Dates: Tuesdays, 9:00am – 12:00pm from September 28 – October 26, 2010

Location: Light House Sustainable Building Centre, 2060 Pine Street, Vancouver, BC

Registration

Early Bird Rate (until September 14th) - $875 + HST ($120 discount off regular rate)
Regular Rate - $995 + HST

Register online at http://lcaforbuildings.eventbrite.com or contact helenc<at>sustainablebuildingcentre.com to pay by cash or cheque.

Course Description

Governments and the building industry are looking more closely at the environmental footprint of buildings and the materials that comprise them. For example, emerging carbon reduction requirements in Canada and consumer demand are requiring that building industry professionals and owners appreciate the full environmental profile of buildings in order to identify processes to achieve effective carbon reduction.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is widely regarded as the most rigorous and comprehensive approach available for assessing the environmental performance of products and services over their life cycle. Countries in Europe and Asia are introducing LCA-based requirements, such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Carbon Declarations (CDs). France and Japan are examples of countries moving towards mandatory requirements, with the European Union expected to follow. Similarly Canada and the United States are now exploring LCA and EPD.

This course is designed to give building industry professionals a detailed look at LCA and what it can do to enhance the environmental footprint of buildings. Developed specifically for building industry professionals, each topic covered in the sessions includes examples and references to building products and industry research to provide participants with practical reference points.

The first three sessions cover the LCA framework building up to the fourth session where the international standards for assessing the environmental performance of construction products (ISO 21930) and buildings (21931-1) are reviewed. The final session introduces participants to product and building level LCA softwares alongside other valuable resources.

The primary goal of this course is to prepare participants to put LCA into practice as a method for assessing the life cycle environmental performance of buildings and their products. This course will be of interest to building industry professionals, including engineers, architecture, materials specifier, product manufacturers, as well as building owners and developers.

Session 1: Goal & Scope

The first part of the first session provides students with an overview of the course and topics to be covered, including a review of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) LCA standards 14040 & 14044, which provide the framework for the topics to be covered. The second part covers the first stage in performing an LCA, the Goal & Scope, where the context and modeling details for carrying out and LCA study are established.

Session 2: Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)

The second session incorporates formal presentation and practical exercises to cover the development of a life cycle inventory (LCI), which represents the second stage in the LCA framework. Specific topics covered include;

o Data collection preparation
o Flow chart development
o Relating unit processes and functional units
o Data aggregation

Session 3: Life Cycle Impact Assessment & Life Cycle Assessment Methodologies

The third session covers the third component of the LCA framework - life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). Specific topics covered include;

o Impact categories, category indicators and characterization factors
o Impact allocation
o Normalization, grouping and weighting
o Uncertainty

The second part of this session investigates the various methods used to interpret LCA study results., including;

o Completeness check
o Sensitivity check
o Consistency check
o Dominance Analysis
o Decision Maker Analysis
o Break Even Analysis

Session 4: ISO Standards

This session ties the information from the first three sessions to the context of the ISO Sustainability in Building Construction suite of standards, including;

o ISO 15932: General Principles
o ISO 21929: Sustainability Indicators – Part 1 – Framework for development of indicators for Buildings
o ISO 21930: Environmental Declaration of Building Products
o ISO 21931-1: Framework for Methods of Assessment of Environmental Performance of Construction Works – Part 1 – Buildings

Special attention will be given to ISOs 21930 and 21931-1 in order to provide participants with a practical understanding of their application.

Session 5: LCA Software

The final session explores the capabilities of available LCA softwares. Softwares shown include the ecoCalculator, Impact Estimator and SimaPro. Additional LCA-related readings, organizations and conferences, will be discussed to provide course participants with resources to continue their education and engagement in the subject.

*Please note that the July workshop has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for the fall.

The RETScreen® Clean Energy Project Analysis Software is a unique decision support tool developed with the contribution of numerous experts from government, industry, and academia. The software, provided free-of-charge, can be used worldwide to evaluate the energy production and savings, costs, emission reductions, financial viability and risk for various types of Renewable-energy and Energy-efficient Technologies (RETs).

Course Outline:

Day 1

• RETScreen, Energy Modelling and Analysis Overview – Presentation
• RETScreen Energy Efficiency In Depth Analysis – Workshop
  
  • Boiler Upgrades
  • Domestic Hot Water Upgrades
  • Lighting Upgrades
  • Heat Recovery
  • Evaluating Trade Offs

Day 2

• RETScreen Renewable Energy In Depth Analysis – Workshop
  
  • Customizing Site Solar Data
  • MURB Solar Hot Water
  • Solar Air Heating
  • PV System
  • Evaluating Trade Offs
• RETScreen Whole Building In Depth Analysis – Workshop
  
  • Envelope
  • Fenestration
  • HVAC Systems
  • Domestic Hot Water
  • Lighting
  • Reconciliation

Each workshop will be step by step hands-on and will include

• Project Setup
• Energy Analysis
• GHG Emissions Analysis
• Financial Analysis
• Risk Analysis

Participants must bring their own internet-enabled laptop. RETScreen currently runs on the PC platform only. You can download the RETScreen software from the NRCan website.

Instructor

Doug Horn is a Certified Energy Advisor, Building Technologist and a LEED© Accredited Professional who started his own company ‘Efficient Resource Solutions’ (ERS). ERS provides consulting services for home owners, businesses and individuals looking to reduce their energy and water consumption and performs Home Energy Assessments for City Green Solutions. In addition to ERS, Doug works at Light House Sustainable Building Centre as a Green Building Consultant focusing on LEED© consulting on green building projects, energy modeling and researching technical aspects for various Light House projects.

Doug’s passion for the environment and sustainability is quite evident from his bicycle oriented lifestyle and generation of 100% of his homes electrical needs from his roof-top photovoltaic system. With a combination of energy efficiency upgrades and small behavioural modifications Doug was able to reduce his household total energy usage to 85% of European ‘Passivhaus’ standards in his 100 year old house .

Prior to completing BCIT’s two year Architectural Building Engineering Technology programme, where he specialized in Building Science and worked in the Building Science Centre of Excellence Doug spent over 20 years as an IT professional performing a number of roles from network design and computer management to coordinating and managing IT projects.

Participants will earn:

 13 AIBC Learning Units

BCSLA CE Credits

RETSCREEN is a registered trademark of the Minister of Natural Resources Canada

Looking for affordable space to hold an event, meeting or workshop?

Light House offers a total of 5,400 sq ft of meeting and event space in its centrally-located building near Granville Island. All spaces feature wireless access.

Click here to download our facility rental rate sheet.

Conference Room - A 700 sq. ft. multi-use space with flexible seating for up to 60 people and AV equipment for presentations.
Capacity: 40 (seated lecture style); 60 maximum.
Rate: $15/hour (day); $20/hour (evenings/weekends)

Boardroom - An intimate 150 sq. ft. space for meetings of up to six people.
Capacity: 6 (seated).
Rate: $10/hour (day); $15/hour (evenings/weekends)

Showcase & Gallery - A 930 sq ft showcase and 410 sq ft gallery featuring displays of leading green products and services. Ideal for networking events and gatherings.
Capacity: 100 (standing).
Rate: $25/hour (day); $35/hour (evenings/weekends)

Terms & Conditions

• Minimum four hour booking required.
• 50% non-refundable deposit required at the time of booking (balance to be paid before event), plus a $100 refundable damage deposit.
• Discounted rates available on multiple or whole building bookings.
• All spaces feature complimentary wireless access.
• A rescheduling fee may apply.

Booking Contact
Helen Carruthers, helenc<at>sustainablebuildingcentre.com or 604.909.9560.

Light House is:

• A central location for all things green building-related in BC
• An exhibition and gallery space for green building products
• An information clearinghouse for green building research and policy development
• A place for other green organizations to host meetings and events
• A destination to bring investors, educational groups and sustainability tours

Light House services include:

• Impartial advice on green building products and technologies
• Professional education and training
• Market research, cost analysis and policy development related to green building or carbon reduction strategies
• Green building consulting for projects large and small
• Facility rentals for meetings and events

Light House staff members are:

• Architects
• Engineers
• Lawyers
• Building Science Professionals
• Economists

Light House's Green Building Showcase at 2060 Pine Street

Designed to highlight green building technology, innovation, products, and services, this one of a kind on-going tradeshow will be the ideal place for business owners, agencies, and individuals to learn the latest in green building innovation. 

Enhance your company's presence in the rapidly expanding green building marketplace by showcasing your product(s) or service(s) in the Showcase for terms of 3-12 months. While tradeshows are usually geared to a specific audience and last just a few short days, Light House is open year-round and attracts a diverse audience of designers, builders, engineers, developers, homeowners, and more.

Read about the exhibitors:

1. Refridgerative Supply
2&3. BC Hydro
4. Mitsubishi Electric
5. Jason Hindle (Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
6. City of Vancouver
7. KLIO Design and Development
8. BCIT School of Construction
9. Homeworks

10. ecoEquity
11. Global Garage Flooring
12. SunPod Greenhouses
13. GeoTility
14. FAMA Industries
15. Apex Foundations
16. Forestry Innovation Investment
17. Innotech Windows
18. Vacant
19. Soprema
20. Vacant
21. CGC Inc.
22. Cloverdale Paint
23. Vacant
24. LaneFab
25. Vacant
26. Sustainable Solutions
27. Vacant
28. Evolution Fund
29. Dragon-Fly Business Solutions

Special Attractions:

• Rammed Earth Wall
• Passive House Wall
• Zero Waste Home (kitchen and bathroom)
• VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) System

Even more products are displayed, compliments of our In-Kind Donors!

Download the information sheet

Fast Facts 

Visitor Attendance: 7,000 Visitor

Demographic: 5,000 members of the public; 2,000 industry professionals and businesses; 3,000 interactions by email and phone

Number of professionals participating in education sessions and B2B networking events at the Centre: 800

Total tradeshow floor area: 1,500sf

Revolving exhibit: Sign up for a 6 month display today!

Whether you need to rachet up your skill level, get the latest information on how green building is developing in the market (and how it might be good for your business), or receive technical assistance on a green building project Light House can help.

Our education programs have been designed in collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders in the green building and construction industry. For more information about our programs, contact Light House at 604-682-5960 or info[at ]sustainblebuildingcentre.com

Green Building Training Courses
Life Cycle Analysis for Buildings	Life Cycle Analysis for Buildings The primary goal of this course is to prepare participants to put LCA into practice as a method for assessing the life cycle environmental performance of buildings and their products. This course will be of interest to building industry professionals, including engineers, architecture, materials specifier, product manufacturers, as well as building owners and developers. Date: Tuesdays, 9:00am – 12:00pm from September 28 – October 26, 2010
Green Construction Training Program	Green Construction Training Program A two day program designed for superintendents, site supervisors, site safety officers and builders interested in learning the basics of building green and how it applies to a green construction site.  Individual participants can register for $400 for the two days or organizations can request an in-house training to train entire teams. Contact info(at)sustainablebuildingcentre.com for more information.  No dates are scheduled at this time.
Green Building Documentation	Green Building Documentation and Coordination Training A five day course over two months for project coordinators and administrators to learn to manage a green building project and its associated documentation. No dates are scheduled at this time.    Email Dallas [at] brightergreenconsulting.com or phone 360-379-9398
Sustainable Building Advisor	Sustainable Building Advisor Program Designed for working professionals who want intensive and wide ranging instruction on green building practices. One weekend a month for 9 months. Date: September 2010 Contact Dallas [at] brightergreenconsulting.com or phone 360-379-9398 for future courses

If you have questions about any of our education programs phone (604-682-5960) or email info(at)SustainableBuildingCentre.com.

If you are looking for information abut LEED training or about the LEED ap exam, contact the Canada Green Building Council or the US Green Building Council. 

You are:  a working professional, project coordinator, or administrator 

Green Building Documentation and Coordination is a stepping stone to an exciting career in the sustainable building industry!

Light House is offering a Green Building Documentation and Coordination Training that will equip working individuals with the skills and tools necessary to efficiently and affordably manage green building rating certification processes, including documentation and management skills.

Following a tried and trusted internship model, trainees work under the guidance of green building professionals to gain practical experience on real-life projects sourced from local firms.

Dates:          TBA
Location:      Vancouver
Cost:             $1200 + GST

Dates:          November 6, 7, 8 and 28, 29   
Location:      Victoria        
1C - 555 Ardersier Road      
Downtown Victoria      
Cost:             $1200 + GST

Register now! email Dallas [at] brightergreenconsulting.com or phone 360-379-9398  

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 Documentation Coordinator help your project? The responsibilities may include the following:

• Manage and coordinate the certification process including project registration and responsibility for the documentation of credits and submittals
• Understand and use checklists to keep project teams on task for particular credits
• Carefully track and format both documentation and submittal requirements so that credits are awarded appropriately
• Review application for suitability and completeness
• Appeal denied credits by providing additional necessary documentation

Material Requirements: 

• LEED Reference Guide.  You can use your company’s guide, or purchase your own from CaGBC, www.cagbc.org
• REAP Reference Guide and Checklist.  Excel and pdf documents available for download at www.planning.ubc.ca/corebus/reap.html
• Built Green™ Multi-Storey and Residential Tower (MS&RT) Program Checklist.  Excel document available for download at www.builtgreencanada.ca

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:

• 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.

Recommendations for interested students with no construction background

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. These courses are options for consideration prior to commencing the green building coordinator program. The choice to enroll in courses should be based on your interest, availability and budget. 

If you would like a list of what courses may help bolster your knowledge prior to taking this course, please email amanda (at) sustainablebuildingcentre.com .  

Please note that it is NOT mandatory to take any extra courses prior to enrolling to the Green Building Documentation Training.

Market Insights

Market Insights is regularly attended by developers, builders, design consultants, property managers, municipal and government staff, building owners, realtors, product manufacturers, suppliers, and industry associations. Quarterly breakfast seminars provide up-to-the-minute analysis of the BC green building industry, and an open opportunity to engage with a range of industry experts and key decision makers. Each session features a first rate guest speaker in addition to presentations by Light House experts and a period for frank discussion. This valuable session will provide you with: 

• The latest trends in demand for green real estate and high performance homes
• Commentary on emerging policy and legislation which could impact your business
• Updates on the most recent education and training opportunities relevant to your profession
• Details on the hottest new products and emerging building related technologies
• The language for marketing green buildings and communicating sustainability

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