Industry News
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As part of the housing initiative, NRCan has issued a draft ENERGY STAR for New Homes technical specification that will apply to all ENERGY STAR qualified new homes built in Ontario until at least March 2011, and likely until the implementation of the ERS 80 levels in the building code. Contact David Terlizzi at HRAI, dterlizzi@hrai.ca or tel. 800-267-2231 ext. 263. http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/
ASHRAE Publishes Green Standard A standard for the design of high-performance green buildings has been published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), in conjunction with the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of HighPerformance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, covers everything from site location to energy
use to recycling, and covers key topic areas similar to green building rating systems. A readable copy and more information is available at ashrae.org/greenstandard.
WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? This is truly a case of a commercial washroom design gone amuck. Located in a very large office building, this restroom could easily carry a couple of segments of You're On Candid Camera. In fact, it has become sport for the experienced user of the facilities to watch as perplexed visitors eyeball the situation, then run their hands under, around and over the mirrors, vanities and sinks, still frequently unsuccessful in finding the soap. Some enterprising and thoughtful person later removed the sticker provided for the no-touch paper towel dispenser to assist those who cannot find the soap. But, you must hit the magic spot, which is about the size of a dime to get your dose of foamy soap. Veterans now turn their attention to the novices who can't figure out how to operate the paper towel dispenser.
2010 Venues On The Podium The International Media Centre at Robson Square in Vancouver, BC was the host venue for the recent Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) awards ceremony. The ceremony and press conference highlighted the achievements of the green builders and innovators in reaching for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) status for over 31 Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic venues. In partnership with BC Hydro, CaGBC honoured the Province of British Columbia, VANOC, the cities of Vancouver, Richmond and the Resort Municipality of Whistler for their global leadership in sustainability. "By committing to building venues and Athletes villages to the LEED Canada building rating system, the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games have created an environmental legacy which will benefit British Columbians and Canadians for years to come," said Thomas Mueller,
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HPAC | MARCH 2010
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