Green Building Documentation Training Program

Green Building Documentation – a stepping-stone to an exciting career in the sustainable building industry!

GB-Doc Pilot Class

Green building rating systems present an organized set of selected environmental criteria and thus are able to precisely communicate the environmental goals and objectives of a particular project to the building owners, the occupants and the surrounding community. Green building documentation comprises the research, coordination and collation of information necessary for a building project to apply for 3rd party certification. Documentation becomes a design and construction process tool.

How will a green building coordinator graduate help your project? The responsibilities may include the following:

1. Managing and coordinating the certification process including registration, acting as point of contact for credits and submittals, conducting site visits
2. Using the LEED checklist at coordination meetings and comment on feasibility of achieving LEED requirements
3. Careful tracking and formatting of both documentation and submittal requirements so that credits are awarded, with consideration of the following:
   1. Some credits will require as little as a signed letter, whereas others will require spreadsheet-based tally of specific measures taken, calculation of performance, or photographs
   2. Additional documentation is required to be prepared for an audit
   3. Ensure completeness and clarity of documentation
   4. Avoid excessive documentation that potentially will obscure essential pieces of information
   5. Timely and efficient collection and delivery of required documents to expedite the certification process
4. Researching and submitting Credit Interpretation Rulings
5. Reviewing applications for suitability and completeness
6. Appealing potentially denied prerequisites and credits by providing additional necessary documents

Light House is offering a green building documentation training program that will equip project coordinators and administrators with the skills and tools necessary to efficiently and and affordably manage green building rating certification process that apply to Part 3 buildings.

Following a tried and trusted internship model, trainees work under the guidance of qualified instructors, gaining practical experience on real-life projects that have been sourced from local firms.

Dates:

• Program currently in progress

Next Training Program:

• Thursday    Jan. 15, 09
• Wednesday Feb. 11, 09
• Thursday     Feb. 12, 09
• Wednesday  Mar. 18, 09
• Thursday      Mar. 19, 09

Location: SFU Harbour Centre

Frequency: 6 hour days – 3 hrs morning instruction, 3 hrs afternoon workshops

Cost: $1000 + GST ($1050 total). 

To apply, please fill out the attached application form and return (with resume and cover letter) to Light House Sustainable Building Centre, 1575 Johnston Street, Granville Island, Vancouver, V6H 3R9 or by email to dallas@brightergreenconsulting.com

Payment: Please make payment to Light House Sustainable Building Centre. Cheques can be mailed to Light House at 1575 Johnston Street, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6H 3R9. Payment can also be made by credit card at: http://documentationtraining.eventbrite.com/. 

Educational strategy:

• Fictional and current/actual projects
• Hands-on experience with documentation
• Actual work with LEED templates
• Assignments – done during computer lab time
• Logbook to check off completion of learning modules submittal requirements
• Upon graduation, student takes away a binder and online resources for successful future LEED certification process

Benefits:

• High involvement with participants
• Hands-on training using real life projects
• Learning from industry professionals

General learning outcomes to comprise:

• Working knowledge of green building principles and commonly used rating systems
• Learn how to be a point of contact for LEED credits, conduct site visits to stay ahead of the game and research products
• Effective translation of green building strategies and features into admissible credits to the satisfaction of CaGBC reviewers
• Ability to read and navigate an energy model report, MSDS and construction documents and specification necessary to complete documentation
• Undertake necessary non-engineering calculations such as daylight analysis, materials information such as recycled content
• Understand the structure of and relationships within the construction industry
• Green building research methodology – where to go for information, contacts from green building industry, research and standard authorities, product certification
• Ability to function as a supporting role in a design or construction office

Program recruits may be drawn from within existing design and engineering firms, contracting companies, from all the major higher education facilities, from various technology-oriented sectors (web, telecom, IT), etc. Graduates can pursue careers within architectural and mechanical design firms, construction companies and environmental consulting firms.

Training Program Prerequisites:

Although the program will accommodate applicants with wide-ranging backgrounds, admission will require a basic level of technical building process knowledge. An initial interview will be conducted for each applicant to assess background experiences and determine if any additional background education is required prior to entry into the program.

Initially, those from outside the construction industry may want to take certain foundation courses in building processes and principles to orient trainees prior to starting on a documentation project. The following courses are options for consideration prior to commencing the documentation training program. The choice to enroll in any of the following courses should be based on your interest, availability and budget.

BCIT: BLDT 1021 - Construction Operations/Supervision: Construction Drawings

Provides an introduction to the relationships between drawings and building construction. Emphasis is on practical application of learned skills in a lab environment. These skills are essential for further studies in site processes, construction procedures and estimating. Prerequisite: Grade 10 English and Grade 10 Math, or preapproved program. 3.0 credits 12 weeks. (3 Credits)

BCIT: Architectural Science - ARSC 7201 - Sustainable Design

Through a series of lectures and work sessions presenting learning resources, case studies and green building rating systems, students will have the opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of environmentally responsible design in the construction industry. (3 Credits)

Langara College: Building Operations Management PROP1044

Designed for property managers, building managers, supervisors, and persons who want to advance in facilities management. You will learn how buildings operate, how to develop a building maintenance plan, how to improve safety and efficiency, and how to solve common maintenance problems. Specific topics include: building structure and envelope, mechanical systems and equipment, maintenance planning, energy efficiency, capital upgrades, equipment life cycles, and problem-solving techniques. Instruction will focus on large residential and commercial buildings, however the information and principles covered are widely applicable.

Douglas College: BES 1100 Practical Overview of Building Systems

This course reviews basic building science required for trouble-shooting and analyzing heating, air-conditioning, air handling, electrical, plumbing and control systems. The goal of the course is to provide students with a Continuous Commissioning approach to sustainable operation and maintenance of existing buildings. The essential topics in the course all presented and discussed from the perspective of implementing Energy Management strategies and performing Best Practices Operations and Maintenance on existing buildings.

Vancouver Community College: Commercial Drafting/Building Details (DRFT 1354)

This course introduces the student to Commercial Architectural Drafting and detailing practices as they apply to a concrete block and light steel framed building used for the purpose of a retail outlet. The student gains knowledge in commercial architectural drafting, construction materials, and Part 3 of the BC Building code.  Credits: 4.0

Vancouver Community College: Construction Drawing Reading (DRFT 1226)

This course introduces the student to the basic skills needed to read, study and understand construction drawings.  Credits: 1.0