Official language
Most buildings undergo some type of design and fit-out activity over their operating lives, due to equipment retrofits, tenant fit-outs in commercial buildings, unit refreshes in multifamily properties, or periodic space reconfigurations and updates in municipal, institutional, or owner-occupied facilities.
This best practice is intended to minimize adverse environmental effects caused by renovation and fit-out activities by helping building operators learn to take advantage of these activities to improve building performance and sustainability over time.
The guidelines shouldn’t be positioned as binding requirements unless that is clearly stipulated and the building owners’ intent. Rather, they provide a shortcut in helping project managers and design teams to incorporate green practices into projects that take place in the building.
Aside from establishing the guidelines, it is critical they are communicated to the correct internal and external personnel early in a renovation or fit-out project.
Objective
Create and implement renovation and fit-out guidelines that help to improve environmental and health performance by outlining sustainable renovation and fit-out practices and prioritizing the use of building products and materials with environmentally-preferrable attributes.
Submittal Requirements
The following are the required submittals in order to fulfill the objective of this best practice.
- Written renovation or fit-out procedures for the building that, at minimum, address the following:
- Design guidelines that help improve at least two of the following performance metrics:
- Energy performance.
- Water performance.
- Waste management.
- Indoor air quality.
- Green purchasing criteria.
- Waste management protocols.
- IAQ guidelines.
- Communication protocols to disseminate guidelines to the appropriate parties.
- Design guidelines that help improve at least two of the following performance metrics:
For Tenant-Controlled Spaces
Option 1. Building Renovation and Fit-Out Guidelines
- Written renovation or fit-out procedures for the building that, at minimum, address the following:
- Design guidelines that help improve at least two of the following performance metrics:
- Energy performance.
- Water performance.
- Waste management.
- Indoor air quality.
- Green purchasing criteria.
- Waste management protocols.
- IAQ guidelines.
- Communication protocols to disseminate guidelines to the appropriate parties.
- Design guidelines that help improve at least two of the following performance metrics:
OR
Option 2. Tenant Space Fit-Out Guidelines
- Written tenant-space fit-out guidelines that, at minimum, address the following:
- Design guidelines that help improve at least two of the following performance metrics:
- Energy performance.
- Water performance.
- Waste management.
- Indoor air quality.
- Green purchasing criteria.
- Waste management protocols.
- IAQ guidelines.
- Communication protocols to disseminate guidelines to the appropriate parties.
- Design guidelines that help improve at least two of the following performance metrics:
OR
Option 3. Declination from Ownership/Management
- Documentation of request to ownership/management for green building design and fit-out guidelines and any response to the request.
- Process for reengaging ownership/management on, at least, an annual basis.
Implementation Guidance
For additional details and recommended steps for implementing this best practice, please see the BIT Building Program Manual.
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Implementation toolkit
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Most buildings undergo some type of design and fit-out activity over their operating lives, due to equipment retrofits, tenant fit-outs in commercial buildings, unit refreshes in multifamily properties, or periodic space reconfigurations and updates in municipal, institutional, or owner-occupied facilities.
This best practice is intended to minimize adverse environmental effects caused by renovation and fit-out activities by helping building operators learn to take advantage of these activities to improve building performance and sustainability over time.
The guidelines shouldn’t be positioned as binding requirements unless that is clearly stipulated and the building owners’ intent. Rather, they provide a shortcut in helping project managers and design teams to incorporate green practices into projects that take place in the building.
Aside from establishing the guidelines, it is critical they are communicated to the correct internal and external personnel early in a renovation or fit-out project.
Objective
Create and implement renovation and fit-out guidelines that help to improve environmental and health performance by outlining sustainable renovation and fit-out practices and prioritizing the use of building products and materials with environmentally-preferrable attributes.
Implementation Requirements
For additional details and recommended steps for implementing this best practice, please see the BIT Building Program Manual.
Submittal Requirements
The following are the required submittals in order to fulfill the objective of this best practice.
- Written renovation or fit-out procedures for the building that, at minimum, address the following:
- Design guidelines that help improve at least two of the following performance metrics:
- Energy performance.
- Water performance.
- Waste management.
- Indoor air quality.
- Green purchasing criteria.
- Waste management protocols.
- IAQ guidelines.
- Communication protocols to disseminate guidelines to the appropriate parties.
- Design guidelines that help improve at least two of the following performance metrics:
For Tenant-Controlled Spaces
Option 1. Building Renovation and Fit-Out Guidelines
- Written renovation or fit-out procedures for the building that, at minimum, address the following:
- Design guidelines that help improve at least two of the following performance metrics:
- Energy performance.
- Water performance.
- Waste management.
- Indoor air quality.
- Green purchasing criteria.
- Waste management protocols.
- IAQ guidelines.
- Communication protocols to disseminate guidelines to the appropriate parties.
- Design guidelines that help improve at least two of the following performance metrics:
OR
Option 2. Tenant Space Fit-Out Guidelines
- Written tenant-space fit-out guidelines that, at minimum, address the following:
- Design guidelines that help improve at least two of the following performance metrics:
- Energy performance.
- Water performance.
- Waste management.
- Indoor air quality.
- Green purchasing criteria.
- Waste management protocols.
- IAQ guidelines.
- Communication protocols to disseminate guidelines to the appropriate parties.
- Design guidelines that help improve at least two of the following performance metrics:
OR
Option 3. Declination from Ownership/Management
- Documentation of request to ownership/management for green building design and fit-out guidelines and any response to the request.
- Process for reengaging ownership/management on, at least, an annual basis.
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