A newly published user manual from ASHRAE clarifies the intent and implementation of the association’s green building standard by explaining its requirements and providing example applications.

The user’s manual for American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers’ standard 189.1, “Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings,” is intended to help engineers, architects and contractors understand and comply with the standard and to help code officials and others enforce its requirements.

“The user’s manual is vital in helping the industry understand these updated provisions, which will help further reduce building energy and environmental impacts through high-performance design, construction and operation while providing indoor environments that support the activities of building occupants,” said Andrew Persily, chairman of the Standard 189.1 committee.

Standard 189.1 addresses the areas of site sustainability; water-use efficiency; energy efficiency; indoor environmental quality; the building’s impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources; and construction and plans for operation. The standard is published by ASHRAE, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and the U.S. Green Building Council.