NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING COMMAND

PLANNING AND DESIGN POLICY STATEMENT - 98-02

CRITERIA SUPPORTING THE DESIGN OF

SUSTAINABLE FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

18 JUNE 1998

References:

Attachments:

Policy Statement:

It is the policy of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) to adopt and utilize industry-recognized standards, codes, criteria and other guidance in support of sustainable design whenever possible in lieu of establishing Navy-unique documentation. In this regard, the publications identified in Attachment 1 are key criteria and guidance for implementation of NAVFAC's Sustainable Development Program. As additional or revised criteria, standards and other guidance become available, they will be reviewed and added to the list of Attachment 1, as appropriate.

Where recommendations contained in any publication of Attachment 1 are in conflict with existing NAVFAC guidance and criteria, as represented in policy statements, manuals, handbooks, or other formal publications, established NAVFAC guidance will initially take precedence. However, in the case of conflicting criteria and guidance, the NAVFAC Criteria Office, which will be seeking to remove or revalidate such conflicts, shall be consulted for resolution of the conflict. The NAVFAC Criteria Office will seek to approve the most sustainable materials and products consistent with appropriate consideration of other design factors. Where referenced publications make mention of a proprietary product, no endorsement is to be inferred.


Purpose of Policy Statement:

The purpose of this policy statement is to identify and establish criteria and other guidance in support of the design of sustainable facilities and infrastructure by NAVFAC. Sustainability principles and concepts, as defined in reference (a), as represented herein, as reflected in NAVFAC's guide specifications database, and as addressed in other sources of facilities guidance, shall be incorporated into all facilities design decisions.

This policy implements the criteria portion of NAVFAC's comprehensive Sustainable Development Program which was established to meet the Navyis facilities infrastructure needs for improved performance, economy and productivity, while maximizing efficiency in resource utilization. In an integrated manner, this program addresses planning, programming, design, construction, and facilities management practices, and accommodates significant changes in NAVFAC's philosophy and procedures for meeting facilities and infrastructure needs. Policies addressing design and A-E selection are found in references (a) and (b). Policies addressing planning, programming, value engineering, construction, and other areas will be issued in the near future.

This policy statement provides overall guidance on criteria to use in the design of facilities and infrastructure. Future revisions and supplements to this policy statement will incorporate more specific guidance relative to site development, energy efficiency and conservation, the use of renewable energy sources, materials selection based on life-cycle environmental impacts and recycled content, efficiency in materials utilization, building ecology, and occupant productivity as a reflection of both interior and exterior environments.


Background:

The determination of acceptable design concepts and engineering solutions to problems, including which building materials, products and systems to incorporate into any facility or infrastructure project, has traditionally involved a complex methodology of evaluating choices on the basis of performance, safety, aesthetics, durability, availability, cost and other factors. An extensive system of commercial codes and standards, often building on over 100 yearsi experience of successful product use, has historically provided a reliable base from which to make these comparisons and resulting decisions. Added to this is a similar knowledge base within NAVFAC resulting from specific applications of materials, products and systems under all types of Navy-specific situations.

Traditionally NAVFAC, like most federal agencies, has relied primarily on its own criteria for decisions as to which material, product or system to use in a particular situation. As reflected in an extensive library of manuals, handbooks, and various other guidance, this criteria has served NAVFAC well over the years and has resulted in high levels of quality and consistency. However, an increasing desire to adopt and use new technologies and innovative products is resulting in a greater dependence on the direct adoption and use of industry standards without the traditional "filtering" process through which materials and products were eventually incorporated into NAVFAC criteria. This approach is proving to be highly cost effective, while at the same time bringing new technologies and innovation more quickly into the design of facilities and infrastructure.

As addressed in the definition of sustainable design in reference (a), NAVFAC's Sustainable Development Program defines a series of design considerations in addition to those that have traditionally existed when selecting materials, products and systems, such as performance, safety, aesthetics, durability, availability and cost. As noted, it is NAVFAC's policy to apply all of these sustainability considerations "to the fullest extent possible, consistent with budget constraints and customer requirements."


The Building Industry is in the early stages of defining the performance of materials, products and systems with respect to these criteria and only a limited number of national standards exist. In most instances, definitive guidance for the designer is lacking or even contradictory. Consequently, the adoption of clear, concise and definitive criteria from a single, authoritative source is not possible in every situation. Instead of a single national standard upon which to draw guidance, there are numerous industry organizations seeking to provide criteria associated with the various facets of sustainable design. The selective adoption and use of this industry-developed criteria forms the foundation for NAVFAC's Sustainable Development Program.

As addressed in greater detail in reference (a), NAVFAC's Sustainable Development Program incorporates "the concept that sustainable facilities and infrastructure do not necessarily have a higher initial cost -- that a substantial number of sustainability initiatives can typically be accommodated within original project budgets if those budgets are adequate from the start. The critical key to accomplishing this is an integrated design approach . . ." Consequently, decisions regarding which criteria to use cannot be made in isolation. The selection of a material or product for a specific application may significantly impact performance and cost of other building elements or systems. This requires special and unique qualifications on the part of designers, as addressed in greater detail in reference (b).


The criteria and guidance of Attachment 1 shall be applied to all facilities and infrastructure projects such that sustainability principles and concepts are incorporated to the fullest extent possible, consistent with budget constraints and customer requirements. This policy applies to renovation and alteration projects as well as new construction; applies to projects regardless of funding source or amount; applies to projects accomplished for all customers; applies to projects accomplished both in-house and through A-E contracts; and applies to design associated with all procurement methods, including design-build.


Actions and Procedures:

To implement this policy statement, Engineering Field Divisions (EFDs), Engineering Field Activities (EFAs) and Public Works Centers (PWCs) shall apply this policy, effective with its issue date, to all design-bid-build projects and all design-build projects for which CBD announcements have not been made; to all projects utilizing other procurement methods where criteria for selection of designers can be determined or influenced; and to all projects for which in-house design has not started or reached a point where incorporation of sustainability principles and concepts would detrimentally affect the project. Where the A-E selection process or in-house design process has proceeded beyond the points noted above this policy shall be applied on a selective basis consistent with project requirements, customer needs and other appropriate considerations. The intent is to apply this policy to the greatest extent possible without detrimentally affecting the progress of the project.


Points of Contact:

NAVFAC Headquarters POCs for sustainable criteria are:

    Philip Bolton, P.E., Director, NAVFAC Criteria Office (located at the Atlantic Division, Norfolk, VA); Phone: (757) 322-4200; E-Mail: bolton@efdlant.navfac.navy.mil;

    Fax: (757) 322-4416

    Terrel M. Emmons, FAIA, Associate Director for Engineering, NAVFAC HQ Code ENG; Phone: (202) 685-9170; Fax: (202) 685-1577; E-Mail: emmonstm@hq.navfac.navy.mil

     

Attachment 1


Industry- and Federal Agency-Developed

Sustainable Development Criteria

The following documentation and publications are to be used as criteria:


Environmental Resource Guide - American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006, Phone (202) 626-7300, published by John Wiley & Sons. Inc., One Wiley Drive, Somerset, NJ 08875 Phone (800) 255-5945

    The industryis most comprehensive guide for incorporating environmental criteria into design decisions. Contains both in-depth research reports and "at-a-glance" reference charts facilitating decision-making between competing building materials and products on the basis of a wide range of environmental criteria. Organized on the basis of the CSI 16-division format.

Environmentally Responsible Facilities Guide - Headquarters Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence, 8106 Chennault Road, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas 78285 Phone (210) 536-3433

    A comprehensive guide for programmers, planners, designers, project managers, energy managers, environmental managers, facility users, A-E consultants and constructors. Provides design requirements, criteria, and a wealth of additional information to guide sustainable development.

Local Government Sustainable Buildings Guidebook: Environmentally Responsible Building Design and Management - Public Technology, Inc., 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004; Phone (202) 626-2400 or (800) 852-4934; Fax (202) 626-2498

    Basics of sustainable design with specific strategies for pre-design, site development and building design.

Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Public Technology, Inc. (co-sponsored by U. S. Green Buildings Council, U. S. Department of Energy, and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency), 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20006; Phone (202) 626-2400 or (301) 490-2188 (publication sales)

    A compendium of available information on "green" building practices for new construction, renovation, and building operations, with in-depth discussion on economics and the environment, pre-design issues, site issues, building design, the construction process, and operations and maintenance. The format for most sections includes a short introduction, highlights and background on the significance of the topic, suggested practices and checklists, and a list of resources for more information.

Sustainable Materials for Bachelor Enlisted Quarters - Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Alexandria, VA 22332, 23 October 1997; Phone 703-325-0104

    A comprehensive compendium of materials to use in BEQis based on evaluations relative to durability, environmental considerations, and recycling considerations.

The Smart Office - A. K. Townsend, Gila Press, P. O. Box 623, Olney, MD 20830-0478;

Phone 301-774-0917

    A comprehensive guide to the design of interior spaces, especially offices, to streamline resource use and create healthier workplaces. Subjects addressed include: energy-efficient lighting; energy-efficient office equipment; efficient building systems; health issues associated with interior environments; environmental considerations in selecting flooring, wallcoverings, and furniture; recycling; and alternative office concepts, such telecommuting.

Whole Building Design Guide - Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Alexandria, VA 22332 (under development with publication projected for July 1998), Phone 757-322-4200

    Comprehensive criteria focusing specifically on integrated design concepts.

Note:Appendix B of the Environmental Resource Guide and The Smart Office contain many more references for books, periodicals, newsletters and web sites that may prove helpful. Many of these, however, contain propriety information on specific manufacturersi products.