February/06
ENERGY CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM
1. The Office of Facilities Management's Design and Construction Standards comply with
VA Directive 0055, "VA Energy Conservation Program", applicable Presidential
Executive Orders including EO 13123, "Greening the Government through Efficient
Energy Management" and EO 13148, "Greening the Government through Leadership in
Environmental Management", and the National Energy Policy Act of 1992, etc.
2. A/E consultants are selected considering their experience with the principles of energy
conservation, sustainability, as well as facility operation and maintenance.
3. The most cost effective building mechanical systems are selected based on comparative
life cycle cost analysis of various applicable systems as outlined in the Federal Energy
Management Program.
4. Latest industry standards, as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-
conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), American Refrigeration Institute (ARI) are followed.
5. The consultants are required to issue an energy conservation certificate for compliance
with DoE regulations, 10 CFR Part 435. Energy Conservation Voluntary Performance
Standards for Commercial and Multi-Family High Rise Residential Buildings, mandatory
for New Federal Buildings.
6. Building equipment and thermal envelopes must meet EPA's Energy Star requirements.
7. Heat recovery and economizer systems are employed on air conditioning systems.
8. Indoor quality of air is maintained through proper ventilation and the use of filters as
prescribed by the latest ASHRAE standards and needs of the medical staff.
9. Refrigeration equipment is selected to conserve energy and in compliance with the latest
ARI standards.
10. Refrigeration systems employ EPA approved refrigerants with minimum ozone depletion,
greenhouse, and global warming potentials.
11. The latest digital automatic temperature controls are specified for accuracy, reliability,
comfort, and energy conservation.
12. Water conserving plumbing fixtures are specified.
13. Site design uses native planting, brown water, and other elements of xeroscaping.
14. High efficiency electric motors are specified.
T8 fluorescent lamps are the major sources for lighting.
16. Master construction specifications are performance based to get the best value for
dollars spent. They also include requirements to:
a. Comply with EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines to buy building
materials with recycled content;
b. Improve indoor air quality by prohibiting the use of volatile organic compounds
from paints, adhesives, etc.;
c. Use non-toxic and non-carcinogenic construction materials free from asbestos,
lead, cadmium, mercury, etc.; and
d. Take special measures to prevent spreading of infection, dirt, and noise during
additions to and renovations of existing patient occupied buildings.
17. Construction contractors must certify compliance with EPA and DoE requirements and
train VA staff on efficient operation and maintenance of the building and its systems
before a project is taken over by VA.
18. As part of VA's program for continuously updating its standards, FM is studying
VA energy policy, statutory requirements, Presidential Executive Orders, the Federal
Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings MOU, the US Green Building
Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, and the
Green Guide for Health Care program to determine what VA should do in updating its
standards and to achieve appropriate certification for all future construction projects.
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