Standard for the Efficient Use of Water in Building, Site ... · BSR/ASHRAE/USGBC/ASPE/AWWA Standard 191P, Standard for the Efficient Use of Water in Building, Site, and Mechanical

BSR/ASHRAE/USGBC/ASPE/AWWA Standard 191P

_____________________Public Review Draft

Standard for the Efficient Use of

Water in Building, Site, and

Mechanical Systems

First Public Review (October 2012)

(Draft Shows Complete Proposed New Standard) This draft has been recommended for public review by the responsible project committee. To submit a comment on this proposed standard, go to the ASHRAE website at www.ashrae.org/standards-research--technology/public-review-drafts and access the online comment database. The draft is subject to modification until it is approved for publication by the Board of Directors and ANSI.

The appearance of any technical data or editorial material in this public review document does not constitute endorsement, warranty, or guaranty by ASHRAE of any product, service, process, procedure, or design, and ASHRAE expressly disclaims such.

© 2012 ASHRAE. This draft is covered under ASHRAE copyright. Permission to reproduce or redistribute all or any part of this document must be obtained from the ASHRAE Manager of Standards, 1791 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. Phone: 404-636-8400, Ext. 1125. Fax: 404-321-5478. E-mail: [email protected]. ASHRAE, 1791 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta GA 30329-2305

BSR/ASHRAE/USGBC/ASPE/AWWA Standard 191P, Standard for the Efficient Use of Water in Building, Site, and Mechanical Systems First Public Review

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword ..................................................................................................................... iv

1. Purpose ................................................................................................................. 1

2. Scope .................................................................................................................... 1

3. Definitions, Abbreviations, Acronyms .................................................................... 1

4. Building Sites ......................................................................................................... 7

4.1 Scope ........................................................................................................... 7

4.2 Compliance ................................................................................................... 7

4.3 Prescriptive and Performance Provisions ..................................................... 7

4.4 Submittals. .................................................................................................... 9

5. Alternate Sources and Treatment of Non-Potable Water ...................................... 9

5.1 Scope ........................................................................................................... 9

5.2 Compliance ................................................................................................... 9

5.3 Mandatory Provisions ................................................................................... 9

5.4 Prescriptive Option ..................................................................................... 11

5.5 Performance Option ................................................................................... 11

5.6 Submittals ................................................................................................... 12

6. Plumbing Systems ............................................................................................... 12

6.1 Scope ......................................................................................................... 12

6.2 Compliance ................................................................................................. 12

6.3 Mandatory Provisions ................................................................................. 12


6.5 Performance Option ................................................................................... 17

6.6 Submittals ................................................................................................... 17

7. HVAC Systems and Equipment .......................................................................... 18

7.1 Scope ......................................................................................................... 18

7.2 Compliance ................................................................................................. 18



7.5 High Performance Option ........................................................................... 23

7.6 Submittals ................................................................................................... 23


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8. Appliances and Equipment .................................................................................. 23

8.1 Scope ......................................................................................................... 23

8.2 Compliance ................................................................................................. 23


8.4 Submittals ................................................................................................... 26


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(This foreword is not part of this standard. It is merely informative and does not contain requirements necessary for conformance to the standard. It has not been processed according to the ANSI requirements for a standard and may contain material that has not been subject to public review or a consensus process. Unresolved objectors on informative material are not offered the right to appeal at ASHRAE or ANSI.) Foreword In 2007, ASHRAE, USGBC, ASPE, and AWWA entered into an agreement to jointly sponsor Standard 191 and any subsequent addenda. By mutual agreement, ASHRAE is the lead organization responsible for the administration and maintenance of the joint standard. Although SPC 191 is the consensus body developing the proposed standard, the procedures of the individual organizations have been followed with regard to approval of this public review draft. ASPE - the American Society of Plumbing Engineers. An international professional society

serving the plumbing engineer and designer community by providing education, credentialing, research, standards and technical publications with the ultimate purpose of protecting public health and safety through adequate plumbing system design.

AWWA – the American Water Works Association. An international nonprofit educational association dedicated to safe water. Founded in 1881 as a forum for water professionals to share information and learn from each other for the common good, AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy for improving the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond.

USGBC - the U.S. Green Building Council. A nonprofit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, professional credentials and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities.

Water efficiency and conservation is a critical factor in the design and operation of buildings. Buildings consume 20 percent of the world’s available water, a resource that becomes scarcer each year, according to the United Nations Environmental Program. Efficient practices and products provide opportunities to save significant amounts of water. The reduction of energy use and operating costs and the expectation of increased government regulation will continue to drive faster adoption of water-efficient products and methods. In a typical office building, HVAC systems account for approximately one third of water consumption. This percentage increases for health-science buildings and facilities where food is prepared and served. Therefore, minimizing the water needed to operate HVAC systems while not significantly increasing energy usage should be a major consideration in high performance building design.


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Figure I: Water Use in Buildings. In order to optimize water efficiency in buildings, plumbing, fire protection, and HVAC&R engineers must work closely with civil engineers and landscape architects in putting together a functional building mechanical system. This new standard will rely heavily on the latest detailed design guidelines and information published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and the American Society for Plumbing Engineers (ASPE). Water and Energy The continued security and economic health of the population depends on a sustainable supply of both energy and water. These two critical resources are inextricably and reciprocally linked. A nation's ability to continue providing both clean, affordable energy and water is being seriously challenged by a number of emerging issues. Energy production requires a reliable, abundant, and predictable source of water, a resource that is already in short supply throughout much of the U.S. and the world. The electricity industry is second only to agriculture as the largest user of water in the United States. Electricity production from fossil fuels and nuclear energy requires 190,000 million gallons of water per day, accounting for 39% of all freshwater withdrawals in the nation, with 71% of that going to fossil-fuel electricity generation alone.1

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2.4 billion people live in highly water-stressed areas. Two primary solutions—shipping in water over long distances or cleaning nearby but dirty supplies—both require large amounts of energy. Therefore, there is a significant amount of embodied energy in the water we use to drink, cook, flush toilets, and bathe.


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• Figure II: US Water Availability Map. In areas where water supply is not plentiful, a design engineer should consider taking into account the total energy required to operate a cooling plant, including the embodied energy of the water. For example, if a life cycle analysis is performed to compare an air-cooled chilled water plant to a water-cooled chilled water plant, the total energy of the air-cooled plant may end up being approximately the same as the total energy that would be used by a water-cooled plant if, for example, the water-cooled plant was evaporating desalinated water that was being delivered to the site. Therefore, when evaluating predicted energy (and carbon) loads for alternative building system design options, it is important to look at the embodied energy of the water in areas where water is not a plentiful resource. Additional reference material: Sandia National Laboratories- The Energy Water Nexus: http://www.sandia.gov/energy-water/ Energy versus Water: Solving Both Crises Together, Michael E. Webber, Scientific American Special Editions - October 22, 2008 http://www.sehn.org/tccenergyversuswater.html Reference CTI Paper No: TP10-16 Water/Energy Nexus, Comparing the Relative Value of Water versus Energy Resources. Water Supply This basic resource is obviously essential at every building site, but what has changed over the last several decades is the realization that it is fast becoming a precious resource. While the total amount of water in its various forms on the planet is finite, the amount of fresh water, of a quality suitable for the purposes for which it may be used, is not uniformly distributed (e.g., 20% of the world’s fresh water is in the United States’ Great Lakes); elsewhere, it is often nonexistent or in very meager supply. Nevertheless, water must be allocated somehow to the world’s populated lands, many of which are undergoing rapid development. In short, it is becoming more and more difficult to provide for the adequate and equitable distribution of the world’s water supply to those users for whom it is essential. This trend has implications for not only how prudently we use the water we have, but also what we do to avoid contaminating water supplies. While many of the measures to protect and preserve the world’s freshwater supplies are beyond ASHRAE’s purview, the purpose of this standard is to make sure that the building designers and operators address the appropriate


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measures relating to building sites that will have a significant impact on the availability of clean water for the local and global citizens.


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1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this standard is to provide baseline requirements for the design of buildings, site, and mechanical systems that minimize the volume of water required to operate HVAC systems, plumbing systems, and irrigation systems.

1.1. Balance environmental responsibility, resource efficiency, process efficacy, and community

sensitivity. 1.2. Support the goal of the development that meets the needs of the present without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

2. SCOPE

2.1. This standard provides baseline criteria that:

1. Applies to new buildings and renovation projects (new portions of buildings and their systems) and the surrounding site: a building or group of buildings that utilize a single submittal for a construction permit or which are within the boundary of a contiguous area under single ownership.

2. Addresses water use through the concept of best practices for water conservation and efficiency measures implemented during design and construction of residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial projects.

2.2. The provisions of this standard do not apply to:

1. Storm or building wastewater management, except as a means of reducing potable water use.

2. Industrial process systems.

2.3. This standard shall not be used to circumvent any safety, health, or environmental requirements.

2.4. This standard shall not be used to circumvent local or state water rights laws or any other

local, municipal, and/ or state statutes. 3. DEFINITIONS, ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS

AHJ: Authority (Authorities) Having Jurisdiction. The organization, office, or individual responsible for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure. ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. An international technical society organized to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration

ASME: originally founded as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. A nonprofit organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, career enrichment, and skills development across all engineering disciplines. AWWA: the American Water Works Association. An international nonprofit scientific and educational society dedicated to the improvement of drinking water quality and supply. Alternate On-Site Sources of Non-Potable Water: water from on-site sources (i.e., air conditioning condensate, stormwater, etc.), that is collected and treated to acceptable levels for non-potable uses.


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Approved: acceptable to the code official or AHJ. Approved Agency: an established and recognized agency regularly engaged in conducting tests or furnishing commissioning services, where such agency has been approved. Approved Source: an independent person, firm, or corporation, approved by the code official, who is competent and experienced in the application of engineering principles to materials, methods, or systems analyses. Backwash Water: the water used to flush accumulated particulate matter and impurities from a treatment system by reversing the flow through the filtration medium. Bio-diverse Planting: the principal of planting a variety of native or naturalized species and varieties to ensure a profile of vegetative material with diverse immunities; nutrient, microbial, and biotic characteristics; and habitat profile. Blowdown/Bleed: Blowdown or Bleed is the amount of water removed from the cooling system circulating water in order to prevent build-up of minerals that can foul the system. Boilers: an enclosed mechanical device for transferring heat energy to a medium (generally water) generally resulting from combustion of a fuel. Building: any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy, including the water using systems and site sub-systems powered through the building’s electrical service. Building Commissioning (BCx): a process that verifies and documents that the selected building systems have been designed, installed, and function according to the owner’s project requirements and construction documents and to minimum code requirements except as noted herein. Building Site: a lot, or a combination of adjoining lots, that are being developed and maintained subject to the provisions of this code. A building site shall be permitted to include public ways, private roadways, bikeways, and pedestrian ways that are developed as an element of the total development. Closed Circuit Cooling Towers: a type of cooling tower that uses two separate fluid circuits, a process circuit and an external circuit, to extract waste heat via an evaporative cooling process. Closed loop systems involve no direct contact between the process fluid (typically water or glycol) and the atmosphere or the recirculated external water. Also known as an “indirect” cooling tower. Closed Loop: a control system for an operation or process that provides feedback to the processes being controlled/executed, and/or a system by which the medium, resource, or entity conveyed within the system remains constant in net measure despite differential in energy level, form, or concentration at various points in the loop. Code Official: the appointed or officiating agent of the jurisdiction, charged with the oversight and/or enforcement of the applicable codes and regulations. Collection Pipe: unpressurized pipe used within the collection system that drains rainwater to the storage tank by gravity. Condensate: condensate moisture removed from indoor air, captured from the evaporator coils of mechanical (specifically air-conditioning or dehumidifier) equipment. Control: a specialized automatic or manual device or system used to regulate the operation of lighting, equipment, or appliances.


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Cooling Tower: a heat rejection device, which extracts waste heat to the atmosphere by allowing water to evaporate, transferring heat energy to a moving air stream to be exhausted. Evaporative heat rejection devices are commonly used to provide lower water temperatures than achievable with "air-cooled" or "dry" heat rejection devices for air-conditioning, manufacturing, and electric power generation. Cooling towers are both open and closed circuit systems. Cycles of Concentration (COCs): Cycles of Concentration are defined as the ratio of the makeup rate to the sum of the blowdown and drift rate. The COCs can also be monitored by calculating the ratio of the chloride ion, which is highly soluble, in the system water to that in the makeup water. The number of COCs is dependent on the composition of the makeup water, particularly minerals and their quantity contained in the makeup water supply. Detention: the short-term storage of stormwater on a site in order to regulate the runoff from a given rainfall event and to control discharge rates to reduce the impact on downstream stormwater systems. Distribution Pipe: pressurized or non-pressure piping used within the plumbing system of a building to deliver rainwater or graywater from the storage tank or pump to the point of use. EPA: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A federal agency established to protect the health of all Americans and the environment from significant risk based on the best available scientific information, through the support and information of the legislative process and enforcement of laws and regulations relative to environmental policy.

EPA Water Sense: a program established by the EPA to identify/label products and fixtures that achieve at least 20 percent greater water use efficiency than industry standard, without sacrificing performance. Energy Star: a joint program of the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products and practices. ETo: the estimated reference evapotranspiration calculated using meteorological data and the Penman or Penman-Monteith Equation mathematical model. Expressed as a volume in inches (or in centimeters). Evaporative Condenser: heat-transfer device in which vapor is condensed in coils that are cooled by the evaporation of water flowing over the outside of the tubes. These systems usually incorporate an air fan for forced air movement, a circulating water pump, a water spray system, and a cooling coil. See also “Cooling Tower.” Evaporative Coolers: an air chiller system that operates by leveraging evaporation to directly lower the temperature of air as it is drawn through water vapor. This method requires less energy than vapor-compression or absorption air chillers and is well suited to applications in dry climates where the process also conditions/humidifies the output air. Facility Operations: a facility is operational during the time when the primary activity that facility is designed for is taking place. For Group A and Group M occupancies, this is the time during which the facility is open to the public. Filter: devices that are located downstream of a storage tank and utilize screens, cartridges, or other media to provide a level of filtration appropriate for the intended use of the water. Filter Backwash Water: see Backwash Water.

Flood Hazard Area: the greater of the following two areas: the overflow of inland or tidal waters.

The area designated as a flood hazard area on a community’s flood hazard map, or otherwise legally designated.


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The unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff of surface waters from any source.

Flood or Flooding: a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation with water of normally dry land. Floodplain: an area of land adjacent to an existing water course or body at risk of being inundated during periods of increased water occurrence, including storm, melt, infrastructure failure, and/or tidal events. This area is generally assumed to include, at a minimum, the area designated as Zone A on FEMA Flood Maps, also known as the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), and previously known as the “100 year floodplain.” Graywater: untreated wastewater that originates from a variety of domestic uses, including, but not limited to, bathtubs, showers, lavatories, clothes washers, and laundry trays that has not come into contact with wastewater from toilets, urinals, kitchen sinks, or dishwashers. Ground Source Heat Pump: an electrically-powered system that utilizes the earth's relatively constant temperature to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for homes and commercial buildings. Systems can be categorized as closed or open loop and are installed horizontally, vertically, or in a pond/lake. The type of system selected depends on the available land area, proximity to a viable water body, and/or the soil and rock type at the installation site. Hybrid Wet/Dry Closed Circuit Coolers and Evaporative Condensers: hybrid heat rejection equipment offers the benefits of saving water with dry operation and saving energy while operating in the evaporative mode. Hydrozone: a delineated area of application within a larger irrigation plan. These zones are defined by differences in water requirements between different plant groupings/areas, as well as optimization fixture placement and function. International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO): a professional industry association providing code development assistance, professional education, and a manufacturer-preferred quality assurance program. IAPMO Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement, Chapter 5: a supplemental publication to the Uniform Code from the IAPMO that establishes green building and water use efficiency standards as applicable to plumbing and mechanical systems. Chapter 5 specifically deals with alternative source(s) to potable water use. ICC Green Construction Code, Chapter 7: a publication of the International Code Council intended to provide a comprehensive set of requirements intended to reduce the negative impact of buildings on the natural environment. Chapter 7 specifically deals with Water Resource Conservation and Efficiency. Improved Landscape Area: this includes all disturbed areas for which a designation of vegetative improvement, replacement, or refurbishment has been specified. This includes, but is not limited to, seeding, turf grass, boarder plantings, decorative plantings, specific areas of woodland, grassland, wetland, or other biome restoration. Infrastructure: facilities within a jurisdiction that provide community services and networks for travel and communication, including: transportation services such as, but not limited to, roads, bikeways, pedestrian ways, and transit services; utility systems such as, but not limited to, water, sanitary sewage, stormwater management, telecommunications, power distribution, and waste management; and community services such as, but not limited to, public safety, parks, schools, and libraries. Inlet Filter: a screen, grid, or other device installed on a gutter, downspout system, or at another location upstream of the storage tank. The filter passes liquids and retains solids.


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Invasive Plant Species: species that are not native to the ecosystem under consideration and that cause or are likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human, animal, or native plant community health. Plants considered as invasive species shall include, but shall not be limited to, those species identified by the USDA National Agricultural Library Invasive Species Information Center, and/or the applicable State or local regulatory body, whichever list is more extensive. Irrigation Association: a non-governmental professional association dedicated to promoting efficient irrigation through improved industry proficiency, advocacy for sound water management, and increased demand for improvement in water-efficient products and services. Irrigation Systems: a system by which water can be made available or more available to plants to foster and/or increase biotic production for agricultural, functional, or aesthetic purposes. Label: an identification applied on a product by the manufacturer that contains the name of the manufacturer, the function and performance characteristics of the product or material, and the name and identification of an approved agency that indicates that the representative sample of the product or material has been tested and evaluated by an approved agency. Labeled: equipment, materials, or products to which has been affixed a label, seal, symbol, or other identifying mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory, inspection agency, or other organization concerned with product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of the production of the above-labeled items and whose labeling indicates either that the equipment, material, or product meets identified standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose. Landscape: referring to the aggregate of elements or unified result of improving the aesthetic appearance or function of an area by changing its contour, character, and/or adding improved landscape features and plantings. Landscape Establishment Period: the time needed for plant material to establish consistent growth after installation in their permanent location on-site. This period shall correlate to the guarantee period for the plant material supplied by the nursery and/or landscape contractor for the building project, or 24 months from the time of installation, whichever is shorter. Meter: a water volume measuring device used to collect data and indicate water usage abnormalities. Such devices are provided by the water purveyor or the building owner. Municipally-reclaimed Water: non-potable water that has been derived from the treatment of wastewater by the municipally contracted utility provider, to achieve acceptable levels of filtration, disinfection, pH, turbidity, and chemical toxicity (including nitrogen, heavy metals, benzene, and others) for use in designated building processes, fixtures, or landscape functions as defined by the level of human contact. Applicable codes and regulations shall designate the appropriate levels of treatment as it correlates to designated use. Nanofiltration: a membrane filtration process for water treatment that is more rigorous than ultra filtration but removes less particulate matter than reverse osmosis. National Parks Service/Department of the Interior’s WeedUS Database: a web-based database of alien, invasive plant species affecting national parks and other natural area ecosystems of the United States, including native origin, natural range, taxonomic status, and other information for more than 1,000 aquatic and terrestrial species. On-site Wastewater: non-potable water produced from use in mechanical and/or domestic processes on-site. Typically, wastewater is classified as graywater or blackwater. Open Circuit Cooling Towers: a specialized heat exchanger in which two fluids (air & water) are brought into direct contact to affect transfer of heat energy. Cooling is achieved through evaporation of a small percentage of the circulating water.


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Open Loop: a control system for an operation or process that does not provide feedback on the processes being controlled/executed, and/or a system by which the medium, resource, or entity conveyed within the system is exhausted after the desired exchange, transfer, or reaction is performed. Permeate, Concentrate: that portion of the feed water that passes through the membrane to become product water. Permit: an official document or certificate issued by the jurisdiction that authorizes performance of a specified activity. Plumbing Fixtures and Fittings: an exchangeable device, assembly, or connection within a plumbing system to deliver or drain away water and/or expressly execute a specific mechanical or domestic process or function. Potable Water: water free from impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects and conforming to the bacteriological and chemical quality requirements of the Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards or the regulations of the public health AHJ. Rainwater: water from natural precipitation that was not contaminated by use. Rainwater Collection and Conveyance System: rainwater collection system components extending between the collection surface and the storage tank that convey collected rainwater, usually through a gravity system. Receiving Waters: ground water, creeks, streams, rivers, lakes, or other water bodies that receive treated or untreated wastewater or stormwater, including water from combined sewer systems and stormwater drains. Reclaimed Water: non-potable water that has been derived from the treatment of wastewater by a facility or system licensed or permitted by the local municipal authority to achieve acceptable levels of filtration, disinfection, pH, turbidity, and chemical toxicity (including nitrogen, heavy metals, benzene, and others) for use in designated building processes, fixtures, or landscape functions as defined by the level of human contact. Applicable codes and regulations shall designate the appropriate levels of treatment as it correlates to designated use. Also known as “Recycled Water.” Registered Design Professional: an individual who is registered or licensed to practice their respective design profession as defined by the statutory requirements of the professional registration laws of the state or jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed. Registered Design Professional in Responsible Charge: a registered design professional engaged by the owner to review and coordinate certain aspects of the project, as determined by the building official, for compatibility with the design of the building or structure, including submittal documents prepared by others, deferred submittal documents, and phased submittal documents. Reject Water: a term used in distillation, reverse osmosis, and ultra filtration to describe that portion of the incoming feed water that has passed across the membrane but has not been converted to product water and is being sent to drain. Residential: construction or materials that are expressly intended for and/or are designated by the AHJ as appropriate for use in providing living accommodations. Retention (Stormwater): the permanent holding of stormwater on a site, preventing the water from leaving the site as surface drainage and allowing for use of the water on site, or loss of the water through percolation, evaporation, or absorption by vegetation.


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Reverse Osmosis: a water desalinization and/or purification process by which a pressurized volume of water is passed through a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities (include salts) and contaminant solids. Storage Tank (Graywater or Rainwater): a fixed container for holding water at atmospheric pressure for subsequent reuse as part of a plumbing or irrigation system. Stormwater: water originating from rain, snow melt, or other precipitation, as well as incidental run-off from uncaptured outdoor use (e.g., washing cars, overwatering lawns, etc.), which is transferred via surface conveyance or man-made systems to lakes, rivers, and streams. Tertiary Standards: standards, practices, or policies that ensure that wastewater has been treated to achieve a level of quality that is safe for release into the environment, such as, but not limited to, release into seas, rivers, lakes, and the ground. Turfgrass: grasses that are regularly mowed and, as a consequence, form a dense growth of leaf blades, shoots, and roots. Vegetative Roof: an assembly of interacting components designed to waterproof and normally insulate a building’s top surface that includes, by design, vegetation and related landscaping elements. Vivarium: a laboratory or controlled area within a building for keeping and raising living organisms (plants and/or animals) for the purposes of observation or research. Wetland: areas where water covers the soil or is present either at or near the surface of the soil at saturation, all year or for periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. These areas support a range of both aquatic and terrestrial plant and animal communities living in and on the soil.

4. BUILDING SITES

4.1 Scope

This section contains standards and requirements for the installation of landscapes and supplemental use of irrigation systems to irrigate those landscapes, if required and used. It provides mandatory requirements for design of landscapes/irrigation systems and provides guidance on prescriptive and performance based options that decrease discretional irrigation use.

4.2 Compliance

The water systems shall comply with 4.3, Prescriptive and Performance Provisions.

4.3 Prescriptive and Performance Provisions

4.3.1 Landscape Design. Landscape designs shall incorporate existing natural features, which include vegetation, topography, and hydrologic or geologic features, whenever possible into the plan, based on pre- and post-development verification.

4.3.1.1 A minimum of 60% of the improved landscape area shall consist of biodiverse native and naturalized plantings that are appropriate to the local soils and climate (temperature, precipitation, solar incidence, etc.). No invasive exotic plant species (as defined by the National Parks Service/Department of the Interior’s WeedUS Database) shall be used on any site.


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4.3.1.2 Landscapes shall be designed to reduce supplemental irrigation water use by 40% from the baseline for those improved landscape areas as calculated in EPA’s Water Sense budget tool as provided on their website.

4.3.1.3 Planting plans with plant legend and water use requirements/hydrozone identification (where applicable) shall be required to be developed and submitted to the project through “as-built” document development.

Exception: The area of dedicated athletic fields (e.g., baseball, football, soccer, but excluding golf courses and driving ranges) shall be excluded from the calculation of the improved landscape area for schools, residential common areas, or public recreational facilities.

4.3.2 An owner’s manual shall be delivered to the customer that includes, but is not limited

to: stated landscape establishment period; smart controller program settings during establishment period and recommendation after establishment period; all electronic based system component manuals and final irrigation system as-built document; record of gallon per minute flows for each zone (for future leak detection purposes); and documentation of leak testing and any necessary repairs of irrigation system upon commissioning of system.

Exception: A temporary irrigation system used exclusively for the establishment of new landscape not requiring permanent supplemental irrigation shall be exempt from this requirement. Temporary irrigation systems shall be removed or permanently disabled at such time as the landscape establishment period has expired.

4.3.3 Irrigation System Design. If a permanent irrigation system is required on the site, all

irrigation systems shall meet the Irrigation Association’s Best Management Practices “Turf and Landscape Irrigation Best Management Practices:” Section 2, 3, and Appendix B.

4.3.4 Controls. Any irrigation system for the project site shall be controlled by an EPA

Water Sense labeled irrigation controller. All such control systems shall also incorporate a properly installed on-site rain or moisture sensor that automatically shuts the system off after a predetermined amount of rainfall or sensed moisture in the soil.

4.3.5 Vegetative Roofs

4.3.5.1 The use of potable water to spray roofs for thermal conditioning purposes

in conjunction with a vegetative roof is prohibited once plant material has been established.

4.3.5.2 Where not expressly prohibited under the regulations established by the AHJ, alternative water source(s) shall only be utilized for any vegetative roof irrigation required.

4.3.5.3 Where a vegetative roof requiring irrigation beyond the landscape establishment period is included in the project design, this area shall be included in the quantitative definition of improved landscape area.

4.3.6 Water Features

4.3.6.1 Water use shall comply with the following: ornamental fountains and other

ornamental water features shall be supplied either by alternate, on-site sources of water or by municipally reclaimed water delivered by the local water utility acceptable to the AHJ. Fountains and other features shall be


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equipped with: (1) makeup water meters, (2) leak detection devices that shut off water flow if a leak of more than 3.7 L (1.0 gal) per hour is detected, and (3) equipment to recirculate, filter, and treat all water for reuse within the system. Potable water shall not be used for this purpose.

Exception: Where municipally reclaimed water is not available within 1000 ft of the building project site, or alternate on-site sources of water are not available in sufficient quantity for the intended purpose, potable water is allowed to be used for start-up and makeup water.

4.3.6.2 Pools and spas:

4.3.6.2.1 Backwash water: recover filter backwash water for reuse on landscaping or other applications, or treat and reuse backwash water within the system based on water quality limitations.

4.3.6.2.2 Filtration: For filters with backwash capability, use only pool filter equipment that includes (a) a pressure drop gauge to determine when the filter needs to be backwashed and (b) a sight glass enabling the operator to determine when to stop the backwash cycle. For cartridge filters, a pressure drop gauge shall be used to determine when the filter needs to wash or replace the filter element.

4.3.6.2.3 Pool splash troughs or grates, if provided, shall drain back into the pool system.

4.4 Submittals

As required in sections 4.1, 4.2, or 4.3.

5. ALTERNATE SOURCES AND TREATMENT OF NON-POTABLE WATER

5.1 Scope

This section contains the standards and requirements for the use of alternate sources of water for non-potable purposes. It covers the mandatory quantification of available sources, lists potential uses of alternate sources of non-potable water, provides guidance for the minimum treatment requirements for various uses, and sets forth prescriptive and performance options for the use of alternate, non-potable sources of water.

5.2 Compliance

All alternate sources shall meet the water quality requirements of the AHJ. The use of alternate on-site sources of water shall comply with IAPMO Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement, Chapter 5, or ICC Green Construction Code, Chapter 7, and meet the ANSI/NSF 350 or 350-1 standard for water quality or the standards set by the AHJ.

5.3 Mandatory Provisions

If municipally reclaimed water is available within 1,000 feet of the property boundary, it shall be used for all landscape irrigation water requirements and for cooling tower makeup, toilet, and urinal flushing except where cost prohibitive or not feasible because of health concerns, such as medical facilities where immune-compromised patients may be present. Note: Cooling tower makeup water using non-potable sources shall meet evaporative heat rejection equipment manufacturers’ recommended water chemistry guidelines.


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5.3.1 Alternate On-Site Sources of Non-Potable Water

The estimated daily availability of alternate on-site sources of non-potable water shall be calculated for each building. This shall be done on a monthly basis to reflect variations in climatic conditions and operational factors for the project. At a minimum, the availability of alternate on-site sources evaluated shall include:

a) Rainwater

b) Air-conditioning condensate

c) Foundation drain system water

d) Reject water from reverse osmosis treatment systems and similar devices

e) Graywater (water from showers and baths, clothes washers, and hand washing lavatories)

f) Pool drain water

g) Filter backwash water

h) On-site treated wastewater

i) Stormwater

j) Cooling tower blowdown

k) Any other available source. 5.3.2 Water Quality

A licensed design professional shall determine the water quality needed for each end use and compare it to that expected from the alternate sources to determine applicability. All such uses shall be approved and meet the ANSI/NSF 350 or 350-1 standard for water quality or the standards set by the AHJ.

5.3.3 Potential Uses

5.3.3.1 At a minimum, potential uses for the alternate sources of water shall be quantified on a daily basis based on monthly climatic and operational factors. These potential uses that shall be quantified shall include:

1. Cooling tower makeup (excluding cooling tower bleed). 2. Landscape irrigation, including irrigation of vegetative roofs.

5.3.3.2 Other potential uses of non-potable water that may be included in the analysis includes, but is not limited to:

1. Flushing of plumbing fixtures. 2. Priming of floor drains. 3. Other beneficial uses as identified and approved by the AHJ.

Exemption: The applicant is exempt from these provisions if the potential use of reclaimed or on-site sources of non-potable water is less than 250 gallons of water per day or the sum of the sources of reclaimed or on-site sources of non-potable water is less than 250 gallons per day.


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5.3.4 Analysis

Water Quality: the analysis shall also include expected water quality parameters that would impact possible end uses. Specific parameters shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Total dissolved solids. 2. Conductivity. 3. Hardness. 4. Alkalinity. 5. Chlorine. 6. Sulfates. 7. Silica. 8. Nitrogen. 9. Phosphorous. 10. Total Coliform. 11. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD). 12. Sodium.

A licensed design professional shall determine the water quality needed for each end use. All such uses shall be approved by the AHJ.

5.4 Prescriptive Option

5.4.1 If the prescriptive option is followed, a document describing how the water quality of the alternate source meets the water quality needs of the intended use or a document that describes the treatment implemented to make the water usable for that purpose shall be provided to the AHJ.

5.4.2 If municipally reclaimed water is available within 1000 feet of the property, it shall be

used for cooling tower makeup and for all landscape irrigation, including irrigation of vegetative roofs.

Note: makeup water using non-potable sources shall meet evaporative heat rejection equipment manufacturers recommended water chemistry guidelines.

5.4.3 For sites where municipally reclaimed water is not available, a minimum of one half of

the non-potable, on-site alternate sources of water identified in 5.3.1 shall be reused on site if acceptable uses for that water identified in 5.3.3.1 are present and the use of that water has less than a 10-year simple payback. The AHJ will determine the usability of these sources.

5.4.4 If the sum of any combination of potential sources identified in 5.3.1 (d) through (k) is collected and reused and that (d) through (k) plus the water collected from sources from 5.3.1 (a) through (c) equals one third of the volume of the total of 5.3.1 (a) through (c), the criteria is met.

5.4.5 If the volume of half of the on-site water in 5.3.1 (a) through (c) exceeds non-potable on-site uses, then the site shall only use the volume needed to meet needs.

5.5 Performance Option

5.5.1 If the performance option is followed, a document describing how the water quality of the alternate source meets the water quality needs of the intended use or a document that describes the treatment implemented to make the water usable for that purpose shall be submitted to the AHJ.


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5.5.2 The performance requirement is met if 100 percent of the volume of water collected from any one of the following alternate, on-site non-potable sources of water is used.

Water from on-site wastewater treatment of all wastewater from the facility; Rainwater; or Stormwater.

5.5.3 The performance criteria are met if half of the volume produced from a combination

of any four alternate on-site non-potable sources in 5.3.1 is reused.

5.6 Submittals

The applicant shall submit a document which contains all of the information mandated in Section 5.3 (Mandatory Provisions) and documentation clearly describing how alternate non-potable water is being reused so that either the prescriptive or performance criteria in Sections 5.4 and 5.5 are met.

6. PLUMBING SYSTEMS

6.1 Scope

This section contains standards and requirements for the installation of plumbing fixtures and fittings, appliances, meters, graywater reuse systems, and water heating and distribution systems. It provides mandatory requirements for the design of these plumbing systems and provides guidance on prescriptive and performance based options.

6.2 Compliance

All the plumbing fixtures and fittings, appliances, meters, graywater reuse systems, and water heating and distribution systems shall meet the plumbing requirements of the AHJ. The plumbing systems shall comply with local and state plumbing codes or, in absence of such codes, with the provisions of the International Plumbing Code (IPC) or the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).


6.3.1 Plumbing Fixtures and Fittings. Plumbing fixtures (water closets and urinals) and fittings (faucets and showerheads) shall comply with the following requirements:

1. Water closets (toilets) – flushometer valve type: for single flush, maximum flush

volume when determined in accordance with ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1 – 4.8 L (1.28 gal); for dual-flush, effective flush volume determined in accordance with ASME A112.19.4 and Section 3.2, U.S. EPA Water Sense Tank-Type High Efficiency Toilet Specification – 4.8 L (1.28 gal).

2. Water closets (toilets) – tank-type: tank-type water closets shall comply with the

performance criteria of the U.S. EPA Water Sense Tank-Type High-Efficiency Toilet Specification.

3. Urinals: maximum flush volume when determined in accordance with ASME

A112.19.2/CSA B45.1 – 1.9 L (0.5 gal). Flushing urinals shall comply with the performance criteria of the U.S. EPA Water Sense High-Efficiency Flushing Urinal Specification. Non-water urinals shall comply with ASME A112.19.19 (vitreous china) or IAPMO Z124.9 (plastic) as appropriate.

4. Public lavatory faucets: maximum flow rate – 1.9 L/min (0.5 gal/min) when

tested in accordance with ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1.


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5. Public metering self-closing faucet: maximum water use – 1.0 L (0.25 gal) per

metering cycle when tested in accordance with ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1. 6. Residential bathroom lavatory sink faucets: maximum flow rate – 5.7 L/min (1.5

gal/min) when tested in accordance with ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1. Residential bathroom lavatory sink faucets shall comply with the performance criteria of the U.S. EPA Water Sense High-Efficiency Lavatory Faucet Specification.

7. Residential kitchen faucets: maximum flow rate – 8.3 L/min (2.2 gal/min) when

tested in accordance with ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1. 8. Residential showerheads: maximum flow rate – 7.6 L/min (2.0 gal/min) when

tested in accordance with ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1. Residential showerheads shall comply with the performance criteria of the U.S. EPA Water Sense Showerhead Specification.

9. Residential shower compartment (stall) in dwelling units and guest rooms: the

allowable flow rate from all shower outlets (including rain systems, waterfalls, bodysprays, and jets) that can operate simultaneously shall be limited to a total of 7.6 L/min (2.0 gal/min).

Exceptions: Showers that emit recirculated, non-potable water originating from within the shower compartment while operating are allowed to exceed the maximum if the total potable water flow does not exceed the flow rate specified in 6.3.1-9.

10. Where the area of a shower compartment exceeds 1.7 m2 (2,600 in2), an

additional flow of 7.6 L/min (2.0 gal/min) shall be permitted for each multiple of 1.7 m2 (2,600 in2) of floor area or fraction thereof.

6.3.2 Residential Appliances.

6.3.2.1 Clothes washers and dishwashers installed within dwelling units shall

comply with the U.S. EPA Energy Star Program Requirements for Clothes Washers and Energy Star Program Requirements for Dishwashers. Maximum water use shall be as follows:

1. Clothes Washers – maximum WF of 600 L/m3 of capacity (4.5 gal/ft3 capacity).

2. Dishwashers – maximum water use of 22 L/full operating cycle (5.8 gal/full operating cycle).

3. Clothes washers installed in publicly accessible spaces (e.g., multifamily and hotel common areas) and coin- and card-operated clothes washers of any size used in laundromats shall have a maximum WF of 1.0 kL/m3of drum capacity-normal cycle (7.5 gal/ft3 of drum capacity-normal cycle).

6.3.3 Meters.

6.3.3.1 The domestic water supply (both potable and reclaimed) entering the building project shall be metered. In addition, for individual leased, rented, or other tenant or sub-tenant space within any building totaling in excess of 5,000 m2 (50,000 ft2) or if the space or any part thereof is used for a


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laundry/cleaners operation, restaurant/food service, medical/dental office, laboratory, or beauty salon/barbershop, separate sub-meters shall be provided for each such space. For buildings that use evaporative cooling, cooling tower(s), hot water makeup systems, or automatic landscape irrigation system(s), separate sub-meters shall be provided for each such application. Any project or building, or tenant or sub-tenant space within a project or building, such as a commercial car wash or aquarium, shall be sub-metered where consumption is projected to exceed 3,800 L (1,000 gal) per day.

6.3.3.2 Meters with remote metering capability or automatic meter reading (AMR)

capability shall be provided to collect water use data for each water supply source (e.g., potable water, reclaimed water, rainwater) to the project that exceeds the thresholds listed in Table 6-1. Utility company service entrance/interval meters are allowed to be used provided they are configured for AMR capability.

Table 6-1 Water Supply Source Meter Thresholds.

Water Source Main Metering Threshold Potable Water 3,800 L/day (1,000 gal/day)

Municipally reclaimed water 3,800 L/day (1,000 gal/day) Alternate sources of water 1,900 L/day (500 gal/day)

Sub-metering with remote metering or AMR capability shall be provided to collect water use data

for each of following building subsystems, if they are sized above the threshold levels listed in Table 6-2:

Table 6-2 Subsystem Water Metering Thresholds.

Subsystem Sub-Metering Threshold

Cooling Towers Primary flow > 30 L/s (500 gpm) Evaporative Coolers Makeup water > 0.04 L/s (0.6 gpm)

Steam and hot-water boilers > 50 kW (500,000 Btu/h) input Irrigated landscape area with controllers > 500 m2 (5,000 ft2)

Separate campus or project buildings Consumption > 3,800 L/day (1,000 gal/day) Separately leased or rental space Consumption > 3,800 L/day (1,000 gal/day)

Any large water using process Consumption > 3,800 L/day (1,000 gal/day)

6.3.3.3 Meter Data Collection. All building meters and sub-meters installed to comply with the threshold limits in 6.3.3.1 shall be configured to communicate water consumption data to a meter data management system. Meters shall provide data a minimum of daily and shall record a minimum of hourly consumption of water.

6.3.3.4 Data Storage and Retrieval. The meter data management system shall

be capable of electronically storing water meter and sub-meter data and creating user reports showing calculated hourly, daily, monthly, and annual water consumption for each meter and sub-meter and provide alarming notification capabilities.


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6.3.4 Hot Water Distribution

6.3.4.1 Efficient Hot or Tempered Water Distribution Systems. For the purposes of this section, sources of hot or tempered water include water heaters, boilers, hot water circulation loops, and electrically heat-traced pipe. The volume of water in the piping between water heaters or boilers and fixture fittings the serve shall not exceed 32 ounces (0.945 L). The volume of water contained in fixture branch piping that connects to a hot water circulation loop or electrically heat- traced pipe shall not exceed 16 ounces (0.47 L). The volume shall be calculated in accordance with Table 6-3.

6.3.4.1.1 Volume Calculation. The volume of water between the source of hot or tempered water and a given outlet shall be calculated by adding the internal volume of all piping, fittings, valves, meters, and manifolds between the source and the outlet. Piping volumes shall be calculated using Table 6-3. Where water is supplied by a circulating hot or tempered water system or an electrically heat-traced pipe, the hot water source shall be the loop or the heat-traced pipe, and the volume shall include the portion of the fitting on the loop that supplies the fixture branch.

TABLE 6-3 Internal Volume of Various Types of Water Distribution Pipe and Tubing

Nominal Pipe or Tube Size

(inch)

Type of Piping Copper CPVC PE PEX

Copper Type M

Copper Type L

Copper Type K

CPVC CTS

SDR 11

CPVC SCH 40

CPVC SCH 80

PE-AL-PE

PEX CTS

SDR 9

PEX-AL-PEX

Liquid Ounces Per Foot Of Length 3/8 1.06 0.97 0.84 NA 1.17 0.86 0.63 0.64 0.63 1/2 1.69 1.55 1.45 1.25 1.89 1.46 1.31 1.18 1.31 3/4 3.43 3.22 2.90 2.67 3.38 2.74 3.39 2.35 3.39 1 5.81 5.49 5.17 4.43 5.53 4.56 5.56 3.91 5.56

1 1/4 8.70 8.36 8.09 6.61 9.66 8.24 8.49 5.81 8.49 1 1/2 12.18 11.83 11.45 9.22 13.20 11.38 13.88 8.09 13.88

2 21.08 20.58 20.04 15.79 21.88 19.11 21.48 13.86 21.48

6.3.4.2 Service Water Heating

6.3.4.2.1 Pipe Insulation. Piping shall be thermally insulated in accordance with Table 6-4. Building cavities and interstitial framing spaces shall be large enough to accommodate the combined diameter of the pipe plus the insulation, plus any other objects in the cavity that the piping must cross.

TABLE 6-4 MINIMUM PIPE INSULATION THICKNESSa

Fluid Conductivity Btu-in./(h-ft2-F)C

Ratio of Wall Thickness of Pipe Insulation

Nominal Pipe Diameterb, d

Steam 0.27 – 0.34 ≥ 2:1

Hot Water 0.22 – 0.29 ≥ 1:1

Chilled Water 0.22 – 0.28 ≥ 1:1


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a. All piping with a nominal diameter larger than 1/4 inch shall be insulated. b. The proportions in this column apply to all nominal pipe diameters greater than 16 inches and less than or equal to 2 inches. For

nominal pipe diameters larger than 2 inches, the minimum wall thickness of the insulation shall be equal to the wall thickness required for 1/4-inch pipe.

c. For insulation outside the stated conductivity range, the minimum thickness (T) shall be determined as follows: T = r{(1 + t/r)K/k – 1}

where T = minimum insulation thickness (in.), r = actual outside radius of pipe (in.), t = insulation thickness listed in the table for applicable fluid temperature and pipe size, K = conductivity of alternate material at mean rating temperature indicated for the applicable fluid temperature (Btu·in./h·ft2·°F); and k = the upper value of the conductivity range listed in the table for the applicable fluid temperature.

d. These thicknesses are based on energy efficiency considerations only. Additional insulation is sometimes required relative to safety issues/surface temperature.

Exceptions:

1. Factory-installed piping within service water heating equipment tested and rated in accordance with Section 6.3.4.2;

2. Piping conveying fluids not heated or cooled (such as cold water supply);

3. Hot water supply piping exposed under sinks, lavatories, and similar fixtures;

4. Hot water distribution piping buried within blown-in or sprayed roof/ceiling insulation (fiberglass or cellulose) where the insulation completely and continuously surrounds the pipe;

a. Where hot water distribution piping is installed within attics and crawl spaces, the insulation shall cover the pipe at least 5 inches (140 mm) further away from the conditioned space.

b. Where hot water distribution piping is installed within walls, the insulation shall completely surround the pipe with at least 1 inch of insulation.

5. Where hot water piping is installed in a wall of insufficient width to accommodate the pipe and insulation levels of Table 6-4, the insulation thickness shall be permitted to have the maximum thickness that the wall can accommodate, but no less than 0.5 inch thick.

6. Piping 1 inch o.d. or less, associated with strainers, control valves, and balancing valves.


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6.3.4.3 Buried Piping. Service hot or tempered water piping installed within a slab or below grade shall be insulated and shall be placed within a physically protective waterproof channel, raceway, or sleeve. The channel, raceway, or sleeve shall:

1. Have internal dimensions large enough such that the piping and insulation can be removed and replaced.

2. Maintain its dimensional integrity during and after construction.

Exception: When the insulation manufacturer stipulates that the pipe insulation will maintain its insulating value in underground applications in damp soil when installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This exception does not apply to piping that runs under building slabs.


6.4.1 If the prescriptive option is followed, a document describing how the plumbing systems meet the water demands or a document that describes the method implemented to increase water efficiency shall be submitted to the AHJ.

6.4.2 The prescriptive option is met if the project achieves a 30 percent reduction in water use when compared to typical water use for a building of the same type.

6.5 Performance Option

6.5.1 If the performance option is followed, a document describing how the plumbing systems meet the water demands or a document that describes the method implemented to increase water efficiency shall be submitted to the AHJ.

6.5.2 The performance option is met if the project achieves a 30 percent reduction in water

use when compared to typical water use for the same building typology using methodology pre-approved by the AHJ.

6.6 Submittals

The applicant shall submit a document which contains all of the information mandated in Section 6.3 (Mandatory Provisions) and documentation clearly describing how water efficient plumbing systems are being used so that either the prescriptive or performance criteria in Sections 6.4 and 6.5 are met.


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7. HVAC SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT

7.1 Scope

This section covers water efficiency requirements for evaporative heat rejection equipment, hydronic closed systems, ground source heat pump systems, humidification systems, evaporative coolers, steam and hot water systems, thermal storage systems, condensate drainage, and air washers.

7.2 Compliance

HVAC Systems and Equipment shall comply with Section 7.3, “Mandatory Provisions,” and either:

1. Section 7.4, “Prescriptive Option,” or 2. Section 7.5, “High Performance Option.”


7.3.1 Once-through cooling with potable water is prohibited.

7.3.2 An analysis of the makeup water supplied to the HVAC systems and equipment shall be conducted. A written report that includes the values for the attributes listed in the chart below shall be generated and incorporated into the system design and equipment selection requirements.

Langelier Stability Index Ca as CaCO3 (ppm) Total (M) Alkalinity (ppm) SiO2 (ppm) Cl (ppm) Sulfates (ppm) Conductivity (ppm)

7.3.3 Cooling towers, evaporative heat rejection equipment, evaporative coolers, air washers, and steam and hot water boilers shall be equipped with makeup meters and conductivity controllers if they are sized for the water quantities stated in Table 7-1.

Table 7-1 Subsystem Water Measurement Thresholds

Subsystem Threshold Values for Sub-Metering Requirement Cooling Towers and evaporative heat rejection equipment (meter on makeup water and blowdown)

Cooling tower flow through tower >500 gpm (30 l/s)

Evaporative Coolers, air washers Makeup water >0.6 gpm (0.04 l/s) Steam and Hot Water Boilers >500,000 Btu/h (50 kW) input

7.3.4 Cooling towers shall be equipped with efficient drift eliminators that achieve drift

reduction to a maximum of 0.002% of the recirculated water volume for counterflow cooling towers and 0.005% of the recirculated water volume for crossflow cooling towers.

7.3.5 Cooling tower blowdown stream shall be recovered for reuse in accordance with the local AHJ.


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7.3.6 Building projects located in regions where the ambient mean coincident wet-bulb temperature at 1% design cooling condition is greater than or equal to 72°F (22°C) shall have a system for collecting condensate from air-conditioning units with capacities greater than 65,000 Btu/h(19 kW), and the condensate from all steam systems shall be recovered for reuse.

7.3.7 General. Baseline Minimum Energy Efficiency Requirements – equipment shall comply with ASHRAE 90.1-2010, Efficiencies – Standard Rating and Operating Conditions, and comply with Sections 5.4, 6.4, 7.4, 8.4, 9.4, and 10.4 of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010. Equipment shown in Tables 6.8.1A, B, C, D, F, G, H, I, and J of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 shall meet the minimum requirements at the specified rating conditions when tested in accordance with the specified test procedure.


7.4.1 Evaporative Heat Rejection Equipment-Cooling Towers, closed circuit coolers, and evaporative condensers, including hybrid designs, shall include the following:

1. Water Treatment Plan: A comprehensive water treatment plan shall be implemented based on the water analysis obtained in Section 7.3.2 and a sustainable design. The water treatment plan shall include:

a. Documented Minimum COCs based on local water quality conditions, equipment materials of construction, and system metallurgy.

b. Owner’s training and commissioning.

2. Hybrid Wet/Dry Coolers and Condensers: Design shall incorporate hybrid heat rejection equipment to optimize water use and reduce the demand on potable or non-potable makeup water.

3. Cooling Equipment Designed for Non-Potable Water Makeup: Evaporative-

cooled heat rejection equipment shall be designed to accommodate makeup water from non-potable sources, including rainwater, stormwater, air handler condensate, recycled treated wastewater foundation drain, or reclaimed municipal water.

a. Makeup water from non-potable sources shall meet evaporative heat rejection equipment manufacturer’s recommended water chemistry guidelines.

4. Non-Chemical Water Treatment: When used, the blowdown from evaporative

heat rejection equipment with non-chemical water treatment shall be recovered for reuse.

5. Mechanical Filtration: Mechanical filtration shall be utilized for the removal of

solids 44 micron and larger (visible solids) in cooling water systems and shall recover purge and or backwash water for reuse.


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6. Chemical Water Treatment: Chemical water treatment programs shall follow EPA’s recommended “Green Chemistry” guidelines. All chemicals selected shall be compatible with the evaporative heat rejection unit’s material of construction as well as other equipment and piping used in the system. Resultant blowdown water shall be captured and reused for irrigation, building sewage conveyance, and ground water re-charge.

7.4.2 Prioritized Opportunities for Water Savings in Evaporative Heat Rejection

Systems:

7.4.2.1 Building Cooling Load2 Because energy savings correlates to water savings, a building performance model shall be used to minimize the total evaporative heat load by minimizing the air-conditioning load through building thermal efficiency features and shall include an analysis for the potential of cold thermal storage systems and heat recovery.

7.4.2.2 Minimum Equipment Efficiencies

The heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems shall comply with Section 6 of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 2010 with the following modifications and additions, and building products shall comply with one of the following:

1. Energy Policy Act (EPAct) baseline. Products shall comply with the

minimum efficiencies addressed in the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA), EPAct, and the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA).

2. Higher Efficiency. Products shall comply with the greater of the ENERGY STAR requirements in Section 7.4.7.3 and the values in Normative Appendix C of ASHRAE Standard 189.1-2011. These requirements supersede the requirements in Tables 6.8.1.A to 6.8.1J of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010. The building project shall comply with Sections 7.4.5.1 of ASHRAE Standard 189.1.

7.4.3 Hydronic Closed Systems

7.4.3.1 Hot Water Boilers shall incorporate a leak detection system with an alarm or positive displacement meter on water makeup points to prevent fluctuation in the internal system pressure.

7.4.3.1.1 Makeup water to the boiler shall be sub-metered.

7.4.3.2 Chilled Water Systems shall incorporate a leak detection system with an alarm or positive displacement meter on water makeup points to prevent fluctuation in the internal system pressure.

7.4.3.3 Dual Temperature Water Systems shall incorporate a leak detection

system with an alarm or positive displacement meter on water makeup points to prevent fluctuation in the internal system pressure.

7.4.4 Ground Source Heat Pump Systems

7.4.4.1 Ground Water Heat Pump Systems (Open Loop)


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1. Ground water heat pump (GWHP) systems shall conform to all regulatory requirements applicable to the site at which the system is installed. In the absence of regulatory requirements addressing disposal methods for the ground water (after it has passed through the system), the default method shall be injection (re-injection) of 100% of the flow to the aquifer from which it was withdrawn. The ground water shall be returned to the producing aquifer unchanged with the exception of temperature.

2. Surface disposal of ground water withdrawn from an aquifer for use in a GWHP system shall be permitted only in those non-residential applications in which:

a. Aquifer testing and analysis by a registered hydrology consultant

demonstrates that surface disposal from the GWHP system does not result in aquifer decline over the expected life of the system, or

b. All of the surface disposal flow from the GWHP system is subsequently delivered to a beneficial use (irrigation, industrial use, stock water).

3. Any non-residential GWHP system employing surface disposal for any portion of the ground water shall be equipped with a totalizing water meter to record the total flow diverted to surface disposal. Annual total ground water use shall be recorded by the owner and these records maintained in such a manner as to be available to the responsible regulatory agency.

4. The building loop piping of the GWHP system shall be subject to the same makeup water metering requirements for hydronic systems found in Section 7.4.3 of this standard.

a. Microclimate requirement for plentiful water.

i. Regional Design Recommendation: design shall take into consideration the natural rise and fall of pond/lake/aquifer water levels when considering an open loop ground source heat pump system.

b. Salt water option: shall select a heat exchanger capable of

operating on salt water.

7.4.4.2 Ground Coupled Heat Pump Systems (Closed Loop)

1. Ground coupled heat pump (GCHP) systems shall not be designed or installed incorporating a water supply system (“soaker system”) intended to artificially re-hydrate the soil in the ground loop zone using anything other than reclaimed water.

2. GCHP systems involving the use of a cooling tower (aka Hybrid systems) shall conform to all requirements associated with cooling tower operation as provided in Section 7.3 of this standard.

3. Loop piping for GCHP systems shall be subject to the same makeup water metering requirements for hydronic systems found in Section 7.4.3 of this standard.


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4. Leak detection: shall incorporate a leak detection system with an alarm or positive displacement meter on water makeup points to prevent fluctuation in the internal system pressure.

7.4.5 Humidification Systems

Use humidification systems only when required to meet the operational program for a building. All humidification waste water shall be recovered and re-used.

7.4.6 Evaporative Coolers

Direct and indirect evaporative coolers shall be designed to conserve water. Their design shall include:

1. Positive closing water makeup valves.

2. Overflow located in quiescent area of sump, away from makeup valve and return water.

3. Positively closing sump drain located in the lowest area of sump.

4. Fully drainable sump.

5. Sumps shall be sized to hold all returned water when pumps are shut off.

6. No water carry over.

7. When mist eliminators are used, the captured water shall be returned to the evaporative cooler sump.

8. Bleed off shall be controlled by conductivity controllers.

9. Temperature or humidity shall be controlled with a thermostat or humidistat.

7.4.7 Steam Systems

7.4.7.1 Metering/leak detection requirements for closed piping AND vent systems.

1. Shall develop a semi or biannual maintenance operation procedure to physically and visually inspect every steam trap in a facility. Ensure steam is not bypassed if not needed. Use a non contact infrared thermometer to meter steam temperatures.

7.4.7.2 Requirements for dealing with vented systems when they are blowing off steam.

7.4.7.3 Limit acceptable amount of steam vented to atmosphere through proper design of condensate return system and components and flash tank/pressure reducing station systems and components

7.4.7.4 Metering of makeup water to the boiler shall comply with 6.3.3.3. Bleed off shall be controlled by conductivity controllers.

7.4.7.5 Condensate Coolers/Tempering: Potable water shall not be used as tempering water for sanitary discharge where the tempering water volume


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requirement for the application exceeds 200 gallons per day (757 liters per day).

7.4.7.6 Boilers

1. Meter requirements – makeup water shall be metered and combined with the building automation system.

2. Boiler blowdown – the system shall be equipped with a water tempering device which operates only when the discharge temperature to the sanitary system exceeds 140°F or recover the heat off the discharge water.

3. Potable water shall not be used as tempering water for sanitary discharge where the tempering water volume requirement for the application exceeds 200 gallons per day (757 liters per day).

4. Boiler blowdown shall be controlled by conductivity controllers.

7.4.8 Cold Thermal Energy Storage

1. Evaluate thermal energy storage systems to reduce water consumption at the building site and its energy source.

2. Where the utility rates are favorable, the evaluation shall consider:

a. Full thermal storage systems. b. Partial thermal storage systems. c. Air cooled with ice thermal storage systems.

7.5 High Performance Option

All sections above shall comply with ASHRAE Standard 189.1-2011 and supersede all ASHRAE 90.1-2010 requirements.

7.6 Submittals

The applicant shall submit a document which contains all of the information mandated in Section 7.3 (Mandatory Provisions) and documentation clearly describing how water efficient HVAC systems and equipment are being used so that either the prescriptive or performance criteria in Sections 7.4 and 7.5 are met.

8. APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT

8.1 Scope

This section contains water efficiency requirements for appliances and equipment for different applications, including commercial food service operations, medical and health care systems, laundering systems, laboratory facilities, and residential appliances.

8.2 Compliance

All appliances and equipment shall comply with Section 8.3, “Mandatory Provisions” and those listed below.

1. Section 8.4, “Prescriptive Option.” 2. Section 8.5, “High Performance Option.”


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3. The EPA Water Sense and Energy Star


8.3.1 Commercial Food Service Operations

8.3.2 Once through cooling is prohibited for all refrigeration equipment

8.3.2.1 Commercial food service operations (e.g., restaurants, cafeterias, food preparation kitchens, caterers, etc.):

1. Shall use high-efficiency, pre-rinse spray valves (i.e., valves that

function at 4.9 L (1.3 gal) per minute or less) and comply with the performance criteria of the U.S. EPA Water Sense High-Efficiency Pre-Rinse Spray Valve Specification.

2. Shall use dishwashers that comply with the requirements of the U.S. EPA Energy Star Program for Commercial Dishwashers. For rackless flight type machines, water use shall not exceed 160 gallons per hour.

3. Shall use boilerless/connectionless food steamers that consume no more than 7.5 L (2.0 gal) per hour per pan in the full operational mode.

4. Shall use combination ovens that consume not more than 13 L/min (3.5 gpm) per pan in the full operational mode.

5. Shall use air-cooled ice machines that comply with the requirements of the U.S. EPA Energy Star Program for Commercial Ice Machines.

6. Shall be equipped with hands-free faucet controllers (foot controllers, sensor-activated, or other) for all faucet fittings within the food preparation area of the kitchen and the dish room, including pot sinks and washing sinks.

7. Dipper Well Faucets. Where dipper wells are installed, the water supply to a dipper well shall have a shutoff valve and flow control. The flow of water into a dipper well shall be limited by at least one of the following methods:

a. Maximum continuous flow. Water flow shall not exceed the water capacity of the dipper well in one minute at supply pressure of 60 psi (414 kPa), and the maximum flow shall not exceed 1.0 gpm (0.063 L/s) at a supply pressure of 60 psi (414 kPa). The water capacity of a dipper well shall be the maximum amount of water that the fixture can hold before water flows into the drain.

b. Metered flow. The volume of water dispensed into a dipper well in each activation cycle of a self closing fixture fitting shall not exceed the water capacity of the dipper well, and the maximum flow shall not exceed 1.0 gpm (0.063 L/s) at a supply pressure of 60 psi (414 kPa).

8.3.3 Medical and Health Care Systems

Medical and laboratory facilities (e.g., clinics, hospitals, medical centers, physician and dental offices, and medical and non-medical laboratories of all types):


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1. Shall use water-efficient steam sterilizers that use (1) water tempering devices

that only allow water to flow when the discharge of condensate or hot water from the sterilizer exceeds 60°C (140°F) and (2) mechanical vacuum equipment in place of venturi-type vacuum systems for vacuum sterilizers.

2. Shall use film processor water recycling units where large frame x-ray films of more than 150 mm (6 in.) in either length or width are processed (small dental x-ray equipment is exempt from this requirement).

3. Shall use digital imaging and radiography systems where the digital networks are installed (as opposed to conventional film-based systems).

4. Shall use a dry-hood scrubber system or, if the applicant determines that a wet-hood scrubber system is required, the scrubber shall be equipped with a water recirculation system. For perchlorate hoods and other applications where a hood wash-down system is required, the hood shall be equipped with self-closing valves on those wash-down systems.

5. Shall use dry vacuum pumps, unless fire and safety codes for explosive, corrosive, or oxidative gasses require liquid ring pumps.

6. Shall use efficient water treatment systems that comply with the following criteria:

a. For all filtration processes, pressure gauges shall determine and display when to backwash or change cartridges.

b. For all ion exchange and softening processes, recharge cycles shall be set by volume of water treated or based upon conductivity or hardness.

c. For reverse osmosis and nanofiltration equipment, reject water shall not exceed 60% of the feed water and shall be used as scrubber feed water or other beneficial uses on the project site.

7. Food service operations within medical facilities shall comply with 6.3.4.2.

8.3.4 Laundering System

Laundering appliances (e.g., clothes washers): Table C-14 from ASHRAE 189.1-2011: Commercial Clothes Washers, MER and WF. Shall use clothes washers that have an ENERGY STAR WF maximum of 6.0 for residential clothes washers and a WF of 30.28 for commercial clothes washers. **There is no Water Sense for washers.**

8.3.5 Laboratory Facilities (e.g., biomedical, chemical, animal, vivarium)

1. Shall use water efficient, low flow work, and hand washing sinks, glassware

washers, and cage and rack washers.

2. Shall use water efficient treatment systems designed with these recommendations that comply with the following criteria:

a. For all filtration processes, pressure gauges shall determine and display

when to backwash or change cartridges.

b. For all ion exchange and softening processes, recharge cycles shall be set by volume of water treated or based upon conductivity or hardness.


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c. For reverse osmosis equipment with a product rate of 5gpm (0.32 L/s) or greater, the reject water shall not exceed 50% of the feed water and shall be used for other beneficial uses on the project site. Reverse osmosis systems must meet NSF58.

d. Reuse concentrate produced by treatment systems for non-potable applications.

e. Wastewater shall be monitored and metered to prevent fouling or corrosion.

3. Shall use water efficient disinfection and sterilization systems that are designed with the following criteria:

a. Shall be properly sized for volume and rate, which is needed for specific application.

b. Shall maximize claim recovery rates.

c. Shall replace all water inefficient equipment with either recirculation equipment or equipment that allows flow to be turned off when not in use, or both.

d. Adjust flow rates to minimum as recommended by the manufacturer.

e. Shall install small expansion tank to cool steam for discharge to sewer.

f. Shall shut off units when not in use or install automatic shut off features.

g. Be provided with a retrofit kit that reduces water by controlling tempered water flow or replacing venturi mechanism.

4. Shall use efficient water vivarium practices that comply with the following criteria:

a. Shall replace all water inefficient cage and rack washers with more efficient models that recycle water through a counter-current rinsing process.

b. Shall use automatic animal watering systems that incorporate recycled water that had been sterilized and recirculated.

i. Water that is used for cleaning cage racks and washing down animal rooms cannot be recycled for drinking.

c. Shall use tunnel washers for small cage washing.

8.4 Submittals

The applicant shall submit a document which contains all of the information mandated in Section 8.3 (Mandatory Provisions) and documentation clearly describing how water efficient appliances and equipment are being used.

Documents

Standard for the Efficient Use of Water in Building, Site ... · BSR/ASHRAE/USGBC/ASPE/AWWA Standard 191P, Standard for the Efficient Use of Water in Building, Site, and Mechanical