OVERVIEW
Standards and rating systems have been at the heart of the green building movement at least since U.S. energy standards for buildings (like ASHRAE 90.1) started ratcheting up following the 1970s energy crisis.
If you care about health and sustainability, you can now rely on dozens of ratings and standards for buildings as well as things in and around them, including:
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Lab protocols for chemical emissions from finishes and furniture
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Testing methods for durability of paints, textiles, and many other products
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Standards for energy use, ventilation, thermal comfort, and more
- Rating systems for schools, healthcare facilities, parking garages, landscapes, and healthy spaces
IN-DEPTH
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Certified Communities: When Greening Neighborhoods One Building at a Time Isn’t Enough
December 11, 2017Primer
A comparison of community-scale certification programs.
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VOC Testing: What It Can and Can’t Tell You
October 4, 2016Primer
“Section 01350” has come a long way since it acquired its curious nickname. Here’s what it can tell you about indoor air quality—and what it can’t.
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Imperfect Consensus in Green Building Standards
December 30, 2013Primer
Business rivals find common ground through ANSI, ISO, and other frameworks-but the process isn't perfect.
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Standards for Standards: ISO and ANSI
October 29, 2010Primer
ISO is an international standard-setting body that offers accreditation to certifying organizations and approves standards that meet certain criteria.
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Adaptive Thermal Comfort
April 29, 2009Primer
Adaptive thermal comfort broadens our understanding of the comfort zone by accounting for human behavior and perception, and factors like amount of clothing and air movement.