Greenbuildingindex.org - Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Sections
FAQ 1
FAQ 2
FAQ 3
FAQ 4
FAQ 5
FAQ 6
FAQ 7
FAQ 8
FAQ 9
FAQ 10
FAQ 11

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 10

10.1	Q	NRNC EE5: Advanced EE Performance What is the benchmark that we should use for a mixed development? How do we separate and calculate for the BEI given that there is office and retail mall space in the Podium?
	A	For mixed development consisting of office and retail mall space, where the latter constitutes not more than 25% of the total GFA, then use the BEI formula which is now reproduced under FAQ 9.5 together with the example on WOH adjustment. If retail space constitutes 75% or more of the total GFA, then use the BEI for Retail Mall as published under FAQ 3.12. If retail space is more than 25% but less than 75% of the total GFA, then calculate the BEI for office space and retail space separately, and the lower credit score will apply.

10.2	Q	NRNC SM7: Worker’s Amenities During design stage, can we just spec into the contractor’s tender requirements that they have to provide the site amenities plan during construction? It will be very difficult for us to provide this for DA submittal. It is typically up to the contractor to determine the locations of site staff and worker’s amenities and health & hygiene facilities.
	A	The GBIF should not mix up construction contract requirements with GBI credit requirements. If the project desires to score for this credit, then the GBIF and Design Team must ensure that the compliant requirements are clearly stipulated in the tender documentation and specification, and not the other way around.

10.3	Q	NRNC WE3: Water Efficient Landscaping In order to avoid paying for a dual piping system, and yet be able to gain this credit, can we divert all the rainwater that is harvested to the irrigation of the landscape by using less efficient irrigation methods?
	A	There is no such term as a less efficient irrigation method in this instance as the said landscape will still require the same volume of water whether such is discharged faster or slower.

10.4	Q	NRNC IN1: Air Filtration Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is an alternative to high efficiency particulate filtration for controlling airborne microorganism. UVGI systems typically use 254nm UVC radiation to disrupt the DNA or RNA of microbes, thus impairing their ability to replicate. Please confirm if UVGI qualifies for innovation point in hospital application.
	A	UVGI qualifies for ONE innovation point provided the installation serves at least 50% of the hospital GFA.

10.5	Q	GBIF Scope & Fees Do you have a recommended guideline on GBI facilitators’ scope of work and fees for Non-Residential Existing Building (NREB) GBI tool? The guidelines currently on the GBI website seem only applicable for New Construction buildings i.e. the NRNC and RNC tools. Your further guidance is much appreciated.
	A	GBI has no intention of creating a separate guideline on facilitator's scope and fees for NREB. The guideline for NRNC should be sufficient for the market to modify the scope of services to suit especially since the scope for NREB is expected to vary substantially for each building. With such a wide variation, the fee structure will also be of a wide range and GBI prefer the market to find its own level by using the NRNC model as a guide.

10.6	Q	NRNC EE1 For a mixed development under one registration, if we intend to split all components into 3 groups such as hotel tower, corporate office tower and retail & office suite blocks, can we treat the 4 blocks of retail & office suite as one building and OTTV calculation will then be based on façades exposed to the exterior? Likewise, due to sharing a common roof terrace, how can we calculate the portion of RTTV? Can we assume and use the building foot print as area of roof and apply this to the RTTV computation?
	A	Yes, the 4 blocks can be under one submission but each block will be assessed individually for OTTV and not an averaged OTTV. The worst case result will then apply. RTTV will apply to the block directly affected in terms of roof solar impact.

10.7	Q	NRNC EE1 For the provision of Energy Management Control System where Air-conditioned spaces > 4,000m2, the Air-conditioned space refers to the entire total area of development or individual rooms that exceed 4,000m2?
	A	Applies to the individual block of building submitted for assessment.