that they meet sustainability standards. Blockchain technology allows for a secure and transparent tracking system that can verify the origin and sustainability of building materials.
